STRIKE ACTIONS IN GHANA

                                    Today in Ghana, most government workers, I must say, are too money conscious. True, hardwork needs to be rewarded but in the case where workers expect huge rewards for every work they do, there will be clashes. Strikes are indeed one way by which workers, mostly in the government sectors, put their grievances across to be addressed. The strike actions are mostly to seek redress of their salaries. For some reasons, I really wonder why it always has to do with money. Could it be that these workers are generally corrupt or that they are just discontent with the salaries they receive?

                                 

                                 Recently, the National Security Advisor, Brigadier-General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah, reacted towards the nearly insane strike actions. I cannot agree less with his suggestion that, whoever is not satisfied with the salaries should pack their bags and go to a country where their needs will be met. Why should workers constantly embark on strike actions when some salaries have been increased to a double or more of what they used to receive? Even the Single Spine Salary Structure addresses the issue of salaries to some extent that it makes these actions among workers rather irritating. I agree that, when salaries are not quantitative enough they need to be redressed. However, at the point where workers use that as a platform to drain money from the nation’s coffers is an area of concern.

                                   For Christ’s sake, Ghana is a developing nation and she needs a lot of money and dedicated workers to push her forward. In the case where workers seem to be so much interested in money and are unwilling to work, even under harsh conditions, will not set us at the pace that we have targeted to be. Workers in various sectors should have in mind that there are indeed so many ways of killing a cat. If the government is failing to pay enough monies to us as salaries, we must not use that as grounds to temporarily stop work. That attitude shows unprofessionalism and less dedication tone’s field of work.

                                The way forward is that, workers can set up small or large scale businesses that could support them financially without having to solely depend on government for monies most term as “peanuts”. Aside that, we should have the zeal to leave a legacy in our field of work by being dedicated, hardworking, service-oriented, and reliable. The issue that has to do with money all the time only generates bad working practices such as, bribery and corruption, pilfering, poor attitude towards work and low productivity in our work places.

                               Strikes are necessary but not when they become persistent and hinder national development. Government already owes huge debts. Where then do we expect the huge sum of monies we demand to come from? This scenario can be likened to that between a poor parent and the child. The child, when he over burdens his parent with a lot of demands, will either push the parent into debts, or draw him eventually to his early grave. What the child can do is to support the parent through menial jobs (if the child is matured enough), or reduce his level of demands so as not to over burden the parent.

                              In conclusion, I am trying to say that money should not be the prime objective for our actions. Whatever we do, we must think of humanity first and ways by which we can provide our services whole-heartedly and genuinely for the betterment of those around us. Ghana would be a better nation when it devoid of all the numerous strikes and unnecessary demands from her own workers and professionals.

switstica@gmail.com

LOW PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN GHANA- The Role of Teachers and Authorities

                        In recent times, the academic performance of most students in Ghana after final examinations has been a cause to worry about. This problem arises due to various factors which have been put across board but are yet to be tackled. Different people have shared varied ideas concerning the above topic and I stand to share my own opinion on the situation at hand. The field of education and the academia bring along multiple hands on board such as teachers, government, parents and the students. My focus however will center on how well the teachers and government can play their roles effectively to reduce this social canker.

                        In view of this, my first problem will base on poor teacher-student relationship. Most teachers in Ghana I must say are authoritative. They always want to put their instructions and views across while mostly denying students the platform to share their ideas as well. This causes students to fear them and sometimes lose concentration in their class. For some reasons, students term such teachers as “unfriendly” and decide not to join their class or pay attention to whatever they teach. I must say that, this behavior of some teachers puts off students’ zeal for learning and in the end reflects in their performance. Teachers must therefore learn to create a friendly atmosphere in their classroom where students can freely ask questions and contribute the quota to whatever lesson they are receiving. They should also make friends with students in order for them to openly tell their problems and the teachers’ shortfalls during class hours. In so doing, we are sure to boost students’ performance by a higher percentage.

                      Again, most students have a poor command over the English language. One reason to this is that, there are not sufficient English language textbooks and teachers in schools. Most qualified teachers shy away from the subject due to reasons best known to themselves or for fear of misguiding the students. The supply of government English grammar and reading textbooks too are not enough. This is why you will see two or more students sharing one textbook and they begin to play instead of following the lesson. At the end of the lesson, the student is unable to read properly not to think of answering a simple comprehension question correctly. This aspect of concern is more worrying because, most subjects in schools today are based on reading and understanding to able to give meaningful answers to questions. In this bid, where there is poor command over the language could be suicidal to students’ performance. Among the reasons to poor command over the white man’s language is also the problem of speaking vernacular in school. Most teachers speak the local language to students who in turn reply them in the same manner. This too can affect students’ performance since speaking the English language can make room for corrections and new words. In all, teachers must muster courage to teach the language since that will make room for them to learn as well. Government must do well to supply enough (English language) textbooks to help our future leaders have command over the language. The school should also be good English speaking grounds for teachers and their students for effective communication and learning process.

                          Additionally, lack of basic facilities in schools and communities is another problem. Most public and private schools these days lack facilities that will challenge the minds of their students. How many schools have well stocked libraries, laboratories, theaters, studios, just to mention a few? Yet, it is obvious that these facilities help to ensure sound and happy learning experiences among students. Where these facilities are lacking, students are dull and cannot have healthy competition with fellow endowed schools. This also makes learning theoretical and boring for students. However, a more practical atmosphere will enable students to gain retentive memory on the lesson quicker than a theory-based class. The libraries in the communities too are either stocked with archaic books or not functioning at all. Youth clubs these days seem old fashioned in most communities while recreational facilities such as zoos, botanical gardens and national parks seem a thing of the past. We lack all these things as a nation and yet we strive to attain the same level of development as some smarter countries who know the essence of these facilities. We end up bringing up inexperienced students into job markets and when they fail, we try to apportion blames. Ghana must wake up from the slumber and tackle the problem of insufficient learning and recreational facilities in communities and schools, if it will thrive and produce whiz kids and gurus for itself.

