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Remember Nkrumah and what he stood for
William G. Tarrant pen down these immortal words;
Now praise we great and famous men,
The fathers named in story;
And praise the Lord who now as then
Reveals in man His glory.
Every society is only as good as its people. It follows then that to build a better society, we need a foundation of brave men and women who would do the right thing. Often, that foundation is tested by struggle and conflict, but it may be that those very challenges are what bring out the greatness in people and nations.
For example, the perilous founding of this nation gave birth to such heroes as Kwame Nkrumah, Kwegyir Aggrey, and many others.
In each case, and in countless other stories that could be told, challenges and trials gave rise to greatness, and darkness and despair gave way to light and hope. As Martin Luther King reminds us, “When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair, and when our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, let us remember that . . . God is able to make a way out of no way, and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows”.
We may never make headlines or change world history, but in our individual and quiet ways, we too can make a difference. One gentleman did this by determining not to pass unhealthy family patterns to the next generation. He made conscious choices to give his children the stability he did not have as a child. He resolved to love and support his family selflessly, and in just one generation, he gave them a new start. The odds may have not been in his favour, but he cared enough to make a lasting change, and by so doing blessed generations.
This week, we are closely examining our past and earnestly contemplating our future. The anniversary of the birth of one of our greatest patriots, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, would seem to be an appropriate time for the restatement of some basic fundamentals. Kwame Nkrumah was born more than a century ago, and there are those who would contend that conditions have changed and that the principles he laid down during his life and administration have outlived their usefulness.
This is not surprising. There are also those who would say that because Moses lived 35 centuries ago, the Ten Commandments are no longer fundamental to our conduct. There are those who would have us believe that because Jesus the Christ lived nearly 2,000 years ago, the Sermon on the Mount is now out-dated. Proceeding upon this fallacy, there are those abroad in every generation who haven’t learnt that while the superficial fashions and material circumstances of life may change, the basic principles do not.
Neither does human nature. And so the words of Kwame Nkrumah in one of his speeches bring us these reminders. To quote: “The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution which at any time exists, till changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.” . . . “It is important . . . that. . . those entrusted with . . . administration in a free country confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres.” . . . “The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism.” . . . “Let there be no change by usurpation; for though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” . . . “A just estimate of that love of power and proneness to abuse it which predominate in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position.” . . . “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” . . . “And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”. . . “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” . . . “As a very important source of strength and security, cherish public credit. . . . avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidably wars have occasioned.” . . . “Real patriots who may resist the intrigues of the favourite are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests.” . . . “I hold the maxim, no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.” . . .
Such are a few of the principles and precautions Kwame Nkrumah laid down for the safety and preservation of a nation—principles which always contribute to the well-being of people who regard them, and are always followed by trouble for those who disregard them. May God bless the memory of Kwame Nkrumah and preserve freedom and righteousness and integrity in the nation to which he gave his life.
“When our days become dreary,” we can remember that the “way out of no way” is to hold on to hope, trust the Power higher than our own, and do our part to make the world a better place.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
Email: samueleghan@gmail.com
THE typical itinerant salesman in Sikaman is a herbalist. He is normally a slim macho with the capacity to perambulate the expanse of area covering the triangle of Accra-Tema-Ashiaman. In short, he can walk a total of 60 miles a day, marketing a product that cures every disease, including poverty. 
The door-to-door herbal pharmacist advertises his product by word of mouth. He has nothing to do with the Food and Drugs Board (FDB). After all, his concoctions do not feature on FM stations.
Those herbalists who cannot walk to propagate the herbal gospel, liaise with drivers of mass transportation and their mates. They are, therefore, given the chance to sell their products on Benz buses that ply the routes.
Normally, the herbalist starts his sales message with a prayer and Bible study. He asks the passengers to bow down their heads in supplication to God the father, the son, the Holy Spirit.
When a herbalist asks the passengers to close their eyes and bow their heads, Moslems on board naturally feel offended. They feel that the herbalist has no right to assume that every passenger is a Christian. They think such an assumption is an affront to Islam.
So a Moslem on board will raise the hand for a point of order. He’ll remind the herbalist that it would be in his own interest to mind his language.
