Features
Accra: Helping Henry Quartey to succeed
The Greater Accra Region has an estimated urban population of 4.2 million as at June 2020.
Metropolitan Accra is said to occupy a land surface of 173 square kilometres or 67 square miles.
And on daily basis, residents, visitors and commuters who ply their trades within Metropolitan Accra complain bitterly about pollution, overcrowding, poor sanitation and particularly traffic congestion in the city.
The fact of the matter is that indiscipline; lack of adequate infrastructure and service provision; poverty and shortage of affordable housing are undermining the traditional civilising influence of the city of Accra.
It is in the face of such agonising dilemma that has emerged “a new Ghanaian”, recently appointed by the President to oversee the Greater Accra Region.
The “new Ghanaian”, Mr Henry Quartey, was appointed the Greater Accra Regional Minister barely five months ago, but the momentum he has gathered to warm himself into his new office, has attracted commendations across the country.
Readers, from all indications, Mr Henry Quartey clearly understands the vision of the President in appointing him the current Greater Accra Regional Minister. And the vision of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is: “Making Accra the cleanest city in Africa”, before the end of his term as President of the Republic of Ghana.
Readers, Accra is very filthy!!! Traffic congestion is terrible!!! And sanitation is very poor!!! As for indiscipline in the city, it is at its worst!!! So, really, the task ahead of Mr Quartey is a helculean one.
But for him to succeed in implementing the President’s vision, he must be supported by “the people” because it is “the people ” who will be the beneficiaries of the President’s vision, if it is successfully delivered.
It seems Mr Quartey knows exactly what he has been assigned to do. So, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, which he heads, seems to have done a lot of ‘stakeholder’ consultations; implying that they have already hit the ground ‘jumping’ to deliver the President’s vision.
But Mr Quartey and the Regional Coordinating Council must be reminded that the ‘stakeholder’ consultations must not only continue but also expanded and consciously sustained, so as to carry all the stakeholders along until the end of the implementation of the vision.
And a vision like this will surely call for the establishment of Inter-Ministerial Taskforce to push the lofty agenda to succeed.
The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) could set up Media Taskforce also to support the vision. Additionally, the RCC could invite all editors, and Chief Executive Officers of radio and television stations, newspaper houses, advertising and marketing institutions to buy into the “national Interest idea” of “making Accra work”.
The RCC could as well share ideas with advertisers to produce jingles for radio and television stations to alert the public on the “dos” and “don’ts” of sanitation issues, hawking on the streets, sleeping under bridges and many more.
So far Mr Quartey and his sanitation taskforce have been sprucing many parts of Metropolitan Accra, besides demolishing unauthorised structures along major routes and drains to ensure free-flow of traffic and to keep the city clean.
The sprawling Agbogbloshie market has also been relocated and the structures on the land demolished to improve sanitation or conditions in that part of the nation’s capital.
Mr Quartey says:”We want to ensure that Accra is clean. We also want to ensure that Accra is like the Dubai and the America you want to go to.
“So, we will remove unauthorised structures that have sprung all over the city, thus, making it difficult for even sanitation and waste management companies to go about their duties.”
Since Ghana’s independence, various regimes had attempted to transform Accra into “the desired city” but had failed.
Experts, however, say Accra has experienced a rapid rate of growth, stressing that, “it is one of the fastest-growing cities in West Africa.”
According to the experts, another dimension of Accra’s urban growth is the physical expansion of the city beyond its official boundaries.
The experts contend that two major factors are principally responsible for this. The first, they say, is demand-based, which is associated with rapid growth of urban population.
The second factor stresses on poor government services, crime, congestion and poor sanitation.
Really, the experts insist that a weak urban administration and governance system has been the bane of urban development in Ghana, generally.
This, they contend, derives from “the inadequate local government system inherited from the colonial era.”
But the painful truth is that the current Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have proved incapable of providing and managing adequate levels of services and infrastructure in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
And the national parastatal organisations and agencies responsible for providing particular services in the decentralised Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have not been able to function effectively.
