RE-RUN THE RUN-OFF IN IVORY COAST

Its been long since i wrote what was on my mind, but i have now done it so just read this.
The year 2010 is almost over across the world but i wonder if anything will change about the continent Africa in the next year which is 2011. When i look at Ivory Coast i wonder if really our leaders want to serve us or they have some reasons for wanting to rule us. Why is there bloodshed in Ivory Coast? why cant the leaders come to a compromise and let peace prevail in that country.I don't want to talk about who is to be blamed but i think the international community should carefully consider its intended action in that country, which i know is to use military force to oust President Gbagbo.I think the elections over there must be re-run but first the results must be investigated to find out what errors were recorded.
Then i think the UN and other organisations can assist put strict measures in place to ensure that the re-run of the run-off is done under credible conditions.
This is my verdict on the issue!!!!
If this is not considered, trouble will befall Ivory Coast and Africa in general.

CHILD RIGHTS ACTIVISTS: DONT GROW COLD

When i read about the issue regarding the proprietor of the Great Lamptey mills institute and the allegation that he raped a young girl and married her forcefully, i wonder what human rights experts can do to help victims of rape and forced marriage in Ghana.

I could not believe my ears when the lady at the center of the controversy spoke in the media, claiming that she was not raped and was not forced to marry the man who has fathered a three-year old baby with her.

The Attorney General has discontinued the case and the man has been discharged because the prime witness in the case and alleged victim says her husband is innocent of charges that have been leveled against him.

Well it is believed she was below 15 when she had sex with the owner of the school which she attended and that amounts to defilement. The state and child rights activists were passionate about the situation and wanted to help the child and family.

Now they can not do the good they think they have to do because according to the girl they were doing a wrong thing by prosecuting an innocent man. I hope child rights activists do not grow cold on fighting for victims of rape and forced marriage because that could be disastrous.

DO YOU KNOW GOD?

I believe my religion is the best but i most importantly believe i know God. I can obviously not say that my religion is inferior but that does not mean i dont respect other religions. I do and have good friends who are not Christians.

I tolerate and appreciate people's understanding of the true divine creator and hope others do so. The unfortunate thing is that many people do not know God. Christians, Muslims and others who belong to other religions seem to be worshiping because they have been asked to do so by their parents, friends and those who reverend.

We tend to be enslaved and do not know why we practice some doctrines. What a Petty! I am writing this because i have been talking to some Christians and i realized that they want to know God but they do not know him, even some pastors do not know the God they claim to be leading others to.

I want all of us to take a moment and ask ourselves the question, WHO IS GOD?
I have a couple of writings on this issue and i will post them soon on my blog. This is just to ignite the desire in us to try and find out if we really know God and are not just following doctrines and not feeling uncomfortable serving God.

One must serve God in truth and in freedom....

WHY NOT EZILE BAY

I have been working for some time now without a break. But I decided to go for a vacation ( Just Three days) in the western Region of Ghana.

That was my second time in the same region and actually the same vacation location. I really wanted to go to Green Turtle Lodge(http://www.greenturtlelodge.com), but i went to "EZILE BAY"

Oh my God! It was great at "EZILE BAY". I had fun and relaxed. It was worth every thing in this world, going for that vacation and i will go again.

Why not try, it because on December 21, am asking "YOU-ADJOA" to go with me.

You can be that "YOU-ADJOA"

WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS? A FATHER OF THE NATION OR WHAT?

I cant just believe what am hearing. That the Upper East Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams, says it is against the rules of Service for student nurses to get pregnant while in training or during their orientation.

The GNA reports that the regional director of the Ghana Health Service said the practice is unacceptable and appropriate sanctions would be applied to such students.

When did getting pregnant became the duty of an official of the GHS? Is that his business?

Dr Awoonor-Williams should know that not all students are 15years of age and none of the students is his kid. They have parents and know their left from their right.

I will be shocked if he succeeds in this. Let some tell him that he is not serious about what he told the GNA and he must use his time and initiatives on better projects.

Who said if a nursing student is pregnant she cant perform? I hope the students stand for their rights if he attempts such a crazy idea in Ghana.

I CANT KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE IN-LOVE OR NOT, SO DONT ASK ME AGAIN!

