Features
Selling one’s country
There’s an Akan proverb that translates to mean “when an insect bites you, it is already in your cloth”. A similar one in Ewe says “it’s the snake in your home that betrays you and hands you over to the foreign snake”. For an outsider to invade your territory, the betrayal comes from within.
The very first time I encountered Chinese, it was sometime in 1971 when I was on an excursion to the Tema Harbour with schoolmates. A ship had docked at the port and there were hordes of these Orientals milling all over a huge vessel. We were allowed aboard the ship to interact with the Chinese sailors and take a tour of the vessel. Let me confess that we could not differentiate one Chinese from the other; they looked like they were all born of the same parents.
They had slant eyes that seemed to squint all the time, round faces and strands of hair that seemed to stand on their scalp. Their skin looked a shade more yellow than the American Peace Corps volunteers that taught us in school and some British that I had known prior. It was on this ship that I first saw oranges in red, green, blue and red colours, and frozen.
I later got to understand these Orientals better from the novels of James Clavels. I know the story of the Japanese colonisation of China and the heroics of Chairman Mao Dze Dung who revolutionised the country. I know also of the Dynasties that ruled this vast country long before Christ. One thing I have never understood is the Chinese invasion of Tibet, no matter what their motivation was. Tibet was then a peaceful, spiritualised mountain nation governed by a Dalai Lama. The people were largely vegetarian. Then the Chinese invaded the place and feasted on any living animal in sight.
In the past two decades or so, the Chinese started coming to Ghana. We normally saw them at construction sites, textile and steel factories and also as crew on fishing trawlers. A few Koreans, Filipinos and Japanese were also visible occasionally. Then the torrent of Chinese pouring in became alarming to some of us. Chinese Restaurants sprang up in Accra, Tema and other big towns. Chinese herbal clinics opened businesses. Others had ideas of going into mining.
With the connivance of prominent Ghanaians, chiefs and some political actors these Chinese obtained licences and concessions to go into our forests to prospect and mine gold. Many, if not all of them, were into the illegal sector christened Galamsey. Cocoa trees were felled to give way to mining. Mercury, a rather toxic chemical used in the process was released into rivers and other water bodies, thus polluting the environment to the extent that aquatic life has been destroyed.
Foodstuffs from those areas now have cyanide and mercury contamination higher than the tolerable levels for human consumption. The rivers are now more than muddy waters from an avalanche of mudslide from monsoon rains. How they manage to take the gold away is anybody’s guess. They arrive at our ports of entry with barely a duffel bag over their shoulders and before you know it, they have excavators all over our forest floor, turning our rich, fertile agricultural soil upside down.
It is heartwarming to learn that the Minister of the sector, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has asked mining by the small scale operators to be put on hold. Good as that sounds, we must begin to find a way to reverse the pollution of our water bodies. These Galamsey operators must first be made to bear the cost of cleansing these rivers of the pollutants. The pollution of any river must be classified a felony, especially since the very existence of the people in the catchment areas depends on the water resource. The Presidency must lend utmost support to Mr. Jinapor in this regard.
I will not be surprised if pressure has already started mounting on the President to allow the Galamsey business to continue. Should people die because others want to make money at all costs? South Africa’s gold reserves have depleted by over 60 per cent. I hope Ghana is not racing to go down the same path.
What the Chinese do to our land attracts the death penalty in their country. They dare not degrade the Chinese environment, so why do they do that here? The answer is simple: we have allowed them to. They have friends high up in the Immigration Service. They have friends high up in government. They have collaborators high up in the Security Services. Simply put, they have become untouchable. Some have become kingpins in their own right. A military detachment was seen in news video, camped at a Galamsey site giving safe conduct to these Chinese activities.
The chiefs in the affected areas are complicit; they cannot pretend not to know what is going on in their backyard. They have been paid to acquiesce. The Chinese Leader is right when he says his citizens do not know their way around and it is only a local who could lead the way. How very profound and true.
Now, there is something new and more frightening. China has begun to export cocoa. While destroying our cocoa farms, the Chinese had the presence of mind to take some cocoa seeds back home to ‘experiment’ with. Voila, they have succeeded in cultivating the crop and are exporting it. Not only are they cultivating cocoa; they are using very innovative methods in the drying process. The good thing with the Chinese is that when they set their minds on something, they go at it with a passion. It is as if their very lives depend on it.
I have read claims by a cocoa farmer described as an expert in the produce, that China’s foray into cocoa production is no threat to Ghana. I wish this expert had adduced empirical scientific evidence of his assertion. The Chinese export earned that country $3,600 per tonne while Ghana’s own fetches $2,400 for the same weight. Does it mean China has a better bargaining power or their cocoa beans are of a more superior quality? Which is the case, if I may ask the experts.