So, how can earger and anxious Mr. Henry Quartey walk on “the tight rope ” of “Making Accra Work” , if he does not receive Inter-Ministerial support and the required FUNDING to prosecute such a laudable vision of the President?
By G. Frank Asmah
In the pursuit of nurturing healthy, fulfilling relationships, we often focus on understanding our partners, communicating effectively, and navigating conflicts. However, a crucial element is frequently overlooked: self-awareness.
Understanding ourselves is the foundation upon which successful relationships are built. Imagine being in a relationship where every conversation feels like a minefield, and every disagreement leaves you wondering if you are truly understood.
Now, picture a relationship where you feel seen, heard, and valued—not because your partner has magically figured you out, but because you have taken the time to understand yourself. This is the transformative power of self-awareness in relationships.
What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is the capacity to reflect on ourselves, acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, and taking responsibility for our actions. With self-awareness, we are better equipped to manage our emotions, respond to situations more thoughtfully, and make informed decisions that align with our values.
How Self-Awareness Impacts Relationships
- Improved Communication:
When we are aware of our own emotions and needs, we can communicate them more effectively to our partner, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts. By recognising our tendency to become defensive in certain situations, we can take a step back, breathe, and respond more constructively. - Increased Empathy:
Self-awareness allows us to recognise and manage our own biases, enabling us to be more empathetic and understanding towards our partner’s perspective. By acknowledging our own emotional triggers, we can respond to our partner’s needs with more compassion. - Healthier Boundaries:
By understanding our own needs and limits, we can establish and maintain healthy boundaries, preventing codependency and resentment. Self-awareness helps us communicate our boundaries clearly and respectfully, fostering mutual respect in relationships. - Personal Growth:
Self-awareness fosters personal growth, enabling us to work on our flaws and become a better partner, friend, and individual. As we develop self-awareness, we become more resilient, adaptable, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.
Cultivating Self-Awareness
- Mindfulness and Reflection:
Regular mindfulness practices and self-reflection can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself. Schedule time for reflection, whether through journaling, meditating, or simply taking a quiet walk in nature. - Journaling:
Writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can provide valuable insights into your motivations and behaviors. Reflect on your journal entries to identify patterns, gain clarity, and develop a greater understanding of yourself. - Seek Feedback:
Ask trusted friends, family, or a therapist at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth and self-awareness. - Embrace Imperfection:
Recognise that nobody is perfect, and it is okay to make mistakes. This mindset allows you to approach self-awareness with kindness and compassion, fostering a more positive and growth-oriented relationship with yourself.
As we cultivate self-awareness, we embark on a journey of growth, discovery, and transformation. By understanding ourselves, we can build stronger, more resilient relationships, and live a more authentic, meaningful life. Self-awareness is not a destination; it is a continuous process of learning, growing, and evolving—and one that requires patience, kindness, and compassion towards ourselves and others.
In conclusion, self-awareness is the cornerstone of healthy, fulfilling relationships. By understanding ourselves, we can communicate more effectively, empathise with our partner, and cultivate personal growth. As we strive to build stronger relationships, let us prioritise self-awareness, embracing our true selves, and loving ourselves for who we are. By doing so, we will become better partners, friends, and individuals—capable of building more profound, lasting connections with others, and living a life that truly reflects our values and aspirations.
To be continued …
By Counselor Prince Offei
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ONE profession which society has battled with is prostitution. Prostitutes can’t be stopped in their tracks. Soldiers have tried, policemen have doubled and redoubled to keep them off the streets. But the prostitute is like the cockroach. Sack it from the kitchen and it moves to the toilet where it can enjoy self-contained facilities. Drive it away from there and it scurries to the bedroom to become the landlord.
