Category: Articles

THE DEBT-TRAP DIPLOMACY; AND THE NEED TO PUSH FOR A UNITED AFRICA

Mr. President, Before I start, let’s look at the statistics.

  1. With over $1 billion dollars in dept to China, Sri Lanka handed over the Hambantota port to companies owned by the Chinese government.
  2. New Djibouti, home to the US military’s main base in Africa, looks to cede control of the Doraleh Container Terminal to a Beijing-linked company; something the US is not happy about.
  3. Seven other countries; Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao, the Maldives, Mongolia, Pakistan, Montenegro suffer similar fate
  4. Over 70% of Kenya’s external bilateral debt is owed to China, and in danger of losing its busy port of Mombasa
  5. Senegal’s highway from Dakar to Touba, it’s second city, and part of an industrial park in Diamniadio, as well as other projects is being financed partially by the Chinese up to a tune of about $1.6 billion
  6. Chinese contractors have been dominating road construction projects in Uganda

 

The list goes on and on. And to be frank, I do not give a damn about what the IMF, US or Europe think about the threat China poses on getting so much power in Africa and other places. The IMF, US and Europe have had their own share of power struggle in Africa when excessive loans from them to African countries in the 80’s and 90’s resulted in a lot of countries declaring HIPC. I cannot overemphasize the horrors of colonialism which was spearheaded by these countries who seem to care now about China’s rise to dominance in emerging countries.

What I care about is what Africa needs. What I care about is what Africa wants. What I care about is what Africa has to do to be independent and rely on its own natural and human resource, to forge a greater continent that very few can fathom. On Kwame Nkrumah’s declaration of independence, he made it clear that the independence of Ghana was meaningless unless it was linked to the total liberation of Africa. Over 60 years, Africa is nowhere near liberation and I fear Africa will never be liberated.

The president of the Republic of Ghana, on his recent trip to the three Northern Regions announced the process of securing a $2 billion loan from who else, but China, to tackle the country’s road infrastructure deficit. The fact is, he will not be there when the ripple effect come. You and I may probably not be there too. But what kind of humans are we if we do not care about posterity.

Numerous loans have been taken for various projects in Ghana that never saw the light of day. For decades, the busiest road in Ghana (Accra-Kumasi) is near starting than finishing. It is so evident that most, if not all of our leaders are concerned with making themselves rich than making Ghana great. They only disagree in public to agree to sharing public funds. Enough is enough.

Africa is self-sufficient, Ghana is also. We should be concerned with forming a common nation, sharing ideas and resources. That’s the only way to make Africa great. No one African nation is an island on its own. The time is now more than ever for us to unite.

25

 

Sing to me, a new melody
Of things past, and to come
Of silver spent, and hearts mended
Tell me of roads not travelled
And seas uncharted
That we may get lost in time
And find ourselves in space

Sing to me, an old dirge
Of memories made, and those regretted
Of lost love, and broken hearts
Tell me of paths trodden
And the night of tears
That we may drown in those
And float in joy

Sing to me, a lullaby
Of silent nights, and gory ones
Of shooting stars, and forgotten wishes
Tell me of the hands you’ve felt
And the whispers you’ve heard
That we may plead with the gods
And become like them

Sing to me, whatever you so wish
The tears of the sea, the beams of the sun
Sing to me the cries of the night
Make the heart beat, and un-beat
Make the veins surge and un-surge
And when sleep calls
We will wake like the morning sun

NO BED SYNDROME

An unfortunate event happened some weeks ago in our country. A 70 year old man fell ill and needed immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, all 7 hospitals he was taken to, including tertiary centers denied him admission on account of having no beds. The man finally died, throwing the nation into chaos. As usual health workers were the culprits and received all the insults possible. Parliament has even considered making it a criminal offense for health workers to deny emergency care. But this is what they all fail to admit. And this is also my take on the whole issue.

I know for a fact, that over the next few months, the inadequacies, inefficiency, savagery, and whatever about health professionals will eclipse the scandals that have befallen our beloved country. Scandals that have caused the nation billions of tax payer’s monies that could have been channeled into making a better health system. These scandals will be forgotten because it did not take a life, neither did it open dead wounds. In fact, the very people at the helm of affairs amidst all these misappropriation of funds, will be the very ones who will call for the heads of health professionals. Why not? Because they are the law makers, and as usual, we are the followers. And as the saying goes, “follow the leader” Majority will side with them, and say enough is enough, bring these professionals to order. Of course, they need to be brought to order, likewise each and everyone in the country whose actions or inactions has in one way contributed to the death of many Ghanaians.

