Features
Do something before you die
I am an avid reader. I read anything I can lay my hands on. But above all, I love biographies and their auto forms. History as a subject was not my strong point in school but I developed a keen interest in historical narratives when I went to train as a teacher. Apart from textbooks, it was in the early sixties that I first read a book titled, “Beyond Pardon” by Bertha M. Clay. I was so enchanted by the narrative, which kick started the desire for reading in me. And I have never looked back.
I have kept asking myself why people write, why people read and why people do not read or write. The answers, I believe, can be a volume by itself. My focus today is on our politicians, captains of industry and public office holders.
In the United States, for example, it has become a self-imposition for public office holders to write their memoires once they leave office. These memoires become a source of knowledge for up and coming students in leadership, a source of reference for all and they also tell the true stories of the characters that have run affairs of their people.
I have read Bill Clinton’s autobiography, that of his wife, Hillary, and Magdalene Albright who was once a Secretary of State. I have read Barack Obama’s books before he became President of the US.
I have read Nelson Mandela. Lee Kwan Yu and many others I cannot readily recall. They all had great stories to tell.
General Colin Powell, who died just a few days ago, has books to his name after leaving office as the first Black to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and also as the first Black Secretary of State of the United States.
I have also read books by some African leaders. Leopold Senghor of Senegal, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia
and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya readily come to mind. These were men who won independence for their respective countries.
Only last week, Mr. Enoch Teye Mensah, a member of the Council of State, launched Volume One of a book he has authored. On June 14 this year, my classmate and good brother, Ken Dzirasa, who was a Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, also launched his memoires.
These are very good signs that our history as a people has a chance of not getting lost. At the launch, the current Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Honourable Alban Sumana Bagbin, who did the honours, stated the importance of public figures to write their memoires for posterity to be their judge. Mr. Speaker pledged to complete his own before this year ends.
It is difficult to understand why public office holders in our parts have not cultivated the habit of writing. Only a few have bothered to do so. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah comes readily to mind. He wrote very extensively while he was even President of this country. I recollect President John Mahama’s “My First Coup d’état.”
Dr. Obed Asamoah has authored a book after he left office. Mr. Sylvester Mensah, who had been a Member of Parliament, also has a publication to his name. Professor Kwamina Ahwoi has one that generated a storm before the death of President Rawlings.
I have spoken to a few people who tell me writing would bring no financial benefits to them because Ghanaians and, for that matter, Africans have not cultivated the habit of reading.
This might be largely true, but if every writer wants economic returns I wonder if knowledge can be shared at all. There is a saying that if you want to hide anything from the black man, put it inside a book; he will never find it. It is about time we disabused our minds of this.
I recollect asking my elder brother, the late Squadron Leader Abraham Armstrong Segbefia, who was enlisted in the Air Force the same day as Jerry Rawlings to consider writing his memoires as one of the people involved in the June Four and 31st December eras. He promised he would, but before he could finish the second chapter, he died.
When I went to announce his death to Rawlings in November of 2007, I impressed upon him to give it a thought as well. He appeared nonplussed, though a few years later he called to inform me he was considering writing. I reminded him he was not growing younger.
Another couple of years later, President Rawlings invited me for a chat and told me he wanted the launch of what he was writing to coincide with his 70th birthday.
The last time I met with him before his sudden passing, he said he needed to review a chapter or two to clear the air on some of the things Professor Ahwoi had alleged in his book.
I am unaware if Rawlings did that before his passing. If he had that project, I will humbly appeal to his family to have whatever the man had done published. Whatever it is will be a best seller.
The man I consider to have the richest recollection of historical facts and whose memoires will be the greatest source of reference for politicians and students of governance in this country is Captain Kojo Tsikata.
I don’t easily recollect the last time I met and spoke with him, but I have impressed upon Dr. Obed Asamoah and Captain Joel Kwami Sowu to convince Kojo Tsikata to write his memoires. Dr. Asamoah told me he had on many occasions asked Capt. Tsikata to write, but Tsikata has made up his mind that he would not put one letter of the alphabet down to his name.
