LAST STRAW FOR STRUGGLING FOUR.

By Ebenezer Zor

Source : Sporting Times

With Real Tamale United (RTU) and BA Stars already relegated to the second tier of Ghana Football, as many as five cubs will battle to survive the remaining relegation slot in the final round of the 2010/2011 Glo Premier League season.

Wa All Stars, Berekum Arsenals, Mighty Jets, King Faisal, as well as Ashanti Gold currently languish in the relegation zone and a loss by any of these teams in the 30^th Week fixture will head them straight to the Division one league.

Ash Gold, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Dwarfs, will play host to already crowned league champions, Berekum Chelsea at the Len Clay Stadium in a very crunchy duel. A win for Chelsea will be disastrous for the “miners”.

Refreshing Liberty Professionals, after thumping Asante Kotoko by 3-2 in their own backyard at the Bara Yara Stadium last Sunday will welcome Kwesi Nyantakyi’s club, Wa All Stars, at the Carl Reindorf Park in Dansoman.

A loss to All Stars may not pose any severe threat to the scientific soccer lads but a loss to Liberty could spell doom for the All Stars.

Alhaji Grusah’s King Faisal will come to face with Accra Hearts of Oak at the Bara Yara Stadium in a match predicted as the top fixture of the Week. Hearts will need nothing but a win to keep their hopes of participating in the prestigious Top 4 competition alive.

However, a loss by King Faisal will be suicidal for them since they currently occupy the third relegation slot on the league table. Both teams lost their previous league matches and will go all out to turn the clock around.

Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs will travel to the Akosombo Stadium to play as visitors to Tudu Mighty Jets in another show piece. A win for Dwarfs will bid farewell to the Tudu boys from the elite division of football in the country.

At the Berekum Golden City Park, the Berekum Arsenal will battle it out with New Edubiase. The Gunners will need a win at all cost since a loss to New Edubiase could sink them to the relegation zone.

Already relegated sides, RTU will host dethroned league champions, Aduana Stars, at the Tamale Stadium while BA Stars travels to the den of lions to play as visitors to Kpando Hearts of Lions.

With the top four competitions and a CAF confederation slot up for grasp next season, the Porcupine Warriors will travel to the Tarkwa Park to test their strength against second place on the league table and tactically disciplined Bashiru Hayford’s side, Medeama SC in match which promises to be fireworks.

 A win over Kotoko, will end the dream for the top four competitions while a loss by Medeama will dash their dreams of participating in the CAF confederation cup for the first time.

Lamptey seeks revenge

Junior Walaga Promotions in collaboration with the Ghana Boxing Authority will stage its next promotion at Lebanon House on June 18, 2011.

The event will witness two national and a Commonwealth light middleweight championship involving Ghanaian boxers.

The main bout on the bill will see Obodai Sai, known among his fans as “The Miracle” exchanging punches with Joseph Lamptey for the Commonwealth light middleweight strap.

Sai comes into the fight with a record of 14 wins without a blemish as compared to that of Lamptey, who has fought 14 times, with 10 ending through the short rout and three losses and a draw.

Lamptey's losses includes a unanimous decision defeat to Sai when they clashed for the national title nearly two years and is remains very ambitious to avenge that painful defeat.

But Sai has intimated that the June 18 clash will only offer him the opportunity to establish his dominance and superiority over Lamptey.

Isaac Selom will square it up with Ishmael Tetteh for the national middleweight title.

Both pugilists will come into the fight with a record of 14 wins, four losses, one draw for Selom and 24 wins, six losses, two draws for Ishmael respectively.

In another fierce contest, Razak Nettey and Herbert Quartey will test their strength for the national super bantamweight title. Quartey alias “sensational” boast of a record of 13 fights with four wins by way of knockouts, six losses and drawn none against six fights, two by way of knockouts and a draw for Nettey.

The opponents for Samuel Kotey Neequaye and Osumanu Akaba for the Lightweight and Super featherweight contest will be announced later.

By Ebenezer Zor

Source: Ghanaian Times.

Netball contest marks AU day.

The Greater Accra Regional Netball Association in conjunction with the Dangme West District on Wednesday organized the first netball tournament in Dodowa to mark the African Union (AU) day.

The tournament dubbed: " Africa Freedom Day" was to unearth young talents for the national netball ladies team.

Asafoatse Boadi VI, in his speech address before the commencement of the competition urged all the participating teams to give out their best and show good sportsmanship on the field of play.