It is sad, and appalling, how life goes by like day and night, and no one cares till one brave person decides to voice his/her experience. They say two things are assured in life; to be born, and to die. Whatever happens in between that, all the better. But of a truth, no one deserves to die, especially to all the departed souls whose demise was as a result of the newly coined “No Bed Syndrome”. Truth be told, when it comes to health, there are only two types of citizens; us, and them. And the other truth is, we will suffer the same fate except them. So, make no mistake, being a health professional does not equate to immortality, and we will all suffer the same fate should we have been in the shoes of the late Mr. Anthony Opoku Acheampong, may his soul rest in peace.

Why? Because they have the resources to get treatment wherever they so wish, and we remain oblivious to the fact that we have been taken for granted for far too long. A different story would have been told if Mr. Opoku Acheampong was a vice president, or a minister, or a member of Parliament, whose leader has just called for criminalizing the “No Bed Syndrome”. I ask, who is to face the charges? Is it that one who have built fancy edifices that consume power but has no output? Is that that person who has trained a lot of professionals who are unemployed? Is it that person who watches for professionals to work hours without considering their wellbeing? Is that person who finds it difficult to pay professionals than sign unnecessary deals? Is it that person who flies outside to treat a headache? Is that person who is so afraid to get treatment in his own country knowing what a shameful system he has in place? Or is it that person who works 48 hours non-stop only to be told there is no money to pay you? Or that person who is so tired, and reckless, and insensitive, and wicked, and lacks compassion and gives a flimsy excuse of no bed?

Much has been said about how human life is valued in other countries, and how health professionals have made themselves demigods in Ghana. However, much has not been said about how health professionals in Ghana are overworked and with little to no equipment. Much has been said about how a relative died due to negligence but none about how their relative’s life was saved. We are so hesitant to say thank you after a successful surgery but too quick to post on social media about all the wrongs that have been done to us. Yes, because this is Ghana, and only God gives life, and to die is a mistake from a health professional. It is depressing but they continue to do their best. It is heartbreaking but they never rest.

I share in the sentiments of other Ghanaians. Some health professionals don’t behave as they are supposed to. It is quite sad, but if you bring your mind to the fact that the famous biblical devil was once a heavenly creature, we need to appreciate the good ones we have. If we can vote for them year in year out despite all their inadequacies, we can likewise push them to do that which is right. Imagine a Ghana where all of them must assess health care domestically, they will definitely put in all the resources needed, hire all the professionals needed, and make life enviable in our beloved country. I speak for all Ghanaians, and I speak for myself as well, for I fear when the unimaginable will happen and I will be told there is no bed.

Long Live Ghana, Long Live Us

QUOD SCRIPSI, SCRIPSI

 

After a humbling 5 – 1 result at the Allianz Arena, just as it was supposed to be, the usual Arsenal is a bad team was on the lips of every football fan. I doubt if anyone expected something different. It was a beautiful game of football. I personally hate it when after blinking my eyes for less than 90 times in 5400 seconds, the beautiful game ends goalless. In fact, that’s the reason I sought refuge in basketball because you’re never denied the thrill of cheering every second. The dunks, blocks, crosses, alleys, shots, its just a joy to behold. But then, the beautiful game will always be the beautiful game and like a pitiful boyfriend who never gets over a heartbreak, I find myself going back to my ex. Well, the angel you know is better than the devil you don’t know (I wonder why they always say the devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. Man! Be positive small) so football over basketball on any day.

I was happy there were goals galore. Truth is, I personally had no interest in the game but sometimes you just can’t resist the temptation of watching. The atmosphere alone in the TV room, my brother, you can’t miss that. The AC Milan fans who can’t say from the top of their heads the last time they played in the Champions League; The Liverpool fans who are as old as the last time they won the Premiership; the Chelsea fans who for reason have balls enough to claim supremacy; some recent breed of Juventus fans (most of them are Gunners by the way) who are creeping through crevices; and last but not least, the famous ASU (Against Supporters Union) won’t make you regret spending 90 minutes of your time when in fact you find it difficult opening a chapter in BAJA. May the Lord help us.

I wasn’t happy because a lot of people were. They talk like Arsenal has been cursed. Cursed never to see the light of a quarter finals in the CL. Cursed for trying to be the first London club to lift the trophy. Cursed for trying to battle Barcelona for a CL, something the likes of Ronaldinho had labored for. Not that Arsenal did not do much for a berth in the final, but that it was the only CL that the great Ronaldinho had to settle for.

So I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy because people thought there was no way in the world Arsenal could qualify. Come on! We all did probability somewhere along the line. So it was annoying when people would just conclude and not leave any window of opportunity. Dude! Even prisons have windows. Well, truth is, I was trying to exhibit some optimism, something I don’t really do often. Arsenal had given me such opportunity. So I held on to it, like a baby suckling on a mother’s breast, milking every colostrum I could get. Also I have a few Arsenal friends I sympathize with, so I had to join them and argue my heart out that Arsenal was going to do it. It was Arsenal’s 100th home game in the CL under Wenger and they had won on 9 occasions with more than 4 goals so come on, Arsenal all the way.

