So Precious!!

<!– /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} –>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

Along the beautiful, winding road to the East

The easiness of the heart is like none but falling manna

Sure! That smooth curve is so perfect a shape, just like banana

Look! Beyond the edge lies the panorama of a savannah

My body, soul, and spirit worship the Lord for this creation

Who but Jehovah has perfectly established this nation

And so much more; the skies, the rivers, and mighty oceans

Thank God for perfect revelation, else a painful evasion

Indeed the Mighty One is only righteous

His mighty deeds are so marvelous

He parades great works so virtuous

Even my beloved so … precious!

Inspired by wonderful thoughts flooding through my mind as journey from Accra to Koforidua one weekend. later dedicated to Adwoa Amuah

What a Welcome, Snatcher !!!

I had always dreaded the move from Cape Coast to Accra, the simple reason being the heavy traffic, general insecurity, and probably complex organizational politics existing in Ghana’s capital – Accra. To move from Cape Coast to Accra made it extra challenging, considering the fact that I had adapted to the ancient capital and the capital of the Central Region of the republic of Ghana-Cape Coast:

Firstly I obtained my first degree in the prestigious University of  Cape Coast (University of Choice). I further did my national service in the university with a fair taste of the university community while I served in capacities related to the Computer Scienct and Information Technology Department, Center for Continuing Education, the awesome University Interdenominational Church (UIC), and a host of others. The experience and wonderful networks established was simply wow!

After a long deliberation, the giant move was made!!

I reported to work the first day at the IT department of Central University College. The welcome was extremely warm (though with a bit of skepticism). We toured various offices to announce our presence. This “tour” led by Mr Gustave Amuzu was really important to me, as it helped me gained a good overview and perspective with ease.

The early days of my work was filled with interesting events (many of which I will narrate in another post).

The most memorable one, however, happened on Thursday, 19th February 2007. The day was really long because I had decided to do some major troubleshooting on my laptop. Though I finished quite early, I hesitated my sudden departure with the hope that traffic will reduce significantly. It sure did go down after 20:00 hours GMT in line with my expectation, but with a big price!! It happened in the popular Circle Station, where I picked a “trotro” to my home in Madina.

I had gotten into my vehicle with a big sigh of releaf. I picked my MTN phone to check on a couple of messages. The busy atmosphere surrounding Circle Station was lost as I drowned into my personal world to dream of the future and the weekend’s heavy schedules. Little did I know I was being monitored by an experience “phone snatcher”. His planned entrance to my seat was the opened windown of the passenger right behind me. With absolute agility compared to the revered speed of light, he snatched my phone like a hawk snatches a chick from a mother hen. The thief walked through the countless parked big vehicles and joined a host of  other suspects of thiefs (presumably). Some passengers screamed while others kept absolutely silent in total disbelief. Many of the passengers, especially the women (who looked quite compassionate) rained insults and strong curses on the thief. The whole journey was filled with narrations by passangers detailing their previous experiences with such people. The curses from the passengers soon dwindled my self pity into compassion for the thief. I said a prayer,…and thought aloud, “What a welcom!!?”

I am back!!!

The break was worth it.

This is life after service. I equally brought along those who walked the four-year journey. Perhaps bonded!!

Dust ain’t settled yet!

Service has officially come to end. The university has awarded personnels with certificates while the secretariat has sent questionnaires and other forms to gather data on the just ended service. The month of August is tagged the “leave period”. But can Charles define it as such?

My decision to stay on campus or move to Accra went through several phases. It is still in progress.

…worth pondering on, Ray

Having been in the same class over the years back in Prempeh College, Raymond Cluver Amofa-Baah (aka, Ray) was noted for his resoluteness and determination. His quest to achieve excellence always drove him to go the extra mile. In the face of mishaps it was amazing how he saw things in a wonderful perspective.

Seeing former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela’s words in his facebook board brought back vivid memories of this adorable friend.

It reads:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” Nelson Mandela

Indeed these are deep words. What do you think?

A Private wedding ?

Gone are the days when one could simply do something in absolute obscurity. Advancement in technology makes it almost impossible!!

