Features
“Special” Tribute to JJ Rawlings: By Babies With “Razor” Teeth
Readers may wonder where we are coming from but the fact of the matter is that we shall remain anonymous even though we are part and parcel of the great National Democratic Congress (NDC), founded by our illustrious and revolutionary leader, His Excellency Flight Lieutenant JJ Rawlings.
Babies With “Razor” Teeth? Yes, we can’t be left out. Listen and read the numerous tributes pouring out from people and institutions on radio and television stations, pages of newspapers and social media space since the demise of our great leader on November 12, 2020.
Readers may not be accustomed to our brand name; Babies With “Razor” Teeth (BWRT), because we were not “discovered” by our founder before he died. We have still not been “discovered” by the leadership of our party but the interesting thing is that we exist.
Our cousins, Babies With Sharp Teeth (BWST), were rather “discovered” early by the founder of our party because sometimes their Sharp teeth strangely turned into “sharp cutlasses” and “cancerous wire-nets” to intercept and “butcher” critical utterances of our charismatic founder. Indeed, BWST tend to destroy with their teeth but we (BWRT) build with our teeth.
Yes, we say our tribute is “special” because it does not follow the normal convention of tribute-writing. You can describe our tribute as out-of-the-window tribute. Our elders say, if you are not on good terms with someone in life, you don’t take active part in his or her funeral if that person dies.
That is why we perfectly share the view of comrade Dela Coffie, a very active member of our party, even though he is not a member of BWRT. Comrade Dela Coffie says: “The hypocrisy must stop. Those who think we will allow them to engage in political profiteering enterprise with the demise of President Rawlings must think again.”
Dela Coffie lashes: “Isn’t it even offensive to learn that those who consistently berated President Rawlings over the last twelve years, and called him “barking dog” are today claiming ownership of him as the founder of the NDC?”
Dela punches more, asking: “Has it suddenly dawned on you to fight for the same Rawlings that you lots, recruited puppets to publicly humiliate and talk back at?”
Dela Coffie’s beef follows General Secretary Asiedu Nketiah’s claim that President Akufo Addo and the NPP are hijacking the funeral of the founder of our party.
For many years the NDC has not been at peace with its founder and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, over a lot of unresolved issues, leading to the formation of the National Democratic Party by the spouse of the founder. Such squabbles have terribly divided the party. The latest addition of the squabbles can be traced to the book authored by one of the gurus, Kwamena Ahwoi, chronicling his “Working With Rawlings”.
Our party failed or refused to make peace with our founder when he was alive and kicking but now, some party gurus are pretending that they were on the best of terms with him, thus, shedding wonderful tears over his lifeless body.
For instance, at an event to commomerate the June 4 anniversary in 2018, we remember that our founder said former President Mahama led the NDC astray, culminating in the party suffering a heavy defeat at the hands of the NPP in the 2016 elections. President Rawlings, therefore, called for a change in the leadership of the NDC, stressing that anything short of that would spell doom and gloom for the party in the 2020 elections.
In an apparent caustic and acidic response to our founder’s call, former President Mahama said: ” We have worshipped the Volta god for so long. No sacrifice would please him.” Mr Mahama stated this at the party’s Unity Walk in the Volta regional capital, Ho.
President Mahama’s “attack” on the persona of our founder made nonsense of Anita Desosoo’s earlier plea for clemency and forgiveness sought from our founder at the commomration of the June 4 event. On behalf of the NDC, Anita mounted the podium, went down on her knees and emotionally apologized to the founder of our party, on behalf of party members and leadership, for all the “sins” and “crimes” committed against our founder.
Anita’s apology to our founder was said have received overwhelming endorsement by the leadership of our party. But the battle line was drawn ” when the tail of the barking dog was bitten” once again by former President Mahama.
It seems the true “disciples” of our founder are now emerging among the NDC youth and they may converge under the connopy of June 4 “revolutionary grand-papas” like comrade Dan Abodakpi.
President Akufo-Addo recently said he had a “temperstrious” relationship with our founder for a very long time but in the end, they saw value in each other and became friends. Indeed, their healthy and ” brotherly ” relationship was publicly demonstrated. So, the question is: What prevented our party gurus from smoking the peace pipe with our founder before the inevitable happened?
In a message to console the family of President Rawlings, sitting President Akufo Addo said, the role of our founder in the establishment and development of Ghana’s 4th republic was truly exceptional, adding that Ghanaians appreciated his leadership of our nation and will remember him accordingly. This is an indisputable fact and we thank the President for such statements.
In a tribute to our founder, former President Mahama also said: “Boss, it is difficult to come to terms with your shocking exit. But you’ve always been unconventional and acted on your own terms. The rest of us, your comrades, are left to mourn you. But beyond mourning your departure, we have a duty and responsibility to ensure that your person and principles receive your deserved place in the history of Ghana.” Well, we hope it’s a genuine intent.
We also share the sentiments of Yaw Boateng Gyan, a former National Organizer of the NDC. He has appealed to the rank and file of our party to use the death of our founder to unite the party, stressing that failure to use our founder’s death to unite the party, will spell doom and gloom for the future of the NDC. “We must take a cue from what happened to the CPP when its founder, Kwame Nkrumah, died.” Boateng Gyan said this at an Accra radio station just recently.
Your Excellency, our cousins, the “sharp teethers”, have confided in us that they regret their actions against you. They insist that they were misguided by those already “belley-ful” to attack and provoke you to make more and more “boom speeches”.
Henceforth, we feel obliged to protect your monumental legacy you bequeathed to our party and our nation-Ghana. We also want to be part of the solution to the cancerous squabbles afflicting our party, instead of being part of the problems.
We, therefore, pledge on your honour, that before your interment we would be taking certain “revolutionary steps” to right some of the wrongs in our party to your “spiritual” admiration. Fare-thee well, our Great Master and Never-to-be-forgotten revolutionary icon.
End.
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
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.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
