Dear Ex, I Wish You Knew This...

The phone went dead in my ears as I dropped unto the floor in total regret and tears. All efforts to make this work proved futile. Days turned to weeks which turned into months. How I wish you reasoned the same with me, then things could have been easier for both of us. Cry as much as I did, nothing could change your mind about coming back to us. To you, we were a dead piece of wood that could never be revived by barrels of water. Total disregard for what we once shared was what we decided to embark on. Such a long goodbye we bid for a journey to an uncertain world. My darling. Sorry, I wish I could call you that but it's no longer a valid title. I miss you and yet I am scared to let you know lest you consider me weak and lonely.

For so long I have remained in the silence that you left behind. No more  early morning and late night calls from you. No more dates and long walks in the cold night. No more giggles and tickles from you. It's a shame that two grown ups could only resolve to letting go when we could have stayed through to the end. And as if letting go was not enough, we chose to punish each other with the silence at the end of the line. Reliving the memories we shared only causes the heart to ache. Sharing what we had with others only remains as an experience worth telling. No amount of Justin Bieber's "Sorry" will work the magic of having you back,  or maybe it would. Ours is a broken bridge now; where neither of us can walk to eachother's side without falling into the deep.

If tomorrow ever comes, I want you to know that I have deep remorse for losing a good friend as you. I always have you in a chamber of my heart. Forgetting you will be like forgetting my birthday. I hope that you are happy where you are. If you are not, remember that neither am I. We can only not make the mistake twice by letting eachother go again and again so let's stick to this pattern. Whatever it may be, let us keep hope alive knowing that we shall meet again. Face to face we shall meet again. We shall meet but no more as lovers but as friends. And when we do, I hope we smile and say, "I'm glad I met you".

Before I let you go, I must tell you that moving on has given me room to accept who I am. I have chosen to be strong and confident. Learning to be alone has taught me many things including loving myself first. I have grown into believing in myself so much that I release the energy of being myself wherever I go. I have learnt not to try to fit into someone else's space. Losing is now winning to me because now I know that to lose is to gain something more greater. I hope you get to know that too.

Always remember that I bear you no grudge. I think of you the same way as I always have. I still believe in you and how beautiful you made my world feel like. Get to meet more people and forget about me since you already know how to do that so well. I will also try to do same. I hope that when you think about me it makes you smile; I do that all the time. Do not think of me as a devil because I'm no such person. Let love remain. We will outgrow it all oneday.

From an ex-lover to the one I once loved and wish I still did, I hope you get to know that I have not forgotten about everything yet. I would really be inhuman if I should admit I have. Cherishing every moment and memories of my life is what I do best. I wish this dream never ends. Don't wake me up.

Justica Anima  
adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Simple Steps to Attracting Rewards Into Your Life.

"If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life." - Micheal Jordan

If you are an achiever, being the rule rather than the exception is always your goal. Nobody wants to be on the bench without getting noticed. You do not want to be stuck at one place without getting all the benefits and promotions that are being offered at your workplace. In an era where there is competition for the job market, you and I cannot afford to be pushed out. Employers are also on the lookout for exceptional result oriented people to work with.  Whether you are an employee or individual seeking rewards and results, reading this article is a great start for you to reach the level you aim at.

Engage in high Performance

Getting rewards for jobs done are very fulfilling and it takes a great deal of effort to get there. You need to be effective, proactive, and an over-achiever to get to pull a lot of customers. The customers are those who bring income into the organisation and therefore targeting them is the best approach. You do not want to seem pushy; trying to impose your product or services on them. The goal is to engage customers and try to know and understand their needs. A lot of employers have gotten a raise or promotion in their companies because the customers enjoy their services. Personally, I know of a waitress who gets all the customers' attention at her place of work because they claim she renders better services. Do you know what that means for her? She gets to receive more tip offs from customers and better treatment from her boss. On top of it, she may get a better job offer from another employer.

