STREET SHELTER

Living on the streets of Accra can be nothing but an everlasting experience nobody could ever imagine. The streets is open to all but it become a place of abode for young men and women who have travelled far and near to seek for greener pastures.

Young men and women on the streets of Accra wake up before the hen crawls to begin their day. It is their daily prayer that night do not find them, because the night begets bitter sweet experience and never sweet dreams. But it is nature and night needs to fall.

Having a good mattress and a well-built structure with a roof just to prevent the rains from falling on you becomes a huge burden for these young streets youths.

Under the newly constructed Nkrumah interchange, in front of stores and other corners where you cannot imagine that someone conceived for nine months born of a woman will be a place for them to rest their heads.

They sleep without any blanket to cover themselves from either mosquitoes or coldness of the weather. The dews of the dawn becomes something they fight with but they always get defeated with tears flowing down their cheeks.

On the streets, adversary becomes their acquaintance and an acquaintance becomes their worst adversary.
 

There is no ecstasy on the streets likewise bliss but rather the street which is open to all becomes unfavorable, inimical and hostile which is full of distress.

 

 

 

The writer is a freelance journalist and a political junkie.

Email: paanyan7@gmail.com

Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @ekowrites

THE LIDDELL FASHION TREND – THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

“Though the beginning is small, but the end shall be greater”, Job 8.7. This best describes the story of young, adorable, gorgeous Liddell Josephine Maame Esi Pokoo-Aikins

Studying general arts with Elective Mathematics, Economics, Geography and Physics as her electives she never thought of furthering her education to be either a Geographer or an Economist but rather she followed what her dream and passion was Fashion.

As a young girl growing up she watched her mum designing their Christmas dresses for her and other siblings in the house. She loved how “mum” put pieces of cloth together to form a garment to be worn during Christmas and for other important occasions, hence the passion was born.

Fashion was not the dream of a police officer (father) has for his elder daughter. He was very instrumental in what her young adorable Liddell study at High school. “Obey before complain” prevented Liddell to express her passion to her father so she had no option than pursuing general arts.

At Cape Coast Poly still, young Liddell was not matured enough to tell the father fashion was “the love of her life” so she still had to be the listening Daddy’s favourite of pursing Secretarial and Management studies but was “cheating” with her fashion lover behind her father.

“My boss at the National Service Secretariat helped me to push my dreams further to this stage” sweet Liddell said with smiles.

Being the hard-working and favourite service personnel, her boss (Rev Father) loved what she does at work and bought her an industrial sewing machine as her “End of Service Benefit” (ESB).

“Even though I haven’t gotten to where I wanted to be, looking back I think it’s a well-fought battle and I’m satisfied with what I do because it’s my passion”, the Fashion goddess said with a smile.

“God has been my anchor in all these while and he has kept me till today and keep seeing me through because it’s just by his grace and his grace alone is enough for me”, the religious Liddell said.

Liddell recounted how her once “authoritarian” daddy has become so passionate about her dream than herself, “I feel like the boss”.

“He surprises me with raw materials to use for my products and has been very supportive”.

As a young fashion designer, there are a lot of challenges that she faces such as labour force, entering the market with her new designs and financial challenges as well. She also recounted how her trusted friend went away with her money, it was a terrible experience for her.

Liddell now has a fashion school which she trains young people so passionate about fashion. She has a degree in Business Administration from GIMPA and wants to be described as an influential fashion designer someday. She always wants to see smiles on the faces of the less privileged and wants to make an impact wherever she may be.

The next time you step out to that party or wedding just make sure you are dressed in the Liddell style.

 

The writer is a freelance journalist and a political junkie

Email: paanyna7@gmail.com

Twitter: @eArthurAidoo

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE IS THE VOICE OF GOD

Today on my radar, the popular saying by most of the people especially those in the political class “the voice of the people is the voice of God” is what I want us to discuss. This is not a biblical quote, rather it’s a Latin proverb “vox populi, vox dei”. One can say the whole concept of democracy as defined by former United State President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) as “government of the people, by the people, for the people” is based on it.

The term democracy was coined from a Greek language which means “rule by the people”. It can be said democracy is by far the most challenging form of government for both politicians and the people. With this system (democracy), a constitution guarantees basic personal and political rights, fair and free elections and independent courts of law whereas totalitarian regime is a system of government by little group of leaders on the basis of an ideology, that claims general validity for all aspects of life and usually attempts to replace religion.

Back to my radar, the voice of the people is the voice of God may be either true or not. There are numerous of instances in history where corrupt monarchs and governments have been brought down by the people when they were awakened.

The People Power Revolution was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines that began in 1983 and culminated on February 22-25 1986. It was used by the citizenry to campaign against regime violence and electoral fraud. It led to the departure of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of the country’s democracy. It was known as the Yellow Revolution due to yellow ribbons during the demonstrations following the assassination of Filipino senator Benigno Aquino, Jnr. This was widely seen as a victory of the people against the 20 year authoritarian regime by Prez Marcos.

Also in November 2015, a massive protest brought down Romania’s government. On 3^rd November, 2015, 32 people died and 134 people were wounded due to a fire that took place at a nightclub in Romanian. The club owners however had insulated the warehouse with cheap, flammable material and only provided one exit. So once the fireworks ignited, people were trapped. This tragic fire brought attention to Romania’s shoddy safety laws and revealed that the government doesn’t actually perform proper inspections on any of the country’s clubs. About 25,000 citizens of Romania protested Tuesday November 3^rd, 2015 against the local government which force the Prime Minister Victor Ponta to resign.

The Egyptian Revolution of 2011 is a classic example of how the voice of the people have brought down governments. The January 25 Revolution of Egypt consisted of demonstrations, marches, occupation of plazas, riots, non-violent civil resistance, acts of civil disobedience and strikes. 

Millions of protesters from socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. The revolution included Islamic, Liberal, Anti-Capitalist, Nationalist and Feminist elements. About 846 people were killed while over 6,000 people got injured. 

The protesters burnt over 90 police stations. The grievances of the protesters focused on legal and political issues i.e. police brutality, state of emergency laws, lack of free elections, freedom of speech, corruption and economic issues including high unemployment, food-price inflation and low wages. 

The protesters’ primary demand which was an end to the Mubarak regime was fulfilled and was asked to stand trial on 24^th May, 2011 on charges of premeditated murder of peaceful protesters.

Do you remember how the “Burkina Faso’s black spring” came about?

