Features
Justification; just as if you’ve never sin
“An explanation of course is not a reason for justification”, C.S Lewis said.When we are supposed to be doing something we don’t do, often we have to argue with ourselves inside. A man has to give himself a reasonable reason for what he does or fails to do, and if the reason isn’t a good reason, it may involve an uncomfortable contest between two sides of himself. This is true in all our obligations and activities.
When we don’t live up to the best we know, when we don’t deliver the best we can, when we aren’t present where we are supposed to be present, when we aren’t doing what we ought to be doing, we have to keep telling ourselves why; and this kind of conversation takes off the edge of every enjoyment—like a brooding, threatening cloud that hovers over a picnic, like intrusive noise in the background when we are trying to listen to music, like an interrupting voice when we are trying to engage in quiet conversation.
An uneasy conscience is a discordant obbligato that detracts from all sweet sounds. A man, simply cannot keep his mind on his work with full effectiveness when he has to keep telling himself why he doesn’t do what he knows he ought to do, why he doesn’t go where he knows he ought to go, why he doesn’t keep appointments he knows he ought to keep, why he disappoints people he knows he ought not disappoint, why he lets small causes and small excuses dissuade him from more important pursuits.
Actually, it often takes more time to talk ourselves into and out of the things we ought to do than it has to do them. And often we actually save time and greatly increase our effectiveness and efficiency if we simply decide to do what we know we ought to do and then set about to do it.
To all of us and to young people particularly, let it be said again: Being where you ought to be when you ought to be there, doing what you ought to do when you ought to do it is one of the indispensable factors of success, of effectiveness and efficiency, and of personal peace. It avoids the necessity of inside argument and often takes less time than the time we take telling ourselves why it is all right not to do what we know we ought to do.
It is one thing to do wrong and another thing to justify wrongdoing. It seems that there is almost nothing in which men cannot justify themselves in their own eyes, if they set about to do so. The embezzler, for example, seldom steals money in his own mind or admission.
He simple borrows, perhaps with the hope of putting it back. And the thief says to himself that he is simply taking what, in some rationalised way, should have been his anyway.
Perhaps he says he is simply collecting a debt that somehow society owes him. And the swindler seldom swindles. He is simply working with his wits—or he may say to himself that his victim wouldn’t have used the money wisely anyway.
Thus, by a process of self-deception, by singing sweet songs to an accusing conscience, it is possible to find apparently plausible excuses for almost any questionable action or utterance. Sometimes men seek to conceal their real motives by saying to themselves that they are doing what they are doing for some ultimately worthy reason.
In other words, while what they are doing may be wrong, they tell themselves that the ultimate end they have in mind is altogether right, and so the end justifies the means which is a desperately dangerous doctrine.
Furthermore, the person who continually justifies himself in doing what we shouldn’t do finds it difficult to repent. In fact, repentance is virtually impossible without a willingness to admit a mistake. And improvement is virtually impossible without a willingness to concede faults and inefficiencies.
Evil and error have an easy time where there is a disposition to indifference or where there are no shocked sensibilities. But perhaps evil and error make their easiest advances in a situation of self-justification. And bad as they are in and of themselves, the disposition to justify them may be worse for, publicly or privately, the recognition of wrong, the admission of a mistake, is a prerequisite to repentance and improvement.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
