Friday, July 26, 2013

Phenomenal individual Ghanaians we must celebrate




On Friday, 23rd July, 2010, KSM hosted a young girl by name Nana Gyamfua Acheampong on his programme “THANK GOD IT’S FRIDAY” (TGIF). It was so inspiring and lively that I couldn’t let it pass by without asking for support for this young girl.

A junior high school student, who has been deprived of almost all the goodies and niceties of city life, yet young as she is she has determined and told her herself, she can make even bigger than those who have everything. She is an inspiration and an icon to many both young and old.

It is motivating and confirms the stories of the Helen Kellers, the Kwame Nkrumahs, the Mensa Otabils, the Emmanuel Dei-Tumis, the Abedi Ayew Peles, the Thomas Alva Edisons, the Henry Fords, the Abraham Lincolns, the Rockefellers, the Barack Obamas, the Michael Jordans, and many others that it is only God and you, yourself, who can determine your destiny.

We know the story of Helen Keller, who became deaf, blind and speechless at the age of nineteen months and never regained these till she died at eighty-eight having achieved so much for humanity. She said, they had taken what supposed to be her tongue, eyes, and ears, but she had prayed to God when she was young that, God should not let them take her soul. Once her soul was alive, she was a complete human being and lacked nothing. No wonder, Helen had two birthdays, she used to celebrate, her actual birthday and her soul’s birthday.

Nana Gyamfua Acheampong’s story is pathetic but an encouragement to many others. There are many young boys and girls all over Ghana and beyond the boundaries of this country, who would learn from her.

All over the world, the great people have all got to go tough times in one way or the other before they succeeded to become great.

Do not allow your fellow human being, not even your boss at the work place to tell you that he/she can make or umake you. It is only God and you, yourself, who has the keys to your destiny. No human being. They lie and they would continue to lie. Expel them out and move on unstoppably.

Now let’s concentrate on KSM, who brought this sparkling young girl to his programme for me and others to see her.

I have listed some Ghanaians below, whom I call the phenomenal individual Ghanaians, because I believe all of them have done individually, exceptionally well and need my humble commendation and thanks. I am a young Ghanaian, who has learnt a lot from all these people in so many ways.

KSM is one of them and he could have chosen not to have Nana Gyamfua Acheampong, the prodigy on his show and her plight wouldn’t have been known by many.

KSM has over the years unearthed exceptional Ghanaians on TGIF, and when we see them on Telly, we are humbled and happy. Isn’t KSM a phenomenal individual, who loves his country, Ghana and does a lot to help Ghana develop and be adored? How many KSMS do we have in Ghana? Tell me! Ghana would have been 200 years ahead of where we are now.

Like KSM, many other Ghanaians have tried and are still doing it their own small individual way to make this country worth living in.

Pastor Mensa Otabil, an exceptional Christian statesman, who has inspired, motivated and encouraged many Ghanaians to higher heights, has done so individually. Does anyone learn or choose his Bible lessons for him? I can listen or watch Pastor Mensa Otabil from morning to evening without getting tired. We all know the philanthropic things he has done for Ghana, aiding her to develop and develop faster than we could imagine. Building schools, churches and others are philanthropic works because other people, who get the money and could do more than that, would keep the money in their bank accounts and spend the money with their immediate family, the self-centered. If Ghana had five Otabils Ghana would have been 700 years ahead of where it is now.

Alhaji Asoma Banda, a great entrepreneur is another icon, who needs commendation that his selffishlessness has been recognized by us individual Ghanaians, Alhaji Asuma Banda has employed many Ghanaians and foreign in his companies. If Ghana had ten Asuma Bandas, she would have been the USA of Africa.

Uncle Ebo White is another great individual, who doing so much in many ways to help Ghana develop.

I listen to Uncle White on Joy FM, 99.7 every Monday and Thursday morning at 7.45

Many of us know what Uncle Ebo White like KSM does in the arts sector. His works are wonderful and inviting.

Malik Kwaku Baako, if I listen to News File on Joy FM on Saturday morning at 9 and he is not among the panel, I get bored and disinterested. Honestly, because I love the way he is fluent and eloquent. He is dedicated and fearless, I like those personalities. He also has the facts and has a good retentive memory. Kwaku is a phenomenal journalist.wow!

Following him is another Kwaku Sakyi Addo, who now hosts News File. I have listened to him on radio over the years when he was hosting Front Page and watched him on TV when he hosts KWAKU ONE -ON- ONE.

He is calm, intelligent, tolerant and not sensational. Kwaku is a modern Ghanaian journalist. If Ghana had Kwaku Sakyi Addos as journalists, Ghana would have been a true civilsed nation journalistically.

Emmanuel Dei-Tumi has inspired many young Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians to achieve great goals.