I had some score to settle so I couldn’t make it to the game in time. You know, even if Arsenal was going to win by a 7 goal margin, man must survive. I finished the last bowl of stew in my fridge, went to the TV space only for Arsenal to score. “If it is coming, it is doing”. That’s what I said. At that moment, I knew I would pass for a prophet because my prediction was in the pipeline; Arsenal will qualify. Arsenal was playing with the confidence only seen in the few minutes when a guy is planning on some lyrics to woo a girl. Then Lewandowski scores from a spot-kick, and Arsenal is back to factory settings; concede a goal and start playing poorly. The goals started flooding, and I was smiling. Not at the fact that Arsenal was losing, but that I wasn’t wasting my time. My faith had also taken another leap because as it is written in John 19:22; what is written, is written.

TRY JESUS

It’s a brave new world
Where we trade urgency for currency
We go miles for the pleasure
And forget where we’ll take leisure
It’s all inconsequential

There’s food for the belly
And food for thought
But then there’s one for the soul
Yet we thirst sitting by the oasis
And hunger under the fig tree

They celebrate the papas
And adore their mamas
But starve the man of the millenium
All he needs is a mouth
And a voice to utter some praise

There is a way that seems right
But the end is that of death
Likewise a way that seems right
And the end is also right
But they’ll mistake the choices for abilities

Many are called
But not few are chosen
Few however make the choice
So don’t wait for the glory
Make your handiwork glorious

There’s nothing wrong with the ignorance
Just don’t make it too obvious
There’s nothing wrong with the pride
When you know you’ve fought a good one
Whatever the case may be
It’s never late to try Jesus.

BLESSED IS THE HANDS THAT GIVE.

As a child, I had this notion that the affluent were the religious ones. I never had a doubt that all paupers were unbelievers and that serving a supreme being was the gateway to success. But then with age comes knowledge and with knowledge comes enlightenment, at least for those who are willing. I had the opportunity to chance on the principle of sowing and reaping and then realized it had no such faith attached to it but a natural phenomenon which is no respecter of persons. Jesus even attested to the fact that his father rains on both the clean and unclean to demonstrate his undying love for even the lost. So then, I purported to dive into such a phenomenon that constitutes one of the things I got totally wrong as I aged into my niche of knowledge and enlightenment. Guided by my field of study, I chose to use the human male and female as my point of reference.
The human female has a total of about 300,000 eggs at the time of birth. This reduces to about 400 by puberty and there is no stopping its reduction day in and day out. This brings to play the whole biological clock and how women have to marry and procreate as early as they can to reduce their chances of delivering all sorts of babies with all sorts of congenital anomalies.
The human male on the hand is rather privileged in the sense that, he has the ability produce sperms throughout his lifetime unless some pathology sets in.
So I reasoned that, in the act of sexual intercourse, the human male gives whereas the female receives. So I’m i right to say the human male is blessed in this sense? I say this because blessed is the hand that gives than the one that takes.

It’s pretty amazing how the female being gets all the blame when there is no cry heard in the house. I sometimes weep for the many subtle hearts that passed in the age of darkness when inability to conceive was the fault of the human female. Thank God the sun has shone on the continent with a question mark and such vain ideologies have somehow being corrected in the hearts of the willing. Men on the other hand boast of their prowess in bed and how their actions multiply the already populated universe.

So, I decided to look at this from another perspective, research has proven that men die at an early age as compared to the female counterpart. Why is this so? The simple reason I got based on the blessed blah blah blah principle is that, the human female gives to the world in that she bears a child for 9months after which she goes through a painful delivery session to bring forth a baby. Thus, blessed is the human female who gives to the world than the male counterpart who takes all the compliment.

So then, I realized that there are certain things that goes beyond religion or faith or confession. Such are the natural phenomenon and there is nothing that can cheat it.

FAITH OF OUR FATHERS

The concept of faith is one of the various religious dogmas that intrigue me a lot. Its basis is believing what you have not seen no matter how bad the odds are against you. There is this popular Christian saying, “For we walk not by sight but by faith”. This is where the paradigm comes in. There is no doubt about this saying because I have seen the blind walk all by themselves without assistance. That is an impartial exhibition of faith here. So does this make faith a substance for the blind alone? In Hebrews, James defines faith as a substance of things hoped for and an evidence of things not seen. This confirms how unrealistic faith is and how blind one can be in this era of illumination on the account of faith. Faith makes you do everything the other way. It makes you put all your eggs in one basket, makes you give your all even when you are the world’s most dependent being. It makes you pray instead of learning for that exam and makes you wait for that lover who has abandoned you and enjoying somewhere else. It makes you disown the womb that formed you, the breast that fed you and the tears that filled the breast. So what then makes FAITH sacred if all that it teaches is rebellion, neglect, sorrow, cruelty and dishonesty among the many I cannot even remember?
Nevertheless, there have been many instances that people have exhibited faith and the end was something worthwhile. Like the woman with an issue of blood, the soldier whose child was dead, Abraham who left his home though he never knew where he was headed. In all these instances, we see people who though they had no hope nor knew what was in wait for them but took a bold step in believing the impossible and it actually worked for them. So then where does faith lie? Is it that abstract figure that leads people astray or that which gives them hope, peace and a kind of satisfaction that many lack?

