WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

October is here again and most students from tertiary schools will be wondering what the month has for them since this is the month that most of them will have the opportunity to begin their service to the nation. 

Graduates travel all from various regions, cities, towns, and homes to other regions, cities and towns to serve their nation under poor conditions such as bad road networks, conflict in some of these areas and no electricity supply and to add insults to injury to work in a field they did not study.

Even though these graduates go ahead and serve in those areas, they do that with little or no enthusiasm at all just to cover the months as they come in order for them to take their allowances.

I would not be surprised if there are some national service personnel who won’t report to the field to work but will get people to sign their document for them to take their allowances.

What do we expect from theses graduates when they are made to do things they know nothing about, and besides don’t love what they are doing, it’s obvious that the desired results will not be achieved which in the end affects productivity. 

Employers always want experienced graduates to employ and yet the National Service Secretariat always posts graduates to various places to serve the nation for a year in areas they know nothing about.                     

Linking the poor performance of some junior high students to the National Service postings in as much as there are other causes of poor performance like some farming parents who are still not abreast with the significance of education, large class sizes, higher student-teacher ratios, lack of teachers, the needed desire for knowledge is not imbued into students from infancy, poor supervision of teachers and lack of infrastructure, the posting of wrong graduates to teach wrong subjects with a wrong attitude and interest is another area that must be checked by both the GES and the national service secretariat.

Governments, GES, parents and the students have all been blamed for the bad performance, but part of that blame should be put on the door steps of the national service secretariat for wrong postings.

Good results are always expected from students and yet teachers who are sent to teach them are mostly not qualified and don’t love the teaching profession hence poor attitude towards the process. The students I believe even though have certain pressing needs; positive attitudes from these teachers can go a long way to affect the morale of some students hence good results.  

The national service secretariat and for that matter the Ghana Education Service knows that when ever and individual is forced to do something unwillingly but does it because it is mandatory and because of the benefits it brings and not for the love of it, the outcome in most cases is not always the best.

 The Ghana Education Service should work hand in hand with the National Service Secretariat to ensure that service personnel’s who are posted to go and teach the young ones can really do good teaching before they are sent there.

There are those who will say it is not possible but it is if the country’s future matter to the authorities, then they can devise a way to do that.

That will be another step aside the rest in trying to ensure that students far from the city have access to dedicated teachers who love what they are doing and that can go a long way to affect the performance of students in those areas.

The level of productivity is very low because lots more of graduates are engaged in what they don’t like and have never studied but because of the need to survive they hold on to whatever they have hence the low input and low output.

The national service secretariat has come under scrutiny from various angles, but that notwithstanding the authorities should not play politics with it as that has been the norm with every issue that happens in this country, but rather consider the interest of the nation and also the youth it concerns in order to take decisions in our interest.

Article for Journalism Internship in the U.S.A

Many substances that affect the human mind – such as marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine – are banned in many countries as “recreational drugs.” Other substances such as alcohol, tobacco and caffeine that also affect the mind – are generally legal though regulated. Is this inconsistent? What should be the government policy for regulating substances that affect the human mind?

Many are the substances that affect the human mind, such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine. These substances are however banned in many countries whiles other substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine equally affect the mind are legal though regulated.

Most governments have not considered the effects of tobacco and alcohol especially on its citizenry, and though regulated has allowed people to use it and has affected their health.

What is not good is not good and must be condemned and for me I believe its about time Governments decide on banning these legalized but regulated drugs to deter people from using and when they flout the law  they should be dealt with. This would go a long way to ensure that citizens of a country remain healthy in order to work and support the productivity of the country and the world as a whole. 

Tobacco when smoked affects the internal system of the body as well as alcohol which eventually causes cirrhosis.  

Government should make policies that would ensure that no one uses the drugs or should increase tariffs on importation so that importers would feel the need to stop importing substances that affect the health of its citizens.

Journalism and Democracy - Keys to peaceful elections

Accra, Jan. 11, - In time past, Journalism and Democracy have been relegated to the background in most African countries due to wars, conflicts and power- drunken leadership, which has prevented the growth of most of these countries.

As centuries go by, Journalism is being regarded as the fourth estate of the realm due to its significant watchdog role in the governance of a country.

Despite these significant roles Journalism plays in governance, it cannot be done in a very hectic environment as it is seen in most African countries like Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Sudan and Angola.

Democracy as attributed to Abraham Lincoln as the rule of the people, by the people and for the people, is only words on paper as far as Africa is concerned because some African leaders themselves have not really understood what democracy really means.

