Features
Misplaced priority: The bane of Ghana
When I started studying journalism, the very first essay I wrote was titled: Misplaced priority. The English lecturer just gave the students the liberty to choose any topic and write about it.
For some of the students, that freedom meant “anything goes.” So, they took the easy way out and wrote on things that had no bearing on journalism, such as: The food I like best. At that level? Yes! I know it because we were made to exchange scripts and read someone else’s essay.
As I pondered what to write about, my instincts nudged me that the lecturer wanted to test how journalistically inclined the students were, and so the assignment must be about universal issues common to humanity.
So, I reflected on the ills in the society and I was surprised at the degree to which priorities were misplaced by all– students, mothers, fathers, governments, churches, and what-have-you.
At the time of the assignment, President Hophouet Boigny of La Cote d’Ivoire was building a miniature model of Rome’s cathedral, that is, St. Peter’s Basilica in Yamoussoukro while his people had a shortfall in affordable housing as well as other critical needs. I saw it as a misplaced priority.
I observed also that as students got their loans for books and other logistics, the first place they headed for was the cafeteria. What for? You see, hard times had deprived many of them of the ability to drink a bottle of beer or two.
So, when they got the money, it was time to get even; it was time to revenge against the system for “making them unable to enjoy small.” Before they realised it, the one or two bottles had moved into overdrive. The party must go on, and it did with everything in the mix – khebab of all types: guinea fowl, beef, and goat meat at the expense of what the money was meant for. Misplaced priority, indeed!
My reflection also brought to mind the imprudent behaviour of some fathers who tarried long at the bottle daily, enjoying a cocktail of drinks with friends while their children’s fees were in arrears. Their personal enjoyment and comfort seemed to be more important than their children’s education. Misplaced priority!
What about women who, in spite of the dire circumstances of their families, and the need to cut their coat according to their size, insist on a new cloth for every funeral to be abreast of the times? I wondered if that was really necessary while the family budget was always under some form of constraint. I saw that as a misplaced priority.
My attention drifted to contractors and how most of them used their mobilisation fee which at the time, was given to them, to, as it were, mobilise some equipment and logistics for the work to begin in earnest.
Instead, many of them opted to buy the latest Mercedes Benz or BMW to flaunt their opulence around their areas of conquest. How could you hire the necessary equipment for the work? Why not finish the work, get the big bucks, and then do all the somersaulting you desire to do? Misplaced priority!
Before long, I had a long list of examples to write about and concluded that the bane of Africa’s development was misplaced priority. That was several decades ago. And to our big shame, it still is.
Accra and other parts of the country have been flooding from Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s time six decades ago, leading to loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property, and no government deems the problem huge enough to be accorded priority status in our development plan. At best, it is ad hoc measures, and they are not paying off.
One word that Ghana used to describe itself was “unprecedented.” Until Egypt, Nigeria, and Cameroun either overtook us in the trophy haul of the Africa Cup of Nations, or equaled our tally, we prided ourselves as the unprecedented four-time champions. Now, Egypt has way overtaken us and got seven, while Nigeria and Cameroun are at par with us.
We have relinquished the title in football but when it comes to flooding, Ghana now seems to be unprecedented leaders in how to maintain the status quo. This is what I call trailblazing in reverse. The Akans would say, “Adikan bedi akyire” meaning “The first shall be last.”
A country that was seen as the beacon of hope for other African countries, has now been overtaken by novices like Rwanda in terms of implementing development targets.
Last Saturday, May 21 2022, this fact was brought to the fore. The rains descended heavily on Accra and its environs, and as expected, huge swathes of land were flooded once again, a ritual that has become the rule rather than the exception.
Various media outlets corroborated one another’s coverage of the disaster with similar reports that the areas worst affected were Kaneshie Lorry Station precincts, the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Adabraka, North Kaneshie, Alajo, Tema, and Kasoa.
Homes were submerged and valuable property destroyed, including documents and computers at the head office of the Lands Commission as well as the State Transport Company
Vehicular traffic was impeded by the flood at some locations as the overflow gushed through major roads and highways, causing a major gridlock, especially, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and bringing business to a halt in many places.
In the hardest hit areas, residents had no option but to evacuate their homes to seek refuge on higher ground elsewhere, including homes of friends, relatives, and just anywhere they could find shelter.
Even residents of areas like Adenta, Teshie, Nungua, Madina, and Spintex, which did not flood, had to grapple with currents of the surge from the drains that had brimmed over.
A timely warning by the Ghana Meteorological Agency and the Ghana Police Service served to avoid serious casualties. The public safety tips by the police for people to avoid certain areas proved particularly helpful.
Years back, a female medical officer tragically lost her life along the La Beach-Kpheshie Lagoon Road towards Teshie/Nungua stretch during a similar downpour as she was sadly swept off while driving.
Social media platforms were awash with videos, still pictures of the flood as well as comments about what government is doing about the situation and when Ghanaians will be free from this torment.
The government cannot pretend to be ignorant about how to solve the problem. And everybody knows that people have built unauthorised structures over waterways, preventing the free flow of water when it rains.
And these structures are still springing forth left and right as if there were no regulating authorities to oversee development planning. What are the assemblies doing? What is the central government doing? What is the problem? Is it lack of political will? Definitely! Is it misplaced priority? Of course!
For the sake of political gain, government after government has turned a blind eye to this crime, fearing that they would lose votes if they demolished such unauthorised structures.
Given the inaction of the authorities, the encroachers have concluded, and rightly so, that the government is just a toothless bulldog. It barks on end without ever biting. Consequently, they have been emboldened to continue their trespass with impunity without fear of retribution.
The solution is simple, and the authorities know it. Show some steel. Flex your strong muscle. Use all the arms of government – the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature to do the right thing. And that is, demolish, demolish, demolish!
If the perennial problem of flooding in Ghana, especially in Accra, does not deserve to be accorded priority in our national development agenda, what other problem qualifies for premium attention? If this albatross is not removed from our neck, it will sink us like lead dropping to the bottom of the sea.
The police warning explained that the flood in certain areas was caused by the high level of the Odaw River which is dredged periodically. So, what shall it profit the nation if we dredge the lagoons and desilt the drains without tackling the root causes of the problem?
That is putting the cart before the horse. Unless we do the first things first, all the dredging and desilting would amount to nothing. They would just be an unnecessary dissipation of our scarce resources.
Apart from demolition, the government must ban plastic bags. They are non-biodegradable and are disposed of indiscriminately into drains, on the ground, and just anywhere. When it rains, they choke the drains and cause them to overflow and spill into the streets, leaving in their wake a huge trail of garbage.
Parliament and the assemblies must enact laws that impose heavy sanctions on people who dump garbage anyhow, especially plastics. That would stem the tide initially. Then, draining would work; then the demolitions would finish the job. Stop barking and bite.
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
