Features
On Ambassador Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa – A Special Woman
H. E. Mrs. Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa
Today, I share something about H. E. Mrs. Amerley Ollennu Awua-Asamoa, former Ghana Ambassador to Denmark, with concurrent accreditation to the Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
As I wrote a few months ago, there are many personalities and institutions that have contributed to or ensured the smooth running of things for Ghanaian migrants in Finland.
The exploits of such people are laudable and should be acknowledged publicly. Many of them have used their knowledge and abilities to help improve the lives of members of the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
What I write here also reveals some of my own experiences with the former Ambassador at a time when I was the President of the Ghana Union Finland (GUF) from March 2018 to March 2020.
Ambassador Awua-Asamoa presented her official credentials to the Finnish government in April 2018, and her role has had a great impact for the Ghana Union Finland and the entire Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
During her time, the Ambassador led the Embassy to conduct the first-ever mobile consular services exercise in Helsinki in October 2018. Many people admired the professional, excellent and very helpful service rendered by the efficient Embassy staff.
For the former Ambassador, some of her top priorities included improving customer services at the Embassy. Many people attest to the fact that the complaints about consular services greatly reduced; they also extol the former Ambassador’s friendliness, good works and the opportunities for trade and investment towards Ghana as their home country.
Satisfaction indeed increased and fostered closer interactions between the Ghana Embassy in Copenhagen and the Ghanaian community in Finland. (In 2018, the Ghana Embassy in Oslo was established and it assumed accreditation to Finland in 2020).
Ghana-Finnish Relations and Diaspora Issues
The former Ambassador always emphasized Ghana’s effort for rapid industrialization and economic growth and development in a sustainable manner especially for future generations. To her, the Ghana Government’s flagship policies such as the ‘One-District-One-Factory’ and ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ are highly important for foreign direct investments.
Ambassador Amerley Awua-Asamoa paid working visits to Finland many times, more than any of her predecessors. She reinforced the relations with Finland, building on efforts by her predecessors. She always stressed the deepening relations between Ghana and Finland.
She visited many educational institutions and places of higher learning in Finland and engaged in countless dialogues with Finnish institutions for possible cooperation. To her, the government’s policy of diaspora engagement was a good way to utilize the needed investment to drive the industrialisation agenda.
Engagements with the Ghanaian migrants
The former Ambassador kept what she refers to as an open-door policy in her engagements with Ghanaian migrants in Finland. She visited churches dominated by Ghanaians to first introduce herself, and in her subsequent visits she engaged Ghanaians in Finland to acquaint herself and get first-hand information about their concerns.
She used such an open-door policy, as she once explained to me in an interview, as “a communication strategy normally adopted to win the trust of people, especially those that need one’s services, by opening your door widely to listen to complaints and advice without being selective”.
The Ambassador sees this as very effective when implemented well since it brings great satisfaction once people’s concerns are addressed in a transparent manner. “They feel respected and try to support your efforts, and this is what I believe in and my style of management”, she revealed.
There was good cooperation with the Honorary Consul of Ghana in Finland at that time, Ms. Ulla Alanko, as well as the Ghana Union Finland and indeed the entire Ghanaian community in Finland. In both 2018 and 2019, the Ambassador attended Ghana’s Independence Day anniversary celebration in Helsinki.
The Ambassador always expressed gratitude to the Ghanaian community, which she reiterated in her message at a farewell meeting (held virtually due to Covid-19) with the Ghana Union in late 2020 when her work at the Embassy ended.
Her rich experience and affability
Mrs Amerley Awua-Asamoa has a very rich experience. She was once the Executive Director of the Association of African Women in Development (AAWID), a Ghanaian local non-governmental organisation operating at the grassroots level for the socio-economic empowerment of the marginalised.
She earlier worked with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) as a Human Resource Management practitioner where she established a well-deserved reputation for her ability to rise through the ranks in a male-dominated environment to become the first female manager in the company.
In addition, she was very vocal in championing for gender mainstreaming and the development and implementation of HIV workplace policy in ECG.
H.E. Amerley Awua-Asamoa endeared herself to many Ghanaian migrants in Finland with her affable personality. Many people referred to her as “H. E” or “Maa” as a mother to the entire community.
In a nutshell, the work of the former Ambassador and the Embassy in attending to people’s needs is cherished by many in the Ghanaian community in Finland. This and her friendliness make her a special woman in the view of many people. Thank you!
PS: Last Monday was the birthday of the Editor, Mr. Emmanuel Amponsah. It also ushered him into his retirement, and I use this opportunity to express my gratitude to him. I appreciatively acknowledge his support to me and the cordial working relationship with him.
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
By Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetualcrentsil@yahoo.com
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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