It's been a trying couple of weeks...just thankful that all the worrying and fear is over. What do you do when a loved one goes missing? Especially when the individual is high profile and it cannot be put out on the airwaves? Well that's the situation I found myself in a few weeks ago when someone close to me did just that....it was like I was watching a feature film because the events were just incredible! All the worry, loss of appetite, you name it, I went through it.
I even did some P.I.work myself...travelling down the road that goes right to the Togo border and stopping at each police barrier, making enquiries, showing a photograph of the missing person with the hope that someone will spot this person. The trip was a good one, especially as I had not been to the border we share with Togo for yonks! However I was not there for the sight seeing...but I tell you that trip made me realise how under-utilised the Volta River is.
As soon as I alighted from the vehicle, a young boy started speaking to me in French, asking whether I wanted to change some money. I replied that I didn't, then he started to ask if I needed accomodation, this time I stoppped in my tracks and told him to back off....I was on a mission and didn't need people distracting the purpose of this trip! It does pay to speak the lingo (French I mean) because you will never know when one might need to get out of a jam. Anyway I am digressing..unfortunately my trip did not attain the results I was looking for so all I could do was to leave my contact details and the photography behind.
One of the policemen who took my number at one of the barrier posts, called me a few times before I got back to Accra and I was not pleased because I know he was not calling to give me good news but for personal reasons. The same policeman called me the following morning and I had to tell him where to get off....sexual harrassment is not what I needed at that time of the morning (or at any time for that matter).
An sms from a strange number brought good news! My missing person had been spotted west of Accra. I was told to get there quickly but as I was waiting for my car to return from the fitting shop, I called a close friend of mine to tell him the good news and he offered to go and pick up my missing person. After all the worry and anguish I thought I was ready for this but my hands started to shake so badly, I could hardly dial numbers on my mobile phone.
A number of people still ask how I was able to stay calm during the entire period and I answered it was my faith that kept me going. All's well that ends well.
Friday, 21 August 2009
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Tribute to Michael Jackson
Been a while since I wrote anything and there's been a lot on my mind. Still trying to come to terms with the fact that MJ is no longer with us. He made me feel Bad and Dangerous...almost like a Smooth Criminal and that was totally Off the Wall. However, Looking Through the Window, it made me want to Scream but then again, I was just a Stranger in Moscow.
Just been rhyming like this for the last month and don't think it's going to stop...on the contrary I Want to get something Started but after looking at the Man in the Mirror, I will Remember the Time, it was Human Nature and Ebony & Ivory were a Thriller.
I grew up to the music of the Jackson 5 and later when Michael strived out on his own bought each album that he realeased. Even got my son hooked on all his music and taught him how to do the Moonwalk (yes I used to be a dancer many decades ago) and still have all the moves.
Rest in peace MJ you worked Day and Night, tried to Heal the World and got my dance crew call me PYT.
MJ, Gone Too Soon.
Just been rhyming like this for the last month and don't think it's going to stop...on the contrary I Want to get something Started but after looking at the Man in the Mirror, I will Remember the Time, it was Human Nature and Ebony & Ivory were a Thriller.
I grew up to the music of the Jackson 5 and later when Michael strived out on his own bought each album that he realeased. Even got my son hooked on all his music and taught him how to do the Moonwalk (yes I used to be a dancer many decades ago) and still have all the moves.
Rest in peace MJ you worked Day and Night, tried to Heal the World and got my dance crew call me PYT.
MJ, Gone Too Soon.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Polygamy
Polygamy is still practised in Africa, parts of the Middle East and some other places. However I am tackling this from the African perspective and how it is still popular in our society. I was asked a question yesterday about if I would like to be in a polygamous relationship. I giggled when asked this and confessed to the person (whom I shall refer to as Nana) that if I had been asked that question twenty years ago, I would have said no and that would have been the end of it. However these days, I was ready to listen to one's reason for taking that path. He proceeded to explain why he was asking me the question, though it sounded like he was either contemplating it, or was trying to see if it would be considered "cool" seeing as he is a celebrity, or wanted my response as a test. Still not clear why he asked me and we shall be having a second discussion next week.