Participating teams were Fair point ladies club of Kpone-on-sea, Prampram complex stars of Kaneshie-Accra, the Greater Accra Stars and Greater Complex stars.

In all play all competition, Greater Accra Stars emerged us winners of the first edition of this tournament, netted 98 goals to surpass second position Fair point ladies to clinch the penultimate- a trophy and a cash prize.

Elsewhere, Prampram ladies were presented with a cash prize for occupying the third position with 24 nets while Greater Complex Stars took the fourth place with 9 nets in all.

Bernice Taylor and Larnuel Veronica both from the Greater Accra Stars were adjudged the best players of the tournament.

Reverend E.D. Niikoi, president of the Netball Association of Ghana (NAG), in an interview with Times Sports said: "The tournament was organized to inculcate into all and sundry the  essence of Africa Union (AU),  make young ladies develop  interest in netball and to revive the sport as well".

He explained that, netball has not received much attention as compared to other sporting disciplines, adding that "It is about time to revamp netball in the country".

Reverend Niikoi announced that Ghana will host a netball competition starting from the 10-16 of July and the All African Games (AAG) starting form the 3-15 of September in Maputo, Mozambique this year.

 

Mr. Niikoi, appealed to the Dangme West District to make the tournament permanent in Dodowa and that same vein called for support from corporate bodies to salvage netball in the country.

"We need massive support from government and other sports stakeholders to run a netball league system in the country" he added.

Among the personalities present at the occasion were the umpires- Augustina Fugah of Sege Senior High Technical School, Fred Kporha of Accra, Eugene Tetteh of Amasaman, Felix Ocran of Kpone-on-sea, Esther Worname of Ga East G.E.S , Mr Samuel Owusu Anhwere, Mr. Nieo Dzah and Kofi Asamoah Acheampong, deputy Technical Director of the Netball Association Of Ghana, Accra.

Story by Ebenezer Zor & Matilda Emefa Avudoahor

Source: Ghanaian Times 

Congrats, Tema youth and Bechem United

I write to add my voice to the victory qualification of premiership returnees Tema Youth and new entrants Bechem United into the elite league next season.

Two seasons after being relegated, Tema Youth defile all odds to topflight following an annihilating 4-1 win against D’ International in Sekondi in the Zone 3 of the middle league.

Interestingly, after a long spell at the Poly tank division one league, Bechem United looks poised for the 2011/2012 season after beating Guan FC 2-0 at the Tema artificial turf.

Both teams have proven that, the division one league clubs are forces to be reckoned with if given any chance to compete.

Undoubtedly, the likes of Berekum Chelsea official crowned 2010/2011 Glo Premier League Champions and dethroned league champions Aduana Stars have shown their prowess in the seasons so far.

However, if not anything at all, the managements of both Tema Youth and Bechem United should tread the course of their predecessors (Aduana and Berekum Chelsea) in order to have a good run for their money next season.

I wish them a better stay in the topflight and best of luck to all the clubs from division one next time.

Ebenezer Zor

Accra.

Stars dazzle in AU peace match

Michael Essien and his Chelsea team mate Ashley Cole enjoying every bit of the match

The Ohene Djan Sports Stadium Wednesday was turned into a great Cathedral of football as legends descended from around the World to celebrate peace and unity in Africa through football.

It was indeed an electric atmosphere, as Ghana and Chelsea’s Michael Essien, AU Ambassador for Peace, led an array of African Stars - past and present - against an Ashley Cole led World 11 to serve a delectable display of football artistry.

Not even the profound openings from heaven which poured forth its rain could stop the party; fans in their thousands filled the stadium to raptures; cheered at every skill, clapped at every turn and mobbed the Stars present.

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor, Asamoah Gyan, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kalusha Bwalya, John Paintsil, Stephen Appiah, Tony Yeboah only to mention but a few stood tall for the African side, whilst Chelsea duo of Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda as well as Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Nigel DeYong and Frederick Ljunberg were impregnable for the World 11 side.

Akin to most charity games, Wednesday’s match was played in an atmosphere of conviviality and recorded a 4-2 score line in favour of World 11.

Kalusha Bwalya, who has lost his speed but definitely not his skill put the noses of the Africans in front early in the first half with a well placed header from a John Paintsil cross on the right.

Didier Drogba who came on in the second half put his name on the scoring sheet with a close range effort.

