Features
Our Political leaders need to tread cautiously in their utterances
Holding a political position in government is noble, sensitive and very important and, therefore, you have to be courteous, sympathetic, respectful and comport yourself in whatever ways you find yourself so that in the long run, you can earn a lot of respect from the very people who made you who you are. You do not have to display arrogance and talk anyhow to the electorate even in times of provocation.
NEGATIVE STATEMENTS FROM POLITICIANS
It is becoming increasingly clear that some of the politicians we gave them our mandate to rule us, are now turning their back on us through their loose utterances, forgetting that without the people, they cannot govern this country. Government of the day does not work in isolation, it is the people whose back you rode to power and, therefore, there is the fervent need to show respect to them accordingly.
The famous US President Abraham Lincoln said in November 19, 1863 that,“Democracy is a rule of the people for the people and by the people”. That simply means democracy is a form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people. The citizens of the country elect the President to rule the country and the elected President works for the welfare of the people. Nothing should allow the party in power to lord it over the people in a democratic regime.
SEEKING THE MANDATE OF THE PEOPLE TO RULE
It is quite unfortunate that in this beautiful country called Ghana in which the people have accepted democratic governance as the practice, when our politicians are seeking for political power to form a government, they try to adopt and use every available means to convince the people to vote for them, after getting that mandate which they needed most, they completely lose sight of the very people who gave them that power and, therefore, try to lord it over them.
Their behaviours, become completely different from that time they were seeking the people’s assistance, behaving selfishly, serving their own interests, that of their families, friends and cronies and talking loosely and anyhow to the electorate, particularly the youth on whose tickets they rode to power.
Just recently, Mr Joseph Osei-Owusu, the Member of Parliament for Bekwai, in the Ashanti Region who doubles as the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, our law making institution, was reported to have urged Ghanaian youth to venture into entrepreneurship and stop chasing non-existent white-collar jobs.
According to him university graduates in the country must initiate the process of generating wealth before others support them. His comments came at the launch of the 29th GRASAG Week celebration at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
UNFAVOURABLE STATEMENTS FROM JOE WISE
Hear the astute lawmaker, “Every graduate is going round with a certificate searching for the job whereas the training was able to enable them to create the job. I think it was time we bridged the linkages between the knowledge we have acquired and the wealth in our land. Parliament will continue to provide the facilitation but first thing is that graduates must apply the knowledge they have acquired”.
According to him, even though white-collar jobs are good, the opportunities out there are limited, because only a handful of people with specific qualifications are needed at any point in time.
He dispelled the notion that only people from poor homes acquired technical training skills, adding that the youth must be allowed to venture into professions they had talent to operate effectively rather than force them into areas of education, which might not be suitable for them, and end up jeopardising their future.
REACTIONS FROM THE YOUTH
These unfavourable statements from the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament have infuriated Ghanaian students and graduates from our universities and other tertiary institutions, attracting a lot of bashings with unprintable statements from them describing his comments as most unfortunate, irrelevant, unnecessary and in bad taste, especially coming from no other person than a leading member of government and a lawmaker. Some have questioned how they can create a business account without the basic capital, saying a lot of people even struggled financially to go through university education.
Others are interested in knowing how many jobs he had created as a leader and even with a certificate? A questioner has also put to him to tell Ghanaians how many parliamentarians created their own jobs before entering parliament and whether they have been able to help the few graduates who have been able to set up their own jobs to cut down the unemployment rate in the country?
AGITATED YOUTH
The simple truth is that times are, indeed, very hard and there is total frustration among Ghanaians, especially the youth most of whom are graduates with good qualifications, yet finding it very difficult to secure jobs to fend for themselves. They are so agitated that they don’t want to hear unpleasant statements from our politicians and members of government that will make them more infuriated.
This means that our parliamentarians and members of government need to weigh whatever statements they want to churn out to the public in order not to create disaffection and anxiety among the people, particularly the teeming unemployed youth.
GOV’T SHOULD PROVIDE START-UP CAPITAL FOR BUSINESS
Indeed, creating their own jobs will need an initial capital to start with and as fresh students who have not worked before, how can they raise that funds to set up their own businesses, let alone to absorb others.
They are not magicians to raise funds on their own without any means and, therefore, will need a start-up capital from government to embark on the project Joe Wise is talking about.
Nobody should look down on our graduates because they are people who have been well groomed by our public and private universities with high academic performances.That is why our graduates are highly accepted anywhere beyond the borders of Ghana.
Due to lack of jobs, quite a number of the nation’s graduates, trained with hard earned foreign exchange have travelled to other foreign countries and are in gainful employments to the detriment of our country.
Many are still leaving by day because they do not find hope in our dear country where only few people in responsible positions are enjoying. The current education system of our country, will continue to produce a large number of graduates every year, without the corresponding jobs to absorb them.
THE LOOSE STATEMENTS MUST CEASE FORTHWITH
It was time we put an end to those loose and reckless talks from our leaders and rather to find ways of creating the necessary jobs to absorb the teeming number of graduates who are churned out from our universities every year.
Our law makers should lead the way in enacting pragmatic and effective laws that will find lasting solutions to this monster called graduate unemployment in our country, rather than making all kinds of negative statements to the annoyance of the youth who are so much agitated or incensed.
By Charles Neequaye
Writer’s email: ataani2000@yahoo.com
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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