These days my interactions with a number of polygamous families has given me an insight as to how these families do thrive. Do not misunderstand me, I do not discriminate between monogamous relationships or polygamous ones or choose my friends based on what type of relationship they were procreated from. Everyone is welcome to be my friend. It is only that in the last decade or so, I have had the opportunity to really see how a polygamous relationship works as I have been linked to few families who still embrace this type of relationship. I marvel at the way the 'wives' all seem to get along as well as the children. Back in the UK in the late eighties during my student days, I will never forget the night a close friend of mine, jumped on the tube armed with a box of Kleenex Men's tissues, ended up ringing the doorbell to my flat like a mad woman, only for her to announce that she had just found out her father had some other children. We were both in shock and felt that her Dad had betrayed ALL of us. These days that sort of news is not shocking anymore.
I happen to know a gentleman who has a number of wives (I am still not quite sure of the number) who shares his week among the wives. For example from Sunday to Tuesday he can be found at house A, from Wednesday to Thursday house B and so on. I do not know how he does it, especially as he is not quite as young as he used to be.
What I would like to know about polygamy, especially from the men, is, why does one have so many women or is it that one cannot find the one woman with the most qualities, hence the different choices? Or is it that given the shortage of men, one is trying to make up for it, hence giving the ladies a chance? I would really like to hear from you gents out there.
I still have not answered the question I was asked yesterday and still debating if I should. Quite frankly I am not the type to share so at least you know what my answer is going to be......
These days my interactions with a number of polygamous families has given me an insight as to how these families do thrive. Do not misunderstand me, I do not discriminate between monogamous relationships or polygamous ones or choose my friends based on what type of relationship they were procreated from. Everyone is welcome to be my friend. It is only that in the last decade or so, I have had the opportunity to really see how a polygamous relationship works as I have been linked to few families who still embrace this type of relationship. I marvel at the way the 'wives' all seem to get along as well as the children. Back in the UK in the late eighties during my student days, I will never forget the night a close friend of mine, jumped on the tube armed with a box of Kleenex Men's tissues, ended up ringing the doorbell to my flat like a mad woman, only for her to announce that she had just found out her father had some other children. We were both in shock and felt that her Dad had betrayed ALL of us. These days that sort of news is not shocking anymore.
I happen to know a gentleman who has a number of wives (I am still not quite sure of the number) who shares his week among the wives. For example from Sunday to Tuesday he can be found at house A, from Wednesday to Thursday house B and so on. I do not know how he does it, especially as he is not quite as young as he used to be.
What I would like to know about polygamy, especially from the men, is, why does one have so many women or is it that one cannot find the one woman with the most qualities, hence the different choices? Or is it that given the shortage of men, one is trying to make up for it, hence giving the ladies a chance? I would really like to hear from you gents out there.
I still have not answered the question I was asked yesterday and still debating if I should. Quite frankly I am not the type to share so at least you know what my answer is going to be......
Monday, 18 May 2009
Sort the Power Problem Now!
Yesterday there was a power outage and we had not received any prior warning. The lights were off from about 0900hrs and came back on at 22.30hrs. This morning there was another power outage which lasted from 0850hrs to 1700hrs. We have only just been told that the 33,000 KVA transformer blew at Achimota which controls the main power stations for Accra.
We all know that the Akosombo Hydro Electric dam cannot provide electricity to the growing population of Ghana. Currently the Bui dam which had its blue print ready since the late fifties and early sixties is being constructed. Already the villagers situated near the Bui dam have been complaining about their relocation etc. but that is another story for another day.