The then ruling President Blaise Compaoré planned to amend the country’s constitution to enable him seek for re-election in 2015 presidential polls. When the national assembly was constituted for the amendment, the people protested by storming the parliament building in Ouagadougou, starting fires inside it and looting offices, billowing smoke was coming from the building. Mr Compaoré dissolved his government and declared state of emergency.

How powerful can the voice of the people be?

This same voice being the voice of God can be wrong because God voice is always associated with good things but sometimes our declaration of the masses voice can be wrong.

For instance in 1932 Reichstag election saw Hitler’s Nazi party becoming the largest party elected in German Reichstag leading to Hitler coming to power through peoples’ vote though the agenda of his party was crystal clear from the onset.

Should such voices be called the voice of God?

Like all other proverbs “Vox populi, vox dei”, “the voice the people is the voice of God” also has an opposite proverb, it says “Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, vox populi, vox dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit” which means “those people should not be listened to who keep saying the voice of the people is the voice of God, since the riotousness of the crowd is always very close to madness”.

The writer is a freelance journalist and a political junkie.

Email: paanyan7@gmail.com

Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @ekowrites

AKOSA – SAMIA ORDEAL EBE GREEN OOO!

The Convention People’s Party (CPP) last Saturday 30^th January, 2016 elected Ivor Kobina Greenstreet as their new flagbearer for the November 2016 polls. He won with 1, 288 votes which represents 64.2% of the valid votes cast as against his closet contender Samia Yaba Nkrumah who secured 579 votes which represents 28.9% at the International Trade Fair Center. Other candidates Bright Akwetey and Joseph Agyepong also secured 42 and 83 votes representing 2.1% and 4.1% respectively.

Prior to the CPP’s delegates congress Samia Yaba Nkrumah was tipped by Political watches as favorite to lead her father’s party into the November Polls but her dreams was shut by Ivor Kobina Greeenstreet’s victory.

Samia thinking that indeed CPP was her father’s party, she could easily campaign with the name of Osagyefo to see her way through just as she did to win the Jomoro seat.

Just as any other elections, this election was full of allegations of vote buying but none of those making this baseless allegations was ready to channel their allegations to the appropriate quarters for action.

Prof Akosa who had contested for the same position before had tipped Samia of wining with 80% of the valid vote cast but was never so. A clear case of Man proposes but God dispose it. The formal Director of the Ghana Health Services was quick to add that “CPP has voted for money……that is the choice of congress sadly and as a democrate I have to accept but congress voted for money”. Really!

• Did the good old Prof verify before making such allegations?
• If he did what was he supposed to have done?
• So would he has said the same if Samia had won?

Come on Prof Akosa, I think this triviality in our politics should stop.

• Prof haven’t you paid money before in your campaigning to become the flagbearer?
• So is the Prof trying to say nobody can win an election genuinely unless the person buy votes?
• Can’t the candidate elect win election in the CPP?

Any way these allegations was not far from the defeated candidate Samia Yaba Nkrumah. She also allege that Ivor Greeenstreet paid Ghȼ200 and Ghȼ500 to become the flagbearer.

Samia speaking to news men said “I’m obviously not happy with the results, but I accept them. The fact of the matter is that every delegate was paid Ghȼ200 and Ghȼ500 actually, among many other things. So it was down to money and of course we cannot be happy about that but we accept the results and we move on. There is a lot of work to be done and I will always serve the party. It’s a vision to serve not for individual.”

• Samia, so how much did you pay to win the 2008 seat at Jomoro?
• How much did you pay to the 579 votes who voted for you?
• If you actually saw Ivor and his people paying Ghȼ200 and Ghȼ500, why didn’t you report for the law to take it cause?
• Would you have ever mentioned such allegation if you had won?
• Are you making such allegations because Ivor paid a bigger sum of money than you?

Samia if you are not ready to allow the appropriate quarters to act upon your allegations than my dear forever remain your peace.

• You think your father Osagyefo was the President of Ghana, you can also run on his achievement and become the flagbearer?

Just rethink Yaba and come out with a concrete information as to how you lost to Ivor.

CPP isn’t your birth right so such baseless and trivial allegations should stop. Come on we are in the 21^st century and we should raise above such pettiness in our body politics.

When it favors you good but when its goes the other way round, the candidate did A, B, C.

It’s about time Politicians in this country accept defeat and embrace the winner, help him to move the campaign to the next level. Let’s support each other and build a strong democratic front in Ghana.

Ebe – Green ooo!

Ekow Arthur-Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

CORRUPTION A SOCIAL CANKER

Corruption in Ghanaian politics has been and will continue to be the hottest topic to be discussed in the political circles.

On 3fm’s national dialogue on corruption, the speakers apart from the Member of Parliament for Salaga South constituency, Hon Ibrahim Dey Abubakari (Alhaji), who played politics during the discussion said his government is the only government that is fighting this canker and making the subject corruption unpopular. But the civil societies group representatives at the forum sought to disagree.

I will agree with Mr. Ato Bonful of the Citizen Ghana movement that our President seems to be talking a lot on the issue of corruption but don’t know how to fight it. It is only by acting that he can help fight this social canker called corruption.

Indeed, Mr. Cudjoe Akpabli hit it right by saying, “We are a big joke in this country”. According to him, there is nothing new insofar as corruption and thievery are concerned.

He added that because of the way power has been vested into the hands of the executive, nothing can be done to fight the canker. This is because the executive arm of government appoints the head of the institution that has to fight corruption and when it is fingered, it can’t be held responsible.

Let’s look at some corrupt acts under the John Mills and John Mahama administration as well as John Mahama and Amissah-Arthur administration.

MILLS-MAHAMA

Under the leadership of President Mills and John Dramani Mahama, the country was hit by a major scandal known as the “Woyome-gate”. A name that traced its source from the Watergate scandal that happened in the 1970s in the US following the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington DC, where President Richard Nixon’s administration attempted to cover up its involvement.

With “woyome-gate”, some officials under the NDC government led by the late Prof JEA Mills and JD Mahama were fingered in the episode leading to the virtual dole-out of GH¢51.2 million belonging to the noble people of the sovereign state named Ghana by Osagyefo.

Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, former Attorney General, Ebo Barton Oduro, former deputy Attorney-General but current first deputy speaker of Ghanaian Parliament, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, former minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Mr. Martey Newman, former Chief of Staff, Alex Segbefia and Valeria Sawyer, former deputy Chief of Staff, were the persons Alfrd Agbesi Woyome claims he had discussions with concerning his alleged judgment debt.

