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Remember Lot’s wife
I went to church last Sunday as every Christian is supposed to do unless something out of the ordinary makes it impossible. I am therefore putting on my preacher’s cap this week to draw attention to some social issues that has to be addressed for our moral well being as a country.
Failure to do this has the potential to not only throw the future of our youth into confusion but also to transform the future of our country from a peaceful nation into a crime infested one.
The scripture that the Pastor quoted in preaching to us was Luke Chapter 17:32 “Remember Lot’s wife”. This scripture primarily cautions against disobedience and therefore indiscipline which is a characteristic of failed states or third world countries.
Any nation that wants to develop at a fast pace must deal with indiscipline hence my decision to talk about remembering Lot’s wife who out of disobedience suffered the consequences and became a pillar of salt.
The news currently going around on the airwaves is about a student from one of the Class A schools in the country who has found himself on the wrong side of the law. Students have been known to indulge in pranks and it is one of the characteristics of youthful exuberance but to fake your own kidnapping is at another level.
If an SHS student can conceive such an idea to defraud the parents, I dread to imagine what he would be capable of when he gets to the University. Clearly he is either a very bad young man or he has been influenced by colleagues.
It is also possible that he has been influenced by movies which are screened on various TV at various media stations, especially foreign movies which portrays gang activities of kidnappings etc.
A concerted effort must be made by various stakeholders to address this errant behaviour of the youth otherwise we are headed for trouble as a nation.
Greediness and selfishness for some time now have characterised our social fibre and is gradually assuming monstrous proportions. Most Ghanaians have thrown values such as honesty out the window.
If you doubt it, just conduct a simple test by leaving your purse on your seat in a church. Then come back after church a little later for it and see if you would still find it where you placed it.
It would have been long gone as if it developed legs and decided to just walk out of the church auditorium. We have developed a penchant for gossip and people are on social media searching for the latest juicy gossip about celebrities.
Young Christians have lost appetite for the word of God and are not studying it like the older generation used to do. Instead of remembering Lot’s wife and the lessons the consequences of her actions offers, they just don’t care.
Young people disobey authority with pleasure. They view their parents who try to guide them along the narrow path as monsters with dictatorial tendencies who are trampling on their human rights.
They therefore lack the discipline required to sustain their jobs at the workplace and easily get fired. On the nation building front instead of people in the country also realising that they are part of the problem, they hypocritically point fingers at the few politicians and gloss over the dumping of refuse in drains, demanding bribes from people at the office, facilitation of cheating in exams, facilitation of smuggling of cocoa among others across our borders etc.
Until we recognise that we are part of the problem and that at the individual level we need a mindset change, our national development agenda will suffer.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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
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