Prostitutes can live on land and sea. They are mysterious and defy gravity, a feat—even birds of the air have not successfully accomplished. They can change form and appear as bar girls; they dress like students; act like scholars and speak Oxford English. They are also like the chameleon but once their clients can identify them, no problem. The Sikaman prostitute normally enters the business as an amateur, having been introduced by a professional or a caricature of a pimp. But she learns quickly.
In a short time, she is able to take any size without wailing, unless of course the size is “international”.
Prostitutes are of every tribe, height, weight, colour and notoriety. These days, some are well-schooled with diplomas and degrees. They enter into the world’s oldest profession due to factors ranging from poverty to nymphomania.
Most prostitutes in Sikaman are often not sophisticated in outlook and modus operandi. Often, they easily betray themselves with their gaudy appearance, over-painted faces, skimpy skirts, cigarette in hand, walking with that kind of bottom-wriggling gait that can instantly turn a devoted clergyman into a he-goat.
In developed countries like Spain, prostitution takes different forms. Apart from those you can grab from the cheap bars and ghettos for single night stands and those managed by shameless pimps, there are some who are organised by well-established syndicates and specialised agencies.
If you need a girl for the night, you only have to telephone an agency, describing the kind and breed you want—race, height, size, colour (chocolate?), rudeness, smoking type, strip-teasing, shyness, whatever.
You give your address and the girl on time. You pay by the hour and cost per hour can make you feel dizzy without falling down. You’ll still be steady for the showdown.
The girls have been trained to use tricks and communication skills to make their clients spend several hours without really doing anything. A typical prostitute will make you drink, chat at length (they are very knowledgeable), cook for you, bathe you and breast-feed you. That takes some three hours and you have to pay if you still want her services.
If you grow a bit wiser and protest, and insist vehemently that you are tired of being babied and want some real action now, she’ll do another hour of strip-tease and belly-dance by which time you’re either bored or charged to bursting point.
And finally you will do it but never without a condom. And the kind of condom she’ll give you can’t be torn by any knife around the globe, not even okapi. Before you’re finally through, you’ve got some five-hour helluva bill to pay. Next time round, you’ll think twice and go in for the cheap-side who’ll even allow you to do it without condoms if you are tired of living and want to die of AIDS.
In Sikaman, apart from those who operate from hotels and bars, some operate in private homes. The clients come and line-up, each with a hard-on. When the queue is not moving fast some begin to sweat because they have a very low sexual boiling point. If they are not ushered in quickly they can cause problems.
They’ll start grunting and stamping and can disrupt the peaceful and orderly procedure. As it were, such clients need priority attention so that they do not cause a riot and disturb the public peace.
Incidentally, prostitutes don’t like dealing with such clients because they are bad business. They have no biblical patience at all. They rush too much, and that was why a prostitute once asked a client whether he was a Russian because he rushed a bit too much and messed up things.
Prostitution in Sikaman has taken a new turn. Girls as little as sixteen are selling their bodies sometimes with the passive connivance of their mothers. When the girls go out at 9.00 p.m. and return at 3.00 a.m, their mothers let them in without asking questions. Next day, the house is properly fed from the proceeds of the night adventure and everybody is happy and nobody talks. If you talk, no breakfast for you tomorrow morning.
The police are doing quite a job trying to get them off the streets but they go and return just like the cockroach. Many of them are surely agents for the transmission of the AIDS virus because they permit clients to forgo the condom. They only have to pay extra for the “raw” service.
Now, the idea of legalising prostitution has been a very controversial one. If prostitutes can hardly be gotten off the streets since they are defiant and are now very many, why not legalise the profession, issue licences (not to kids), offer them health services and health education, teach them how to protect themselves and others from sexually transmitted diseases and then compel them to pay tax?
That would force children out of the trade because the legal operators will themselves force out the kids who will be competing with them. They would even assist the police to kick out the 15 and 16 year olds.
If a bad phenomenon cannot be wiped out, a way must be found to make it less and less harmless, so that while it doesn’t benefit society in any grand way, it does not also harm it.
Any suggestions?
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