In a statement attributed to Mr. Woyome, he wrote: “I wish to state that before I went to court [in 2010], I caused to be written by my Lawyer, Chris Coker Esq., to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning with copies to high officials in the Castle which I delivered personally.

“When we filed our writ of summons issued on the 19th of April, 2010, the Attorney General [Betty Mould Iddrissu] called me and demanded I write to her to clarify my capacity. I did so, and I suggested, per my clarification to her, that the clarification did not compromise my writ of summons”.

According to Mr. Woyome, “Two days after, I was summoned to the Castle to meet Mr. Alex Segbefia. I met him with my counsel- Chris Coker, and the capacity document was discussed. In the conversation, he indicated that he was going through the documents with Dr. Valerie Sawyerr upon the basis of the clarification document.”

“The government of Ghana did not contest the default judgment, but chose to negotiate it down from over GH¢105million to GH¢51 million, which negotiations were concluded by the Minister of Finance and his committee,” said Mr. Woyome.

“My Lawyers then put down the decision arrived at on paper for the Attorney General to sign. In my presence, the Attorney General called Mr. Neequaye Tetteh to come and witness it for her after she had signed”.

This statement, apparently lent credence to the call by critics for the heads of all the persons involved in the judgment debt negotiation and its subsequent transaction. They insisted that Mr Woyome could not have singlehandedly creamed off GH¢51.2 million on the blind side of the State without accomplices in high places.

The officials are walking freely without no charge and Woyome is left alone to face the music at the court.

MAHAMA-AMISSAH-ARTHUR

Under Mahama-Amissah-Arthur administration a scandal occurred under the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).

According to the national security apparatus, unemployment was a major security threat therefore the government of Ghana upon the advice of the national security initiated the National Youth Employment Program (NYEP) in 2006 to help deal with youth unemployment in the country.

The NYEP was renamed the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) in 2012, with a chunk of state funds devoted to the program.

For instance, between 2009 and 2012 almost ONE BILLION GHANA CEDIS or nearly $500million (per the exchange rate at the time) was spent on GYEEDA.

Most government officials under this administration were fingered in the GYEEDA scandal, also some businesses, political party and politicians were fingered.

GYEEDA was plagued by what we call “ghost names”, which gave some corrupt officials the upper hand to suck the blood of the state. Beneficiaries including 7,000 ghost names were receiving GH¢250.00 monthly making a total of GH¢1,750,000.00 monthly and GH¢21 million or $10.5 million annual lost.

This money can provide bole holes in most of the deprived communities, build schools, roads, hospital etc. but with some greedy politicians, our motherland cries each and every day.

GOD HAVE MERCY!

Mahama Ayariga, a former Minister of Youth and Sports made strenuous efforts to get members of the Ministerial Impact Assessment Committee on GYEEDA paid a whopping amount of Two Hundred and Twenty Two Thousand Ghana Cedis (Gh¢220,000) as Honorarium and Imprest.

At the commencement of the review, the five-member committee was given an amount of Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢50.000) accountable imprest at the instance of Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, who was then the Youth and Sports Minister.

At the end of the assignment, which lasted for about three months, Mr. Ayariga who had then taken over from Mr. Afriyie-Ankrah wrote a letter dated 2nd March, 2015 to the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) requesting that each Committee member be paid GH¢30,000.00 as Honorarium amounting to GH¢150,000.00. The two supporting staff were each to receive GH¢10,000.00 also as Honorarium. The proposed Honorarium was aside the GH¢50,000.00 accountable imprest. Ei!

Meanwhile, the State provided means of transportation and accommodation any time the committee moved into the regions.

After back and forth, and some heated debates GYEEDA eventually spent an amount of GH¢76,000.00 instead of the total GH¢220,000 which was earlier requested by Mr. Ayariga. The final payment, according to documents sighted was made on 2nd May, 2015.

The Ministerial Impact Assessment Committee was formed to investigate financial irregularities and challenges at GYEEDA and was inaugurated on 12th April, 2013.

Mr. Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, during the inauguration, said the committee was mandated to review the regulatory framework of GYEEDA.

It was also expected to carry out an in-depth investigation to determine possible irregularities of crime and related financial losses, as well as actions taken by management to recover possible embezzled money and other assets.

Members of the Committee included: Mr. Ferdinand Gunn, Senior Partner, Ernst and Young, Mr. Edward Amuzu Tuinese, Lawyer and Lead Consultant, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice and Mr. Randolph Nsor-Mbala, Consultant, National Communications Authority.

The rest were: Mr. Kwame Edem Senanu, Management and Development Consultant, and a Representative from the Public Service Commission, Mr. Mike K. Garba.

We can be talking about corruption under this administration without mentioning the controversial GH¢3.6 million bus branding deal.

The president, Mr. Bonful, said cannot absolve himself of blame in the matter. He stated that the chief director of the transport ministry to the Public Procurement Authority suggested the President John Dramani Mahama authorised the contract to be awarded to Smarttys (a clear case of chop-chop).

“If you look at, for instance, the chief director’s letter to the procurement agency to get the authorisation for sole sourcing, he stated there that the presidency has instructed them. So you see, the president cannot even absolve himself from this because it is coming from his office and that’s a very painful disclosure that we are finding out,” he said.

The writer is a freelance journalist and a political junkie

Email: paanyna7@gmail.com

Twitter & Instagram: @ekowrites

THE BRAND DANSARE

Dansare

Zig Ziglar said “you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great”. Nothing can best describe the young man who is impacting his generation with a new voice risen in him.

Daniel Nana Kwame Asare is the name and DANSARE is the brand. Coming from nowhere and going global with his brand, he is one of the youngest African CEO’s that one can mention.

He dreams and I agree with Willie Wonka that “we are the makers of dreams, the dreamers of dreams”. He makes his dream a reality.

Knowing you from our University days, I can best describe you as being God-fearing, you are dedicated to everything that you do, you are humble and very hardworking, you have good morals, your level of intelligence and benevolence add more meaning to this global DANSARE brand.

I remember how we made “the Bullet” the most popular and readable newspaper on campus. The threats we had covering the SRC elections never drew us back. We were determined in making our “1-page” paper very attractive and “the Bullet” was the most authoritative and authentic news source for the university community. Indeed the reward was a beautiful and supportive “JANSARE”. Lol!

How you used the strings and the weather in winning her heart was amazing. The brand DANSARE had a new breath and becomes more than a body. Your physical limbs expanded and its outline recedes, vanishes. The brand has become part of the world, the atmosphere, the blue sky and the blue water.

You always have your heart in a business and the business in your heart, this is a clear mark of a good leader.