What I would like to know is, what are we doing about solar and wind power? We are blessed with long hours of sunshine and still there are high import duties on solar equipment. Wind power is also a great option, seeing as cities such as Accra and Takoradi are situated along the coast but there has not been much talk about that as a solution either. The government should know by now that hydro dams are only one solution. We do have a thermal plant in the Western region but that relies on crude oil. Though large deposits of oil have recently been discovered in the Western region, the companies have not started producing commercial quantities, so we are stuck with using imported crude to run this plant.
The populace have been stuck with long months of scheduled and unscheduled outages and one would think that after 52 years of independence we would have been able to sort out our power problems by now.
Let me hear from you and how you are dealing with power solutions and/or outages wherever you are.
We all know that the Akosombo Hydro Electric dam cannot provide electricity to the growing population of Ghana. Currently the Bui dam which had its blue print ready since the late fifties and early sixties is being constructed. Already the villagers situated near the Bui dam have been complaining about their relocation etc. but that is another story for another day.
What I would like to know is, what are we doing about solar and wind power? We are blessed with long hours of sunshine and still there are high import duties on solar equipment. Wind power is also a great option, seeing as cities such as Accra and Takoradi are situated along the coast but there has not been much talk about that as a solution either. The government should know by now that hydro dams are only one solution. We do have a thermal plant in the Western region but that relies on crude oil. Though large deposits of oil have recently been discovered in the Western region, the companies have not started producing commercial quantities, so we are stuck with using imported crude to run this plant.
The populace have been stuck with long months of scheduled and unscheduled outages and one would think that after 52 years of independence we would have been able to sort out our power problems by now.
Let me hear from you and how you are dealing with power solutions and/or outages wherever you are.
May: the month of Women for High Office
Congratulations to the four women who won the parliamentary seats in Kuwait's election a few days ago. To think women in Kuwait were only given the right to vote in 2006. I salute you four! Also Lithuania has its first female president.. May is certainly the month for women vying for high office and getting the positions.
However when it comes to Ghana, I will say that we are stuck in a rut. The current president promised a 40% inclusion of women in high office but unfortunately, 100 days and counting, we are only at 11%. How disappointing! I really would like to know why there is a delay in appointing more women and believe me, we do have quite a bevy of qualified ladies out there both in the diaspora and in Ghana who are keen to assist; me included :)
The most disappointing act came Friday 15 May, 2009 when it was announced that the most senior female police officer who was acting as Inspector General, was passed over for the appointment and rather to be made an Ambassador. The job as Inspector General of Police was going to...can you guess? A man. I have the highest respect for Inspector General Paul Quaye as I have had the opportunity to liaise with him on an IT project for the Police Service I was working on with the late Danny Whyte. However I think, the President would have gotten the approval of the women in Ghana if he had given Mrs. Mills-Robertson, the job of Inspector General.
And can someone please tell me why oh why are ambassadorial positions used in this country to pat people on the back? If you ask me, I think the ambassadorial position which is going to be given to Mrs. Mills-Robertson is an insult. This lady would do Ghana a greater honour if she were to continue to work in high office.
Your thoughts? Waiting to read them.
However when it comes to Ghana, I will say that we are stuck in a rut. The current president promised a 40% inclusion of women in high office but unfortunately, 100 days and counting, we are only at 11%. How disappointing! I really would like to know why there is a delay in appointing more women and believe me, we do have quite a bevy of qualified ladies out there both in the diaspora and in Ghana who are keen to assist; me included :)
The most disappointing act came Friday 15 May, 2009 when it was announced that the most senior female police officer who was acting as Inspector General, was passed over for the appointment and rather to be made an Ambassador. The job as Inspector General of Police was going to...can you guess? A man. I have the highest respect for Inspector General Paul Quaye as I have had the opportunity to liaise with him on an IT project for the Police Service I was working on with the late Danny Whyte. However I think, the President would have gotten the approval of the women in Ghana if he had given Mrs. Mills-Robertson, the job of Inspector General.