Share your company or brand

Proactively promoting your company is another way to get results at the workplace. Share your company's mission and vision with people whose needs are channeled in your direction. This move will ensure that more people get hooked on to your brand or market. Making your company your business fetches you enough credibility both with your employer and prospective customers. Sharing  also helps people know your capabilities and are able to trust you with their problems for your solutions. In turn, you get additional rewards in terms of monetary gain and endorsements. It is sad to hear most employees complaining about rewards when they have done little to help increase productivity at the workplace. Note that; the more you put in, the more you will get out of whatever venture you are into.

Include your ideas

When it comes to attracting rewards, many factors come into play and any smart employee will device all means to get to the top. Adding your inclusion by bringing on board real solutions to some problems is also a plus to your skills. Wherever there are loop holes, you must be able to fix your ideas. Rewards come to those who are up for the challenge. Active people are always in check for results. They are aware of the need to be on top of their game. They therefore learn and gather information and relevant skills needed for their success. They are not mediocre and so having unique features are their focus.

Learn from a team

Teaming up is another sure way of reaching higher performance. Smart people utilize the power of team work to their own advantage. It allows you to learn on the field, and helps you to brainstorm ideas with other equally talented people. Asking and answering questions while on the team is how you quickly tap into other people's knowledge and expertise. You get an added advantage by deliberately decided to learn from other team members. At the end of it all, you must be sure that you have added value to yourself which will help you to achieve greater and more results. Be observant and reorient yourself by engaging and learning from others.

Deliberately attract rewards

Expect to attract rewards and draw your focus on just that. Nothing is more fulfilling than achieving great results and applause for work done. Never half do anything. Give everything your maximum attention while deciding to reach the top of your game. Take advantage of all the tools and skills and people available. Focus on the end rather than the beginning. Anyone who has accomplished things in life understands that 90 percent of the rewards in life come on the back end, not the front end. Meaning, a great sense of personal satisfaction comes from completing a job and doing it well. And of course the monetary rewards also come from finishing. People who never finish anything never experience these rewards. By doing so, you prepare yourself for bigger opportunities than  anyone else around you. Remember, it's a win-win situation. Always.

I hope this boosts your energy to strive for more rewards. Share your thoughts on the topic. How have you achieved results in your life? What challenges have you faced while pursuing for results? Which level of achiever are you? Let's get interactive.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

Floods in Accra: Talk Talk, No Show.

Growing up in Accra was fun. I recall the days when children were excited about rainfall because we would get the chance to bath in the rains. After the rains, I was part of the squad who went out on a snail  hunting spree in search of some snails for the household. It was during this stage of my life that I discovered that some snails are edible while others are poisonous; same with mushrooms. Games like "ampe", "tumatu" and clay moulding were also much interesting when played after the rains. For instance,  "tumatu" involved,  first of all,  drawing lines on the ground. You then use sand-in-rubber to jump into each stage till you reach the final level of the game. In all of these processes, the wet ground facilitated clearer lines and proper landing of the sand-in-rubber (the material that determines which level you get into in the game). These days I don't really see children playing these games as much as we did in those days; not on sunny days and neither on rainy days. Perhaps, floods are posing a bigger threat with regards to rainfall in Accra unlike before. 

Rainfall seem to have become a scare for the people of Accra,  especially following the June 3 floods that took away many lives. Nobody dares to play in the rains any longer. My Alajo(a suburb of Accra) days cannot be forgotten when it comes to talking about floods. If you live in the part of Accra where it does not easily get flooded thank Heavens. Those were sad times because rains entered our rooms and most of our belongings would be seen swimming in the water. For days, we had to hang our mattress and wet items in the sun which really did not show up during such moments. It was always a pitiful sight to behold. Sometimes we had to just make fun of the situation and laugh at neighbors whose shoes and "Ghana must go" bags were being carried away. Seeing them chasing after these things could really crack a person up with laughter, despite all that was going on around us. 

Tuning in to my radio set this morning really brought back memories. Can you believe that somewhere last year, the floods carried away a listener's kiosk which she found three days after? What could be the solution to this worrying issue which render people sleepless whenever there are rains? The feeling of loosing a property or a loved one to the floods is what terrifies people these days. One can only ask him or herself if the rains are a blessing or a curse. To me, the focus should be shifted from the rains and be brought to real human activities that pose this challenge in society. Some of these activities may include dumping of refuse into gutters(which I have observed on several occasions), littering around, and not regularly distilling our gutters. 