You have come a long way in organizing the youth every year for a youth festival (youtherfest) to perfect them through Christ Jesus with a new voice.

Your aim is to build a new generation of young Africans ready to impact the world and to perfect their lives in a Christ-like manner so that they don’t depart from it when they grow.

This years’ youtherfest which will be held at the UCC campus in Cape Coast will be bringing on board some renowned speakers like Dr Joyce Aryee, Pastor Nana Kyei-Amponsah just to mention a few to help perfect the lives of our youth through Christ.

Albert Einstein said, “look deep, deep into nature and then you will understand everything better”. As we look forward to the growth of the brand DANSARE, remember to look deep into the sky and go beyond it because the sky is not your limit.

With God in your boat, you will definitely smile at the stormy sea.

Ekow Arthur-Aidoo

The Writer is a Political Junkie and a Freelance Journalist

Email: paanyan7@gmail.com

YOU ARE THE ONE

You are the one

You are the one God counted on

You are the one God counted on and brought you to our parish

You are the one God made specially and wonderfully just for the spiritual growth of our parish

You dedicated your time for the youth apostolate

You opened doors to hear us whenever we need someone to talk to and nobody was there for us

You are always the best in dealing with us

As a spiritual father, you got a solution to every problem we had as youth

We appreciate your time for the transformation of the youth of our parish

You have been our great hero as a parish

You have been great in the physical and spiritual growth of the parish

Indeed the hunter who hunted you has scored his best hunt ever

Life and destiny can take a priest like you away from us

But it can’t take away the precious memories we had with you

We will forever miss you.

Ekow Arthur-Aidoo

paanyan7@gmail.com

FOR THE SHEEP OF GOD

As a servant of God, you were created in the image of God

You represented Him

And always accept the challenge

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

As a shepherd

You were handpicked from a myriad of souls

Molded by God from the time you were a clot of blood

Prepared you for this journey

Made you a celibate

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

God has blessed you with wisdom, knowledge and understanding

To teach his sheep the way to righteousness

And love to carry God’s plans out

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

You’ve dedicated your entire time to God

He gave you the power to celebrate the Eucharist

You embraced His name and proclaimed it

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

You are a Father who baptized the sheep of God

God lifted you and made you flee any attack of the evil one

He carried you above the stormy sea

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

May the Almighty bless you and keep you

May He continue to carry you when your feet are weary

May He forever fill your heart with peace and joy

Not for yourself

But for the sheep of God

Reverend Father Anthony Nii Noi Dowuona

Wherever you maybe remember that

Good-byes are not forever

Good-byes are not the end

They simply mean we’ll miss you

As you leave for your new station

Come back soon and come back often

To celebrate Holy Mass with us


Ekow Arthur-Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL

A mother is born the moment a child is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed but the mother, never! Therefore motherhood is something absolutely new.

 

According to Linda Wooten; being a mother is learning about the strengths you didn’t know you had and dealing with fears you didn’t know existed.

 

A mother’s love is something that no one can explain because it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and of pain. It is affectionate, amusing, amazing, beautiful, brilliant, charming, caring, compassionate, generous, honest, endless and unselfish and enduring, for nothing can destroy it or take that love away.

 

I salute all mother’s especially my mother Margaret as we celebrate them, I say the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.

I therefore agree with Victor Hugo that A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. I Love you Mum!

God bless you and all mother’s….Amen!

 

Ekow Arthur-Aidoo

paanyan7@gmail.com

MY SUNDAY LOVE

Dear Ewurasi,

True love is the greatest gift God ever gave man, and there is nothing special without you on the planet called earth. You know true love stories never end just like that in fact it is endless.

Anybody who has true love is made special and being counted among the special people and that is what everyone wants to feel. True love is aspiration for acquaintance of the man who is in love.

True love expects say it’s an unconditional feeling that one feels and beloved a person in the planet called love. One has no reason for loving, it just a feeling to do so.

Ewurasi some people think true love never exists and therefore it happens once to a person in life because you never love the same as you did for the first time but as I have always said and will maintain that what I feel now will be the same tomorrow and forever its unchangeable its a feeling which does not depend on circumstances.

Love they say it patient, kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud nor rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. Experiencing love or true love is one of the most happiest experiences in life. No words can express how happy a person is when there is a true love feeling.

A smart, cute, adorable, loyal, dependable, caring, charismatic, sweet, trustworthy and gorgeous are the words or more that describes the relationship between Ewurasi and I.

With her sweet and easy going nature, Ewurasi can be described as the best friend and marriageable material every guy would want to live with because one can’t down play her great sense of humour whenever tempers are high.

It started with a little conversation on phone which has now graduated to a long lasting relationship between the two of us.

She is the reason life has been very encouraging and hopeful for me. I love the way she laughs and smiles with that dimples showing on her face with is a sign of happiness anytime we are together.

I love the way she makes me feel each and every time because I never get fed-up with her company. You are indeed the one who takes away the blues, my reason of being so much in love with you.

I know it was a great and tough decision for you to make in choosing between your “lover boy” and I but you stood firm in choosing me. Many are the lies you’ve heard from these guys especially the guy you loved first but I tell you it was all covered with the blindness of love. I remember you telling me that after you left that relationship, you’ve now release that what he said which took you to the skies were all lies.

I never blame you because that is the nature of some guys; I learnt you never believed when you were told that he was a “born one”, hmm…..!

Did I hear his cousin telling you to call him and you did…? How you acted so “babyish” because you told me he will never get your number and you don’t wish to call him either but you tried to do the later.

Let me tell you the reason of his action, thus; these guys don’t understand the reason why we have been together hence they are trying to let their brother to get closer to you again and at the end just “use” you as he did initially.

Ewurasi, I hope this is not the right place or time to tell you this but I was impaired after thinking over your actions the last time and did I heard him saying he should complete the journey he started with you and therefore, no one can have access to what you’ve started to build?

Did he say you made him pass his ACCA….?

Hahahaa, very laughable Ewurasi, because the last time I checked, he didn’t even complete collage. 

He dropped out of school with the reason known to him. Didn’t he tell you he was studying at UCC?

I have heard a lot of stories about the way he won your heart and I hope this is not how to let it out, but I sometimes wonder with all these lies, you are the same person who attended APGSS, hmmm how love made you acted crazy abi!!! Enough of your past moments, I just don’t want you to feel bored, but I want to see that lovely smile always.

Ewurasi, I must confess your cute smile and your happy laughter attracted me to you, but your caring loving heart is the reason why I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

My heart is made to love you Ewurasi and my lips are made to kiss you, my eyes are made to catch you and my hands made to hold you. Remember every part of me wants you; maybe it is just because I am addicted to you instead of drugs and alcohol. I think we are made for each other.

