Features
Getting a wife (Part 2)
The most important factor in any courtship that is likely to lead to marriage is the mother-in-law palaver. If the mother-in-law is not in agreement it complicates matter. If she doesn’t like the man, she’d advise her daughter at dawn not to go and take any vulture for a husband.
It becomes worse when she does a little bit of detective work and realises that the man her daughter is about to marry is not in any lucrative employment.
For example, if he is a bus conductor or a mason, the shrewd woman would simply tell her daughter: “Beware of church mouse.”
But if her daughter is truly in love, she’d ignore her mother and fall on her father to get it through. If her father gets on her side, he could convince her Mum to play ball. But before then daddy would naturally ask a few questions.
“You seem to be in love with this man, and I don’t have a quarrel with that. But your mother tells me the man is a mason.
Are you quite sure this man can look after you?”
The daughter immediately realises that her parents have already discussed the issue and have come to their own conclusion that masonry and a happy marriage can only be poles apart.
But the girl must put in a defence and tell her father that her man is only a mason pro tempore would soon be made a foreman with increased salary and peps, based on his track record as a distinguished worker who is also honest and has leadership qualities.
Naturally, daddy becomes impressed and would put in a word for her daughter.
To have a foreman is not too bad. But he must be careful how he presents the case before his wife so that it does not backfire. The fact is, his wife is allergic to nonsense.
“Akos has told me that her man would not be a mason for life. Soon he’d become a foreman and others would bow to him. I think he has the potential of becoming a big man.”
The woman would listen carefully while looking disdainfully at her husband and making sure he is not blaspheming.
HONEST
“How can you suggest to me that a dirty mason can become a foreman? Do you say he’d become a foreman here on earth or in hell? You must realise that Akos is a beautiful girl. Her callow mind is misleading her. Let us wait and see if her true prince is not lurking somewhere.
As for that mason day-dreaming of becoming a foreman the earlier you forgot about him, the better for me and you,” she’d say rather bluntly.
It turns out that the love-struck akupa realises that his prospective mother-in-law doesn’t like him. Whatever it is, though, he must try to woo her approval.
He does goes to her girlfriend’s house to see if he can strike an acquaintance with the terrible one. He is immediately confronted at the gate.
“I hear you are the one trying to so-call marry my daughter. In the first place I don’t dig your tribe. Secondly, I hear you are a mason day-dreaming that you are foreman or a quantity surveyor, I don’t want my daughter to marry a cockroach.” She’d sneer.’
The intention of the woman obviously is to wound the boy’s pride so that he is discouraged from pursuing the marriage proposal.
But she must be mistaken because mere words do not break love overnight.
The in-law hears nothing about the boy again until she notices her daughter vomiting uncontrollably.
“What is the matter?”
“I think I have malaria.”
“Akos that is a lie. Did you sleep with that idiot?”
“No, I didn’t. You warned me not to.”
“Tell the truth before I drive you out of this house. You slept with that cockroach isn’t it? What exactly did he do to you? Tell me I won’t say anything to father.”
She is compelled to say that “the cockroach” actually did many things
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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