Recently, I got stuck at Nkrumah Circle because of the rains. I was at the bus stop near Vodafone when the rains suddenly came down, and so I went to seek cover at a Filling station close by. After about ten minutes I decided to move from there and find the next available car to my house because the ground was gradually filling up with rains. On crossing to the other side of the road where I could get a car home, I realised the place was already flooded. There and then, I asked myself if the N1 Interchange constructors had considered building drains or not? The answer to this question is quite obvious. The radio station I tuned in to also had a Public Relations personnel from Zoomlion Waste Management Company, promising Ghanaians, and those in Accra precisely, that the Odaw river dredging exercise was underway. This really got me pissed. What  will 'underway' in this context mean to listeners who need clear answers to this problem? I must admit that so much talk with nothing to show for it is killing us as a nation. It is rather funny how the Odaw river too has been blamed for almost every flood in Accra and yet little or nothing at all is being done about it. 

Let's be frank to ourselves, when last did you drop rubbish on the ground? Was it your fault that you dropped it off since you did not get any wastebin to drop them into? After every sanitation day program, do we collect the rubbish we remove from the gutters or we just leave them there? What is the permanent solution to flooding in Accra? As for me and my family, the little we can do is not to litter around and clean our gutters regularly. Can we guarantee same solution for people in our neighborhood and expect that they will willingly comply? As more and more people are migrating into Accra, are there measures to control waste management or should we just totally forget about finding solutions? I must also make mention that there are fewer drainage systems in most neighborhoods in Accra that could allow easily flow of water into the sea. Assembly men and Community leaders should quickly help check that more drainage systems are built. 

My last statement should be read with meaning... Dear Accra Mayor and policy makers in the Accra Metropolis, save us the plenty talk and less work to show for it. Accra is our 'city' and we need to maintain that status without fear or favor. The last time I checked, a city is a central business district. This is where most of our investors and business  partners come to deliberate on important National agenda and international market relations discussions. Do your possible best to save it. We are truly tired of all the promises and talks. The earlier you put your pens to paper, the better Accra it will be for all of us. You cannot expect us to pay taxes and not demand for solutions from you. Then we might as well keep our monies and use them to solve our own issues in the most efficient ways we can.

What is your take on the Floods in Accra? How have you been a victim to this flood situation? Is it the individual or government responsibility to solve this menace? I will love to hear from you. Let's all help to build a better Accra together. Stop littering. Do the right thing. Also, don't forget to spread the word. 

Justica Anima 

Adjeianima@gmail.com 

Switstica.blogspot.com 

A People of Varied "Class"

Note; this is dedicated to all University students across Ghana. Picture yourself in it. Let's try to make the mind find its way through this maze. This is supposed to be a journal which will remain in the archives of our minds as members of a strong society and institution. If your admission into a university(GIJ to be precise) got you very excited, brace yourself for what is coming... You are not alone. The feeling was like winning a lottery or a visa to the USA.

An uncomfortable state of being however set in when I, for one,  discovered that my name was on the last class list labelled "E". In my head, I was thinking why the administration had to by pass all the letters A, B, C... and decide to place me in E. I heaved a sigh though, after all I'm still going to be in GIJ. Nothing is going to change about that.

 We started the journey and I must confess that Class E has not been boring at all. It is really sad to think about the fact that so soon the journey of first year has ended. The indelible mark and memories shared will stay with us for a long time. There are amazing stories of people to share; and oh! I like to talk about people and events, especially when they are overwhelmingly incredible. My class was a mixture of talent, craze, brainies, entrepreneurs, gangsters, beauties, and everything put together. Just imagine any character in the world and you are sure to find one there(especially when we even had an ex shoemaker for a lecturer). Let's quickly get to the Hall of Fame for the 2015/2016 Class E year group.