Always remember True Love never dies, even if you have found a new love, the sweet memory of the past will continue to hunt you for the rest of your life.

Love,

Ekow

MY MENTOR

Mentoring is an act of developing personal relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experience or less knowledgeable person. This is normally through an ongoing relationship of learning, dialog and challenge.

This definition and any other definitions perfectly describe my mentor, Uncle and friend. As an experienced professional locally and internationally, he has tried to give the chance to his subordinate to shine in their chosen field.

As a political junkie, he has tried to establish some respect for himself within his field of profession.

His style of presentation is different from what others do, when one wants to talk about someone doing thinking outside the box, then he is a perfect example the “so-called” people doing the best thing as far as this profession is concern should be learning from.

Most of his works today should be guiding our Politicians in order to build a better Ghana. His love for the Profession can’t be compared with the amount of salary paid to him, but the monetary aspect of the profession is not his joy but his joy comes after seeing a change the life of his fellow human. 

He always put his people first before his own self.

He tells me “money is not everything in life but the grace of Christ Jesus of Nazareth maketh man rich”.

I never got the chance to meet him whiles he was in Ghana, but upon linking up with him through the social media he took me as his only “begotten son” and that I am blessed to have such a great man like him to support me.

His passion has been telling stories in changing the lives of the less privilege in the society and he tells me there is a great joy whenever he sees results after executing a great work.

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from all of this”, this is the source of his strength after people he has helped to shine in their career turn to mention his name in vain.

African Politicians according to him should be helping develop and shape the lives of those who elected them into office but they come office to amass wealth for themselves and their family. They put their household in order before they think about the electorates.

This according to him sadness his heart, therefore, create lawless, fear and panic in the country. This and more motivated his movement out of the country but have not relaxed in trying to help raise professional people to put those in authority to check.

One secret about him is he has now dedicated his Facebook and Twitter pages in winning souls for Christ Jesus of Nazareth. I, therefore, celebrate him as the best and all-time favourite Uncle of mine, Mentor and Professional. Since meeting him, I have had different thoughts about happenings in the country.

Uncle, I sit behind my laptop today putting some words together to say May the Lord God almighty who brought the Israelite out of Egypt bless you now and forever. AMEN and AMEN.

Ekow Arthur-Aidoo

paanyan7@gmail.com

WORN OUT TAXIS OVERLOADING IN NYAMEYIEKROM

Nyameyiekrom is just 20 minutes long, driving from Takoradi, the oil city of Ghana. It takes about five minutes to drive from there to Agona Nkwanta, an important town near Takoradi linking the southern and northern parts of the Western Region. Nyameyiekrom translates God is good town.

 

Most residents of Nyameyekrom have never boarded a decent taxi to the village in their lives. With their laterite surface road, no driver, riding a decent taxi is ready to ply the road. The taxis that ply the Takoradi to Nyameyiekrom route also overload the passengers. When a taxi departs from the Norpalm Ghana Junction to the village, it is difficult to get passengers from the village back on the return journey to the loading station. Hence drivers overload to cover the cost of a return journey with no passengers.

 

A regular taxi takes up to four passengers but on the Nyameyiekrom route, the story is different. If a taxi carries a maximum of four passengers then the passengers will have to agree to pay GH¢2.00 each. If the taxi carries the usual six passengers, then each passenger will have to pay the regular fare Gp70. This was before the fuel price increases two weeks ago. The situation is murkier now.

 

Ghanatransport.com has learnt that this has been the situation for a long time and Nyameyiekrom residents seem to have accepted their fate. So if and when you decide to travel to Nyameyiekrom, remember you will pay more if you complain that the taxi is full.

And if the amount is no big deal to you, you will sit in a taxi not very different from the ones shown on this page. Nyameyiekrom is important to Norpalm, the palm oil producing company and Norpalm is important to Nyameyiekrom. For many readers however, the palm oil used in our foods at home or from food manufacturing plants could come from Nyameyiekrom but we may not know. Even though you may not hail from there nor be a resident, you can never tell what will link you to Nyameyiekrom.

Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

TO MY QUEEN – I’M IN LUV WITH A NIGERIAN

Dear Similoluwa,

After my first letter to you trying to let you know how I feel about you and my intention of going out with you, some people said I’m not man enough to face reality. Meaning I never face you to express my heart felt desire to you and I was advised that since the boundaries are far I should forget it.

You know their opinion is not need now for it is said; “opinions are like noses everybody has one”, so I did not take their “advice” serious but what I will take serious is what you think because you never showed any reaction of not being happy.

Today I’m writing this piece to tell my critics that I’m really in love with a Nigerian and want to marry a Nigerian one day. The good book said the greatest commandment is “to love your neighbour as yourself” and since Ghana and Nigeria are neighbours, it is only right for me to follow what the scriptures says.

Do you know that Love is an emotion of a strong affection and personal attachment? Love is also said to be a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, affection as well as being mutual?

A school of thought describe it as the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another. So what do you think of love?

Love according to Aristotle is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. I think Aristotle’s definition best describes our affection.

Falling in love with you is my first romantic fantasies that I have ever had in my life. I use to watch movies and videos clips that describe the affection that I’m having now, I use to think that it was not real it just a fiction but now I believe it real.

I think this is a huge crush I have ever had in my life. When I say huge, it may be an understatement but this crush on my Nigerian chick is a gargantuan one.

It could be like one of those fairy-tale love stories that would have make up to convince you to get married.

I believe in that fairy-tale, I believe love and I believe in you, Symiee.

If Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the republic of Ghana was able to marry Fathia Rizk (Nkrumah) from Egypt, why then is our case different?

Since Kwame Nkrumah and Fathia led a perfect example to us especially Africans, that no matter your country, religion or tribe, we can become one family. I love you Symiee

Love

Ekow

paanyan7@gmail.com

TO MY QUEEN - MAKING MY INTENTIONS KNOWN

Dear Similoluwa,
An affable, genial, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, astonishing, amiable, eye-catching Nigerian studying Optometry at Kwame Nkrumah Science and Technology (KNUST).

Your passion to be an optometrist always drives you to help people and making sure they are happy. Mostly, you inspire people and also you are a source of motivation to those who look up to you especially her friends.

You cannot beat her with a coke and malt freak but yet she looks as tinny as what you can imagine.
I didn’t imagine how welcoming Symiee was until I travelled 5hrs from the oil city to visit her in the garden city.