What is Love? This is a question a friend asked me sometime ago because he believes i host a relationship program on Radio hence i should know all about Love.

But the truth is, i sometimes get confuse about what really Love is. As a christian, i know God loves in a perfect way and that is why Jesus came to die for my sins. That Love is called Agape love. I don't want to go into what is agape and what is not Agape. Because i still find it difficult to understand the Love of God.

The Love is so strong that it makes me feel secured when i pray to him. I know he will always be there for me and protect me. That is my belief and i will hold unto that.

But i really get confuse when i am asked when do you know that you are "in love and out of love". I am blogging on this because my friends are getting entangled in a web that makes them lack the chance to enjoy themselves and the "Love fever".

They think Love is a concrete thing that must be given to you as a parcel. No! that is not Love. In fact Love is a passion which every one should know by now. It comes and goes and it has seasons and if you treat it well it will surround you for sometime and re-ignite again.

I think those of my friends who are asking this question do not understand this characteristic of Love.

Love is developed and comes after developing likeness for someone. If you really want to know if you are in-love, get to like someone and spend time with the person and if the person does same and develops such feelings and expresses such gestures towards you then you may be falling in love.

Don't ask me again if you are really in love because i dont know and although relationship experts would give you gestures that suggest that, they dont feel what you feel.

When you fall in love, it is only you who knows that you are in love.
I think i have to start writing about Love and share some of the issues with you all in some weeks to come.

IF YOU DONT LIKE YOUR CURRENT JOB AND YOU WANT TO BE SACKED, TALK BAD ABOUT YOUR BOSS!

On Wednesday July 14, 2010 I nearly broke the news that the national coordinator of the national youth council of Ghana Dr. Sekuo Nkrumah, son of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first president would be sacked. I just hesitated in releasing the news.

Yeah, he has been sacked by the presidency of Ghana. Reasons have not been given officially, but am sure many Ghanaians especially those of us in the media know why he has been axed. He does not support the president and his style of managing the affairs of the country.

May be President Mills is not doing things like his father and former president Rawlings who Dr. Sekuo Nkrumah says is a better president than president Mills and former president Kuffuor.

Dr. Sekuo Nkrumah am sure sacked himself long ago before news broke of his interview with a magazine, where he spoke passionately about the Mills-led administration. It is sad though that if you speak your mind, especially against your bosses you get fired.

Recently president Barack Obama in the USA did same with the sacking of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as the top US commander in Afghanistan.

So am thinking if there is any need to criticize those you work with? why do leaders say please criticize me for i am not perfect? It makes me sick and i have vowed not to work with politicians. I will establish my business and be my own boss but i will allow others to talk about what am doing because i think i need it to improve.

It is not entirely true that those who don't like you criticize you. May be those who wish to criticize their bosses may have to consider doing so when they meet them face to face and not via the media because we love to carry such news and we would make sure our trumpeting of the issue gets you to be sacked.

What a world we live in... I now know what to do when i dont like the job i have now! I will talk bad about my boss if am not the boss and go to the media and blog about it. If he or she sees it, he can sack me! I will celebrate.....

Does Africa really need help from the so called Donor countries?

The Ghana News Agency reported on July 14, that Thirteen African Heads of State have appealed to governments in donor countries for financial support to make Education for All (EFA) a lasting legacy of the World Cup 2010 for the benefit of Africa's children.

I read the letter and think i should ask some questions. But before i ask those questions, i must say something.

As Africans we have a societal value that holds in high esteem the family system particularly that of the Extended family. This system allows us to call for help from other family members when we need it. It is splendid, although it has its own disadvantages.

The disadvantages can however be worked on to make the family a unique identity. But over the years, the system has changed and gradually the nuclear system of family from countries beyond Africa is taking over.

People are now becoming individualistic and seeking their own interests. My worry is that the entire African continent is still living on that "Blood Stream of extended family system" and has no idea that things are changing. We are just asking for help any time, any how from any one without considering things properly.

We need to educate our people and teach them what they need to know to develop. But who is supposed to do this for us? Should it be the West? Why are we always asking for help?

Some say the west duped Africa during colonialism but please cant we think well and see through the glass for once? Are we sure we would be given the help just like that without sacrificing?