LIKE PILGRIMS AND STRANGERS

Who knows where we come from or where we go? As a clot of blood we are formed knowing not whence we came from and beneath the earth we are buried knowing not where we go to. So is there any need craving for all that last but for a time? What makes you think that what you believe is even right? What do we gain by being faithful in a house full of whores? Everything that is done under the sun is meaningless as the Preacher rightly said. Under the sun, we are governed by theories, conspiracies, beliefs, conventions, and laws that we know not the origin neither the originator. Everyone believes in or not in something and they cannot be blamed for who they are because no two are the same even if they are, periodic chemistry teaches us that they have opposite spins. As such it will be very wrong to judge someone with what you believe in or not. We work so hard to achieve a better tomorrow which we are never assured of seeing. Seeing tomorrow is not by deeds neither by any qualities we possess. It is simply chance or luck as some say. Others attribute it to the benevolence of some divine entity.

Even with the concept of the divine, everyone has his or her own to whom honor is due. So even with divine, who is supreme over then other? Who orders and who follows? We love and we are others beloved but somewhere along the line, there is hatred and envy and malice and whatever vice you can think of. Can love and hatred coexist? If NO, then why do we love some and hate others? If YES, then what do we stand for and to which one do we make obeisance because to my best of knowledge, no one man can serve two masters. There is no part of man that is content with what it has. The eye is never content with seeing neither the ears hearing. The mouth together with the tongue never ceases to talk likewise the belly is never filled. Human needs are insatiable and forever so shall it be. All these somehow attest to the fact that everything under the sun is meaningless because something meaningful needs no further elaboration. Belief is like the skin of a leopard; it is if not impossible, very hard to change.

We are born tabula rasa and like a machine we are programmed by what surrounds us. We are made Christians, Muslims, Atheist, educated, whatever by where we find ourselves or by whom we find ourselves with. We do not determine our race, ethnicity, ego, sex or whatever that makes us so why racism, ethnocentrism, egocentrism? If we had the chance to choose even if at random, there is a probability that you wouldn’t have chosen what and where you are now. As such there is no need to consider oneself better than others because all that we have is by chance. No one wished to be born into a poor family neither into a race that is despised. Just be content with whom and what you are and never look down on your neighbor. Humans are all one and just as phones are made with different colors, so are we. Black, white, red or yellow doesn’t change the fact that humans are same and just as the stars fade when the sun appears, we shall also fade from earth to the grave.

If we are born to die then we can compare ourselves to a stranger. A stranger arrives to leave no matter how long he or she may stay. One of the few people on earth who plan their life well is strangers. A stranger knows he has but a short time to stay so he doesn’t bother himself with the things of settlers. He is always prepared to be on the move and is forever ready for any eventuality. He doesn’t consider his race because he can find himself in any country and will need help. His ethnic group is the last thing he talks of because ethnicity is not empathy. His ego, he steps on it because it will take him nowhere. His belief, he shares and doesn’t enforce, hoping to get a soul to join him. That is a stranger and so is everyone who lives. Strangely we find the otherwise in many that live under the sun. Many go to the extent of getting what they want even if it needs be that the person kills. This is vanity and such is everything under the sun.

We are like pilgrims and strangers passing through this land unknown. We all came through one channel which no one ever dare despise. One day or another we all, one by one will leave one way or another. We may be aware of what goes on here on this earth but on the other side we do not know. If therefore there be anything necessary, let us live like there is no tomorrow, let us esteem every little creature and let us be upright before God and man. I may not be able to convince you that there is life after death or judgment or even hell or heaven and I don’t intend to. One thing that is expedient is that let us live right that if there is such thing like judgment after death, we wouldn’t find ourselves wanting. Life is not how you live it; life is living in full exoneration. Live it in such a way that few would love you for who you are and that when all said and done, and you have gone the last mile of the way, you will find rest at the close of the day and also know that there are joys that awaits you. We cannot be light to people’s darkness all the time but we should endeavor not to be darkness to their light.

There is no greater sorrow than regret, no greater power than love, and no greater gift than forgiveness. May the Lord forgive us and may the gods be witness.