This naija chick was a friend on BBM and graduated from just being a friend to an adorable queen who catch the eyes of every guy. When I told her my BB phone is not functioning so she should find a way for us to communicate, “because losing her is like not breathing for a second”. I decided to give her my phone number.

For it is said the great science in the world, heaven and on earth is LOVE, I felt loved by this my Naija girlfriend who finds Ghana to be her second home.

The smile and love you showed on your face in front of your KNUST hostel gave me a different perception about you. That memories still live within my heart because in your room I couldn’t stop imagine the hospitality this naija lady gave me. In fact, “Her beauty was an intense love that does not measure”.

It is often said; There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart but the sweetness of Symiee has caught both eyes and heart that words could not describe.

There are so many times I tried describing how much I love and like you, So many times I’ve been waiting for you to see my actions instead of words describing it but I tell you I can’t continue to hid my feelings but to express it greatest Love and friendship that we shear.

Everywhere I go, I’ll think of the love and friendship of a great African queen which words cannot describe her beauty and love, but it only my heart that feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand.

Love

 

Ekow
paanyan7@gmail.com

GHANA RAILWAYS AND MP’S

It is often said “what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander,” but what do we see in our dear country; the rich or the elite are always thinking of themselves more than the ordinary people.

Before I proceed I hope by the end of this piece, I would be invited to the privileges committee of the Ghanaian Parliament because I will have committed contempt. But if we are bold to call a spade a spade, there will be no cause for alarm.

On 15th August this year, parliamentarians in Ghana’s parliament threatened to strike because the government had refused to pay their salary arrears since 2009. This is very interesting because they said if they are not paid they can’t come to the house to contribute willingly from their hearts.

Eiiiiiiiii!

Many Ghanaian workers such as the Ghana Railway workers have been complaining about their salary arrears and also gone on strike but to know avail. Do our political elite know what goes on in the minds of these people when they go to work every day?

So if the government owes you for just three years, you threaten strike and you can’t contribute willingly from your heart; what hypocrisy?

A visit to the Ghana Railway Company in Sekondi recently showed that it is not only the workers that are complaining about their salary arrears but the equipment and tools together with the railway lines are all complaining about maintenance and even some have worn out and need to be changed.

In spite of all these, the poor railway worker goes to work religiously, work with all their heart and try as much as possible to protect the little equipment they have and not destroy them.

If these parliamentarians are crying for their salary arrears to be paid then the ordinary railway worker also needs his arrears to be paid. In fact, they must fight for the arrears of all government workers to be paid before theirs. MPs salaries need to be the last Government should worry about.

The ordinary railway workers queue in the sun to exercise their franchise by voting for them to go to parliament to fight for them to have better conditions of service but what do we see? They always fight for their own first, leaving the ordinary people who voted for them to suffer.

If the railway worker is being paid a half amount of the salary of the parliamentarian, they would be working more than what they do now.

Hypocrisy at the highest level needs to be stopped because we are all equal in the sight of our Maker. They don’t even deserve to be called Honourables. Honourable thinking of driving new cars, taking rent allowances and also having “fat” salaries; is this what we voted for them to do?

Meanwhile, there are some parliamentarians who are causing more harm than good to their constituents because they were voted for to go the House to make their plights to be known and get solutions. Unfortunately, some of them hardly contribute on the floor of the house. Others hardly go to the house whiles when they go; they try as much as possible to sleep whiles proceedings are going on.

Hmm, is that why we voted for them? Let’s call a spade a spade. Remember it is the tax payer’s money which is used to pay them.

It is time that we have value for our money as Ghanaians and we should not succumb to their wishes unless they give us basic services.

Parliamentarians should seek to better the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian and not theirs.
 

We should all know that if parliamentarians are seeking their arrears to be paid then the ordinary Ghanaian who works at the Ghana Railways also needs the same; we should stop such hypocrisy in our politics.

Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

THE UNPUBLISHED TRIBUTE – PEJORATIVE EPITAPH

It is late in coming.

it is deliberate.
 

it is a late tribute.
 

it is intended for the late Johane Ewu Aye M’adze.

hmmmm. don’t u see we’re hypocrites. we say dis man is peaceful n honest.
 

some1 who charges his boys to call his opponent a drug addict n womaniser.

he defiled an under-aged hockey player – de result of dat so called son. de first time de son appeared at a state function since de man of peace and humility came into limelight in 1996 was to see de man’s dead body. it’s as if to say gud riddance. how come no journalist told us about de real mother of dat child. nobody wished dat poor woman who is de mother of his son condolences. so who are de hypocrites?

Even his brother mentions naadu, not de mother of dat child. and de young man was standing there, not crying, not showing any emotion, just luking at them and rolling his eyes. his body language saying: “i’m no even sure i have anything to do with him.” hypocrites, liars and blood suckers, all of them – including all those pastors, bishops and imams.

u may not speak ill of the dead. but who went to visit dat lady then under-aged who was defiled to give dat son. who commiserated with that poor former hockey girl who nearly became first lady and has suffered neglect since. who even prayed for her. is that how we are? i’m also a hypocrite cos i’m afraid to say loudly wot i truly believe, but only email a few friends like u. if u defile an under-aged girl u got to jail, abi? but no here we honour ppl with swords and shower acolades on them. then dey in turn seek to jail headteachers who also defile under-aged pupils and even plan to marry them with family consent. yes, we’re all guilty so we dare not cast de first stone. and i may be most guilty. but why de hypocrisy. or it’s funfool respect.

yes i may be equally guilty and worse but why all this hypocrisy on a national scale. My and your personal weaknesses should not prevent us from appreciating higher virtues, values and ideals that will stand the test of time, place and cultural relativity. we should search for that lady and restore her pride and dignity. theologians call it the doctrine of restitution. if he was too proud to make a public confession and admission, we can do it on his behalf and for our own progress as a nation. many blacks in american jails and who do drugs are de product of the absence of fathers in the home.

fathers who don’t own up to responsibility. i’m might be scared of committing perjury, slander and defamation – even on a dead man. but if you think these principles go beyond our individual sexual and other weaknesses, then be bold and champion its cause, namely, to get that woman some restitution on a national level and to eschew hypocrisy in our politics.

and in his place we got another one with numerous children born to many women haphazardly and abandoning them, not counting abortions. I don’t know all of God’s standards but i doubt if he blesses such a people FULL OF HYPOCRISY. “Such as we are, so are de times.”