All the same, some African countries like Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria, which practice democratic rule can boast of some level of growth in their countries in terms of peace and stability in governance as compared with war-torn countries like Congo, Sudan and Zimbabwe which experience little or no growth.

Though some African countries have embraced democracy and are practicing it, the fact remains that those European countries which practice journalism in a democratic environment for a long time have been and are still experiencing growth.

A look at the Ghananian public sector worker in the 21st century

Accra, Dec. 10. Ghana has gone through various kinds and types of transformations since it got independence in 1957. These changes, be they political, social or economic, can either be described as helpful and or less beneficial.

On the socio-economic front, the country has witnessed a lot of changes in the employment sector. Public sector workers through the labour unions have been empowered to stand up for their rights and fight for improvement in working conditions and salaries. 

The country has witnessed several demonstrations and strike actions from workers by various institutions and organizations, especially those in the public sector. This is the tool they use to back their demands when negotiations failed to produce favorable results and responses.

The consequences of such actions by workers on the economy cannot be underestimated and therefore every effort must be made to discourage labour unrest.  

Today, even though some believe the Ghanaian public sector worker deserves a pat on his back for his contribution to the country's socio economic development; many more are of the view that his contribution to productivity still remains low. Those who argued this way have cited poor attitude to work, laziness, lateness, bribery and corruption as some of the ills that still pull the public sector worker down. 

There is no doubt, however, that public sector workers are the backbone of government machinery and as such their contribution to overall productivity would determine the rate at which the country would grow and hence develop. This means that finding a common platform to address workers' concerns must also always be encouraged by all and sundry.

Public sector workers should be mindful of their action. They should not be influenced by their political and self aggrandizements. Working life in the public sector demands a positive attitude. Workers should also take into consideration the future of the young ones who are the future leaders.

Employers and Government must also try to understand the worker's needs and aspirations in order to provide the needed environment to enable him work for the betterment of the nation.

ACHIMOTA SCHOOL – THE SEWAGE STORY

Ghana as country is making it possible for every child of school going age to have access to education in a conducive environment, but same cannot be said for students of the Achimota School. The school has been faced with a sewage problem for sometime now and it is difficult to know what is being done about the situation because recently Achimota School is in the news for the same reason.
Viewers who watched the news can understand how unhealthy & urgent the situation is. The sewage according to the head mistress is affecting the health of students of the school.
The treatment plant of the school is almost non-operational and can no longer process waste well partially due to the fact that it was installed nearly 80 years ago, and since then the number of users has increased tremendously. Encroaches did not consider the health of the numerous students and went ahead to build on the land, and this have contributed to the increased sewage system’s deterioration.
The sewage system serves Achimota and its neighboring community.
The children are the future leaders of the country and their health should not be compromised for some few people in society.
The ministry of Education, The Ghana Education Service, and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly should act fast in favour of the students of the school. I believe its time for human rights advocates to rise and speak on behalf of these vulnerable children.
It is about time prospective land buyers make the necessary enquiries and consider the effects it might have on its neighbors before they go ahead and buy.

Legon Hall Committee expresses displeasure about JCR affairs

9/29/2008 7:23:00 PM

The Committee for Good Governance (CFGG) of Legon Hall at the University of Ghana, has expressed its displeasure about the conditions under which the Junior Common Room (JCR) executives have disregarded the supreme law of the Hall. A statement signed by Mr. Elvis Ampadu, chief spokesperson and Isaac Kwame Batun, a senior member, demanded an explanation from the JCR executives why they unanimously increased fresh students dues to GH��22 without due consultation. It said the legislative body of the hall, that is congress, had already ruled on GH��19.5. The statement also asked JCR to make available audited documents covering a loan contract of GH��6,000, which was being used to undertake projects in the hall.

 To access Modern Ghana website, go to: http://www.modernghana.com

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING

Used for Commentary on Radio Ghana on 

On 7 December 1987, the United Nations General Assembly by resolution decided to observe 26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. it was done as an expression of the UN’s determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Since that day, the International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit Trafficking is celebrated every year on 26th June. The theme for this year’s celebration “Think health - not drugs", aims to inform the public, particularly young people; about the harmful effects that drugs can have on their health. Drugs have the power both to improve and to damage health depending on the type of drugs used, the quantity consumed and the purpose for which they are taken. For instance, while aspirin can relieve pain, heroin can be highly addictive.