I watch him on GTV on Thursdays’ evening and get awaken. I have also read some of his great books and I enjoy them much. He contributes his quota equally to the development of this nation.

Emmanuel Bombande, the man who also comes from my area, Bawku has done so much as far as making Ghana and the world a peaceful place to live in is concerned. All the time, you hear him appealing and asking people to cease fire and dialogue. He could have said, I’m tired and stopped and creates no impart on the lives of anybody, but he enjoys his work and he is also phenomenal.

Nana Oye Lithur is a phenomenal woman, who speaks for the vulnerable in society and you hear her passionately lament for them. She is brave, intelligent and compassionate. She is a civilsed humane human being.

Prince Kofi Amoabeng, the CEO of Unique Bank is a modern high spirited entrepreneur and no wonder he and businesses are doing well. I couldn’t have finished this list without mentioning his name and commending him for what he has done for mother, Ghana.

Apostle Safo Kantanka, an individual who tries so much to invent great machinery and other equipment right here in Ghana is a blessing to Ghana.

Rev. Dr. Mensa Ntiamoah has helped Ghanaians, especially women with his medical educational programmes. The Ghanaian woman now knows what to do and where to go for help. Sometimes, one has all the resources but where to go is non-existent. He is provided the platform, no more excuses.

I have Professor Frimpong Boateng, the excellent Heart Surgeon and former CEO of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, the Pathologist and former Director General, Ghana Health Service, Professor Stephen Adei former Rector, GIMPA (Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration), Michael Awuah of Ashesi University, couldn’t have he decided to stay in the USA as many Ghanaians do? Ken Ofori Atta and his colleagues at Data Bank, Albert and Comfort Ocran of Combert Impressions and Legacy & Legacy, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, former Governor of Bank and current Minister of Finance and Economic Planning and an entrepreneur, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, Former Minister and MP, a consultant and great businessman and last but least DR.Sam Jonah, the great chief executive miner and many other Ghanaians not mentioned here have all contributed in no small ways to the development of this country.

I have singled out these people not because they are the only people, who contribute to the development of Ghana, not at all, but I believe they are outstanding and need commendation, prayers, protection, support and I believe Ghana is privileged to have had them as Ghanaians. They have spent and still spending their time, energy, used their brains, and risked their lives individually for the betterment of mother Ghana.

I also say they are my individual phenomenal Ghanaians, because other Ghanaians have done a lot but not as these one individuals. I am looking at individuals, who out of their own free will, passion and love for the country have been able to get this far. The state only recognized many of them after they had achieved their goals and were now ‘human beings’, and became attractive. When they were groping in the woods, Ghana never knew them, but despite that they never turned their back against their mother, Ghana. Isn’t Ghana an irresponsible parent? Ghana would claim you as her son if and when you do well, but when you are in your infancy and you need her, she doesn’t know you.

Uncle Ebo elaborated on this last week Monday on Joy FM, when he mentioned among many examples that the Government had gone outside Ghana with some fine Ghanaian entrepreneurs to urge for foreign investors. When these Ghanaians investors were beginning and badly needed Ghana, she was not there for them. I remember, some years back, when the same Uncle Ebo White said, it was difficult for him to raise sponsorship for his programme, and even said those companies that were ready to help him said the Internal Revenue Service would increase their tax assessment and say if they did not have money, how could they sponsor such programmes.

Doesn’t IRS get money from the sponsored companies and Uncle Ebo White today? Uncle Ebo White and many similar other people would let the IRS even get more revenue in the long run. “For lack of vision my people perish”

KSM brought this talented, poor young girl to his studios and showed her situation to the whole world, I believe very well that KSM has done his part. KSM may you live long and healthy to do more of these. I want to urge, the government, well-to-do organizations and individuals to support Nana Gyamfua Acheampong, they should contact KSM. She is a prodigy. She deserves to have electricity among other essentials to live and study happily.

My phenomenal individual Ghanaians: (listed not in order of importance or superiority, just randomly)

1. Pastor Mensa Otabil
2. Alhaji Asoma Banda
3. Kwaku sintim-Misa
4. Uncle Ebo White
5. Kwaku Baako
6. Kwaku Sakyi Addo
7. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi
8. Emmanuel Bombande
9. Prince Kofi Amoabeng
10. Patrick Awuah
11. Nana Oye Lithur
12. Rev. Dr Mensa Ntiamoah
13. Prof. kwabena Frimpong Boateng
14. Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa
15. Ken Ofori Atta
16. Professor Stephen Adei
17. Dr Kwabena Duffour
18. Albert Ocran
19. Apostle Safo Kantanka
20. Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom
21. Dr. Sam Jonah