People who know Captain Kojo Tsikata well are not surprised by his stand on writing a memoire. First, they say whatever he writes will be very explosive and, secondly, he is too private a person to want to write anything down.
It is sad for this country. Many prominent Ghanaians have died without leaving any written legacy for generations to appreciate what they lived and stood for. Oral historical narratives are fraught with inconsistencies and embellishments that leave so much to be desired.
I doff my hat to those who have taken the bold step of putting down their own narratives for us to chew on. The question now is what the rest intend to do or are doing. Not only those in the lime light. Captains of industry, retired military officers, medical officers, engineers, journalists and a host of others have their stories to tell. How did they fare in their fields of professional endeavour? What challenges did they face in their line of duty? We want to be enlightened on these. The coming generation will learn to skirt these challenges.
Let us not die with our store of knowledge and experiences. It is to humanity that this must be done. Do it for your children. Do it for the future of this country. Do it for mankind as a whole. Let us not run away from sharing our knowledge. Do something before you die!
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
ALL these forms of responsibility are sustained by one central pillar: spiritual and moral discipline. Without it, knowledge becomes pride, power becomes oppression, and freedom becomes chaos.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6114)
This control taqwā is the root of responsibility. Imam Al-Ghazali (1105) in Ihya Ulum al-Din wrote that the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) is the foundation of all reform. A responsible man disciplines his desires, guards his words, and acts with sincerity, even when no one is watching.
We live in an era of temptation — social media, materialism, and moral relativism challenge our values. But men of faith must rise above these influences and remember that Allah is Al-Raqīb — the Ever-Watchful. Spiritual accountability anchors moral behaviour.
8. Emotional and psychological responsibility
Responsibility also includes taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being. Many men suffer silently under the burden of expectation — believing that showing emotion is weakness.
Yet, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم shed tears, expressed compassion, and sought counsel.
Psychologist Aaron Beck (1976) in Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders emphasised that emotional maturity begins with self-awareness, recognising one’s feelings, and managing them constructively.
Group counselling sessions like this are essential; they help men share, heal, and grow together. No man should walk alone; strength is not isolation, but the courage to seek support. Let us normalise counselling, mentorship, and brotherhood among men. For in unity, we find healing; in shared wisdom, we find growth.
9. The five questions of accountability
The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about five things:
- His life — how he lived it;
- His youth — how he used it;
- His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it;
- His knowledge — how he acted upon it.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2416; also reported in al-Darimi)
This hadith captures the essence of personal accountability — the cornerstone of responsibility in Islam. It reminds every believer that every blessing carries a duty, and every stage of life demands conscious action.
Let’s break it down:
- “His life — how he lived it”
Life is a divine trust (amānah). A responsible man lives with purpose, not pleasure as his goal. He invests his time in doing good, serving others, and seeking Allah’s pleasure. - “His youth — how he used it”
Youth is the most energetic and creative phase — and thus the most accountable. As Ibn al-Qayyim noted in Madarij al-Salikin, “The strength of youth is a blessing, and blessings invite responsibility.” Men must use their youth to build character, gain knowledge, and resist destructive habits. - “His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it”
Financial integrity is a key part of manhood. Islam demands transparency, fairness, and generosity. The Qur’an warns against wastefulness: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Qur’an 17:27) A responsible man earns lawfully, gives in charity, and spends wisely. - “His knowledge — how he acted upon it”
Knowledge is meaningless if not practiced. Imam Al-Ghazali wrote that knowledge without action is a burden, not a blessing. A responsible man translates his learning into character, leadership, and service.
This Hadith teaches that responsibility in Islam is total and it covers time, energy, wealth, and knowledge. It’s not only about what we achieve, but how we live, how we give, and how we grow.
10. Summary
Responsibility, therefore, is not a single act but a lifestyle — one that touches every sphere of life:
- Educational responsibility empowers us to think and serve.
- Marital and family responsibility keeps our homes strong.
