DEAR NEW YEAR

2013 set in somewhat as fast as you are trying to come. We all anticipated it, expecting big things and goals. When we rolled into that year, things began rolling as people worked tirelessly towards their goals. Everyone wanted to pluck the first fruits and of course the best ones. Let me share with you my outlook of the coming year.
I think 2014 is going to be good and bad depending on how one approaches it. For whatsoever reasons, it doesn’t come with a lot of fears as the previous year did. People seem rather positive and optimistic about it. Friends and families hope to get better relationships while enemies have resolved to stay best of allies.

            Here are three things I expect to see in 2014, thus, in the 12 months of the coming year and in its 365 days:
A positive people. I wish that people around me will be more encouraging and positive towards what they think, say and do. I hate to see people who are naysayers. People who take pride in dampening other people’s spirits are actually not work being with. So to speak, in 2013, most people around me tried to shut down quite alot of my dreams. Others also ended their goals with their actions and speech. It baffles me how some people are just pessimistic about a whole lot of things. They just cannot believe in themselves not to think of others. I hope and pray that people will just stand up to the reality of life and try to tackle each situation with all positivity in this coming year.

Easy flow of money. Hey let’s face it, this year was not a financially sound one (well, atleast for me), so I hope the coming year will be better. People even perceived that the monetary state of the country had dropped making it difficult for money to be “pumped into the system”. As funny as it may sound, it was rather a difficult situation for most of us. We all know how money is an integral part of our lives. For that matter, may the New Year present us with more cash and opportunities that will redirect us to getting something into our pockets.

Dreams come true. Many goals have been set to be achieved this coming year. 2013 left most goals unattained and unfulfilled. I was quite lucky to have just one of mine achieved (not so good). People want to get married, others get admitted in schools and some to probably travel outside of the country to seek greener pastures elsewhere. Wherever you and I belong is for the coming year to grant us luck to get there. Best wishes that were sent out by well wishes during the Yuletide must come to pass. However it might need hardwork and diligence to get us there. For sure we will get there if we put our best to it.

                To the New Year, I say welcome. May you be packed with all the experiences, lessons, opportunities, and memories. We will be expecting all the big surprises that you may come up with, and not forgetting those amazing goodies. Please get along friendly. Be kind and gentle. At each time when we get off track, alert us, counsel us and get us back on track. Bring us new relationships and stir up the greatness within us. Remember, you are even (number 14) so act even.

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A "GHANABA"

The year 2013 began with a lot of misconceptions and fear about the unlucky number 13. Though much went on, a lot seem unachieved. Various drama unfolded, lives gained and some lost, heads of states and leaders died and some assigned into power. Indeed, there were many events that were displayed in the year all thanks to the Giver of life. However, much is needed to be done on the African continent and as a matter of fact, Ghana especially. A drive around town in the nation’s city leaves a lot of questions in one’s state of mind. In this article, I shall attempt to draw focus on a few assets that the nation is lacking.

                 Children playgrounds seem a thing of the past. It is rather appalling that children, the future leaders of the nation, do not have a place in the country prepared specially for them at vantage points. Just a few places have been marked as playgrounds for our children for instance, the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra. However, these places lack recreational facilities that may catch the eyes of the children who visit there. Also, before children could gain access to such places, they mostly have to pay which should not always be the case. A suitable place for children is also well established at the Accra Mall around the Tetteh Quarshie round- about but as usual and typical of Ghana, it is luxurious and rather expensive for parents and children to afford. So what can be done to ensure that children have fun and build their physical and mental well being in the coming years? I leave that to you and I to answer.

                Cinemas are places where good films are showcased for public viewing. It is indisputable that televisions and video electronic gadgets are in use in our homes. However, cinemas will be centers for socialization, outdooring and dissemination of good movies for audiences. Again, the well known cinema house in Ghana, Accra to be precise, is the Silver Bird Cinema located inside the Accra Mall. This place is the maiden name on most minds in the city of Accra. My questions then are, what about those in the rural areas? How many people can the Silver Bird house? Do patrons need to pay large sums to watch a movie which mostly lasts in a short period of time? Ghana needs to rise up in this aspect of entertainment and recreation for its people to enjoy. More cinemas must be built especially in rural areas to showcase educative and cultural movies to citizens, and to provide an avenue for socialization among people.

                Waste bins are an answer to our filthy state. Ghana is noted to be among the filthiest places in the world today. It is not surprising why this is so if you live in a country where little or no waste bins is found in town. Waste bins are seen mostly at homes where individuals have a sense of ownership for the rubbish they make and collect. The case is therefore different when you reach the towns and cities, even sometimes the communities lack waste bins at regular check points. Again, I ask myself why that is so. This condition leaves citizens no choice than to drop waste materials on the ground. The only accessible waste disposal joints are in heaps alongside roads, and are mostly stinky and unhygienic. I strongly believe that this could be resolved quickly to promote a healthy and filth-free environment in the coming year. Zoomlion is making great efforts but they could extend their litter bins into the towns and cities and markets where people mostly meet for transactions, travelling and other purposes.

                Community libraries would not be a bad idea at all. Lack of effective reading and comprehension is killing the current Ghanaian, specifically the child. Ask Ama, a primary three pupil to read a simple sentence and that may be a very big problem. This stems up to the fact that the necessary resources to improve the child’s reading is lacking. Story books and other reading materials are not much available for keen readers because they are either stuffed in the book shops for sale or are just sitting on shelves unannounced about their existence. What I mean is that, quality books must consistently be announced and reviewed to students during forums and conferences. Teachers can also deliberately recommend books such as the African Writer’s Series to their class during lessons. One library I still remember and hope to be checking up on is the George Padmore Library somewhere in Ridge, Accra (though I think it needs some restructuring and restocking). How many books are advertised through our media these days as compared to the liquors and condoms? Is that a mark of a nation seeking after a Better Ghana? Wonderfully, all the answers to our miseries are hidden in these books that we fail to read as citizens.

                Science laboratories and workshops will be another step to greatness. This can be set up atleast in the capital towns of each region. By this, people can visit at their own convenience (especially science lovers) so that they can be trained in the practical application of science and experiments involving our physical world. The level and pace at which science is evolving is fast and must be tackled with a lot more experience and research. A resourceful science centre accessible by the large portion of the people may serve a good purpose. Timely workshops can also be set up to educate the people on the usefulness of science and its application in the country. A lot more hands can be pushed into our manufacturing, mining and agricultural industries with the introduction of this initiative. Also, more minds will be broadened to introduce great inventions and to explore unique opportunities in and around the nation.

                I could have gone on and on if only time was on my side. All these notwithstanding, we are making great efforts in other areas such as sports, education, tourism and culture and agricultural development that are highly commendable. A lot more work however needs to be done to relieve ourselves of the greater stress that we are lashed with currently. I take this time to congratulate Ghanaians on their peace and stability, Mr. President for his effortless governance, the Black stars on their remarkable performance, the Miss Ghana on her outstanding qualification, and you reading for your time and interest in this piece. I wish to continue some other time. Kindly leave your comments and opinions (or visit switstica@gmail.com).