The increasing usage of addictive drugs is one of the fundamental social problems threatening various countries. The Day is therefore celebrated to create awareness about the damaging effects of illicit drugs on individuals, families and the community at large. Adolescent drug abuse is an important area a country like Ghana whose future is dependent on the youth must consider very paramount as the consequences impact directly on the individual and society. In a country like Ghana where the youth play an important role in its future development, parents must make it a priority to raise their children together to make them feel accepted. Besides that, they should monitor friends of their wards while ensuring that the extended family is strengthened to help raise responsible individuals, since lack of this are risk factors which can lead to adolescent drug abuse. Many people smoke because they falsely believe that cigarettes calm their nerves. Rather it releases epinephrine, a hormone which creates physiological stress in the smoker rather than relaxation. Smokers experience changes in body temperature, anxiety, sleep disturbances, fatigue, nervousness and the desire for more of the drug. Also, Alcohol abuse is a drinking problem that results in health consequences. The short- term effects include distorted vision, bad breath and hangovers while the long term effects include loss of appetite, liver damage, sexual impotence, heart and memory loss and skin infections. Illicit drug trafficking is a global black market in the cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws. In many countries, drug smuggling carries a severe penalty, including death. Long term consequences and problem in societies are health socio-economic and political instability. Parents, teachers, individuals, organizations and government should get involved; by spreading the word about the campaign and organizing outreach or institutional events to help promote health among ourselves and the country as a whole.

PatPillys Journal: What Some Children go through to Acquire Education

PatPillys Journal: What Some Children go through to Acquire Education

MYSTERIES OF GHANA REVEALED

The University of Ghana, (Legon Campus) hosted Prophet Emmanuel Kamkam kweku Atta Kakra of the freedom fighters fellowship in a three day revealing session about Ghana. According to the prophet, Ghana is a nation of God and of the devil which means the devil can use Ghana to destroy the world and God can also use Ghana to change the world.  He said there is a spiritual Ghana and a material Ghana, saying the spiritual Ghana must be well prepared before the material Ghana can be well experienced.

He said Ghana is divided into two, where the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo, Eastern and the Western Region form the Asenef Africa which is by the power of the devil controlled by a female and also Central, Volta and the three Northern Regions form the Joseph Africa which is controlled by God, hence no one from the region controlled by the god Asenef Africa can Rule Ghana but only those from the Joseph Africa.

According to him majority of the leaders in the country are not of God but just a few, adding that common language barrier has enslaved most judges to the extent that when a convicted person is taken to court and he speaks a local language the judges pretend they don’t understand unless some one else interprets into the English language before the judge can take a decision.

Further more the prophet said God is angry with Britain and America for killing the first born son of God which is the Late Saddam Huseine, who was Ishmael in the Bible. He said any African who owns a foreign country should hold on because the debt will be cancelled and what ever that was taken unjustifiably from Africa must be brought back without conditions.

The prophet also revealed that yaa Asantewa, Osei tutu the first, Peter, Naomi Ruth,  Nahum are all alive in Ghana. Adding that the president Mills is Job reincarnated.

He has this for women, the wigs, hair relaxers and the weave-ons you use are marks of the devil.https://www.facebook.com/patienceq1 

MAKING ACCRA A BEFITTING CAPITAL CITY

Accra, Jan. 18 - Greater Accra is the smallest of the 10 administrative regions in terms of area, occupying, a total land surface of 3,245 squaye kiliometres which is 1.4 per cent of the total land area of of Ghana. The Region harbours the seat of Government in teh capital city of Accra.
In an effort to make Accra in the Region a millennium city, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly has asked all advertising agencies to get rid of all unauthorized bill boards and notices.
This is very timely considering the unsightly nature of our capital city as compared to other cities in Africa and beyond. Advertising Agencies should make it a priority that in their quest to sell their brands, creativity and make money, they do not make the capital city more disorganized by placing bill boards and notices any where.
Event organizers, churches, organisations and individuals, who mount sign boards, banners and paste notices indiscriminately, should also be dealt with by the AMA.
Most of these notices, which advertise school, church programmes, beach parties, job positions, obituaries, new artistes, new movies are posted mostly on wall, bridges, light polls, overhead bridges and uncompleted buildings neglecting public notice boards.
The AMA should provide more public notices at vantage points and areas for public usage. The Assembly should also punish event organizers and organizations that post banners and notices indiscriminately that mar the beauty of the capital city and as a destination for tourists and the citizenry.
Citizens of Ghana should see themselves as the custodians of the land and try in all they can to support the AMA to make Ghana neat and beautiful country for us and all who visit.