Malouda, Ashley Cole, Stock Smith, were the scorers for the World 11.

But really, the score line was not that important; the skill and effort by the World and African legends who defied the heavy rains and played in the soggy pitch was what actually underlined their commitment to the cause for peace, human dignity and prosperity to people in the African continent.

Buoyed by musical displays and excellent dance moves from Asamoah Gyan, Samini, Castro the stadium was turned into a carnival atmosphere as fans sang and danced the day away in absolute frenzy.

The players were presented with medallions at the end of the fun filled campaign as Essien lifted aloft the African flame to signify unity on the continent.

The game was witnessed by Youth and Sports Minister Kofi Humadu and former Tourism Minister Mike Gizo.

Former World player of the year Oppong Weah was the coach of the African 11 side whilst Marcel Dessaily coached the World 11 side.



Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Kwabena Yeboah: Time to call Hayatou’s bluff

CAF President, Hayatou

I find it shocking that at a time the world is getting sick and tired of tyrannical rule, CAF President Alhjaj Issa Hayatou believes the way forward is arbitrariness and despotism.

Will somebody remind Hayatou of the fate of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt who ruled with absolutism and literally terrorized their own people for three decades. Oh yes, the sheer power of the masses blew them into smithereens at the right time.

“Big Daddy” brother Gaddafi is only buying time in Libya. The human nature simply abhors tyranny and absolutism, the reason our own Jerry John Rawlings’ influence is beginning to wane in his “own” National Democratic Congress (NDC). The fact that personalities Rawlings “nurtured” and “nourished” today openly reject him and treat him so disdainfully only teaches us the days of tyrants are always numbered.

Does Hayatou get this? Why on earth would the CAF President believe he has the authority to disband the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) because as he put it the “sub-region is facing organizational issues”.

The CAF boss spearheaded the move at a meeting in Cairo last Monday, sparking speculations the attempt is aimed at weakening WAFU’s growing influence in the political context of Africa football.

With allies Amos Adamu and Anjorin Moucharafou booted out of the WAFU hierarchy, Hayatou finds it most appropriate to disband WAFU. Perhaps also to teach Kwesi Nyantakyi the interim President of WAFU who is not particularly a “favoured boy” the true colour of power.

By Hayatou’s directive, West Africa has now been zoned into two – Western Zone A and Western Zone B. Zone A encompasses Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

Zone B is made up of Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.

Clearly, this makes little sense and decisively defeats the very essence of the Union envisaged by the founding fathers.

When former Presidents Gnassigbe Eyadema and Houphouet Boigny of Togo and Ivory Coast respectively (may their souls find favour with the Good Lord) spearheaded the formation of WAFU, the idea was to foster unity in the West Africa sub-region through the massive influence of football.

Lack of sound leadership and a perilous financial situation viciously conspired to weaken WAFU. Today, every possible step is being taken to revive the sleeping giant. The way forward is not to unnerve and enfeeble the Association by disbanding it and creating two separate fronts. This logic is clearly twisted.

The African Union (formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) has always been confronted with debilitating problems. It would have been extremely weird and illogical to divide the Union’s front because of so-called “organizational problems” as Hayatou puts it. The intelligent thing to do is to identify these “organizational weaknesses” for an appropriate resolution. To disband WAFU as Hayatou has done is to insult the intelligence and vision of the Political fathers of the West Africa sub-region.

I’m not surprised the Ministers of Benin and Togo, Modeste Kerekou and Ajay Maken have decided to convene an urgent meeting of all Sports Ministers in the sub-region to address the issue and call Hayatou’s bluff.

I am also gladdened by the fact that the leadership of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) has issued a statement urging all to allow zonal bodies to operate as they exist. Will Hayatou and his henchmen listen?

Hayatou’s days are clearly numbered and like a drowning man will catch a straw. It’s in the supreme interest of this ageing tyrant to remind himself of the fate of all the despots in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria and Libya.

Don’t overstretch your luck, Hayatou.


Source: Kwabena Yeboah, Africa Sports

Hayatou must protect his integrity

Issah Hayatou, CAF President

It is a disgrace to hear that the head of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) with other executives has been labelled with bribery and corruption.

When I read from the newspapers that the president of CAF Issah Hayatou with other executives has been bribed with huge sum of money just to support Qatar ’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup, i wondered what the world would say about Africa ?

This is a serious issue which needs to be investigated and not be allowed to die prematurely.

