Features
‘Yen Ara Asaase Ni’
Nimdeɛ ntraso, nkoto-kranne;
Ne pɛsɛmenkomenya,
Adi yɛn bra mu dεm, ama yɛn asaase hɔ dɔ atomu sɛ.
The above immortalised words is taken from our own “Yen Ara Asaase Ni” by Ephraim Amu, which literally means;
Bragging of educational achievements; Or useless greed for material things,
And bad lifestyles are destroying our nation, and disgracing it.
Even though I have known and sang this song since my elementary school years, I must confess I did not know the meaning until a few years ago. And I am very sure I am not the only guilty person.
In an elementary school classroom filled with energetic children, the teacher asked the students to respond to two questions. The first question was: “What do you like most about living in this country?” The answers come quickly: The beautiful land and peace, the gold and cocoa, the many things to do and see, the freedom, the friendly people, and on and on. After the children finish their responses, the teacher asks a second and more important question: “So what can you do to make Ghana better?”
It is one thing to appreciate Ghana’s history and uniqueness and marvel at its beauty and struggle; it is another thing to take an active part in preserving its strengths, perpetuating its ideals, and defending the values it holds dear. Ghana is best loved up close and personal, not at a detached distance. And, of course, while extraordinary, Ghana as we all can attest is not without vexing problems and concerns. But a country does not have to be perfect to be beloved. In fact, our love for our country is what inspires us to find ways to overcome its flaws and shortcomings. And one thing we love so much about Ghana is the freedom and opportunity it grants us to tirelessly pursue improvement and progression.
We make our nation great and strong by getting informed and involved in good causes, by working together despite our differences, by helping each other and lifting those around us.
As a nation, we will remain strong and free if we constructively work to improve our communities. We will continue to stand as a light of freedom and justice to the world if we uphold the values and good principles upon which this nation was founded.
In another country an inspired writer read a book about the creation of the Constitution of his country. He read about the passionate dedication of the founders of his nation; a nation that would one day become a symbol of freedom for the world. As he read, he felt inspired; so inspired that he wrote a song and called it “American Anthem.” The song has been performed at presidential inaugurations and was featured in a popular documentary about World War ll. Gene Scheer said he wanted it to be a “rallying call,” reminding citizens; including himself, of our responsibility “to get out there and … do something” for the country.
This is what he wrote:
All we’ve been given
By those who came before
The dream of a nation
Where freedom would endure
The work and prayers of centuries
Have brought us to this day.
What shall be our legacy?
What will our children say?
Let them say of me
I was one who believed
In sharing the blessings I received
Let me know in my heart
When my days are through
America, America, I gave my best to you.
This month, in particular, we remember the birth of a Republic. Our pioneers served so nobly, gave so much, to preserve and defend the good name of Ghana and all that we hold dear. “The dream of a nation where freedom would endure” would still be only a dream if not for their selfless service.
At the same time, the sacred responsibility to keep the dream alive belongs not only to the women and men who have sworn oaths as Presidents and Parliamentarians do. All who are blessed by our nation’s legacy have a duty to preserve and defend it. As the anthem declares, freedom has endured thus far through “the work and prayers of centuries,” and that is how it will continue. That work surely includes standing up for freedom and taking seriously our shared civic duty. It must include shunning contention, respecting and valuing others, listening to and learning from those different from us, and simply being neighbourly and kind.
If we can do that, then perhaps someday our children and grandchildren will read about us and feel grateful and inspired; grateful for the legacy we have passed along and inspired to preserve it for another generation.
True patriots are those who cherish freedom and do their part to improve and strengthen the land they love. We would do well to answer the question posed to the schoolchildren: “What can you do to make it better?”
Ɔman no, sɛ ɛbɛyɛ yie o
Ɔman no, sɛ ɛrenyɛ yie o;
Ɛyɛ nsɛnnahɔ sɛ, Ɔmanfo bra na ɛkyerɛ.
Whether or not this nation prospers!
Whether or not this nation prospers!;
Clearly depends on the character of the citizens of the nation.
Email: samueleghan@gmail.com
By Samuel Enos Eghan
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.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you are trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved. Last week we looked at three and this week is the remaining four steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
4. Find common ground
The best way to handle workplace conflict is to start with what you can agree on. Find common ground between the people engaging in conflict. If you are directly involved in the conflict, slow down and focus on results instead of who’s right.
If you are the mediator for conflict resolution between coworkers, observe the discussion and help point out the common ground others may not see.