What Some Children go through to Acquire Education

Acquiring Education
Education is very important in every society, which is why parents try to
send their children to school to gain knowledge on their environment and
how to contribute meaningfully to their country and the world as a whole.
In every part of the world some educational institutions are considered better than others. Similar views exist in my country Ghana.
This notion compels most parents to send their children to boarding
schools, which may be far from where they live or because they feel the
children would have much time to learn. Besides, the school could be the alma-mata of the parents, who expect their wards to benefit from the positive impact the school had made on their lives.
Due to the various reasons above some children, who are day students in
schools have to contend with the daily routine with having to board cars to
school and in the process failing to get enough sleep as children should
and are also exposed to other forms of dangers. I got to my station to board a vehicle to work one morning, whiles in the vehicle a woman came with her daughter who was a primary student as early as 5:30 am and told the mate that the daughter would alight at airport, finally when she was about to leave she asked me to remind the mate for her. I don’t know if it was because the girl was seating next to me. When the vehicle finally set off, we did not get anywhere and the girl started dozing off. The passengers started murmuring that is it compulsory that a child would have to go through all this to get knowledge and how sure are we that these children really can learn under those circumstances, because they leave the house very early just like any Ghanaian worker who wants to beat the traffic situation in the morning and struggle for vehicles at lorry stations to get home very tired and have to wake up very early for school the next day.
Some parents also leave the home with their children but leave them to
continue to school on their own whiles they continue to work, these children are then left at the mercy of strangers and drivers because they
have to struggle to cross the roads themselves; whiles some of these children are also given money to buy food from food vendors into bowls
they carry from home. Parents should find ways of sending their children to
the schools they desire without them going through much stress and exposing them to dangers.

MODESTY AMONG CHRISTIAN FEMALES

MODESTY AMONG CHRISTIAN FEMALES

There is no rule barring Christian females from dressing to look good. However, the question is how modest are you in your dressing.

The Webster’s new world dictionary defines modesty as dressing in a way that is considered decorous and decent. Christianity is a way of life and as Christian females we have the responsibility to ensure that whatever we put on glorifies the Lord whose steps we are emulating.

Any time you dress and are ready to go out, it is important to take a moment in front of the mirror and ask yourself whether your dressing glorifies God or it’s a “Jezebelic” dressing.

There have been recent concerns on how some Christians especially females dress to the house of God, to the extent that information in the media indicated that such persons would be sanctioned.

This reveals how disturbing the situation is, and even though it’s not all females in the country that are Christian’s, I believe majority are.

There are People who say God looks at the heart only and not on the outside, but I don’t want to believe that is why some Christian females wear dinner and party dresses or attires to church and don’t seem to see anything wrong with it. There are others who also say dressing comes from the heart, and I guess that is why some people also put on whatever they feel like wearing without considering the occasion and place. Whichever way you see it, think about this, do you think one can dress unconsciously? What do you stand for when you are dressed? This is what Pope Pius XII said to Catholics on September 2009 on the requirements for modesty in dress.  “Woe to women who dress immodestly!  Woe to fathers and husbands who do not correct their wives and daughters!  Woe to pastors of souls if they remain silent!  Woe to us, for this is one of the sins which cause most souls to go to hell, sins of the flesh”.  I hope pastors who do not talk about dressing because they fear losing their members will take a cue from this.

Showing of the cleavage and the back view of the waist is the norm within lecture halls and church auditoriums; whiles decorum and demeanor have been treated with disdain. Some Christian females dress as though they are for the beach or the bedroom. 

It's critical to pay attention to the signal our clothing is sending and to make sure that the message our attire is giving is in line with the Word of God. The way we dress sometimes as Christians can be seductive and enticing, ask any Christian brother.

When wearing any attire ask yourself does it enhance your holiness such that it leads people to Christ rather than leading people to commit sin besides does it glorify God and additionally does what you wear make you beautiful in terms of cleanliness, smartness and fitting?. It’s pathetic when I see some Christian mothers dressed in an appalling manner for whatever reasons I don’t know. Even though we are all looking up to that one “MAN” Jesus Christ, it is encouraging that humanly and on this earth the very people who introduced this world to us try to dress in a way that is worth emulating. And it’s sad the dresses some Christian parents buy for their children to wear.

The Pope Pius XII has this for Christian mothers "O Christian mothers, if you knew what a future of anxieties and perils, of ill-guarded shame you prepare for your sons and daughters, imprudently getting them accustomed to live scantily dressed and making them lose the sense of modesty, you would be ashamed of yourselves and you would dread the harm you are making for yourselves, the harm which you are causing these children, whom Heaven has entrusted to you to be brought up as Christians."

