Features
What’s wrong with our leaders?
Macky Sall
When I tuned in to my popular FM station this morning to listen to what was going on in the political realm, I was stunned by what I heard. Another coup in Africa, in Gabon to be specific.
The question that immediately came to mind was, what is wrong with our leaders? In three years, there has been eight coups including this current one in Gabon. It started from Mali, to Guinea then Burkina Faso and now Gabon.
What is sad and unique about these coups is that they all hap¬pened in former French colonies and this raises an eyebrow. The natural question that readily comes to mind is why are they all happening in former French colonies?
A careful observation will also reveal that apart from this curious occurrence of all these coups happen¬ing in French-speaking countries, they are all linked with either dissatisfac¬tion with elections and the results or the way the fight against terrorism has been conducted.
A discerning observer, however will notice that there is more to this seemingly contagious event sweeping across mostly the West African region than just the above reasons. One of them has to do with the tendency of some leaders to hold on to power contrary to the constitution of their countries.
This breeds the grounds of dissat¬isfaction among the populace and it creates a fertile ground for military adventurists who step in ostensibly to right the wrongs but over the years have turned out to be worse leaders than those they overthrew.
There is another factor that cannot be ignored, the lack of action of ECOWAS leaders who look on uncon¬cerned when their colleagues start to violate the constitution of their respective countries knowing the po¬tential consequence of their actions.
We are not talking about a coup in Senegal today because there was a strong public push back against the attempt by Macky Sall to manipulate the Senegalese constitution to enable him run for a third term.
The elephant in the room is the role of the nation called France in all these coups. France has over the years played an ignominious role in the former colonies which has re¬sulted in the spate of coups. France supports and gloss over the evil deeds of many if not all the heads of states of their former colonies, like Gabon.
The Bongo family has taken over the country like their own personal property. France claims it is a bastion of democracy, yet has been looking on for the Bongo’s to rule Gabon like a dictator. After the Omar Bongo era, his son Ali has been rigging elections to hold on to power, including the recent one that has led to the military coup.
It is estimated that every one in three bulbs in France is lighted by Uranium from Niger but power is a huge challenge for Niger. Most of their power supply is from Nigeria, how can any rational person accept this situa-tion, hence the coup in Niger.
If you look at the agreement signed between France and the former colonies you would become very angry about anything French. Among the lot is a stipulation that when the colonies access their own money that has been deposited in France’s Central Bank, it would be given them as a loan at commercial rates.
This is incredible. It is cheating beyond comprehension. No wonder, the people who are mostly the youth in the countries where coups have oc¬curred in the former French colonies, are now agitating for the French to leave their countries.
• The awareness have started dawning on African youth, that our colonial masters especially the French, have not dealt kindly and fairly with our various countries and would there¬fore not tolerate their meddling in our internal affairs again.
• Until our leaders imbibe and demon¬strate real democratic tendencies, I would not be surprised, should we wake up tomorrow to hear that, there has been a coup in Togo.
By Laud Kissi Mensah
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, high-achieving society, it’s common to glorify long hours and an unwavering commitment to one’s profession. However, when dedication turns into an obsession, it can have severe and far-reaching consequences.
Workaholism, a pattern of behavior characterised by excessive and compulsive work habits, is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects millions of people worldwide.