GHANA @ 55, STILL STRUGGLING

55 years ago, our forefathers struggled and toiled hard to build this nation for us so that we could call it our own. But what do we see now a country that is widely respected for its human and natural resources and democratic governance but is not worth dying for.

As Ghanaians we should live in peace, love and harmony but partisan politics has divided us. The most interesting part of our lives is we all profess to be religious – Christians, Muslims, traditionalists and others. Yet our religious beliefs do not teach us to be divided.

I believe the Bible and the Koran does not teach us to be at each other’s throat; these scriptures teaches us to be at peace with all men and women of goodwill.

Today in Ghana, because we are divided by partisan politics every thing that our political opponent does is seen as “evil”. Even if we belong in the same political party and we don’t believe in what our political leaders are doing we seem not bold enough to say it. It appears that when we stand up and say that what our allies are doing is wrong we will be called the “black sheep” of the party.

At 55 years let us ask ourselves that if Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the man who led our independence struggle were to be around how would he feel?

We pretend to love each other but deep within our hearts we hate one another. We should remember we are one people with a common destiny and we have to live together as one.

Our nation is blessed with gold, timber, cocoa, Shea butter, bauxite, manganese, oil etc but we still our country looks like a 30 year old nation. In fact we are crowing.

Before any major project is fully exhausted in this country unless we seek the help of foreign partners. We have been borrowing from the outside world for every single project in this country, 

WHY?

What legacy are our elders leaving for us the young ones? Is it a country that owes other foreign countries in which we have used our nation as collateral? Where would we call the land of our birth after our political leaders are no more?

Ghana and Malaysia had their independence the same year but today our country is no where near Malaysia. Our leaders don’t care a bit about building a formidable country for us the young ones; what they care about is their own interests.

Abraham Lincoln, one of the past Presidents of American once said, “If you want to know the true character of a man give him power.”

This statement is very true; someone whom we adore will forget about where he came from just because he has power. Indeed power corrupts.

Lying and praise singing has become so common in our country these days and it is gaining the status of a desirable quality. One thing we forget as Ghanaians is that false praises usually precede the downfall of heroes.

In our parliament today, some honourable members as old as my father who should know better will be dancing to the tune of their political party even if they don’t like the song being played.

In life it is often said “life begins at forty” but at age 55 we still behave as toddlers. Every thing about us is partisan.

Mahatma Gandhi, the architect of India’s independence said, “The only way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to mankind.”

Because of partisan politics and cheap propaganda which is characterised by insincerity, mischief and greed we keep changing our educational system as often as we change our phones. This makes poor people’s children suffer because the rich and their children are having better education outside the country.

Adolf Hitler said: “Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell and vice versa, to consider the most wretched sort life as paradise”.

At 55 years, we should go back to the year 1957 and reflect on the speech that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah gave at the old polo grounds on the eve of the birth of this country and ask ourselves whether these statements have really affected our state of being as a nation both politically and socially.

The media as the fourth estate of the realm has failed this country totally because of partisan politics. 

What we think of is our selfish and political interest and not the human interest. From our news to our political shows, it is all directed to the same direction.

Today because of politics we have forgotten about our Ghanaian values and courtesies. There is no respect on our airwaves just because after insulting “Mr. A or Ms. B” there is an amount of money that will be given to these so-called party spokespersons.

Because of politics we talk anyhow to our elders. Political opponents do not have to be enemies. If we don’t agree with someone politically it does not give us the license to insult the person.

At age 55 our politics is seen as politics of insults. As the Bible says the greatest commandment is to Love our neighbours as ourselves. This should be the song that we will be singing through out this election year and not to bestow insults on each other.

I believe some people will see my piece as too biting but, hey we should be bold to call a spade a spade; not a big spoon. I did not write this to please any political party or any individual. Let all rise and together help to move this country forward because this is the only country we can call our own; the land of our birth.

God bless our homeland Ghana, And make our nation great and strong.

Hope to see a new Ghana devoid of “Pull Him Down” (PHD) spirit and politics of insult. Let all come together to build a better Ghana and we should remember as a country that “Together we stand divided we fall”.

Happy 55th anniversary

Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

HONOURING THE MAN MANASSEH

Manasseh Azure Awuni

Zig Ziglar once said; “you don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great” this indeed best describes the man Manasseh Azure Awuni.

God fearing, dedication, hardworking, good morals, intelligent and benevolent is the real virtues of the man Manasseh Azure Awuni.

After promising himself, his readers, the country and the world at the 16th Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) awards, he is now the over-all winner of the 17th GJA awards held at the banquet hall of the state house, Accra.

From a humble beginning, the man from Albert Abongo’s Bongo never seem to get his readers wonderful and more refreshing stories each and every week thus, from his “savannah view” to “the letter to my future wife” and to radio commentary on Radio Ghana.

Born to a night watchman, Manasseh has never been ashamed of being proud of his dad because his father said to him that he will even go naked to give him and his siblings better education and thus now the night watchman can never be referred to his dad again. Even if he is being referred to as a night watchman, they will add whose child won the 2011 best Journalist award.

Started as a school play writer at “KRESEC” Manasseh further his tertially education at the premier Journalism School and later proceeded to the graduate school of the university of Ghana.

At Legon, people vilified him just because he did a story on the popular “unhygienic bush canteen” but with God being with him he didn't end there.

Also, some ministers and government officials usually call to speak ill of him when they realize that they are criticize in his story. This never made him relax but pushed further to this height.

Even whiles he was in school, several media houses wanted hire him for his services but he never followed the money involved until he completed his graduate education before working full time for the Finder Newspaper.

Like his advice to me when he visited me at my hostel whiles at Jayee University College, Manasseh Azure Awuni said “Money is not everything in life. As a Journalist let people know you by your works”. This advice has been my guiding principal and will forever remain grateful to him.

“Just at the start of your career, you have started winning awards; the Sky is not your limit you need to go beyond the sky”. This was indeed an inspirational quote from the MC, Vincent Kojo Oppong Nkrumah to Manasseh as he was called for his first award on the night.

Dressed in white signifying victory, Manasseh Azure Awuni was indeed victorious after topping the categories and receiving four awards it was not surprising that the over-all award was handed over to him.

He takes over from Kwaku Owusu Peprah who won similar award last year. Manasseh will for the first time travel to the UK to study at the Cardiff University. Hard work really pays.

I write this piece to say “Ayeekoo” to you and all Journalists who won an award on the night especially Kwaku Owusu Peprah. I'm still waiting for that promise you made to me when you won the most promising journalist of the year 2010.