- Environmental responsibility safeguards our future.
- Civic responsibility builds our nation.
- Moral and spiritual responsibility sustains our integrity.
- Emotional responsibility maintains our well-being.
A responsible man is thus an educated mind, a loving heart, a disciplined spirit, and a servant leader. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful.
11. Conclusion
My brothers, as we look toward the future, let us remember the divine reminder:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Qur’an 9:71)
Our communities are counting on us — our sisters, mothers, and children look to us for leadership and example. Let us not disappoint them. When we build responsible men today, we build a Ghana that is peaceful, prosperous, and principled.
Let us be men of knowledge and humility, strength and compassion, faith and fairness. And may Allah grant us the wisdom to lead ourselves before we lead others. Āmīn.
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katmanso Municipal Chief Imam, governance expert and certified counselor.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
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Today, I focus on Ghanaian/African migrants in Finland and their mental health. Mental health is an important subject and a huge problem in the world.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain health is the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing a person to realise their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders.
Studies have shown that maternal and paternal distress are associated with reduced linear growth of their children. I recently participated in a seminar on mental health among (African) migrants in Finland. We all wondered about the prevalence or incidence of mental illness among migrants in Finland. It will be interesting to know the statistics about mental illness among migrants in Finland.
Mental health in Finland
In Finland, studies have examined how behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress. A correlation is shown between parent and infant psychotherapy on maternal mental health and psychological functioning and children’s welfare.
There are also research and other reports of social child welfare interventions where at times children are even taken away (child removals) from the parent or parents for safe keeping.
Experts say it is important how parents plan their leaves in order to renew or rebuild their mental strength to be able to take good care of their kids.
Anyway, studies are limited about parent-child psychological distress and situations where children are taken away from their parents among minorities, such as African migrants. It will be interesting to know the figures and other aspects of mental health issues among the migrant group(s) in Finland.
Health and migrant vulnerability
Health experts point out that migrant communities can be highly vulnerable to diseases, especially certain infectious diseases. Experts say those who came to Finland as refugees or asylum seekers and their family members are often in a more vulnerable position in terms of their health (see www.thl.fi).
Research and media reports have shown in many countries that there are structural or societal/cultural factors that result in quite high rates of infection or ill-health among migrants, when compared to the majority population.
It is suggested that for example language barrier, lack of information, the nature of the work of migrants in professions where working from home is not possible (for example during the Covid-19 pandemic), not accessing healthcare, etc. can present some of the factors for migrants’ vulnerability to diseases and infections.
Childhood disadvantage
Information about the issue. Such a situation was much evidenced to reduce stress and anxiety during the coronavirus situation.
Thus, these associations and institutions become networks that create an important social capital as well as outlets for sharing and gaining information or knowledge.
Finland is committed to the integration of migrants into the Finnish society, as I keep pointing out. A number of research studies from surveys and other in-depth enquiries have shown a trend of increasing efforts to integrate African and other migrants into the Finnish society.
As the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has pointed out, health and wellbeing are an important part of integration of immigrants in Finland (see www.thl.fi).
There have been studies on whether behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress and child welfare intervention by social services. Unhealthy behaviours and their associations with subsequent sickness among Finnish young and early midlife employees have been studied.
When it comes to this subject and/or the effect of adult psychological distress on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in Finland, there is limited knowledge.
We should hope for more information to augment understandings about adult psychological distress and effect on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in order to inform policy directions.
Such studies will help to create awareness among migrants in Finland about their mental health, its effect on them and their children’s wellbeing, as well as where to seek therapy.
Migrant associations, social networks, and information
Migrants associations are already doing much to help in education on mental health and have become important points for securing. Public agencies, migrant associations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Finland have been publishing information to help educate people about their health and wellbeing.
Generally, migrant associations formally create awareness among their members and other migrants usually in collaboration with some Finnish institutions, and are thus an important tool for several migrants to be positively active and to get their interests and claims heard.
As I wrote previously, the role of migrant associations acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
By Perpetual Crentsil
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