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A change is gonna come
The “A CHANGE GONNA COME” song by Sam Cooke was inspired by various events in his life, most prominently when he and his entourage were turned away from a white-only motel in Louisiana. Cooke felt compelled to write a song that spoke to his struggle and those around him, and pertained to the Civil Rights Movement and African Americans.
Sam Cooke wrote the song in 1963, recorded in January of 1964 in Hollywood, CA, and released the song as a single in December, 1964. He performed it live on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Johnny Carson television show and gave testimony to his struggles (shared and personal) for the civil rights and social justice.
As a little boy, when Sam sang in church, everyone made note that his voice had ‘something special’. His refusal to sing at a segregated concert led to what many have described as one of the first real efforts in civil disobedience.
Sam was not only a great soul-singer but he was a civil rights activist in late 50’s and early 60’s America, where he was given a platform for both his music and his opinions and in the eyes of the society then, this made Sam Cooke a very dangerous man.
Thus, the song – “A Change is Gonna Come” is much more than a civil rights anthem. It’s become a universal message of hope, one that does not age. Generation after generation and people all over the globe have heard the promise of it. It continues to be a song of enormous impact.
I am sure some of you would obviously wonder why this song?
To my mind, Sam Cooke wrote the song for such a time as this in Ghana as we traverse the journey towards three decades of the Fourth Republican dispensation in 2023, with the dire challenges of a HUNG PARLIAMENT and with all the issues of ‘uncertainties’ around the 2022 Budget Statement facing us as a Nation and as a People.
Like Sam Cooke, I am relating the challenges he faced with the civil rights movement to the job uncertainties for our youth amidst several insecurity threats and forms, entrenched positions of the two main parties in the Parliament forcing the populace to question whether we have missed the road to the future promised by the parties since the dawn of the 4th Republic in 1993.
The situation we face now is akin to the period of the intense American Civil Rights confrontations of the sixties, when black as well as coloured lives mattered for little.
You see within all the confusions, denials, strives, hunger, joblessness, lack of amenities for the blacks, unequal pay for same jobs, lack of equal opportunities (not on party lines as we witness now) and no housing facilities for majorities of the blacks, ONE SMALL VOICE with so much hope against dire indiscriminate, police brutalities rose up with just the lyrics of a melodious song: ‘CHANGE IS GONNA COME’- to push for a change.
“I was born by the river, in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river
I’ve been running ever since
It’s been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will
It’s been too hard living
But I’m afraid to die
‘Cause I don’t know what’s up there
Beyond the sky
It’s been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will
I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me
Don’t hang around
It’s been a long
A long time coming
But I know, a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say, brother, help me please
But he winds up, knockin’ me
Back now I think I’m able, to carry on
It’s been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will”
Don’t forget that when Sam Cooke composed the lyrics, he never dreamt beyond the impossibilities to imagine or think, much less, see the election of the first African-American President of the United States of America – Barrack Obama: because he never thought that was going to be the end of the struggles of the black race in America.
It means for us in Ghana, our fight is far more than just a slogan of ‘BREAKING THE EIGHT’ or the ‘GREAT RETURN OF THE JOHN FROM THE WILDERNESS – Baptist’ or a possibility of an ‘ABABASE IN EAGLE CLOTHING’. Indeed, our fight is even more precarious with the possibility of a ‘THIRD FORCE’ of the ‘Bilson’ stock. Thus, what we are faced with has nothing to do with our individual or collective allegiances to the two main political traditions of the 4th Republic. It has, instead, everything to do with how we can be ‘A BETTER NATION AND A PEOPLE’.
It also has everything to do with how our HONOURABLE Members of Parliament continue to conduct themselves in front of TV cameras for not just us as adults but also before our children and their own children and those of the MPs too.
Otherwise, how on earth will an ‘Honourable Member’ so conduct himself ‘dishonourably’ and we all pretend we did not see anything – from the voting for the SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT; to the whisking away of the Speaker’s Chair; to the rejection of the Government’s Budget Statement; to the inclusion of a budget allocation for the sea defence issues of the Volta Region, especially where ironically, there is an ‘ANLO NEW TOWN’ in a prominent part of the ‘Garden City of Ghana’, Kumasi, where the people are predominantly EWES?
What are we trying to teach our children and their children too? …that lawlessness pays?…for as long as you end up as a Member of Parliament to assume a certain level of immunity? …and from what?
Sam Cooke’s ‘CHANGE IS GONNA COME’ song, no matter how long, should let us all be mindful of the truth of life that NOTHING IS FOREVER and that…”It’s been a long; A long time coming; But I know a change is gonna come; Oh, yes it will.”
I do not want to assume that, there is an existing CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS at the Parliament House for our Honourable Members of Parliament, on how to go about the business of the House, (or if there are sanctions for dishonourable behaviour in the House) or they are kept away from common men and women like the people who voted and or vote for them every four years?
Otherwise, we would institute a monthly ‘BADGE OF DISHONOURABLE MAN / WOMAN’, where the public would be invited to vote on a Member of Parliament who tops the list of dishonouring himself or herself in any particular month with the support of all media houses in the country.
I am not a ‘prophet’, nor would I, for any reason assume such a position on earth, but as long as night follows day, I know a CHANGE WILL COME SOONER THAN LATER in the way our elected officers are conducting ourselves in public life.
On a personal level, I wish we could amend the 4th Republican Constitution that justifies the appointment of a certain percentage of Members of Parliament as Ministers of State so that they could apply themselves solely to the matters of state as MPs. However, a government could be permitted to nominate any MP for a position but not by a stated quota in the Constitution.
Members of Parliament, Ministers of State and other public office holders should always know that they do not occupy these positions of themselves but because of us as Ghanaians; that we vote them into office as MPs and thereafter, get appointed into those public positions because of us, the people and they should never forget that.
They should also be mindful of the impact their actions and inactions have on the general populace so they ought to act RIGHT ALWAYS WITH HONOUR and nothing else.
By Sam Cooke The author is a Land Economist & Appraiser, Event Architect & Planner and Sport Business Consultant
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
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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
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