5. Collectively brainstorm solutions
When deciding how to handle workplace conflict, it can be tempting to problem-solve on your own. Sometimes, it feels easier to work independently rather than collaboratively. However, if you want to achieve a lasting resolution, you will need to motivate your team to get involved.
Brainstorm possible solutions together, and solicit input from everyone involved on the pros and cons of each option until you settle on a solution that feels comfortable to everyone. This will help all team members feel a sense of ownership that can help prevent future conflicts.
6. Create an action plan
Once you have created an open dialogue around workplace conflicts, it is time to resolve them. Just like any other work goal, this requires creating a concrete plan and following through.
Create an action plan and then act on it. It does not matter what the plan is, as long as you commit to it and resolve the conflict as a result.
7. Reflect on what you learned
All conflicts offer an opportunity to grow and become a better communicator. Identify what went well and what did not.
Work with your whole team to gather learnings from the conflict so you can avoid similar situations in the future.
Today, I continue with my narration of personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland, with a focus on Mr Joseph Osei Amoah.
Mr Amoah is one of the senior members of the Ghanaian community in Finland and a top member of the Ghana Union Finland, an association of the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
He is an active and a well-respected person in the Ghanaian community in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah moved to Finland in the mid-1990s, and he has lived in Helsinki all this time.
Accomplishments and honours
It is important to recount accomplishments as part of the success stories of the personalities of Ghanaian descent in Finland in order to highlight their exploits both within the Ghanaian migrant community and in the wider Finnish society.
Mr Amoah holds a Master’s degree in Demography from the University of Helsinki. At the time he came to Finland in 1994, he had majored in Economics at the Bachelor’s level at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
Sometimes affectionately called “Chairman” in the Ghanaian migrant community, Mr Osei is a former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) branch in Finland, assuming office around 2015, a few months after the branch was formed, until 2019 when he did not run again for the elections. He helped to bring vibrancy into the NPP Finland branch.
Religious life
Mr Amoah is a prominent member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland. In spite of his busy working life and other responsibilities, he remains a committed member of the Global Methodist Church in Finland.
He plays a key leadership role in the church, which is attended by many Ghanaian migrants and other African migrants, Finns, and those of other nationalities.
His position in Asanteman Finland
Mr Osei Amoah is an outstanding member of the Asanteman Finland, where he is the Gyasehene, a prominent position as a sub-chief in the Asante (and Akan) royal hierarchy, in the functioning of the traditional authority systemgenerally in Ghana.
The Asanteman Finland is an association formed purposely with the aim of supporting each other as well as to ensure unity among its members and others outside of the group.
One of its top priorities of Asanteman Finland is to display the Asante culture in Finland. Mr Osei Amoah finds this as very important since by upholding the traditional culture and heritage, the association enables its members and especially the young ones to get the chance to learn and appreciate Asante and Ghanaian cultural values. They do this through rites such as marriage, the naming ceremony, and death and funeral rites, which makes the people to learn more of their provenance and not forget their origins.
“My point is that, by displaying the traditional heritage it helps people to learn more about their provenance. For, I think it will be embarrassing to go home and see that even the young ones have much knowledge about how to perform certain rites whilst those of us in the diaspora may be deficient in understanding those practices”, he argued. It is also very important for the young ones who are born in Finland to learn what the culture of their original society is, he continued.
The Finnish educational system
Mr Osei has a lot to say about the Finnish educational system, which he sees as very good. “When we came to Finland, education was free. There were library books and manuscripts readily available in the library, and one could print or make as many photocopies as possible for your studies. There was more flexibility. One could read books and write exams on them for the necessary grades in order to complete your studies”. In his opinion, Ghana could learn much from the Finnish system, which is one of the best in the world.
He said the only initial challenge he found in Finland was how to master the Finnish language, without which it was difficult to get a job befitting one’s status after the studies. But things have changed today and there are many English courses so it is easy to study and get a job that matches your studies, especially in the area of ICT, he said.
His role in the Ghanaian community
Mr Osei Amoah has been very active in the Ghanaian community, as I have indicated earlier. He is still very active in the Ghana Union Finland, and has played a leadership in many functions organised by the Union, as a non-governmental organisation for the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
Mr Amoah has been a counsellor and mentor who has guided many young Ghanaian migrants on their career paths and has also been part in settling various kinds of conflicts between opposing parties or persons. In conclusion, I would say Mr Osei Amoah has succeeded in embossing his name in the golden pages of visionary Ghanaians in both Sweden and Finland.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