Remember, this is for the fun and memories of the moment. You can also call this list provisional since it is subject to scrutiny and changes. Also, pardon wrong name spellings. Nicknames will also be replaced with real names in cases where real names are not popularly known. List is also based on class observance only. (Non-GIJ and non-Class E students should feel free to fix their names)

CLASS 'E' HALL OF FAME  

Most Talkers: Front Row Girls

Most Outspoken: Suhini, Raphael, Italiano, Chantelle, Fayiza, Abraham, Debby, Taliban, Nicholyn, Kabu Nartey, Monica, Millicent Edudzi, Ella(in glasses).

Most Quite: Marsha, Evans Mawuli, Richmond, Millicent Tamakloe, Babara Donkor, Timer

Most Fashionable Ladies: Annabella, Grandma, Jennifer(AJ) 

Most Fashionable Gentlemen: Frank, Bismark, Nat(Anas) 

Most Sociable: Alex, Khadija, Fayiza, Alima, Raphael, Lady

Most Behaved: Murphy, Lorenzo, Ams Writer, Timer, Mark Ofosu, Becca, Vanessa, Bismark Oduro, Mina, Aisha Ibrahim, Gina

Most Industrious: Mark, Kabu Nartey, Millicent Edudzi, Tracy, Alex

Most Loud in Class/Group page: Alima, Kwesi, Helena, Mercy, Tracy

Most Creative: Bismark, Taliban, Kabu Nartey, Ams Writer, Kwesi, Tracy, Mina

Class Elders: Mrs. Cynthia, Jesus, Italiano, Suhini, Grandma, Bismark 

Late Comers: Back row

I have observed with keen interest through my lenses how the class members have turned out to be a great family. I must also confess that there are a little hitches among some members. Hey! Let us try and shake off all the grudges. We must be ready to face the rest of the trip without any baggages. To those group members, friends, colleagues, who split for various reasons, I pray that you have a change of mind. We are going on a long vacation and who knows what might happen. That person you are not on good terms with might be no more. Hurry! Go give them a long hug or a handshake(no time for gay-tags), try and settle your differences.

On behalf of all the bullies and no-nonsense people in any class, I apologize to every person who have been offended knowingly or unknowingly by some actions and inactions exhibited in times past. And to all the great people who caused us enormous joy through their great friendships and experiences shared, we say 'Ayekoo'. Your jokes, smiles, company, and funny comments, made the journey an unforgettable one.

Dear good Samaritans, you in one way or the other saved our ass by paying for our transport fares, sharing your food and drinks, lending us extra pens(which we forgot to return), bought us handouts, and did us many more favors which we are grateful for. We say, "God bless you!". But for you, life on campus would have been quite a hell.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com

A Typical Wet Day In Ghana's Capital City.

You know you are in Accra when clouds begin forming and winds start blowing with people running helter skelter, depicting signs of rainfall; unannounced rainfall mostly show up when everybody is busily going about their business. When last did you see the rains in Accra? It only happens consistently when the Wet season is due. The zone is a hot region and the heat on sunny days is harsh, I tell you. So when the rains finally come, it's inhabitants are very glad and wish it lasted for long. The cold breeze from the wet ground alone is enough to tame wild minds in the region. I mean the mind is mostly at rest when it rains because every activity slows down. Accra is a no joke place of settlement. Living here comes with its own hustle and struggles. You have to face traffic, beat time and deadlines, work hard to the bone and endure the "kpakpakpa" tactics; if you must survive. In a way, rainfall is our coolant. It reliefs us from many burdens ranging from work load to relationship issues, not forgetting harsh weather conditions.

These are times when market women cover their wares with large polythene materials to prevent water from destroying them. You dare not walk to any trader to buy from them. The look you will receive is enough to send the message across; "It is raining, Shop closed till further notice!". Drivers begin showing off. They refuse to pick anyone into their cars. Most of them carry the excuse that driving in the rains can cause them to visit the mechanic who may take an exorbitant amount of money for servicing their vehicles. Others (especially taxi drivers) complain about getting their seats wet from carrying rain-soaked passengers. However, it is the best time for some traders like the umbrella and rain coat sellers. Also, hot kenkey sellers and "chop bar" operators become a point of reach for some hot meals in such a cold weather. Polythene bag or shower cap sellers also serve a lot of women with protection for their hair, while some business minded drivers also convey people to their various destinations. I forgot to mention "people carriers" who carry people in flooded areas to safe grounds and make as much as GHC1 per head.