“Be careful the way you address people in a public place. Not every person here is a Christian,” he’d state assertively.
Of course, the herbalist will promptly ignore him, but would all the same “watch” his tongue. Who knows whether or not the Moslem brother is inspired by Quoranic zeal to defend the tenets of Islam to the hilt?
When he starts saying, “Wallahi!” and “Inshallah!” it could be the beginning of proclaiming Islam as supreme, a point which must be driven home with talibanic precision.
So the herbalist must tread carefully lest he steps on fire.
The herbalist could even add a measure of mirth to it all, by announcing that Christians on board today have very interesting company on the journey, but that should not detract from the business of the day.
The Moslem brother will weigh the words carefully and offer a wry smile.
He must be careful the occasion does not degenerate into the use of semantics and proverbial oration to deride his conviction that public utterances must be mindful of religious sensibilities. He has made his point very clear and expects that it is taken in good faith in the interest of a peaceful journey.
The herbalist will now open the New Testament and preach salvation, stating clearly that salvation can come only through Jesus Christ and NOBODY else.
The Moslem brother will now start twitching his moustache. The visible and almost revolutionary reflexes of his upper lip can be an indication that sentiments have begun superseding reason, and the outcome could well be tragic now shift uneasily in his seat.
The time has come for him to also express his right to the religion of his fore-bears. He’ll put his hand into his pocket and rise to his feet. The time has indeed come!
This article was first published on Saturday, September 9, 2006
When the cause of a particular problem like sickness, disease, sudden illness, a social issue etc. are not known, it stands to reason that resolving it becomes a huge challenge.
Citizens would understand the government when public announcements are made to the effect that government is trying to find a solution to the issue, even though it is taking a while for it to be resolved because citizens are rational beings.
On the other hand, if the solution to a particular issue is known to everybody but the government for whatever reason, is dragging its feet in resolving it, citizens become frustrated and begin to lose trust in their leaders.
One such issue is the heavy traffic along a section of the Kasoa – Odokor road. A short stretch of bad road between the traffic light at the Weija Government Hospital and the entrance to the entrance of the overhead that leads to the N1, is the cause of the problem but nothing is being done about it, day after day, week after week, month after month. Thus is clearly unacceptable.
Another issue that requires urgent attention is the lack of pavements along a lot of streets in parts of the various Municipal Assemblies. Exercise is a prerequisite for long life and healthy living and for those of us who it has become a way of life, this issue of people putting up structures right to the edge of the drains beside the roads, are making life difficult for us.
We are compelled to walk along the roads, putting our lives at serious risk. Pedestrians should never be compelled to compete with vehicles on our streets and roads. Roads and streets are made for vehicles and pavements are made for pedestrians. That is the norm. Any attempt to normalise a situation where pedestrians are mingling with vehicles is insanity.
It is the road regulations that makes it so and therefore district or municipal assemblies are to take responsibility and ensure that spaces for pavements are not encroached upon. Citizens have rights that must be protected by their leaders and making pavements available to pedestrians, is one of them.
When we hear of teachers having sex with students, it appears it is something recent. It is not a new phenomenon. It has been there since Adam. Perhaps this issue is getting much attention due to the proliferation of social media. It was an open secret in times past when Teachers were in relationships with female students and some married them immediately after completion of school.
Some teachers were also known to be having unholy interactions with female pupils but due to the times that these acts occurred, human rights issues and the awareness around it, allowed such unscrupulous teachers to get away with their crimes.
Now we are in a different era and so a Headmaster is now in hot waters. He is alleged to have raped about 19 female students and as usual, some officials tried to cover it up and are also in hot waters and their actions or inactions in the matter are under investigation.
Why the man has been allowed to roam freely without being arrested is simply mind boggling. It appears that the law applies differently, depending on who you are. This issue came to public attention sometime in August this year, yet the police had not arrested or invited this man for question regarding the rape allegation.
It has come out that he is a Constituency Secretary of the ruling party and the question in the public domain is that, is it because he is a political figure that is why he is still walking around without questioning? I believe in the rule of law so let us hold our breadth and let the proper thing be done.
The police must however be seen to be active in this matter. God bless.
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