My biggest question is Do we really need help from the West and the Donors before we do things for our selves and for our people? What a continent? I dont think we know the value of our resources, both human and natural.

Lets start doing things for our selves and stop begging and asking for everything.
Its bleeds my heart a lot.

IF WE CANT PRACTISE DEMOCRACY LETS "THROW" IT AWAY . ITS NOT BY-FORCE

I always say that politics has changed from what existed in ancient days in Greece and Rome although at a point in time the love for power and selfishness covered the thoughts of some noble men.

During those periods, critical analysis were made and such people were called nobles. You have to aspire to become a noble and how dire you mess up! You will lose that image of respect.

Africa has always had leadership before the arrival of colonial nations, but i cant see that unique style of leadership playing a role in the growth of the continent.

We are told things change and Democracy must be the root of governance globally. But i think Africans are finding it difficult to understand what Democracy is all about.
I know some would quickly focus on the famous definition of democracy, but are governments really for the people and by the people? i bet to defer.

The mode of politicians when they are criticized does not speak of that ownership and t really makes politics look like a business venture that is for a group of people who are families as a result of their affiliation.

I think our political scientists should assess our personalities and how we see things and define a better way of governing ourselves. Am afraid things are not well with Africa's leadership because we are really not prepared for democracy and we are really confusing things.

If we are not ready for Democracy, lets "throw" it away and stop messing up with it. I don't see democracy any where in Africa not even in my country Ghana.
Ask me why and i will come again.

THE ILLOGICAL OCTOPUS

So the whole world is thinking this creature the "OCTOPUS" is the best predictor?
But didn't "Paul" get it wrong in the past about some games?

It is not logical that a living thing settles on a piece of substance covered with a cloth belonging to a country and that is interpreted as a prediction.

I don't think it is unless a new Logic professor can buy me into accepting this preposition. I hope the Spaniard are not over excited about this "crap" of truth and think the world cup on Sunday is destined to be theirs.

If Spain wins i don't think it is because of "Octopus Paul". Lets be real and stop this superstitious act. yeah who think it is only Africa that superstition is given prominence over simple problem solving methods? Then think again.

Those who think they are logical are the most illogical sometimes. I will not predict the outcome of Today's and Sunday's Matches but i think the match would have a winner and a loser, that i don't need a Octopus to tell me.

How i wish the Octopus tell the whole world that soon Europe and other super power nations would bow to Africa! Can you believe that?

PLEASE TELL ME WHAT WE ARE CELEBRATING.........

Last night, the black stars players of Ghana returned home and were welcomed by scores of Ghanaians amidst singing and dancing.

It was nice and interesting, but i have been thinking about this statement"We aimed at reaching the Semi-Finals stage, that is our plan". This statement by the GFA boss, Kwesi Nyantekyi boils me up.

I think such mentalities are killing African teams and Africans themselves.
I have no problem congratulating the stars for their performance and how difficult it was for them to loss that match against Uruguay and how "Suarez" cheated but we should not be praising the stars because we did not plan to get to the quarter-finals or no African team progress from the group stage.

I don't think we have to praise the stars because for two consecutive World Cups they have done better than other african teams.
African teams may not be performing well because of this mentality. That no African team has reached the finals before so even if we get to the semi-finals we have made history and must be jubilant about that.

That is mediocrity to the highest level.
If we can aspire to win the Cup, we will get far in this soccer fiesta in future. All the teams want to win the cup and African teams must be part of that, not to get to stage and drop out.

Is God really fair?

The black stars became the third African team to reach the quarter finals of the FIFA world cup that was held in south Africa.

They were hoping to be the first to reach the semi finals until that "hand of God" by Suarez.

What makes me sad is that the same man who gave all he has to win the match for Ghana against the USA is the same man who missed the penalty that would have qualified the stars.

Many people in Ghana who do not love to watch football, were downhearted and could not eat for almost 30 hours. i watched and listen to Ghanaians who kept saying, "why? where is God".

For ones i wanted to sing the same song and ask "Where is God" and add that he is unfair, but i think God is really fair and does things in special ways.

I still think the black stars did great and would be well prepared and ready to move the world in terms of football in Brazil 2014.