It appears that tensions become a bit relaxed in the city anytime it rains. People find shelter. Cars park. Criminals like fraudsters and pick-pockets lay low. Businesses come to a halt. Marriages become sweet if there was a misunderstanding. Never underestimate the power of rainfall. It makes sleep enjoyable too. There is nothing more painful as when you are at work or school before it begins raining. You start to wish that you were in the comfort of your home. These are times that you will find yourself daydreaming about being at home, eating a hot meal accompanied by hot chocolate drink after which you will tune in to some cool music and coil yourself in bed.

Another wonderful trait of Accra people in relation to the rain is water storage. A lot of places in the region are faced with the challenge of acquiring portable water making rainfall a savior in that regard. When it rains, I love the sight of pans, buckets, barrels and bowls in front of most houses. You will also realize  that there are channels on roof tops from which the water passes through into the storage materials. The rain water serves as a source of water for domestic households in most places in the urban centres. After any downpour, households are capable of retrieving about ten to fifteen big-sized buckets of water, and even more depending on the heaviness and time-length of the downpour. This water is used mainly for washing, bathing and cleaning purposes. On certain occasions it may also be used for cooking, after it has been treated.

Woe unto you if you get stuck in town while it is raining. You would have to give yourself an hour or more to be out of town. This is usually due to fewer vehicles on the streets to transport passengers. You are also not assured of any better shelter to hide under since most places are occupied by people. Your only lucky bet may be an umbrella which may serve you half purpose because you will eventually get wet. In some instances, the umbrella may even be destroyed by the heavy winds. What is even more saddening to imagine is that homeless people like, street children, head porters(kayayei), and some street hawkers become stranded because their places of sleep(mostly tables tops and in front of shops), and their sleeping materials are beaten by the rains. 

At night, the city turns quite and dull on a typical rainy day as compared to a sunny day. When it rains, most people prefer staying indoors. On the contrary, sunny days make the ground dryer and the rooms warmer. This gives people the urge to go out to receive fresh air and to hang out with friends due to the conducive weather. On the other hand, after work you will see people rushing to their places of abode whenever it rains. Criminals sometimes use this periods to operate since there are less people in town and so it is advisable to stay out of town. There have often being reports of armed robbery and snatching of cars during such periods. Other people however  choose to stay indoors for fear of catching a cold. Jackets and sweaters are pulled out from hideouts(especially for the sake of younger ones) due to the cold. Frankly, room temperature becomes cold by the night forcing one to cover himself with a sleeping cloth. Happy moments these are because sleep is more comfortable and cozy.

The flood situation in Accra can be likened to terrorism across the world. No one can really predict how it began and how it will end. Some folks even wish for more rains in order to have their drainage systems washed of its filth. Is it not funny how some people can think? They forget that the gutters will still be choked at another end which will in the end generate a bigger problem such as flood. Flooding is mostly as a result of the many filth we see in the region. There are too many people walking the grounds of Accra who make a lot of rubbish in a day yet a few of them keep to good sanitation conditions. Is it their fault? Is it the responsibility of a bigger organization or institution? A lot of information and reports have been circulated on the need to keep a clean environment to reduce flooding. The problem however is how this education will be implemented and inculcated among the masses. With less provision and subsequent collection of waste bins at vantage points for instance, things may remain the same when it comes to waste management with flooding as its related problem.

Personally I love when the rains come down. I only hate to think about the related problems that come with it. For instance, I do not understand why the lights are turned off by the Electricity Company of Ghana when it begins to rain. Spare me the excuse that it is for safety sake. Tomatoes and other farm products also come in short supply because of less rainfall. Market women will use any least chance to raise prices of commodities, and so may more rains come. You've got to love rainfall too. It is the only times that we learn to let our hair down in Accra. Who else agrees with me? And to the little children who cry out, "Rain, rain, go away...", wait until old age catches up with you. Rainwater is life in Accra.

Justica Anima
Adjeianima@gmail.com
Switstica.blogspot.com