If you’ve had a taste of Ghanaian culture, you’ll certainly agree with me that the family, to a very large extent, stays united and throws its unimaginable weight behind great occassions like wedding, which is the natural process of sustaining the already structured African family.

What then caused it? My wonderful cousin and family almost kept the majority uninformed! This gave cause for suspicion..

A conclusion reached… still pending.

Kind of weird.

Ghanains gradually recovering from shock

The blow was certainly hard. The motto “host and win” was finally meaningless as the Indomitable Lions snatched the first-place ticket from the host nation- Ghana.

Following the match between Ghana and Cameroon was the cracker between Egypt (the current champs) and Cote D’Ivoire-  another hard nut.The final score line was far from expectation. Ghanaians had company at last ! The Ivorians ‘ humiliating defeat seemed to have consoled the mourning Ghanaian funs. 4-1 in favour of the Egyptians was unbelievable. Ghanaians could be bold to say they lost honourably. That didn’t erase the hurt of the previous game involving their home team.

The blame game started there and then. The over “20 million Ghana coaches ” started the postmortem. Criticism came from everywhere, ranging from the coach’s selection to the players’ commitment. Some were clearly at a lost as to what to say. Pain was scribbled on every forehead.

Analyzing present phone-in sessions on radio and TV speaks of recovering funs.

Our encounter with Cote D’Ivoire  awaits us tomorrow. What about “host and bronze”?

Adwoa’s mail

As usual, u could expect Adwoa to respond to mails with an excellent sense of humour. The mail below represents one of the responses following the death of Akokotuntum (a 19 year-old chicken) .

An obituary fora departed chicken features predominantly.

i Sweet,

Pls don’t crucify me for not watching da match. Infact, I did not watch a second of da match but I’m da first to see or hear any goal. Don’t ask me how cos I don’t even know how myself. There seems to be a positive change. U don’t stay in da office late but I’m really suspecting it’s because of da CAN 2008 tournaments. U’ll have to prove urself when da tournament is over. So, how was ur day? Ope it was perfect. I don’t want to imagine da no of press ups cos if u took brunch around 9.30a.m. then, it must be uncountable! I already know today was extra O cos u DIDN’T skip – VERY STRANGE!!

 

OBITUARY

The Ebusuapanyin of Akokochicken Ebusua, Omanhene  of da Akosombo traditional area, the headmistress of da Akoko generation Creche, the Akokobanyin and Akokobasia families regretfully announce da death of their beloved

Akoko Tuntum

AGE:      19 DAYS

 

WAKE KEEPING: FRIDAY, 25^TH JANUARY, 2008

BURIAL: SAT, 26^TH JANUARY, 2008

FINAL FUNERAL RITES:   WILL FOLLOW IMMEDIATELY AT HER RESIDENCE – H.NO G.I. 2, ABANSOR                                                             QUARTERS, AKOSOMBO.

WIDOWER: NONE; SHE WAS STILL SEARCHING

SIBLINGS: AKOKO BANYIN (MANGO TREE) , AKOKO BASIA (ORANGE TREE), AKOKO TUNTUM (CAGE),                        AKOKO FITAA (UNDER STREET LIGHT).

MOTHER: MRS. BROWN CHICKEN

FATHER: MR. DOTTED CHICKEN

ONUA PA, DA YIE!!

PLS COME AND MOURN WITH US.

COUNTDOWN UPDATE: 9 DAYS

 

So, da match is finally over and there’s a lot of analysis going on in da hall and all da ‘coaches’ have invented their own theories. Ur theories are welcome though. I’m compiling all of dem n I think it’s going to really sell on da market. Don’t worry. I won’t charge anything for any business lesson. U’re too good to be charged for these little services. (Just in case u intend to have a personal buz, don’t adopt dis particular strategy, else, it’ll collapse!).

