Features
Our Political leaders need to tread cautiously in their utterances
Holding a political position in government is noble, sensitive and very important and, therefore, you have to be courteous, sympathetic, respectful and comport yourself in whatever ways you find yourself so that in the long run, you can earn a lot of respect from the very people who made you who you are. You do not have to display arrogance and talk anyhow to the electorate even in times of provocation.
NEGATIVE STATEMENTS FROM POLITICIANS
It is becoming increasingly clear that some of the politicians we gave them our mandate to rule us, are now turning their back on us through their loose utterances, forgetting that without the people, they cannot govern this country. Government of the day does not work in isolation, it is the people whose back you rode to power and, therefore, there is the fervent need to show respect to them accordingly.
The famous US President Abraham Lincoln said in November 19, 1863 that,“Democracy is a rule of the people for the people and by the people”. That simply means democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. The citizens of the country elect the President to rule the country and the elected President works for the welfare of the people. Nothing should allow the party in power to lord it over the people in a democratic regime.
SEEKING THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE TO RULE
It is quite unfortunate that in this beautiful country called Ghana in which the people have accepted democratic governance as the practice, when our politicians are seeking for political power to form a government, they try to adopt and use every available means to convince the people to vote for them, after getting that mandate which they needed most, they completely lose sight of the very people who gave them that power and, therefore, try to lord it over them.
Their behaviours, become completely different from that time they were seeking the people’s assistance, behaving selfishly, serving their own interests, that of their families, friends and cronies and talking loosely and anyhow to the electorate, particularly the youth on whose tickets they rode to power.
Just recently, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, in the Ashanti Region who doubles as the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, our law making institution, was reported to have urged Ghanaian youth to venture into entrepreneurship and stop chasing non-existent white-collar jobs.
According to him university graduates in the country must initiate the process of generating wealth before others support them. His comments came at the launch of the 29th GRASAG Week celebration at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
UNFAVOURABLE STATEMENTS FROM JOE WISE
Hear the astute lawmaker, “Every graduate is going round with a certificate searching for the job whereas the training was able to enable them to create the job. I think it was time we bridged the linkages between the knowledge we have acquired and the wealth in our land. Parliament will continue to provide the facilitation but first thing is that graduates must apply the knowledge they have acquired”.
According to him, even though white-collar jobs are good, the opportunities out there are limited, because only a handful of people with specific qualifications are needed at any point in time.
He dispelled the notion that only people from poor homes acquired technical training skills, adding that the youth must be allowed to venture into professions they had talent to operate effectively rather than force them into areas of education, which might not be suitable for them, and end up jeopardising their future.
REACTIONS FROM THE YOUTH
These unfavourable statements from the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament have infuriated Ghanaian students and graduates from our universities and other tertiary institutions, attracting a lot of bashings with unprintable statements from them describing his comments as most unfortunate, irrelevant, unnecessary and in bad taste, especially coming from no other person than a leading member of government and a lawmaker. Some have questioned how they can create a business account without the basic capital, saying a lot of people even struggled financially to go through university education.
Others are interested in knowing how many jobs he had created as a leader and even with a certificate? A questioner has also put to him to tell Ghanaians how many parliamentarians created their own jobs before entering parliament and whether they have been able to help the few graduates who have been able to set up their own jobs to cut down the unemployment rate in the country?
AGITATED YOUTH
The simple truth is that times are, indeed, very hard and there is total frustration among Ghanaians, especially the youth most of whom are graduates with good qualifications, yet finding it very difficult to secure jobs to fend for themselves. They are so agitated that they don’t want to hear unpleasant statements from our politicians and members of government that will make them more infuriated.
This means that our parliamentarians and members of government need to weigh whatever statements they want to churn out to the public in order not to create disaffection and anxiety among the people, particularly the teeming unemployed youth.
GOV’T SHOULD PROVIDE START-UP CAPITAL FOR BUSINESS
Indeed, creating their own jobs will need an initial capital to start with and as fresh students who have not worked before, how can they raise that funds to set up their own businesses, let alone to absorb others.
They are not magicians to raise funds on their own without any means and, therefore, will need a start-up capital from government to embark on the project Joe Wise is talking about.
Nobody should look down on our graduates because they are people who have been well groomed by our public and private universities with high academic performances.That is why our graduates are highly accepted anywhere beyond the borders of Ghana.
Due to lack of jobs, quite a number of the nation’s graduates, trained with hard earned foreign exchange have travelled to other foreign countries and are in gainful employments to the detriment of our country.
Many are still leaving by day because they do not find hope in our dear country where only few people in responsible positions are enjoying. The current education system of our country, will continue to produce a large number of graduates every year, without the corresponding jobs to absorb them.
THE LOOSE STATEMENTS MUST CEASE FORTHWITH
It was time we put an end to those loose and reckless talks from our leaders and rather to find ways of creating the necessary jobs to absorb the teeming number of graduates who are churned out from our universities every year.
Our law makers should lead the way in enacting pragmatic and effective laws that will find lasting solutions to this monster called graduate unemployment in our country, rather than making all kinds of negative statements to the annoyance of the youth who are so much agitated or incensed.
By Charles Neequaye
Writer’s email: ataani2000@yahoo.com
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
