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Freeing ourselves from colonial mentality – brownman or blackman
On several occasions I have stood in front of the mirror to observe my looks, I have wondered why I should call myself a Blackman? Unless I am colour blind, the colour of my skin is more brown than black. When I am putting on my trousers, I clearly see a very marked difference between my black trouser and the skin colour of my legs and I begin to wonder why I should accept the erroneous idea that the colour of my skin is black, and therefore I should call myself a Blackman.
It is true that the skin colour of some of our family members and friends can be termed as black. There are people in some communities in the western part of Ghana whom one can say are black. In fact one is assumed to be from a particular part of Ghana if his or her skin colour is black.
However, the majority of the people are more brownish than blackish and so on the average it would be wrong to call Ghanaians black people. There are people in southern Nigeria, in the Calabar area that look like Caucasians but are very African. How can you refer to these people as Black?
There is a very funny situation that makes for interesting analysis. There was a film about apartheid and the murder of Steve Biko. In that movie, the man playing the role of Steve Biko was asked by the judge that “Why do you call yourself Black because you are more Brown than Black” and in response Steve Biko said “Why do you also call yourself White, you are more Pink than White”. That statement brought home to me a profound truth and set me wondering why Caucasians call themselves white when it is evidently and abundantly clear that there is a marked difference between the colour of their skin and the colour white.
It brings to mind a people with either a confused state of mind or a people willing to pursue a deliberate agenda, at all cost. There is a definite racist white supremacist agenda that wants to implant an idea of inferiority complex in the mind of the African and people of African Descent. The objective is to make the African lose his or her sense of dignity, self-confidence and identity so that as a group, they can be easily controlled.
At the religious level, deliberate effort has been made by colonial powers to depict the African both on the continent and in the Diaspora as evil. Have you ever seen a picture of the Devil as a Caucasian? The answer is a definite no; he is always depicted as a Black person. It carries a certain subtle message which suggests to people that Africans and people of African Descent are of the devil and therefore evil. When this narrative is perpetuated according to the theory of propaganda, it has the potential to reinforce the perception that Africans and people of African Descent are evil.
People should, therefore, not be surprised at the rate of police brutality towards people of African Descent because there is a stereotype which brings to mind a person of potential criminal intent whenever a policeman sees a so-called black person.
Take a look at some words and phrases in the English language: Blackmail, Black sheep of the family, Blacklist, Black eye, Black market, Black out etc. are all geared towards ensuring an agenda to project so-called “Black people” in a bad light. All along there is a campaign to destabilise the wealthiest African nations and their systems by Western countries to project Africa as a poor continent that cannot survive without the benevolence of western countries according to Mallence Bart-Williams, a world-class Social Entrepreneur.
She further stated that this is achieved through Multi-million dollar PR advertisement campaigns waged by organisations like Oxfam, Unicef, Life Aid, Red Cross etc. The rationale behind this, is to prevent the threat of exposure to the world of how weak the Western World is without depending on the resources from Africa.
Therefore, let us continually create conditions that would project Africa and the people of African Descent as people who cannot survive on their own without so-called Western help. How best to achieve that is by creating an environment that would result in self-destruction by undermining the Unification of Africa agenda which was first initiated by Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana. His overthrow through a coup d’état has now been established as having been orchestrated by the Western World, through the CIA to be specific.
There is the need, therefore, by Africans and people of Africa Descent to start rejecting the idea that they are Black People and start calling themselves Brown People if they want to use colour to define their identity as a people. This initiative must start from my own country Ghana where we pride ourselves as the Black Star of Africa.
It should rather be the Brown Star of Africa. There must be a deliberate effort to start an indoctrination process for people of Africa and Africa Descent to start believing that they are not black, that they are not evil like the devil and must start drawing the devil as a Caucasian since the actions of Caucasians like slave trade, colonisation of Africa etc. is a clear demonstration of the attributes of the devil. Talks must be organised in junior and senior high schools and tertiary institutions to reinforce this deliberate indoctrination with the objective of renewing the mind of the African that he or she is not inferior to any person of a different colour to his or her own.
The responsibility of freeing ourselves from colonial mentality, also to a large extent, depends on our leaders who must show the way. The citizens of the various countries also have a responsibility of holding our leaders accountable. A combination of these two things is the surest way of freeing ourselves from colonial mentality and raising the dignity of the African. The greed and the selfish interest of a lot of our leaders like the Mobutus, the Sanni Abachas etc. must be curtailed.
Jacques Chirac, the former French President, is on record as saying that “We have to be honest and acknowledge that a big part of the money in our banks comes precisely from the exploitation of the African continent”. A strong collaboration of people on the continent and those in the diaspora is the way to go in establishing our claim to recognition on the international stage.