This is a bitter experience and i will tell the next generation about this world cup in Africa but am sure i will sing a better song in Brazil because i will be there to cheer the stars on.

GES releases GH¢10m to pay members' outstanding arrears

Government has released of GH¢10 million to the Ghana Education Service (GES) for the payment of all outstanding arrears due to members of the Service nationwide.

A statement signed on Sunday by the Head of the Public Relations, Mr Paul Kofi Krampa at the Ministry of Education, said the arrears include supervision, vehicle maintenance, travel and transport, circuit supervisors as well as overtime allowances for drivers and watchmen.

The statement said the Minister of Education, Mr Alex Tettey-Enyo last Friday, therefore, met the leadership of National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) in Accra where he informed them about the release.

It said the NAGRAT Executives, therefore, expressed their appreciation to government for promptly responding to their concerns and promised to break the good news to their rank and files for them to call off their intended strike action.

It would be recalled that members of NAGRAT threatened to embark on strike action over the delay in the payment of arrears of their allowances.

"Disbursement of the arrears due to members of NAGRAT would begin this week," the statement said.

EARTHQUAKE SCARE IN GHANA KEEPS MANY AWAKE ALL NITE

Hundreds of students here at the university at dawn were in a state of panic after it was rumored this dawn that an earthquake was expected to occur this morning.

The news which broke out as early last night and early this morning spread all over campus. Students came out of their rooms as they gather at open places in anticipation of the earth quake.

Millions of residents around the country also cut short their sleeps and gathered on open places and parks to escape death.

Radio Univers reporters in the news room kept answering calls from residents from all over the country who wanted to confirm the news. Here is one of the many residents who called from cape coast to confirm the news.

POVERTY AND INJUSTICE CAUSE TERRORISM

A law Lecturer at the University of Ghana, Dr. Raymond Atuguba believes extreme poverty coupled with injustice is the major cause of world terrorism.

His comments come in the wake of announcements of tighter security at airports by governments across the world.

Since Christmas day last year, security at major Airports across the world has been very tight and some countries have been blacklisted following the attempted bombing of a US airliner by a young Nigerian Man, Omar Farouk AbdulMutalab.

Dr. Raymond Atuguba says terrorism has its root in poverty and several injustices in society and any attempt to target a particular group of people instead of the real cause will not help fight it.

Dr. Atuguba is suggesting that the world tackles the issue of terrorism in a radical way.

POVERTY AND INJUSTICE CAUSE TERRORISM

A law Lecturer at the university of Ghana, Dr. Raymond Atuguba believes extreme poverty coupled with injustice is the major cause of world terrorism.

His comments come in the wake of announcements of tighter security at airports by governments across the world.Since Christmas day last year, security at major Airports across the world has been very tight and some countries have been blacklisted following the attempted bombing of a US airliner by a young Nigerian Man, Omar Farouk AbdulMutalab.

Dr. Raymond Atuguba says terrorism has its root in poverty and several injustices in society and any attempt to target a particular group of people instead of the real cause will not help fight it.

Dr. Atuguba is suggesting that the world tackles the issue of terrorism in a radical way.

NO LAW AND ORDER IN SOME YEARS TO COME IN GHANA

A Ghanaian sociologist had predicted a break down in the maintenance of law and order in the urban areas of Ghana in some few years to come if government does not move in quickly to tackle the gradual growth in the population of street children and the increase in youth unemployment.

Professor Kodjo Senah who also heads the sociology department of the University of Ghana says the presence of young people who have no jobs and continue to migrate to the urban area is putting the lives of these youth and residents in these areas at risk.

He said many of them are engaging in criminal activities and are doing any thing just to survive; a situation he believes is worrying.

Professor Senah called for an immediate end to the problem. He wanted government to support these youth by creating Jobs for them and preventing many of their colleagues from migrating to the cities.

He was delivering the last in the series of lectures at the 61^st New Year school on the university of Ghana campus on the topic: urbanization and democracy.

GNAT GETS NEW PRESIDENT

The newly elected president of the Ghana national association of teachers has told Radio Univers News that he plans on quickly strengthening the association’s structures in all schools to encourage teachers to get involved in the activities of the association.