 

I also liked the daily bread msg for today. Salvation is really not turning a new leaf but gaining a new life. What’s more we need to do a lot to maintain dat new life. For abt two days, I was feeling lazy to read my bible but I’ve caught up. Genesis seems to have very interesting stories. I saw Tema in da bible and I just couldn’t believe my eyes. I still can’t tell whether Abraham and Sarah were really sisters. And about today’s daily bread bible reading, I went a little further and I met the same scripture reading I’ve been battling with for the past four years and I still don’t understand it (I Corinthians 15:29; would be nice if u read from 12). I’ve been asking da Holy Spirit to say something and make me understand and no one has been able to explain to my understanding. Anyway, maybe u could give it a try. Use the Contemporary English Version when reading. I seem to understand dat one quite well. I just have too may questions but I’m sure dey’ll be answered in due course.

 

I thought the Black Stars were going to spell N-A-M-I-B-I-A but they couldn’t. Coach De la Roye is so right. He said Namibia is not to be underestimated.  I’ve not given up on dem and I’m sure da ‘Host and Win’ still exists.

 

Who told Bush dat his father is da only one dat Cartoonists love? They are really in love wit he himself. He just doesn’t know. If he has any doubts, he should come and have a look @ my fon. Lest I 4get, there’s something funny I’m sure u’d like to listen to on ma fon.

 

Do take good care of urself and ensure dat u catch up on da skipping sessions. I don’t know how much longer I can hang on but missing u is becoming a test of time. Guess what? I got a space for u in da guiness book of records – u broke da skipping routine and it’s been registered!

 

SWEET, I MISS U PLEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTYYYYYYYYYYY! Try n survive da night’s harmattan o.

Luv loads,

Moi.

CAN 2008 in my country

The preparation for this all-important tournament was subjected to intense criticisms by all and sundry. From all indications it was easy to fall to the pessimistic camp. Even days before the tournament it was surprising to discover the finishing touches to some of the newly constructed stadia was far from over! The fever of the tournament was not felt in the host nation itself. Only God knew how the participating countries saw it as the media cited the absence of publicity of CAN 2008 as a serious anomaly.

The outcome was, however, contrary to expectations. By Sunday 15:00 GMT, the entire Ghanaian population could be traced to two main location: the refurbished Ohene Gyan Stadium or glued to venues with TV sets with accreditation to telecast the international event. After a rather brief but colourful opening ceremony, the president of the nation, HE President John Agyekum Kuffour set the stage for the opening match to commence.

Analyst of the game had described the Guinean side as a force to reckon with, and they were not far from right! The first few minutes of the game depicted a typical opener of a “two cautious sides”. At the end of the first half it was clear all Ghanaians have developed hatred for the word “pole”, for the Ghanaian side had struck it trice letting their counterparts off the hook. The Guinean side gave an expected tough opposition and satisfaction was clearly scribbled on their determined faces.

The second half commenced caution as well. A penalty awarded the Black Stars aided Asamoah Gyan to record the first goal of the tournament. The entire goal post which had denied the Ghanaians penetration was more friendly to the Guineans as they registered the equalizer with a ball hitting the bar and crossing the goal line. Displeasure was registered among the Ghanaian funs every where. After the 85th minute, I believe Ghanaians have settled for a point in their hear, but that was far from the truth. Sule Muntari dared to struck from afar.. and o la la.. the effort was worth worth it!!

Words cannot describe the joy of nation… You needed to be there to witness dances of varying form, drinking spots under pressure, hooting from jubilating funs…

Monday saw the Namibian side trashed 5-1; Ivory Coast 1, Nigerian 0; Mali 1, Benin, 0.

Today’s enviable match comes off at the Baba Yara stadium where Cameroon locks horns with Egypt.

Fortnight Break Over !!

Who thought it will come so quick !? All of us left the center for a natural break… The first half of our service had always revolve around these dummy machines which keeps on staring us in the eyeball. If it’s not a bad network cable, then it probably was a needed information to be urgently searched for. We knew without the slightest doubt that a break away from these tasks will be a  great source of refreshment… and sure it was..

We are back once again….

Can’t say it’s bad.. Afterall, we’ve missed each other and our long forgotten environment.

For the rest of the semester… it is busy time

May God help us !!