An intensive renewal of the mind approach has to be adopted and practicalised by starting to love our neighbour as ourselves as the Bible declares in Mathew 22:39. The attitude of pull him down must be replaced with lift him up and push him up as Africans. This is what the Jews have established among themselves and no wonder they have the financial power and therefore wield such great influence in the world.
It is a well-known fact that a Jew would rather buy from another Jew even if the price of the Jewish shop is higher than that of a non-Jewish shop of a product, of the same quality. In fact it is claimed that money circulates 20 times among Jews before it goes out of their circles. This is a great lesson Africa and Africans in the diaspora must learn and practise and as we renew our mind, in other words become restless, we shall break free of the bondage of the tag of Third World just as Isaac declared upon Esau in Genesis 27:40.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah, Social Commentator
TELOMERES, the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes, play a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability and regulating cellular aging.
The length of telomeres has been associated with lifespan and age-related diseases, with recent studies highlighting sex differences in telomere biology.
This article provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on the role of telomeres in the lifespan of men and women, highlighting the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying these differences.
Introduction
Telomeres are repetitive nucleotide sequences (TTAGGG in humans) that cap the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from deterioration and fusion. Telomere length (TL) shortens with each cell division, and when TL reaches a critical threshold, cells enter senescence or undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Telomere shortening has been implicated in aging and age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia.
Sex differences in telomere length
Women generally have longer telomeres than men, with a slower rate of telomere shortening with age.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that women had longer telomeres than men across all age groups.
This sex difference in TL is thought to contribute to the female advantage in lifespan, with women living approximately 5–7 years longer than men on average.
Mechanisms underlying sex differences in telomere length
- Estrogen: Estrogen has been shown to increase telomerase activity, the enzyme responsible for maintaining TL, in human cells. Estrogen also has antioxidant properties, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to telomere shortening.
- Genetic Factors: Genetic variants in telomere-related genes, such as TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), have been associated with TL and lifespan. A study published in Nature found that genetic variants in TERT were associated with TL and risk of age-related diseases.
- Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, physical activity, and diet, can influence TL, with women generally exhibiting healthier lifestyle habits.
Telomere shortening and age-related diseases
Telomere shortening has been implicated in various age-related diseases, including:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Short TL has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction and stroke.
- Cancer: Telomere shortening is a hallmark of cancer, with cancer cells often exhibiting critically short TL.
- Dementia: Short TL has been associated with increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Sex differences in telomere shortening and age-related diseases
Women tend to have a slower rate of telomere shortening with age, which may contribute to their lower risk of age-related diseases.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that women had a slower rate of telomere shortening and lower risk of age-related diseases compared to men.
Clinical implications
- Telomere Length as a Biomarker: TL has been proposed as a biomarker for aging and age-related diseases, with potential applications in clinical practice.
- Telomere-Targeted Therapies: Therapies aimed at maintaining or increasing TL, such as telomerase activators, are being explored for the treatment of age-related diseases.
Conclusion
Telomeres play a critical role in regulating cellular aging, with sex differences in TL contributing to the female advantage in lifespan. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these differences is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for age-related diseases.
Let’s dive deeper into the topic of telomeres and their role in aging.
What are telomeres?
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences (TTAGGG in humans) that cap the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from deterioration and fusion. Think of them like the plastic tips on shoelaces, preventing the chromosomes from unraveling.
How do telomeres affect aging?
- Telomere Shortening: Each time a cell divides, its telomeres shorten. When telomeres become too short, the cell can no longer divide and becomes senescent or undergoes apoptosis (programmed cell death).
- Aging and Telomeres: Telomere shortening is associated with aging and age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia.
Sex differences in telomere length
- Women have longer telomeres: Women generally have longer telomeres than men, which may contribute to their longer lifespan.
- Estrogen’s role: Estrogen has been shown to increase telomerase activity, the enzyme responsible for maintaining telomere length, which may explain why women have longer telomeres.
Factors influencing Telomere length
- Genetics: Genetic variants in telomere-related genes can affect telomere length.
- Lifestyle: Factors like smoking, physical activity, and diet can influence telomere length.
- Stress: Chronic stress can lead to telomere shortening.
Telomeres and age-related diseases
- Cardiovascular Disease: Short telomeres are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Cancer: Telomere shortening is a hallmark of cancer.
- Dementia: Short telomeres are associated with increased risk of dementia.
Potential Applications
- Biomarker for aging: Telomere length could serve as a biomarker for aging and age-related diseases.
- Telomere-Targeted Therapies: Therapies aimed at maintaining or increasing telomere length are being explored for age-related diseases.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND THOMPSON
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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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