Don’t you think anything you wear that becomes a snare to your brother is the same as being an evangelist for the devil? Appearance as we know say a lot about the individual and as Christians what we wear by way of dressing is very important because the Bible that guides us say we should present our bodies as holy sacrifice unto the lord. Let’s take a minute to ask ourselves; am I presenting my body as a holy sacrifice unto my creator? This is crucial for a Christian woman because we're representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and we're a reflection of our husbands if we're married.

“Do you want to be a feminine, pleasant, beautiful person when you are old? Then be a feminine, pleasant, beautiful person now,” a fitting advice to all from Mrs. Amy Booker, Teacher, singer, and Actress.

The healing power of touch

"Then they brought little children to Him [Jesus], that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.' And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them."1

A Daily Encounter reader whom I will call Linda wrote: "As an unmarried incest survivor who is a Christian, I wondered if you might address the subject of 'touch deprivation' in an upcoming devotional. I find that, though I have had counseling and there has been tremendous growth and healing, I struggle desperately each day with being completely deprived of touch. I have been asking the Lord for many years now for someone to love me, so I can experience closeness, touch, and companionship. Would it be possible to address this issue?"

Many articles, both personal and scientific, all attest to the healing power of touch. Children who were deprived of sufficient loving touch often grow up to be somewhat cold and distant in relating to other people. Other children who were abused either physically or sexually can also have relational and emotional difficulties as adults. While they hunger for touch, touch can trigger their painful memories of past hurtful experiences and revive all those associated negative emotions.

As adults we still need the healing power of touch. If we don't get this need met in healthy ways, we can become physically ill, emotionally starved, and/or try to get the need for touch met in unhealthy ways such as in harmful sexual activities that only add to one's emotional deprivation and sense of loneliness.

So, how do people like Linda who is only one among thousands in this predicament get their needs for touch met?

First, people who have been hurt by harmful touch need to get into an effective recovery/therapy program to overcome their fear of touch and resolve the painful memories and emotions that are triggered by touch.

Second, rather than praying for a partner to love, pray that God will lead you to a healthy recovery program so you can be healed, for only healthy people find healthy love.

Third, a very effective way to get the need for touch met in a healthy way is through wholesome massage by a registered masseuse and/or masseur. This applies to both men and women. A half-hour massage can reduce stress, support your immune system, help you feel calmer, and meet your need for touch hunger. This is very non-threatening touch as there is nothing demanded back from you in return.

Fourth, if you are a woman, hug your sister, your mother, little children, and your friends. If you are a man (men need touch just as much as women), and don't feel comfortable yet in hugging other men, start touching your brother or friend on the arm, or patting him on the back. In time you will learn to be comfortable with a good bear hug from other men.

Fifth, a great place to give and receive healthy touch and hugs is in a healthy church. In Paul's day it was culturally acceptable (as it still is in some cultures) to greet one another with a holy kiss. Here in the West we, especially we men, don't find this culturally acceptable. So, to be culturally adaptable, let's put it this way, "Greet one another with a holy hug."

Remember, Jesus held the children and blessed them. He also touched sick people when he healed them. His indeed was a healing touch. And healing touch is something we all need.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that your Son Jesus always gave people in need a healing touch. Help me to find the healing touch that I need and become a healing 'toucher' to others—always touching and hugging to give love and not for any ulterior motive. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."

Everything happens for a reason

by Patience Quaye on Saturday, May 9, 2009

 

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were
meant to be there... to serve some
sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or
help figure out who you are or who you
want to become. You never know who
these people may be but when you look
eyes with them, you know that every
moment that you are with them, they
will affect your life in some profound
way. And sometimes things happen to
you at the time that may seem horrible,
painful and unfair, but in reflection
you realize that without overcoming
those obstacles you would have never
realized your potential, strength,
will power or heart.

Everything happens for a reason!
Nothing happens by chance or by means
of good luck. Illness, injury, love,
lost moments of true greatness and sheer
stupidity all occur to test the limits
of your soul. Without these small
tests, life would be like a smoothly
paved, straight, flat road to nowhere,
safe and comfortable but dull and
utterly pointless.

The people you meet affect your life.
The successes and downfalls that you
experience can create who you are, and
the bad experiences can be learned
from.... In fact, they are probably the
most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or
breaks your heart, forgive them because
they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious
to whom you open your heart. If someone
loves you, love them back unconditionally
not only because they love you, but
also because they are teaching you to
love and open your heart and eyes to
little things.

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