©2010, Godwin-Xavier Ayeebo
Email: gayeebo@gmail.com

Monday, July 1, 2013

Child Educational Development



“The path of development is a journey of discovery that is clear only in retrospect, and it’s rarely a straight line.”
Children learn many things in life and take these things along them even to old age.
Day in, day out, the world is changing and almost all the changes in the world are caused by man. Since life is not static, children need to be taught and get development in certain areas that would instill into them subject disciplines that would be with them for the rest of their lives and for which they could pass unto generations after them.
"Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand."
·        Principles Educational Academy, where students would have lessons in:  
o   Ethics which should cover the values of integrity, transparency, honesty, trust, discrimination and racism, etc.
o   Cultural differences and tolerance for all other cultures.
o   Exchange educational programmes in local and international cultures.
·        Practical Educational Academy, where students should have lessons:
o   By watching documentary films and movies.
o   From demonstrations from instructors.
o   In participating in discussions
o   In dramatic presentations.
o   By attending excursions at locations and sites.
o   By using pictures to study and look at.
o   By hearing talks and words.
o   By reading.
·        Spiritual Education, where they learns lessons in
o   Spirituality and understand that life is not complete without the spiritual aspect. It has been observed that the greatest people, such as philosophers, mathematicians, scientists, great religious leaders and many others have in one way or other been very spiritual in their own beliefs.
o   Spirituality is food for the spirit and all humans beings are supposed to have spirits to make us complete and existent.   I have learnt that in order to be that “special”, say ( great parent, mathematician, scientist, software programmer, spiritual leader, lawyer, Accountant, Engineer) person one needs to invoke one’s spirits to help one get there and live a fulfilling life on earth and afterwards.
·        Financial Education, where they would have lessons in:
o   Pure financial literacy, since one cannot live in this world without using money, one needs to have lessons on all money matters as it is not currently taught at schools though everyone uses money, many know nothing about money that would cover assets and liabilities, income and expense, etc.
o   Types of investments and lessons that inculcate the habits of saving towards investments.
o   Entrepreneurship, where students would engage in entrepreneurial discussions and lessons should help them invoke their creativity, innovativeness and originality to give to the world what it needs. They should also learn the differences between the entrepreneur and the employee to help them make their life-long choices.
o    Community service and volunteerism and encourage or enticed to do community work.
“If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall in the ditch."
·        Leadership Education where lessons in:
o   Leadership skills in family setups, corporate setups, religious setups, academic setups, non-formal setups. These are not the same and each one has its peculiar leadership demands and supplies.
o   Communication skills
o   Negotiation skills
o   Time management
o   Self-management
·        Health Literacy, where students should have lessons in:
o   First aid and first aid administration and application of skills learned.
o   Healthy eating habits.
o   Unwholesome food and their effect on the human body.
o   The causes of common diseases.
o   All known communicable and transmittable diseases.
o   The use of hard drugs, including alcohol and smoking.
o   Cardiovascular (heart related) diseases.
o   Healthy and safety skills.
o   Home management skills.
“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
·        Environmental studies, where they should have lessons in:
o   Sustainability development.
o   Environmental cleanliness
o   Environmental degradation
o   Depletions of natural resources caused by human activity.
o   Climatic changes what to do help create climatic conditions favorable for man to live peacefully on earth.
·        Sporting Activities, where students should have lessons in:
o   Sporting disciplines engage in practical sporting activities and have theoretical lessons on those disciplines.
o   Fair play of all sporting practices.
·        Mathematical (numerical) Education where students should have lessons in:
o   Basic mathematical calculations
o   Business mathematics.
o   Engineering mathematics.
o   Finance mathematics
o   Medical mathematics
The world is all about mathematics and we cannot but have to help the children appreciate the importance of mathematics. The world is full of man-made beauty because of mathematics. Just check around you now, everything by you was created using some measurement and calculations. That is mathematics. It is the wonder subject that rules the world.
·        Relationship and Family Life Education, where students should have lessons in:
o   Differences between male and female.
o   Behavioral patterns of males and females.
o   Body language communication and mannerisms and their meanings.
o   Sign language for all family members. (All people, who cannot talk and use sign language live with us)
o   Issues such as equity, equality, gender sensitivity.
o   Self-management and time management (not managing these impact on the lives of people around you)
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression”
·        Emotional Intelligence, where students should have lessons on:
o   Temperament types of different people.
o   Understanding oneself and also understand others.
o   Ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.
·        Do It Yourself (DIY) where students will:
o   Learn to cook to help cook the food you like for yourself and for your parents ( it’s safe and healthier)
o   Learn to babysitting to help admire and appreciate little kids
o   Learn to iron to save money from using the laundry
o   Learn to weed to save money from hiring someone to do it for you.
o   Learn to wash to save power costs and laundry services
o   All these keep one active as they are all forms of some exercises.
“The object of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives”

©2013, Godwin-Xavier Ayeebo
Email: gayeebo@gmail.com or finaltigh@gmail.com