Features
What Ghana needs now is good men and women
• We as a nation know much of religion but apply little
If it’s true that wisdom consists of the proper application of knowledge, then it’s equally true that knowledge without application is a form of ignorance.
History itself provides ample proof of this assertion, for much of the carnage and destruction which characterises the human species have been committed by those professing religious knowledge and secular knowledge. And what’s even more tragic, the Gospel of Love has been used by governments and dictators alike as an instrument of intimidation, corruption and gain. And in the name of the gentle Galilean Himself, wars have been waged and entire nations eradicated.
We as a nation know much of religion but apply little. We will argue for religion, fight for it, and even die for it, but few of us will live for it. We long for the immortality of another world yet find it difficult to live together in this one.
A knowledge of gospel principles, then, is no guarantee that religion will become a motivating force in the lives of men.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not as much a philosophy of thought as it is a philosophy of life. It was not simply words and logic which characterised the life of Christ, but action and behaviour. His words were few; His deeds were many.
And what few words we do have of His provide only an outline for the application of love and charity. “The Sermon on the Mount” is nothing more than a call to brotherly love.
And, the application of that short sermon to the events of our modern world would solve forever the most destructive ills of mankind.
What Ghana needs now is not new ideas, but the application of the old truth, the adoption by mankind of the simple virtues contained in “The Sermon on the Mount.”
Such application would let mercy patrol the skies above the land we walk on; it would permit pureness of heart to administer the affairs of world leaders, and charity to preside in the great assembly halls of governments; it would suffer the peacemakers to walk the streets of troubled towns and reconstruct the rubble of devastated lands; it would allow those who mourn to comfort the sick and homeless of the slums and ghettos, and those who are poor in spirit to bring solace and shelter to the aged and unemployed. Such application would establish an unwritten law in every city and in every town of this nation the dear brotherhood of man.
Then and only then will brothers not lift up sword against brothers, neither shall we learn war any longer.
William Penn is credited with the statement that “If men be good, government cannot be bad.”‘ On first hearing, one may be inclined to challenge the idea altogether. Certainly, there would seem to be many exceptions.
History records innumerable instances where the will and wishes of peoples have been swept aside. But despite the seeming exceptions, the persistence of any condition suggests that it is made possible either by the positive promotion or the passive permission of a significant number of people. No tyrant or misguided leader stands alone.
No false way persists without followers. And the fact that there is a sufficient following is in itself evidence of a compromising condition on the part of the people. The very existence of tyranny, of corruption, of abuse, of evil and excess, anywhere, anytime, is in itself an indication that somewhere along the line an alarming number has relaxed standards and vigilance.
Such things don’t permanently and flagrantly persist against the active and earnest opposition of a preponderant part of the people. And William Penn’s statement is both disturbing and challenging because it places the responsibility right back where it belongs and takes some pleasure from the prevalent and age-old practice of blaming everyone else while sitting back and doing nothing about the practices that are complained of.
It challenges us to ask ourselves: What obligations and interests have we neglected? What vital things have we been too busy to bother with? What compromises of principle have we permitted? What basic departures have we consented to for the promotion of our own particular purposes? What situations have we complacently assumed someone else would correct? At what abuses have we shrugged our shoulders?
Admitting all the exceptions, admitting all situations in which people are unwillingly imposed upon, still essentially, and in perspective, governments, cities, societies are largely a reflection of people. And if there are abuses, if there are arrant evils, if there are flagrant departures from principle, we had better begin with an honest scrutiny of ourselves, and soberly look again at this sentence from William Penn: “If men be good, government cannot be bad.”
By Samuel Enos Eghan
Email: samueleghan@gmail.com
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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