And can someone please tell me why oh why are ambassadorial positions used in this country to pat people on the back? If you ask me, I think the ambassadorial position which is going to be given to Mrs. Mills-Robertson is an insult. This lady would do Ghana a greater honour if she were to continue to work in high office.
Your thoughts? Waiting to read them.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Mother's Day
Today is Mother's Day in Ghana...seems like we chose to follow the US and the rest. It has been an excellent day beginning first with a service at Church were all Mums were called forward to be prayed for. We were also given lovely presents; bright beautiful scarves. The residing Pastor, Andy Yawson, read out a lovely poem which had been composed by him together with the Men of Honour's group at church. Will just like to share it with you mothers out there as it really describes us.
The Winning Woman
They come in different shapes and sizes
And none seems to be like the other
It simply isn't worth comparing
one to the other
We call this unique creature
the Winning Woman
Life's expectations sometimes suffers great delays
while we scrratch and plan how to endure these
She waits patiently on God to display
O yes, this kind of waiter is
the Winning Woman
Battles are the integral part of life
And loyalties are tested in strife
The one who will not sell out
come what may
Is the unique warrior we call
the Winning Woman
God created Man and set him an assignment
He had great abilities but God noted a flfaw
He put man to sleep and performed a wonder
And behold the wonder we call
the Winning Woman
Pastor Andy Yawson
It was also a day of reflection as I paid tribute to my late Mum. She was such fun to be with and considered all her children as her best friends. As the morning began, I felt a tinge of sadness bringing tears to my eyes, however it was the fondest memories of her that put a smile back on my face. Memories of her whilst I was a child, a teenager and when I became a mother. She had so much patience, and was deep in the Christian faith. I miss her dearly especially on a day like this but I am consoled by the fact that she was my mentor and my guide.
She may not be here physically but her presence is still so great within and around me. As a mother, I look at my son and I am overjoyed that he is growing up well. When he was put in my arms I looked at him and wondered when he will grow up. He's will be 12 in 3 weeks and I am truly blessed to have had him.
Happy Mother's day everyone!
The Winning Woman
They come in different shapes and sizes
And none seems to be like the other
It simply isn't worth comparing
one to the other
We call this unique creature
the Winning Woman
Life's expectations sometimes suffers great delays
while we scrratch and plan how to endure these
She waits patiently on God to display
O yes, this kind of waiter is
the Winning Woman
Battles are the integral part of life
And loyalties are tested in strife
The one who will not sell out
come what may
Is the unique warrior we call
the Winning Woman
God created Man and set him an assignment
He had great abilities but God noted a flfaw
He put man to sleep and performed a wonder
And behold the wonder we call
the Winning Woman
Pastor Andy Yawson
It was also a day of reflection as I paid tribute to my late Mum. She was such fun to be with and considered all her children as her best friends. As the morning began, I felt a tinge of sadness bringing tears to my eyes, however it was the fondest memories of her that put a smile back on my face. Memories of her whilst I was a child, a teenager and when I became a mother. She had so much patience, and was deep in the Christian faith. I miss her dearly especially on a day like this but I am consoled by the fact that she was my mentor and my guide.
She may not be here physically but her presence is still so great within and around me. As a mother, I look at my son and I am overjoyed that he is growing up well. When he was put in my arms I looked at him and wondered when he will grow up. He's will be 12 in 3 weeks and I am truly blessed to have had him.
Happy Mother's day everyone!
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Another Year
Giving thanks for another year....made it to 42 and so grateful to you God. Certainly would not have done this without you. You have given me the patience and guidance to go through the mill of life which has its ups and downs but thankfully I have had more ups than downs.
This is definitely going to be one of my best years and I am embracing it. My verse for my birthday is Psalm 31:1-5
This is definitely going to be one of my best years and I am embracing it. My verse for my birthday is Psalm 31:1-5
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