Issah Hayatou being in office since 1988 has contributed a lot to the development of Africa football over the years.

Under his watch, we saw some African countries win the Under-17 Championship, the World Under-20 championship staged in Egypt in 2009 and the 2010 World Cup being held on Africa soil where Ghana progressed to the quarter final stage of that competition.

However, if the allegations labelled against him is true, I will advice that as matter of urgency he should immediately resign to prevent any further probe into mismanagement and misappropriate of funds from CAF.

Come to think of it he and his compatriots have brought shame to Africa football. This shows that, it is about time fresh pair of hands regulate the activities of CAF.

In my own candid opinion, Hayatou should not make himself available to contest for a re-election into office.

Author: Ebenezer Zor

Source: Graphic Sports

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES OF A BAD FRIEND?

Who is a bad friend?

A bad friend is a person or someone who does not know you well, dislike you, and not a member of your family.

Many a time we socialize with people for our own reasons. However we end up in bad companies, groups and relations.

Therefore this lesson will highlights some of the qualities of a bad friend in an alphabetized manner.

A bad friend is, a, an;

A; agoraphobia (fearing to go outside and being in public places).

B; baleful (depicting hatred, anger, evil or the idea to hurt someone).

C; cliquey (behaving like a clique). A clique seems to be unfriendly to other people.

D; daredevil (a person who does dangerous things for pleasure and does not worry about the risk.

E; envious

F; fraudulent (using illegal ways to get something).

G; greedy

H; hoity-toity (behaving in a rude way with the intention that you are better than others).

I; insalubrious (someone who is unpleasant and dangerous to your health).

J; junkie (a drug addict).

K; kooky (silly or strange).

L; licentious (interested in sex in an offensive manner).

M; malicious (unkind and showing a strong feeling to hurt someone).

N; noxious (harmful or poisonous)

O; ominous (making you think that something bad will occur).

P; prankster

Q; quibble (argue about things which are not necessary).

R; ruinous (causing severe loss or damage)

S; sarcastic

T; truculent (easily annoyed and ready to fight).

U; unproductive

V; violent

W; wrathful

X; xenophobia

Y; yammer (someone who talks or complains a lot)

Z; zombie (someone not bothered about what is happening and moves slowly).

So lovely people out there the responsibility lies on you to distinguish between a bad friend from the good one.

Source: Ebenezer Zor

zorebenezer9@gmail.com

SMILE &LAUGH (JOKE)

A new lecturer who has been given a subject to teach wanted to be familiar with the students.

So what happen?
 

Lecturer: “Good morning students”
 

Students: replied “Good morning sir”
 

Lecturer: “I want know your names. So when I point at you, mention your name and form a sentence with it” Eh! Eh!!Eh!!!
 

Students: responded “yes sir”
 

Lecturer: “yes”
 

Pat (a student): My name is Pat. P for pot, A for apple and T for Tom.
 

Lecturer: Beautiful! Next……………..
 

Student: My name is Amos. A for apple, M for mipple, O for opple and S for sipple.
 

Lecturer: fantastic! We will continue tomorrow with others good day.

By Ebenezer Zor.

Feature: Bin Laden: A bad way has bad end

Author: Tanveer Jafri

On May 2, the world’s most dreaded terrorist and Al Qaeda chief; Osama Bin Laden was killed in ‘Operation Geronimo’ by the US forces in Abbottabad, near Islamabad. 

This ultra modern Commando action seems to have sent Laden to his desired destination Jannat (Heaven). 

Though Laden’s search was on since a decade in Afghanistan and Afpak border areas, it was perceived that owing to his deteriorating health, he might be hiding in a safe and comfortable place, away from the tough terrains of the Hindu Kush. Pakistan was always in doubt as regards to the presence of Osama. 
A year ago, there were reports claiming that Laden was treated in a military hospital in Quetta. It was well known that Laden was not well, his kidney was not working and he was surviving on dialysis. Certainly, it is not possible for such an ill person to operate terror missions from hideouts in caves and hills.