Manasseh Azure Awuni “mawu ne yrawo. Gormedzedzea koe ya. Edzebe n adze le lilikpo wu”.















Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

POLITICIZATION AND POLARIZATION OF THE STUDENT FRONT

I strongly wish I didn’t comment on this matter but I found its necessity in the words of Martin Luther King Jnr. “that our lives begin to end the moment we become silent over things that matter”.

May I say that the very recent development in the various Students Unions and Movements make a very sad reflection and I wonder if these Unions are still relevant today?

It seems to me that these Unions have misplaced their focus as mass movements obliged to promote students’ welfare and offer a common platform for the discussion of issues affecting them. Obviously this misplaced focus is largely due to partisan politics and the parochial interest of the student leaders.

One of the effects of this politicization is the current divisions existing between the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) as well as the Ghana Union of Professional Students (GUPS). Some few weeks ago, each of the two factions in GUPS held their congresses concurrently in Kumasi and HO with both factions electing new executives. The mother body, NUGS, has also followed the same trend; two factions electing different set of executives for one union. “Seek for just one reason why this should be so and you will have all fingers pointing to dirty political interest among the executives”.

Truly, partisan politics has blinded Ghanaian student leaders so much that they can’t see themselves as one people having a common vision or even chart a middle route that could be followed in promoting the welfare of students. What they are able to do better and best is satisfying their political masters at the expense of the collective interest of students. In doing so, not only do they use every fair or foul means to ensure that students of their political groupings, who may not even be qualify, succeed them but also comprise on serious national issues relating thereby generating needless tension and confusion among students.

Interestingly, one of the factions in NUGS recently held its congress under the theme “State Interference and Politicization of students Front, the Stats quo, Its Ramification and The Way Forward.” Indeed, there couldn’t have been any better theme for their Congress given the prevailing impasse but it also gives credence to the assertion that NUGS has slaughtered its credibility and essence on the destructive altar of partisan politics. The strategic question now is “what should be the way forward?”

May I suggest that all the various factions should find a way of merging in order to have a united front. That way, we can map out strategies to curb the polarization of the student front whilst building a better NUGS, GUPS, USAG, GNUPS, GRASAG, RSRCS, TTAG, PUASG and others for a Better Ghana.

May I further suggest that no member institution of NUGS or GUPS should pay any dues to any of the factions.

By: NII-NOI ADUMUAH
former NUGS/GUPS PRESIDENT, GIJ

ALL HAIL MANASSEH AZURE AWUNI - THE MOST PROMISING YOUNG JOURNALIST

Manasseh Azure Awuni

The well-decorated State Banquet Hall became much tensed as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) organised it 16thGJA awards night to reward hardworking Journalists in the country.

A few categories were awarded and it was the time to reward the maiden addition to the category – the most promising journalist of the year.

The public address system for the occasion was the lousiest as the name of the “Bongo man” was mentioned.

Manasseh who is a freelance Journalist and also has about 80 articles to his credit won this prestigious award. It was no surprise at all. Indeed your hard work, determination, and dedication made you reap the fruit of your labour and it is very true that a journalist can never have a better CV than his or her byline.

The GJA and the adjudication panel deserve tonnes of commendation for not undermining the integrity of the award. Journalists should always bear in mind that Mediocre, irresponsible and unethical journalism does not win awards.

The works of the most promising journalist of the year has been my source of inspiration and I thank God for allowing me to meet a wonderful person like Manasseh Azure Awuni. The first time of meeting Manasseh was full of joy and I still remember the advice he gave me: “Money is not everything in life.

As a journalist let people know you by your works.” Little did I know that people have known him by his works and just after one year of practice along side his national service as a public relations person, he would be rewarded as the most promising journalist of the year 2010.

As the thief told Jesus on the cross: “Lord remember me when you go to paradise.” I also say remember me Manasseh when you receive the Laptops and the credits. It is my prayer that the Lord keep us together till the time that he comes.

I say Ayekoo and Kudos to Manasseh Azure Awuni. May greater awards come your way as long as you remain in this field. May God bless you.



















Ekow Aidoo
paanyan7@gmail.com

MEET KWAKU OWUSU PEPRAH, THE 201O BEST JOURNALIST

Kwaku Owusu Peprah

As a country, if we are to encourage hard work and sacrifice for national course, we should not wait for people to die before we begin to sing praises of their achievements. What is the use of these praises?

In journalism, one’s work is judged by the public and indeed Ghanaians really judged the work of Kwaku Owusu Peprah and they said it was the BEST.

Friday 9th September, 2011, the name Kwaku Owusu Peprah became a house hold name and will forever remain in the field of Journalism in Ghana, Africa and the world at large.

Winning the best in rural reporting award, best feature award and eventually the ultimate which is the best Journalist 2010 award in the 16th edition of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) awards night, Kwaku Owusu Peprah is one of the few Journalists from the Western Region to reach this hit so I say kudos.

Kwaku Owusu Peprah who in 2007 came all the way from Kumasi to Takoradi with a borrowed bag from his elder brother to work with Radio Maxx and also being accommodated in an empty apartment somewhere in Takoradi can only look back and give thanks to his maker for what he has done for him.

He once told me “Ekow, the house I first stayed in here in Takoradi was leaking and God knows the pain I went through whenever my girlfriend (now my wife) came to visit and it rains”.

“This is how far the Lord has brought me and I’m very grateful”, he said with smiles.

As the bible said he will make things beautiful at his own time, God has really made Kwaku a hero at his appointed time.

Kwaku Owusu Peprah starting from a humble beginning is made up of some unique qualities which have proven that the honour he received at the GJA awards night did not come on silver platter but through determination, dedication and hard work.

“One can be the best runner, but if you don’t get the best track to run on, you can not win a race”, this was his words when he was declared the 2010 best Journalist.

Kwaku is a very tiny natural young man ready to teach when you are ready to learn.
Indeed, Kwaku Owusu Peprah is a legend who has proven his worth and can be described as an “achiever”.

I say ayeekoo and more grease to your elbows, it was not a mistake of you being my mentor and I hope the spirit that the Lord has filled you with will be transferred to me (Amen ooo).

May the almighty God bless you and I pray that we will never depart from each other, may all those who wish your downfall bow down in shame.

When you get to the house today, greet Auntie Leticia and Little Ahyeadea for me. May the Goodness of the Lord follow you and your family all the days of their lives.

Long live hardworking Journalists like Kwaku Owusu Peprah!

Long live Kwaku Owusu Peprah!!

Long live Ghana!!!

The writer is a political junkie and a freelance journalist
Email: paanyan7@gmail.com