It took Malaysia only five palm seedlings from Ghana to become the largest world producer and exporter of palm fruits and palm oil. See? I recollect some years ago when driving from Adawso in Akuapem towards Koforidua, there was a large palm plantation around Kwamoso that stretched for kilometres on end. Today, the place is bare, thanks to the African appetite for frothy palm-wine.
And how has the Malaysian success spurred us on to do better or even improve on our production, if the expert is to be believed? Let us tickle ourselves and enjoy the laughter while other countries are busy taking their chances. We pride ourselves as the first in gaining independence and other firsts, only to be overtaken by the realities of the times.
I hear China has started bagging gari for export. Give China between five and 10 years from today; that country will be the biggest exporter of cocoa beans on the world market. This is not my wish. It is the sad truth. Can our COCOBOD drive the agenda for drying cocoa beans the way the Chinese have done? I have my doubt. Our cocoa farmers are so impoverished they cannot afford the Chinese method of drying their beans.
What the biggest cocoa farmer earns from the crop in a whole season comes nowhere near one month’s salary of the Chief Executive of the Ghana COCOBOD who, in all probability, does not own a cocoa farm. Is it any wonder the youth are not interested in farming? As a cocoa farmer myself, I am aware of the situation on the ground. I know the type of cocoa that was on our soil before Tetteh Quarshie brought the Fernando Po variety. I know the variety that came from Brazil and I know the hybrid.
If what is in the news about Ghana’s cocoa beans having high mercury content is true, I am afraid this country is done for. I call on our scientists in the standards sector to collaborate with our Ministry of Agriculture to investigate this as quickly as possible so that Ghana’s record of having the best cocoa beans is not dented. If it turns out to be true, we can only blame our leaders, not the Chinese.
As for the Chinese, they must be free to undertake legitimate business wherever they want. However, they must not be allowed to do what they cannot do in their own country. After all, we all belong to one human race and every land or space must provide genuine opportunity for everyone, irrespective of race, colour or creed.
Once upon a time, Ghana was the leading producer of cocoa in the world. Today, Ghana is chasing Cote D’Ivoire which produces more than double our annual production. Very soon, we are likely to chase both China and Cote D’Ivoire for a place on the table. How would our leaders in the Cocoa Sector explain that?
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
Writer’s email address:
akofa45@yahoo.com
In recent years, the term “female rage” has gained significant traction, symbolising a collective shift in how women’s emotions are perceived and addressed.
This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a profound movement rooted in centuries of systemic injustices, personal betrayals, and societal expectations.
As women increasingly reclaim their anger, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of female rage, its causes, and its implications for individuals and society at large.
The historical context of female anger
Historically, women’s emotions have been subject to dismissal, ridicule, and pathologisation. The term “hysteria,” originating from the Greek word for uterus, was used to describe women’s emotional states as irrational and uncontrollable.
This legacy of silencing and shaming has contributed to a culture where women’s anger is often suppressed or stigmatised.
However, with the rise of feminist movements, women are challenging these narratives, asserting their right to express anger and demand change.
The anatomy of female rage
Female rage is not a monolith; it is a complex and multifaceted emotion driven by various factors, including:
1. Societal expectations: The pressure to conform to traditional roles of passivity, politeness, and emotional labour.
2. Gender inequality and pay gaps: Frustration stemming from systemic discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
3. Sexual harassment and abuse: Trauma and anger resulting from pervasive violence and objectification.
4. Emotional labour and burnout: The unsustainable burden of managing emotions and responsibilities in personal and professional spheres.
5. Hormonal fluctuations: The impact of hormonal changes on emotional states, often overlooked or dismissed.
The power of anger: Reclaiming female rage
Far from being a destructive force, female rage can be a catalyst for change. When acknowledged and channelled constructively, anger can drive advocacy, policy reform, and resistance against inequality.
The #MeToo movement, women’s marches, and increased representation in politics are testaments to the power of collective female anger.
Addressing the Stigma: Towards a more inclusive dialogue
To fully harness the potential of female rage, society must address the stigma surrounding women’s anger. This involves:
1. Validation and recognition: Acknowledging women’s emotions as legitimate and worthy of attention.
2. Creating safe spaces: Providing platforms for women to express anger without fear of backlash.
3. Education and awareness: Challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding of women’s experiences.
4. Support systems: Offering resources and support for women dealing with trauma and systemic injustices.
Conclusion
The age of female rage is a moment of profound transformation, where women’s anger is no longer silenced but celebrated as a force for justice.
By understanding the roots of female rage and addressing the societal structures that fuel it, we can move towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
The journey is complex, but the destination-a society where women’s emotions are respected and their voices are heard is worth the struggle.
References:
[1] Chemudupati, P. (2022). _The Rage of Women: A Historical Perspective_.
[2] Traister, R. (2018). _Good and Mad:
By Robert Ekow Grimond-Thompson
Features
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