Finally, the CIA got to know about Laden’s current residence. Acting on the information, the US Navy SEAL Commandos struck a big and safe house in Abbottabad, some 60-kms away from the Pakistani Capital Islamabad. This safe haven of Osama was just at a stone throw distance from the Pakistan Military Academy. The presence of Laden in such a sensitive and protected area casts serious doubts on the Pak government, Army and the ISI. Pakistan has no explanation for this “intelligence failure”. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that this was “the failure of intelligence in the world, not just in Pakistan but in the United States as well.” How much logic does this statement of the Prime Minister hold? On the other hand, the ISI’s take is that when the house was built five years ago, it was doubted that an Al Qaeda leader named Abu Faraz Al Libi lived there. On this information, the Pak security agencies raided the building. But they found nothing and this building was removed from suspicion list. Now, Pakistan has paid for this ‘lapse.’

While Laden’s killing is being considered as a milestone in the combat against terrorism, his presence in Pakistan and America’s unilateral decision to act without informing Pakistan raises many serious questions. Pakistan now owes to the world the explanation how Osama was staying protected in its soil for such a long time? When faced with the queries of the whereabouts of Osama, Pakistani Premier, Home Minister, Army Chief and ISI officials, all used to claim that he is not in Pakistan. In the guise of this blunt lie, Osama was living safely in a safe military hideaway near the Capital.

However, the end of this enemy of mankind was imminent. The US, without informing its “strategic partner” Pakistan, and by dodging its radar systems, flown in four combat helicopters from a military base in Afghanistan, executed the ‘Operation Geronimo’ in Abbottabad within 40 minutes and took along Osama’s body back to Afghanistan. There a DNA test was conducted on him to ensure that the corpse is of Laden. Then he was ‘buried in the Arabian Sea with Islamic traditions.’ This unilateral action by the US didn’t go down well with Pakistan. Now the Pak government has warned the world and the US that any violation of its sovereignty in future would not be tolerated. Even though this was the first operation by the US near the capital, it is already carrying out regular drone attacks on Af-Pak border areas.

American Attorney General Eric Holder has defended the operation and said “the operation was justified as an act of national self-defence.” According to him, Laden already had an escape plan from this luxury hideout. American sources opine that sharing the information on this operation with Pakistan could have helped Osama escape, therefore it was kept top secret. The US was so bent on catching Osama, dead or alive, that it had put on ready its fighter jets across the border in Afghanistan to handle any possible counterattack by the Pak forces. While the Navy SEALs were busy in ‘Operation Geronimo’ in Abbottabad, President Obama, along with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, CIA chief and other high-ranking officials, were watching the operation live. This operation was being directed from the White House.

Pakistan is criticized and condemned by the world again and again, for nurturing and protecting terrorists and their ideology. Now the world can no more digest its stand that “Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism.” Prime Minister Gilani has said that Pakistan alone cannot fight terror and needs “the support of the entire world to combat militants.” In light of this statement, Pakistan should at least put aside its claim of sovereignty and crush the terrorist training camps and hideaways within its borders, with the active support of the US and India.


Source: Tanveer Jafri
Email: tanveerjafriamb@gmail.com, tanveerjafri1@gmail.com,tanveerjafri58@gmail.com

Ghana’s economy now valued at 46 billion Ghana cedis

Dr Grace Bediako, Government's statistician

The Ghanaian economy grew by 7.7 percent last year while the total value of goods and services produced was valued at 46 billion Ghana cedis.

That is according to the revised GDP estimate released by the Ghana Statistical Service for 2010.

Should the 2010 revised national income be distributed amongst the population, each Ghanaian would receive almost 1,907 Ghana cedis or 1,343 US Dollars.

The services sector maintained its dominance as the biggest contributor to GDP.

It was also the fastest growing sector, with 9.8 percent, followed by industry 5.6 and agriculture 5.3.

Meanwhile the statistical service has released figures on the performance of the economy for each quarter from 2006 to the last quarter of last year.


Source: Joy Business/Ghana

Feature: Black and White synchronise parity

You can play a tune of sorts on the white keys, and you can play a tune of sorts on the black keys, but for harmony you must use both the black and the white - Kwegyir Aggrey

The world we are born into is indeed a strange cosmic entity. A lot of events do occur to our astonishment and as curios human beings we try helplessly to dig into the root of such occurrences. Of a truth we are yet to partially if not fully comprehend the unfathomable construction of our very milieu and the human being who is a breathing dust.

Astronauts in their quest to better relate our world with that of the world yonder do shuttle between the earth and space stations; psychologists permeate the human mind to justify the rationale behind mental machinations; the ever flourishing literary doyen would want to use language which is the garment of thought and the cloak of words to carve a perfect portrait of living beings and their immediate surroundings. All these efforts among others as a whole are marshalled at demystifying the mysteries that shroud our world.