Mr. Paul Asamanaba says one of the greatest challenges of the association is the decentralization of the operation of the association which holds the key to dealing with the high level of apathy among teachers.

Mr. Asamanaba and other executive officers were elected at the end of the association’s third Quadrennial and 50^th delegate’s congress at the university of ghana.

He also spoke of the need to build up the capacities of teachers and ensure that what they require to function properly is provided.

Death toll after attack on Togo increases

The death toll from an attack on Togo's football team as they travelled in Angola has risen from one to three.

The team bus driver was killed in Friday's attack, with the deaths of the assistant coach and a spokesman announced a day later.

Two players were among nine people injured in the attack as the team headed to the Africa Cup of Nations.

The team withdrew from the competition, which is due to start on Sunday.

The attack happened in Angola's northern province of Cabinda on Friday.

Among the nine people injured were two players, an assistant manager, physio, goalkeeping coach and another coach.

The attackers machine-gunned the vehicle after it crossed from the Republic of Congo into Angola's oil-rich territory of Cabinda.

Rebels who have been fighting for the region's independence later said they had carried out the attack.

The Angolan government called the incident an "act of terrorism".

Togo had been due to play their first cup game in Cabinda on Monday.

The tournament's organisers, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the team should have travelled by air rather than road.

GNAT BEGINS THIRD QUADRENIAL AND 50TH NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE

Members of the Ghana National Association of Teachers have gathered on the university of Ghana campus for the association’s third quadrennial and 50th national delegate's conference.

Major discussions on the agenda for the conference are starting today at the university of Ghana business auditorium and President Mills is expected to officially open the ceremony on January 5 at the National Theatre in Accra.

The conference is on the theme "Investing in people to achieve quality education by 2010. The public relations officer of GNAT, Nicholas Kodjo Akyire has been briefing Univers News about the conference.

About 750 delegates and observers and representatives of GNAT's sister-organizations including the Canadian Teachers Federation, the Nigerian Union of Teachers and the South African Democratic Teachers Union are attending the conference.

TIGHT SECURITY AT GHANA'S AIRPORT

Following the news of the attempted bombing of a US airliner on Christmas day, security has been tightened at various airports across the world.

Here in Ghana airport authorities have announced that a body screening machine is being installed to detect what travelers carry on them while boarding planes.

During the weekend, authorities of Ghana and Nigeria argued over how many hours the young man who attempted to bomb the US airliner spent in both countries.

Many Ghanaians have reacted to this development describing it as pointless and unnecessary.

BOMB ATTACKER'S STARTING POINT IS POINTLESS

Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities continue to argue over how many hours Nigerian man, Omar Farouk Abdulmutalab spent in both countries before boarding a plan to the USA.

While the Nigerian authorities claim the young man who attempted blowing up a US airliner on last year’s Christmas day spent several hours in Ghana than in Nigerian, Ghanaian officials disagree.

Ghana’s airport officials think the Nigerian government is trying to push the blame of not screening the young man properly on Ghana.

This development has however been described by some Ghanaians as pointless.

MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

I have decided to start writing my autobiography in some days to come starting this year. I have selected June 5 as the day to start writing the book and ask for your prayers.

UG, KNUST AND UDS TO CHOOSE NEW VCs

Three public universities in Ghana are expected to start processes necessary to ensure that they get new vice chancellors as the current vice chancellors of these three institutions complete their terms of office later this year.

The University of Ghana and the KNUST have all advertised for the position and are expected to start receiving applications soon.

The UDS, the third institution will take the opportunity to appoint a substantive vice chancellor. The position has been vacant for some time now and has sparked many protests from students.

CONDOMS TOO LARGE FOR A MAJORITY OF INDIAN MEN

A survey of more than 1,000 men in India has concluded that condoms made according to international sizes are too large for a majority of Indian men.
The study found that more than half of the men measured had penises that were shorter than international standards for condoms.
It has led to a call for condoms of mixed sizes to be made more widely available in India.
The two-year study was carried out by the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Over 1,200 volunteers from the length and breadth of the country had their penises measured precisely, down to the last millimeter.
The scientists even checked their sample was representative of India as a whole in terms of class, religion and urban and rural dwellers.