Tribute - To The Departed

I do not intend to belabor the sad incident since everyone who matters is distraught and disoriented but someone’s feeling can never be mine so I just deem it appropriate to state the way I see and feel about the sudden and untimely loss of a dear friend.

Even though we all know death is inevitable and could come calling any moment from now but somewhere in our thoughts, we find ourselves indestructible, invisible and immuned to ominous death until it pips one of us. I must say I was frozen in my seat after a hard days hustle when I heard the sad news of the passing away of Nana Turkson aka Bertrand King. I felt a lot of indescribable things at the same time but the highlight of it all was my inactivity until I finally managed to heave a long sigh. 

I have not met the young man in flesh before but I can conveniently say we are friends because we have interacted on so many occasions here on social media for the past 8years. It all began after being Facebook friends when I slid into his inbox one afternoon. I needed help and found it convenient to contact him because of his strategic standing in the entertainment space. I was struggling with one of the many things I wanted to do with my life, music. I wanted to be a musician and seeing his in-depth know-how in the game and his web of network, I did not hesitate to contact him just so he can listen to my demos and take it from there.

We found out we gelled on other things than music and have been chatting since. Even though he was mostly in the eye of the public, he comes as a shy person. He was respectful, affable, patient and thoughtful. He was helpful, humorous and dependable. He would come to my inbox from time to time to ask me how I was doing with my music or when I publish a note he found thoughtful. The last time he asked of my music endeavor was on the 15^th of July which happens to be my birthday, when I told him about how that ship had wrecked long time ago and I have since counted my loss. Did he like it, no? But I was quick to tell him that I was young and naïve then and we both laughed and bade each other good bye until whence. 

I considered him as a big brother because of how he comes checking up on me and how I was faring. It meant a lot to me and thankfully I made it known to him while he could still feel it. I told him about his amazing persona while he was still prowling this dog-eat-dog world. I must say I have learnt a lot from him and to give myself some closure for his inability to bade a goodbye, it is only right that I dedicate this lines of mine to him.

Why death antagonizes life, I don’t know 

Why must death always have the last say?

No matter what time in life, it makes us pay

Deep within its recesses, life is shallow

Always living behind sorrow

Yesterday you were here, today it’s all memories

The ef sound in death deflated your bubbly life

Dimmed your light when it wasn’t even twilight

Though speechless, may the yonder treat you kindly

And keep your gentle soul until we meet again

We will miss you Nana Turkson aka Bertrand King

Rest in Peace.

Nante Yie!

                                                                                                                                                                 

Writer tweets @vilejah

Burying the Ghanaian in Peace!

Komla Dumor aka the Boss Player

It has been five days since Ghana; my beloved Country was thrown into a state of mourning.  Komla Afeke Dumor - touted as one of the Ace-Journalists to ever walk this part of the earth has passed on, into the yonder and the gripping shock is yet to free some of us from our inactive state, to probably continue from where we left off.

Tributes from sitting and past Presidents, notable and unknown persons from every nook and cranny have trickled in, amidst suggestions of all kinds for the man who could neither consent to nor disagree with them. But, from all indications available on social media, there is no disputing that, the man lived par excellence; a beacon for Africa and the world as a whole.

Even though I cannot say for a fact, if these suggestions are from authoritative sources such as a family spokesperson or from the Presidency, but, they have given me much to reflect on. Firstly, how every group or persons are trying to associate with the once British Broadcasting Corporation Broadcaster, despite, he was a peoples’ person. Secondly, the good-hearted people who are proposing that a fund is set for the upkeep of his Children or nuclear family and thirdly, those proposing that he is given a befitting state burial.

Apart from the clamouring from the general public, the Ghana Journalist Association has officially come out to propose a befitting state burial for the Boss Player and an established fund to cater for his survivors and the first question I found myself asking absentmindedly was “why?”

As a nation, I think this is another opportune time to reflect on our values and what should be held in high esteem. Do we have a policy which is known to all sundry as to who qualifies for a state burial and whose surviving family should benefit from such funds if any exists at all?

Does working for a leading international broadcasting Corporation or other multinational companies of that comparative stature qualifies one for such benefits? Is the benefit only limited to only the top echelon of the political circle? How long should one work in such capacities to be honored with such benefits or just getting there is enough? Exactly, where do we cut the fine line to avoid this habit of talking and denigrating the efforts of people when they are dead and gone?

This is where we are: deliberating on what to do with the mortal remains of Komla Dumor and how to manage his lots when we should be pre-occupied with what actually made him a bright shining star in a dark world and the journey thus far.

Mr. Komla Dumor interacting with Ex-US President, Bill Clinton

Ghana, like any other Country is made of different ethnic groups and by extension, different cultural practices which is usually binding on the individual, but I still believe we as a people can come to a consensus to have common grounds and say, when matters of this nature arises. The policy makers have to be circumspect and proactive in projecting their foresight even before we are confronted with the imminent situations.

Can we propose for the Government to take over funerals in this Country just as it wades in to seemingly alleviate aspects of our lives such as the National health Insurance scheme and other instituted social programs to take care of its citizenry or leave it as it were, where some people conveniently erect billboards for their departed?

How about the Government subsidizing funeral costs of Citizens or scheming funeral plans in tiers, so you and I will know our fate even before we decide to die? 

