Features
Construction crew or demolition squad? Part 1
In every society, there are two distinct groups of people – those who solve problems and those who create problems. This reminds me of the days of yore when civics was taught as a subject in Ghanaian schools. And mind you, it was taught at the elementary level. By the way, for the uninitiated, civics is the study of the rights and obligations of citizens in a society. Not just rights as many Ghanaians have come to delude themselves that this is all democracy is about. More importantly, it is about obligations to the state.
I remember civics was my best subject at that stage of my formal education because during terminal examinations, I could easily get 100 per cent. All I needed to recall were the type of citizens and how they behaved. A question or two would almost invariably pop up from that domain. If my memory serves me right, we were told that we had the good citizens, bad citizens, active citizens, and passive citizens, of course, the active and good referring to those who were participating keenly and positively in the process of nation building. We were again told the good ones paid their taxes to help advance their societies.
On the other hand, we were taught that the bad ones, while not contributing anything to the efforts to promote their societies, were also wreaking havoc by their vices, in the process, causing their communities to retrogress. I do not recall the name of the book we were using but I remember how the passive citizen was characterised, in a pictorial representation, as someone sitting on a fence with folded arms while others were busy working hard for their communities to bring about positive change. At least, these only sat on the fence, but the bad ones indulged in all sorts of evil, kleptocracy leading by a mile.
On hindsight, I realise that it all boils down to the Construction Crew and the Demolition Squad. In biblical terms, we might say the Nehemiahs representing the builders, and the Tobiahs, Sanballats, and Geshems characterising the nation wreckers. Where do you belong as Ghana tries, through thick and thin, to move to the level where it will be respected among the community of nations?
As a nation our motto is: Freedom and Justice. Well crafted! But where is the justice after Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and other nationalists led us to snatch, as it were, our freedom from the jaws of the imperialist lions? Where is the justice when the slogan seems to have been implicitly replaced by the unwritten code that suggests that “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others?”
In “Animal Farm”, the satirical masterpiece of a novel by the British author, George Orwell, he writes about the betrayal of other animals by a pig named Napoleon, and its ilk. After the animals chase the farm owner, Mr. Jones out of town for oppressing them, they draw up, as it were, a constitution, described as the Seven Commandments to promote certain principles of the animal community dubbed, “Animalism.” Those principles are as follows:
1. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy, (that is, humans)
2. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend
3. No animal shall wear clothes
4. No animal shall sleep in a bed
5. No animal shall drink alcohol
6. No animal shall kill any other animal
7. All animals are equal
Initially, meetings are held on Sundays to plan and regulate life in the commune. But sooner than later, Napoleon and the other pigs cancel all meetings and insist that they will take all the decisions “for the good” of the other animals.
With time, Napoleon and its cohorts assume the air of superiority and arrogate to themselves the role of overlords, breaking all the rules of “animalism” and behaving just like Mr. Jones whose exploitation led to his overthrow.
First, the pigs start to take all the milk and apples for themselves to the exclusion of the other animals. Then, Napoleon and its band of traitors begin to sleep in cozy beds, drink whisky, walk on their hind legs with their chests out, that is, upright as humans, not on all fours any longer, wear clothes, and have a whip in hand ready to rein in noncompliant animals. Napoleon even trains the dogs as bodyguards which are used to charge at perceived rebels or troublemakers. Before long, Napoleon and its notorious gang replace the Seven Commandments espousing “Animalism” with the single code: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
With sorrow of heart, the “common animals” spy on the “elite pigs” through the farmhouse window as they party hard at their expense, with a human friend they welcome into their company. Something else. Now, it is difficult to tell the difference between the pigs and humans. Does it ring a bell in Africa? Does it sound familiar in our body politic? Do you recognise those who have now put on airs; people who had nothing to boast of before they sought redemption in politics and became overnight millionaires? And why not, when no one insists that they should declare their assets as stipulated by the law!
The African-American civil rights leader and trade unionist, Asa Philip Randolph, (1889 – 1979), made a poignant declaration as follows: “Equality is the heart and essence of democracy; freedom and justice, equality of opportunity in industry, in labour unions, schools and colleges, government, politics, and before the law. There must be no dual standards of justice, no dual rights, privileges, duties, or responsibilities of citizenship. No dual forms of freedom!”
Speaking on the same issue, the 19th century British lawyer, judge, philosopher, law reformer, and writer, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, (1829-1894) remarked:“The only shape in which equality is really connected with justice is this – justice presupposes general rules. If these general rules are to be maintained at all, it is obvious that they must be applied equally to every case which satisfies their terms.” In other words, “what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.”
As a government where is the justice when the water that the city dwellers use to wash their cars is cleaner, in most cases, than what some cocoa farmers and other rural folk drink? Through no fault of theirs, our brothers and sisters in the rural areas are born with daunting odds stacked heavily against them. They struggle under those circumstances to meet their most basic needs of life – shelter, clothing, food, and water. Unfortunately, whatever help they get is usually piecemeal
The great pan-Africanist leader, Nelson Mandela blared the truth loud and clear when he declared that “Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity; it is an act of justice.”But where is the justice when the roads that link the food growing areas and mineral producing regions of the country to the big cities, appear to be in a perpetual state of disrepair? The dangerous roads put the lives of the people there at risk, especially, when they have to transport the critically ill to the nearest health facilities which in most cases, are mere first aid posts. We must be in government with the abiding consciousness that every human life is of equal importance. Otherwise, we have no business being there.
Government after government periodically applies some stopgap measures to improve the situation as if they are giving the people some charity. The most disrespectful aspect of this attitude is that most of the time, these repair works are done close to elections. What do you take the rural folk for? Dummies? No, they are only longsuffering and that should not be misconstrued to be a weakness.
The truth is ad hoc interventions are not the solution. An equitable distribution of projects under the national development agenda is the appropriate option. Besides, we cannot stop the rural-urban drift if we do not make the rural areas attractive enough to stem the tide. This is a basic fact that most of our leaders learnt long ago in their school days. They wrote about it in examinations and got their pass mark, or even an excellent grade. Yet they are not applying it practically. Or you think your script is not being marked any longer in school? The school of voters is scrutinising the performance of elected officials.
Do not forget that a stitch in time saves nine.
Writer’s email address:
teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
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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