Features
The President’s special chair …and emerging controversies
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
In most general sense, a chair is a piece of furniture designed for the purpose of allowing a single person to sit or recline. It is an item of furniture that provides sitting for more than one person, often referred to as a sofa, settee, bench or so on.Sitting in a wrong office chair, can cause major health issues and one can simply avoid this by investing in an ergonomic chair. A good office chair can bear wonders for your back. It works by improving your posture, reducing unnecessary back pains and reducing hip pressure.
Research has shown that, slouching, and similar postures while sitting can cause backaches, headaches and poor concentration. Ergonomic chairs are more comfortable than normal chairs because they are user-friendly. You can adjust all features of the chair to fit your individual needs until you are totally comfortable.
SPECIAL
PRESIDENTIAL CHAIR
For some time now, there has been controversy from the point of view of the public over a special presidential seat being used by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at both state and private functions across the country of which viral photos keep trending on social media more frequently. The now famous seat of the President, has been spotted carried in a V8 vehicle that followed the president anywhere he attended public functions.
The brouhaha over this strange development on the part of the president, has imputed several rumours, speculations and conjectures about the motives behind the practice, especially when he has to travel to any public functions across the country with this special chair. Some have said that the practice, is purely associated with spiritual direction offered to the president. Rumours are that, the President’s personal prophet, had cautioned him to avoid publicly offered chairs and use his own private chairs anywhere he goes.
SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE SPECIAL CHAIR
Another strange reason is that the President’s special chair has a special purpose to perform while he sits on it. It is being alleged that the chair is not a mere seat, but an electronic device put together to keep him from fallen asleep.It is said that the seat is actually a contraption filled with a device that delivers mild electrical vibrations to keep the President awake. Explaining how the device works, an unimpeachable source within the presidency, was once quoted within social media circles to have stated that, “It is really a simple device that is remotely controlled. The trusted aides handling the remote control, are under instructions to deliver a certain level of electric shock to the President at specified intervals. The shock is not delivered to cause him to jolt, but rather, to deliver some vibration to keep him awake”.Whether this assertion is true or not, is something yet to be established and comfirmed.
GABBY’S
EXPLANATION
However, Mr. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a Special Aide to the President and his right-hand man, was quoted to have debunked all the conspiracy theories and assertions on his Facebook page, explaining that the roaming chair, was due to the deadly Corona virus pandemic which rocked the entire world in 2019, including Ghana.
It is recalled that during his official tour of the North East Region in 2020, President Akufo-Addo, visited PAD 95.1 FM for an interview along with his presidential seat and that was captured in the social media. The usual studio seat, according to the picture that made rounds, was shifted aside and replaced with his special chair. Also, during his visit to the Ashanti Region in that same year, his special presidential seat was taken along with him for an interview with Wontumi Radio Station among others.
PUBLIC CURIOSITY
ABOUT THE
Nobody is against the President carrying and using a special chair at any given functions across the country and even beyond the borders of this country, provided the costs involved in transporting this special chair will be borne or absorbed by the President himself. If for any good reasons regarding his health and doctors have advised that he should use a special seat as a means of dealing with his problem, that will be fine and also becomes a state funded issue since he is the president and the number one gentleman of the land as such, the laws will allow that to happen. In all these propaganda theories being bandied around in the social media by some personalities, neither the President nor any of his spokespersons, have given reasons as to why this special chair always has to travel with the President anywhere he goes to put an end to some of these mere speculations. It is on the basis of such development that one finds it difficult to comprehend what is happening in the face of the current economic challenges that has brought about high cost of living among the citizenry.
HUGE COST INVOLVED IN MOVEMENT OF CHAIR
The cost of travelling with this presidential seat on board the V8 vehicle to public functions across the country will be at a huge cost, running into millions of Ghana cedis at the expense of the state. Apart from that, the number of luxurious vehicles including V8 that follows the president in convoys during his local travels is another financial drain to the country which needs to be looked at with critical lenses. What is more disturbing, is the fact that a whole V8 is assigned to convey a chair with a driver and a guard. That is, indeed, very strange and difficult to imagine.
A vital question people continue to ask is that; If it is not for any good or tangible reason, why can’t the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCEs), make available special seat just like what the President always travels with, even if it should be electronically manufactured, to accommodate the president in their localities anytime he travels to their areas and cut down the cost of travelling with this special seat on V8 from the presidency in Accra to the districts and regional capitals.
GHANA IN
COMPLETE MESS
This country is in a terrible financial and economic crisis, as the President himself has admitted when he recently came to our homes through radio and television broadcast to the nation.
There is high depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar, inflation keeps escalating to an unimaginable level, the cost of fuel is astronomically high, thus affecting the cost of transportation among Ghanaians, high level of state debt and heavy fluctuations in foreign direct investment, volatile prices of goods and services among other economic challenges. We have gone to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to seek a financial bailout to restructure our ailing economy. There is a general disaffection among the people as they continue to experience severe hardships.
AVOIDING PROFLIGATE LIFESTYLES
While steps are being taken to resuscitate our shattered economy and restore confidence in the economy, there is the need for the government and its appointees, to lead by example by cutting down all the unnecessary spending and also to plug all the loopholes in our financial management. Things that are not of essence and beneficial to our course of development must be got rid of, in order to conserve our meagre foreign exchange.
It is also important that, we downsize our government by cutting down the number of ministers of state and merging some of our ministries to avoid duplication of functions.There is a clarion call by Ghanaians to the President to sack or remove some of his non-performing ministers and bring in fresh minded people with ideas to help him to prosecute his development agenda which is a call in the right direction.
TOUGHER MEASURES NEEDED TO REVAMP ECONOMY
The going is, indeed, very tough, rough and, therefore, we have to adopt and apply stringent measures to resuscitate our ailing economy which is in a state of comatose. Ghanaians deserve better because they have sacrificed a lot for this nation to the present state, and the time to do this is now. Let those who have ears, listen now!
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
ataani2000@yahoo.com 0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