Whenever evil befalls someone we mourn and console such an individual; in a similar fashion we burst into torrents of hilarity when good fortune kisses the fate of an individual. Sometimes we seem not to understand and pose several questions when there is harvest of sorrow. In fact, we would have been comfy with something positive. The death of Princess Diana of Wales plunged the world into brief moment of bewilderment and paralysis. Her benignity could not surmount the onward incursion of the leveller of all men- death.

Now the death of Osama Bin Laden has received a lot of reactions from several quarters. Anti terrorist campaigners may proclaim his death as a welcome relief. Those of his camp may as well project him as a true martyr from the womb of divinity. That is the paradox of life we are offered to demonstrate the stark shades of inclinations which keep the world in motion.

For the purpose of this piece, the word black connotes something negative, bad and which has the capability to cause grief and sorrow whereas white connotes good, positivity, and happiness. It must be stated categorically that these characteristics have absolutely nothing to do with the complexion of any race as in the black or white race. Let us leave that to uninformed, infantile minds and mischief mongers.

Whenever anything negative or bad threatens the very foundation of our being; whenever it seems all hope is dissipating and the world appears not to have enough room to accommodate us, we need not let despair and hopelessness take the better part of us. The best action is not to act on impulse but to critically assume the stance of an archaeologist who carefully parts the earth surface to unearth the past. One’s difficult moments are the crucible stages of his life; the saccharine part is yet to surface so far as there is a strong, unyielding and tenacious spirit.

The thrust of this essay as you might have cleverly deduced simply hinges on this token: for there to be parity (balance) in whatever sphere of life, there must be the blend of the negative and the positive. For example, the taste of defeat stirs within us the passion for excellence. At such gloomy stage of life, we are afforded the glorious opportunity to retreat and reorganise our arsenals for a renewed charge. That is why it is important not to fume with rage when you can identify a gem out of a hopeless situation.

There is no smooth path or walk to the desired. If that would not suffice your Thomas mentality, then, ask Mandela or Gandhi to serve as arbiter. Once again, if this example is too elementary for your taste, then, demand from Jesus whether the cross He shouldered unashamedly before the crown meant what? Do you remember the popular maxim, “No cross, No crown”?

I can therefore comfortably render that our times of difficulties are propelling grounds for a smooth take off into an eventful future so far as there is a resolve to turn them to our advantage. A good General always has a point of reference and that is his wound(s). Such sweet-sour and bitter-sweet affairs in life offer a better and deeper understanding of our evasive world. The high rate of graduate unemployment in the country should not be the opium for the youth to indulge in nefarious ventures. Rather, it should serve as a launch pad for budding entrepreneurial initiatives.

At this juncture, I am not rolling out the idea that one must always and definitely encounter challenges in order to see the brighter side of life. Neither do I place my trust in the possession of those who rally around chanting the belief that one’s life should always be characterised by milk and honey. The danger of this philosophy or religious persuasion is, one is somewhat oblivious of the pitfalls in life.

I am not a pessimist neither is my heart full of fear and my mind soaked in negativity to the extent that I daily think of evil to clothe me so that I can rise to the occasion. No! I will be the last to swallow this deadly bait. For I believe in this biblical clause which suggests: as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. I am only saying supposing the journey of life appears tortuous which is somewhat inevitable, hold your head up, do not appear crestfallen and cry yourself to sleep and gloom. Only reposition your sail and expect the wind to ferry you to your destination; for such is the vicissitude of life.

It will be a disservice to my conscience and a dishonour to my generation if I do not comment on this observation. I have come across a cross section Christians and non Christians alike who harbour the belief that so far us their present status qualifies them they are exempts from certain events of life. I am being economical in stating this belief for I know I am bruising the ego and stepping on the toes of certain individuals. I do not begrudge them for it is within their remit to drink from this cup of deception.

The adherents of this idea hide under this heavy yoke and do little to ameliorate their living standard. Experience has proven beyond every practical doubt that worthwhile hard work pays and as one strives to move on in life, there will be challenges. But challenges are only stepping stones to greater things. The Bible emphatically admonishes believers to know that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all. The experience of Job in the Bible passes as a classical proof.