I know that, the aforementioned questions have cost implications and may further dig a hole in the state coffers, not to talk about how governance will be worsened with the incidence of skyrocketing tax falling on the individual, but all I am trying to say is we need a plan. 

There must be a plan!

And in the wake of Government taking over by subsidizing or organizing free burial for its citizens, how do we handle the agitations from family and friends who would be denied the opportunity to organize upscale funerals for their loved and departed ones, especially if they made more money in their lifetime?

There would also be cultural insurgents and gatekeepers who would be denied the chance to bury their royalties according to accepted norms, not to talk about the businessmen who would be denied revenue from privately organizing funeral for families but somehow, there must be some kind of uniformity.

We cannot continue to characterize the death of notable people who have contributed immensely on individual and national scales with such uproar and non-uniformity, because the least we could do is to allow them to rest peacefully.

To this end, I can only express my condolences to the bereaved family and close friends of Komla Dumor, who would definitely feel the loss on a very personal level.

R.I.P. Komla Afeke Dumor!

Fare thee well 

Xede nyuie!

  

Shit Happens!

One definite thing I am convinced about is, nobody likes to take ‘shit’ but I’m sorry to disappoint you because shit is what I am about to give you. It’s my hundredth blog and just to celebrate the journey already, I decided to pay you, my cherished reader with some shitty stuff. I would also like to thank you for being part of MYNAH where I express my thought, your thoughts and the after-thoughts of Society.

 Before you lose it, I really want to apologize for ruining your appetite but I am sorry, I just felt that projecting shit this way is good for our literature as a people and because most people would not talk about it even though it is an essential part of us. Society is quick give you all the lectures on what nauseating and disgusting is and label you uncivilized or uncultured should you pronounce the word shit as if it is a plague but before I proceed further, I would like to know if you do shit?

Is the labeling then an issue of self-righteousness or unadulterated decorum? I have heard people say, they can’t eat around shit or even lose appetite just at the flash of a shitty thought and that is allowed because shit stinks and sticks but I personally do not mind. How about being referred to as a piece of shit?

It is often referred to as faeces, pooh, stools and what have you, so I wasn’t disappointed when I tried to Google ‘shit’ and all I had was ‘shito’, ‘shite’.

Aside the gas which usually heralds the main event; shit comes to us in solid and liquid states and also in colors of black, tarry, smelly, yellow, green, red and sometimes, bloody when we fall sick. It goes through a system of its own and depending on what you ate and general health; your gas can be harmful or harmless. Sometimes, the release comes with a sound; ‘phush’, ‘tuin’, ‘boom’, ‘puu’, ‘puun’ and what have you. The shit system is such that, you eat, the digestion system in your tummy processes it and then it is ready to be let out.

I have mostly thought about why such an integral aspect of the human existence is not discussed publicly or even among dyad or triad of friends but again, it could be a societal norm. Shitting can be a pleasant or an unpleasant situation but I won’t emphasize on that just to avoid giving you graphic details of the shitty stuff.

You have had an unpleasant experience if you have ever had an upset tummy which we popularly refer to as running stomach. Another instance of an unpleasant experience is to be compelled by the stranger of a shit at a party, in the city, travelling aboard a public vehicle and many more other situations. There is no gainsaying that shit smells but it will be unnecessary hypocrisy if we perceive it the way we do. 

For once, have you thought about the role shit plays in your life? I know for a fact that when it becomes difficult for Medical doctors to diagnose you outright, they ask you to come to the hospital with a piece of your shit so they can pick through and trace where your problem is stemming from. Every morning, a part of society carries neatly packaged shit along in their bags, cars and what have you to the Hospital for the Doctor to test. Hmm!

Often times, you see people hurriedly about their business but most are on their way to answering nature’s call because your refusal to even respond on time can be detrimental to your social standing. And if you think otherwise, refuse to answer to nature’s call and you will forever be humbled or you will be on the next bus evacuating you out of town.

Shit is a weapon. It kills directly and indirectly. If you fall in a septic tank full of shit, you are bound to be scalded or die instantly. Inhaling the putrid smell of the shit can also be detrimental to your health. It can be used to demean one’s perceived opponent like the politicians do when they shit-bomb the offices and residences of their political opponents and when that shit-bomb ‘detonates’, the foul smell affects the whole area.

Shit! Have you ever been to the public toilet before? Ever seen people queued up with half sized A4/A3 old lotto and other newspapers, shredded and given them by the toilet manager(s) while they wait in line for their turn? If you haven’t, please, try and have a look for yourself. It can be funny in retrospect but very pathetic to say the least.

As much as I respect your opinion or apathy towards shit, I strongly want to remind you that it is your savior and has kept you alive all the days of your life not to talk about the numerous things it can help us achieve such as manure and for generating power. It also readily comes to us when we find ourselves in trouble because the first thing we say when caught up in awkward situations is ‘shit!’

Also in a related news, a neighbor committed suicide in my neighborhood because of shit. May his soul rest in peace. Apparently, the guy messed up himself up at work when he developed upset tummy at kantamanto Market where he works and his colleagues would not let him be. He couldn’t take the taunting any longer and decided to take his own life which is very sad.

My condolence to all the shit martyrs…. You lost it!