Defining workaholism: The Psychology behind the behavior
Workaholism is often driven by a combination of internal and external factors, including:
Internal Pressures:
Perfectionism: an unrelenting drive for flawlessness
Fear of failure: anxiety about not meeting expectations
Need for control: a desire to micromanage every aspect of work and life
External Pressures:
Job demands: high expectations from employers or clients
Organisational culture: a workplace environment that encourages or demands excessive work hours
Societal expectations: pressure to succeed and maintain a certain status
The health consequences: A growing concern
Prolonged workaholism can lead to a range of serious health issues, including:
1. Cardiovascular problems: hypertension, heart disease, and stroke due to chronic stress and neglect of physical health
2. Mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and burnout, often exacerbated by lack of social support and self-care
3. Sleep disorders: insomnia, sleep deprivation, and related health issues, such as impaired cognitive function and mood disturbances
4. Immune system suppression: increased susceptibility to illnesses, such as colds, flu, and autoimmune diseases
5. Nutritional deficiencies: poor eating habits, weight changes, and related health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The lethality risks: A hidden danger
In extreme cases, workaholism can have lethal consequences, including:
1. Sudden cardiac death: increased risk due to chronic stress, hypertension, and neglect of physical health
2. Suicide: work-related stress and pressure can contribute to suicidal ideation, particularly in individuals with underlying mental health conditions
3. Accidents and injuries: fatigue and decreased cognitive function increase the risk of workplace accidents and errors
The social and emotional toll: Relationships and identity
Workaholism can also have devastating effects on personal relationships and overall well-being, leading to:
1. Strained relationships: family, friends, and colleagues may feel neglected, abandoned, or resentful
2. Loss of personal identity: over-identification with work can lead to a loss of interests, hobbies, and sense of purpose outside of work
3. Decreased productivity: burnout and decreased motivation can result in reduced job performance and satisfaction
4. Impaired cognitive function: decreased creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities due to chronic stress and fatigue
Breaking the cycle: Strategies for recovery
Recognising the signs of workaholism is crucial to preventing its negative consequences. Strategies for overcoming workaholism include:
1. Setting boundaries: establishing a healthy work-life balance and prioritising self-care
2. Prioritising self-care: engaging in activities that promote physical and emotional well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and social connections
3. Seeking support: therapy, support groups, and social connections can provide emotional support and guidance
4. Re-evaluating priorities: reassessing values and goals to align with a more balanced and fulfilling life
Conclusion
Workaholism is a serious issue that can have severe and far-reaching consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. By acknowledging the risks and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance, we can mitigate the negative effects of workaholism and promote overall well-being.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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How many times have we not made New Year resolutions but have not been able to achieve them?
When we are unable to achieve them we vow to ourselves that at the end of the year, we shall make proper New Year resolutions and this time we will make it happen only for the New Year to travel on and close to the end the story repeats itself.
A lot of people find themselves in this situation and if they were to rate their success, it may hover around 48 per cent. There is a popular quote that is generally attributed to Einstein that” Insanity, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
“A careful analysis will most likely reveal that, the discipline required to put in the required effort and the consistency required is absent in the execution phase of whatever plan has been put in place to realise the objectives.
Discipline according to the Oxford Dictionary is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, with punishment or other undesirable consequences for those failing to comply.
When we say someone is disciplined, what can be observed in his behaviour is consistency whether it is in connection with reporting for events on time, providing a particular service as promised on schedule etc.
In other words, that behaviour has become routine or has become a habit. If 2026 is going to be different from the previous years, as far as the achievement of New Year’s resolutions are concerned, then things must be done in a routine manner which will then ensure consistency.
If the resolution is say a closer walk with God by the end of the year for example, then the plan may be to sleep early enough and be able to wake up at say 5:00 am and pray and meditate on the Word of God.
This must be done every day, that is, you should have the discipline to make this routine behaviour which some people refer to as habit and that is what would ensure the realisation of your objective by the end of the year.
The question of how did you arrive at your new year’s resolution becomes very important. It brings in the God factor, which for me as a believer is very important because if you are say an Entrepreneur, then innovate ideas are what you need and according to Deuteronomy 8:18, innovative ideas to get wealth comes from God.
I believe that to be able to achieve our new year’s resolutions, we must approach them with a project management mindset. We should break the year into periods, either quarterly or monthly and evaluate our performance.
The end of the periods we have chosen should mark the achievement of certain goals or key milestones. This will reveal to us whether we are on track, whether we need to double up or there is the need to adjust certain things.
This year start looking at potential hindrances to the achievement of your resolutions. Check how much time you spend on social media for fun, like following the Akosua Serwaa and Odo Broni story and not for learning something useful that can add value to your life.
On a personal level, I have started cutting the time spent on listening to news and debates on various media platforms and using the time to polish my German and French as one of my resolutions.
Yours may be the time you spend on the phone chatting with friends, so please watch it and adjust especially as a child of God, so you too can have a testimony to share on December 31, 2026, to the glory of God. God bless.
NB: ‘KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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