Features
Chief of Staff @ 75: Significance
There are many good managers the world over but what makes the managerial skills of the current Chief of Staff special is her unique skills in addressing the challenges that confront her at her current age of 75.
Her style of management is always characterised by patience, accommodation of views even if unpalatable, broad mindedness and motherly love. These are special qualities that have endeared her to personnel in the seat of government under the current political administration in the country.
Many a time, political administrators occupying the position of the Chief of Staff in the seat of government tend to think that they occupy a position that makes them very powerful and unchallengeable, thereby making them turn around as proud people who are sometimes found to look down upon those that are nowhere near them compared to the position of Chief of Staff. The position of Chief of Staff is very important in the sense that whoever occupies this position must be highly alert and ready to work with various segments in the Administration so as to be able to achieve unity of purpose.
BLENDING SEGMENTS TOGETHER
Without the ability to blend various segments together, it becomes difficult to pull various personnel along the common purpose of attaining the goal of the Administration. This is a skill that is required by the occupant of this position to make it possible for the attainment of organisation goals even under very difficult circumstances.
In the case of the current Chief of Staff, Hon. Akosua Frema Osei Opare, she has been able to unify the personnel around her and encouraged them to move ahead in unison. Her unique skills did not come by chance. Her experience as a social worker for the underprivileged in Ghana took her to various parts of the country to carry out NGO activities which were variously aimed at bringing improvement to people in deprived parts of the country.
HARDWORK
In addition, she fought hard to win the seat for Ayawaso West Wyoming and became a Member of Parliament to represent people in the area. Her humility, commitment and dedication to the lives of people as well as openness to all manner of people she came along with endeared her to her constituents. It, therefore, came as no surprise when she was appointed by former President J. A. Kufuor as a Deputy Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment from 2005 to 2008.
As part of her duties, she took part to ensure that the National Disability Law was developed, worked on and thoroughly discussed before it became law in this country. In this connection, she worked in various segments of society including the hearing impaired and all physically challenged persons as well as others like Albinos. Unknown to many people, she is very accommodative when it comes to opening up to underprivileged.
LAW ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
Today, the country can boast of a law for persons with disability. She had to own it as her own baby, running round Parliament, the Ministries as well as engaging other stakeholders in the country. She showed real love to all such people, that is, the underprivileged.
During preparations towards the 2016 elections, which was won by the NPP, she was found to be organising things for the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo. So impressive were her administrative skills such that it came as no surprise that when President Akufo-Addo, having won the 2016 elections, found it necessary to appoint her as the first female Chief of Staff. This position has brought great honour to women in this country and they are all proud of her.
BEAUTIFUL PERSONALITY
In fact if her age had not been announced, it would have been difficult to guess how old she is. Looking at her beautiful personality, one is likely to take her for somebody who is around 50 years. May she continue, with the blessings of God, to remain “evergreen” at all times. What this means is that God has really blessed her with strength and skills that make it possible to go about her duties. It is her coolness of temperament, humility, patience and love for all that have endeared her to all those who come in contact with her. There are many people who are very boastful and proud due to some positions they hold such as being head of institution. In the case of our current Chief of Staff, we are proud of her because of her unique humility, love for the underprivileged and readiness to mingle with other people.
Her duties as government official is characterised by hardwork. She finds herself to be working with a very hardworking president who goes to the office very early and leaves late. She’s capable and is able to cope with all the challenges that come her way as an administrator at the seat of government. She has lived up to expectation and therefore deserves all the praises that come her way. Aside all these, her belief in the Almighty God is firm and does not waver under any circumstance or challenging situations that come her way. As a strong Christian, she believes that being prayerful is good since it is only the Almighty God who helps people to make achievements in life.
DUES
At the age of 75, Madam Frema Osei Opare has fully paid her dues and serves as a good example for young people, especially for women who are coming up.
She has been a source of inspiration not only to women in Ghana but beyond the country. We therefore pray that the Almighty God will bless and continue to guide her in all her endeavours so as to assist the current administration to move the country forward and to a higher pedestal of development.
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Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
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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