The world has drastically evolved into a stage where thanks to technological upsurge things are done with ease. Hence, some people have transferred this fast track mentality into success. So whenever they experience unintended hiccups in life they wrap themselves in misery to the point of their demise. Supposing these groups of people had taken their time, worked diligently and jumped over the hurdles of life with cautious optimism, I am pretty sure they would have been beaming with smiles. We should know there are false prophets, unlettered teachers and con men who would tell people what they would love to hear in order subtly annex unto themselves financial rewards.

No wonder we have self styled saviours and self-imposed martyrs who parade the length and breadth of the country proclaiming financial liberty, problem free life and heaven on earth fantasies when in reality they (swindlers) are as hollow as an empty shell. They simply thrive on our ignorance and credulity. We should accept the bitter pills of life as part of our short respite on earth and devise mechanisms to overcome them; for testimony is a factor of experience. If gold is to narrate the horrors men subject it to before it glitters, you will be bowled over. I am sure gold will tell man you have not experienced a fraction of what I go through- the excavation, transportation, grinding, chemical bath, separation, refinement and moulding etc.

There are a lot of questions on our lips and when we meet the creator of all things, I am sure we will be inundating Him with different shades of questions. Our women will surely open the flood gates first with questions like, why they had short hair and not long ones, short height and not a reasonably tall one? Why they did not have men of their choice among others? The men will follow and pretend to be more philosophical- why the so many inequalities? Why man seems too insatiate and most importantly, why the first abortive coup took place right under His watch?

I must reiterate what I have been trying to churn out: balance in life is an interplay between positive and negative and the negative serves as an important ingredient in shaping the future while the positive soothes the pains of our toil. Abraham Lincoln, the sixtieth president of America, suffered many setbacks before clinging to the throne.

I know we all have separate destinies but I would like to end on the good note sounded by the Ghanaian educator, James Emman Kwegyir Aggrey (1875-1927). His words, “You can play a tune of sorts on the white keys, and you can play a tune of sorts on the black keys, but for harmony you must use both the black and the white” have a bearing on racism but it has positive bond with the central idea of this piece. There is, therefore, harmony and balance in life when the negative and positive keys of life are played well.


Credit: Okofo-Dartey Samuel
E-MAIL: sodesq2000@yahoo.com

THINGS GENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LADIES.

Hello wonderful people out there. Have you thought of the things gents should know about ladies…..?. Basically that is what I am here for then. Let’s get things underway for beginners and imbibe on your “Intelligence Quotient” (IQ) of “things gents” should know about “ladies”.

Gents take off the wax in your ears… So you know what ladies are all about, hmm?

KNOW ABOUT LADIES

What are the things gents should know about ladies?

v  A lady thinks about sex every 20 seconds or may be more of it. Just imagine the more the ladies, the more penchant of sex…… so many sexual thoughts in the atmosphere….

v  Ladies love to Gossip! No, in spite of the challenges they face, they still gossip about others and things around them. Don’t believe me? The next time you are alone, just start a conversation about a friend and see how the things will move.

v   Ladies are more comfortable when you talk about your pastimes.

v  A lady will ENVY her guy’s best lady friend/ ex-girlfriend. (They do not want them to be friends).

v  Having clues are never with ladies. You need something? Just voice it out loud.

v  Ladies will not compromise with inferior ornaments

v  According to them, if you have enough it is tantamount to good living

v  A lady cares for “picnic guys” than responsible “gents”

v  A lady cherishes the “sugar-daddies” more than the responsible gents. (At times they combine the two”.

 

FUNNY THINGS GENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LADIES

Ø  A lady hates being at a particular place for a long time. (woo, they love fantasies)

Ø  Ladies are into material things and for that matter do not spare gents who crossed them.

Ø  A lady will scorn you when you use words like “let’s manage”,“let’s ask someone”,” my father”……

Ø  A lady will get you a toy for your birthday

Ø  A lady loves when you call her by “honey” names………. But will refuse it in the presence of her friends.

 

SECRETS GENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LADIES

       Ladies pretend to cry when they require something urgent.

       All ladies have watched porn at sometime or the other in their lives

       Ladies love to have a glimpse at romantic trends

       When a lady likes a guy she tries to find all excuses to be close to him

       Ladies fear competition

       Ladies loves gents who fancy outings. (big events)

       All ladies have been in a relationships possibly at least once

       Ladies will never forget their “maiden boy-friends). So gents, now that you know something about ladies, what’s the plan? To all the ladies out there i mean no harm!

Old time school mates