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A farewell by Ambassador Lartey
Ambassador
On 2 March 2024, Her Excellency Mrs Jennifer Lartey, Ghana’s Ambassador to Norway with concurrent accreditation to Finland and Iceland, delivered a speech to say farewell to Ghanaian migrants in Finland at the end of her term.
The speech, very touching and apt, was delivered to members of the Ghanaian migrant community at a farewell event in Helsinki that was organised by the Ghana Union Finland, an association that represents Ghanaian migrants in Finland.
Below is an abridged version of the speech:
“It has already been five years since another chapter of my life, and a new journey of national purpose began, when, in March 2019, I presented my credentials to His Royal Majesty King Harald V, as the first Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Kingdom of Norway.
As well, I presented my credentials to the President of Finland, H.E. Sauli Niinisto, and the President of Iceland, H.E. Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson, as Ghana’s Ambassador accredited to the Republic of Finland and the Republic of Iceland, respectively.
At the establishment of the Embassy, a core mandate that was given to us by the Government of Ghana was to protect and advance the interest of Ghana, and Ghanaians in the afore-mentioned countries of accreditation.
As I set off on this journey, I did not know what exactly to expect, though I had heard, beforehand, a lot of good things about Ghanaians in Norway, Finland and Iceland. Upon arrival and assumption of Office, you confirmed to me through interaction and working together, the good impression you had already left on other quarters.
Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of working for, and with you to represent and project our dear nation Ghana. The success of the journey would not have been possible without your cooperation and goodwill. I will stress, without equivocation that we have worked well together, and that those wonderful memories that have been created along the way are ones that I will always hold dear.
When I have departed my current position, it is my hope that I will continue to hear of your good works for your communities, and for Mother Ghana. That you will continue to positively portray our culture, put your best foot forward in representing us as a people, and strive to deepen your ties with Mother Ghana.
I cannot overstate how important it is to keep our dear nation Ghana close to our hearts, and remain cognisant that our kinfolk have interwoven their hopes and aspirations with our industry, diligence and hard work.
I will urge us all to put our shoulders to the wheel that will drive the transformational development of our country. It behoves us, brothers and sisters, to come together and create the utopia that we envisage for Ghana.
While we are on our sojourn in Finland, and we continue to shine bright as Ghanaians in this adopted home, let us not depart from being the exemplary individuals and groups that we have demonstrated to be over the years. I am confident that we will continue to be gentle and forgiving to one another, and be each other’s rock.
Also while in Finland, I acknowledge that we are at a crossroads of cultures, with ones that are new to us, going against the grain of ones that we have lived for many years. Let us, in that regard, endeavour to be accommodating of these new cultures, and live in harmony with our neighbours who may not have had the exposure, hitherto, to our cultures. The onus, brothers and sisters, is on us to engage them, and teach them about our beautiful cultures, and the significance that they hold for us, as Ghanaians.
As some of us may also be aware, there are, at times, blurred lines between what is a cultural norm for us, and what is legally permissible in our adopted countries. In this regard, let us make every effort to be abreast with the laws of Finland, in order that we do not fall foul thereof. As the Good Book says “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
The Good Book also says that, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Hence, another chapter of my life is drawing to a close, and I must reiterate that my time here as Ambassador has been truly enriching, and I feel fulfilled.
When we set out to purvey to our countrymen in Finland, little did I know that I will find such a wonderful family here. I have faith that our story will not end here, and that, we will continue to nurture our kinship with kindness, and in the spirit of goodwill.
You, my dear brothers and sisters, have truly been a blessing to my life. May God bless our Homeland Ghana, and may God bless us all.”
The columnist lives in Finland
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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