News
The question of fate
There is this phrase “…as fate will have it…” and is a very often used phrase. It gives the impression that something that happened was preordained and that is when people begin to question why this happened and why that happened and who or what determines the fate of a person.
If fate exist, then who or what determines what fate should befall a person, is the crux of the matter. The Oxford dictionary defines it as ‘the development of events outside a person’s control, regarded as predetermined by a supernatural power.’ This is where it gets interesting.
Why is it that in a class if about 40 students, some are very brilliant and others struggle to do well academically? Let us even bring it into families where among siblings, some are brilliant and others struggle academically. Reminds me of a family I know. They were five siblings.
The second born and the fourth were brilliant but the rest were nothing to write home about. It was like, they were from different parents. What has fate got to do with this?
A funny WhatsApp readily comes to mind, captioned, ‘The real reason for racism.’ In the picture below the title, is a White lady in a kind of a tight boxer shorts and a flat behind and a shapeless body.
The picture beside her was that of a Black woman, all the curves in the right places, a body shape that even most women, will envy, the type boys-boys will say “she has ‘ enyimnyam’ and ‘ekyirnyam’.”
In other words she is graciously endowed in front and behind. These days in the marriage market apart from a beautiful face, if you are not graciously endowed both front in your chest area and back in the torso area, your market value will be severely reduced.
Are we then saying that a supernatural power who created human beings, deliberately decided to enhance the market value of some ladies but again decided to reduce that of others? Again, this raises serious questions about the existence of fate.
Sometimes passing through town either walking or in a vehicle, one comes across a mad person or persons. These are people who used to be like us, normal, knowing that which is right or wrong, who appreciated nice things and would never wear dirty clothes or eat filthy things.
Yet they now find themselves in a situation where they laugh at will without reason, attack people without provocation and act in ways that no sane person would ever contemplate.
Again, as a Christian, who believes that the Bible is the word of God, and that the Bible describes God as the creator and is also a good God; it therefore does not align with his nature to have a fate of madness for people he himself has created.
Deliberately predetermining that a terrible thing like madness, alcoholism etc. should be the fate of a human being created by a good God, does not make sense. What it tells me is that there is nothing like fate.
What I believe in is that, decisions or choices, have consequences, either good or bad. If a person chooses to drink alcohol, over time, he or she can get kidney problems. This brings to mind the effect of galamsey on our health and if we as a people, do nothing to stop it, the health consequences will result in something we shall later claim as fate. What has fate got to do with someone deciding to indulge in drugs, becomes addicted and destroys his life?
What has fate got to do with deciding to live a promiscuous lifestyle and dying through HIV AIDS before his time?
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