                             Also, there is the problem of lack of motivation. Students in most schools are no more given the motivation to want to learn. Awards and scholarships that motivated brilliant students have been withdrawn in most schools. What has however been implemented is caning.  Where both brilliant and dull students who fail to perform are whipped and punished instead of at least being told their mistakes and corrected. This behavior has rendered most students relaxed and complacent. It also generates low competition in the classroom and during examinations. Teachers do not motivate their students through little rewards or encouraging words, schools refuse to hold award ceremonies for their wards, while government will not provide job avenues for graduates. These entirely sum up to making students less motivated and in the end, performing less at examinations or on the job market. Brilliant but needy students can be helped and motivated with scholarships and funds to enable them soar higher in their academic pursuits. Also, schools should frown from not organizing speech and prize giving ceremonies where deserving students can be awarded and put on the urge of doing more. Government should also organize workshops and seminars where students can be inspired and talked to on effective ways of becoming successful in their various areas of interests. Quizzes and award winning competitions such as “British Council’s The Challenge” and “(the almighty) Science and Mathematics Quiz”, should also be put on the rise to enhance healthy competition among various schools and students.

                       Finally, retrogressive practises are another problem. For instance, teachers still hold on to old methods of teaching such as what I call the “lecture process”. By this I mean that, most teachers are interested in coming to class and talking till the end of the period without imparting anything meaningful especially to students of basic and second cycle institutions. What these teachers must know is that students at that level need references to whatever they are taught. Students must however be given notes and textbooks where they can refer to and make private studies on their own. Also teachers do not give room for students to research but go along and “spoon feed” their students. When this happens, the learning process becomes incomplete and students are found wanting when they face questions. Students who are allowed to do their own research are given the chance to learn new things on their own which makes answering questions easier. Also as a country, we must learn to adjust to the technological advancement in our new world. The time where notes are written and compiled and teachers write with pens on board everyday is fast changing. We should cultivate the use of appliances such as laptops, tablets, projects and computers in our system of education. For instance notes can be put on a pen drive for all students to copy onto their computers. Also, some assignments can be typed for teachers to enhance typing skills in students. All these will help put us on the global market and enhance the academic performance of students; it will also help save time and make teaching and learning easy and fun for both teachers and their students.

                        I hope these few concerns and solutions of mine will reach safe hands and will be adhered to so that Ghana can be a better place for students and academic excellence. Then, we can shy away from having to travel to foreign lands for better education. A journey of a thousand miles as is always said begins with one step.

LET THE GUNS LIE

Dedicated to Ghana my peaceful homeland:

On the 6^th of March 1957, Dr Kwame Nkrumah was very optimistic in the impending freedom and peace of this beloved nation when he declared,  ”At long last, the battle has ended! And thus, Ghana your beloved country is free forever.”

What then can become of a country that has in all these years, kept to the words of our first father and founder?  He also added that, “…… Our independence is meaningless unless it is linked up to the total liberation of Africa.” Yes, and I cannot agree less. Any idea what our independence has by far achieved for neighbouring African states? Kwame Nkrumah not just set the pace for Ghana, but for the whole African continent. With his initiative, Harold Macmillan, the British Prime Minister at the time (1960), supported his ideas of Pan-African unity, and three years later, 17 more colonies had gained their independence. Isn’t that amazing? And look how far we have come all these years.

Countries like Rwanda, Somalia, Chad, Congo, just to mention but a few have undergone various traumatic civil wars that cost them the loss of human resources and agricultural and industrial development. Beloved Ghana, we shall rise above such indiscipline. We shall remain awake to the beauty of our country’s smiling faces. No tears, no hunger, no inhuman killings, no guns, no wars! And when the guns are raised, and the weapons arrayed, civilians shall protest. For fear of breaking the vow we made towards peace on that said day of independence, we shall turn back against all forms of misunderstanding.

Hark! Let Ghana rise up to the challenge. The challenge of fulfilling a promise. A promise to defend the good name of Ghana. The good name of political independence, consistent absolute peace, and freedom from internal and external forces. We shall shed no more blood, for we have had enough bloodshed for our sakes. Just a little sense of unity, patriotism and understanding will get us there. No need for a coup or war. When the guns rise, there shall be silence forever and our good name shall wash away in shadows of uncertainty.

All the pains, death and struggles of the founding leaders must not be forgotten. The likes of the three veteran soldiers, the Big Six, the brave woman warrior of the Asanteland, the exiles at Seychelles and more cannot be disregarded and dishonoured for their love and sacrifice for the present generation. So what is our part as Ghanaians? To uphold the peace and harmony forever in our hearts and not trade it for the dogs. Let’s let the guns lie forever in their magazines, then we will raise our hands and proclaim, “ Yen ara yasaase ni”, literally meaning, “ This is our land”.

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes you partner”, says Nelson Madiba Mandela. That is well of an advice to our leaders, media, and citizens. I for one shall never lift a hand, let alone a gun towards my foe or friend. So help us Prince of Peace.

By Justica Anima,

Switstica@gmail.com

BUTTERFLY FLY AWAY

Who doesn’t know butterflies for their lovely appearance and delight to FLY? I for one do fancy butterflies a lot. I love their color, flight and the whole reason behind their existence……flowers. Come to think of it, have we for once stopped to think of the stuff these creatures are made of? Or how they are able to survive nature? Well, for some reason; I guess for the reason that I love them; I took pains to find out. Check out what I got.

           A butterfly is an insect with bright colorful wings attached to its body. They basically have a four stages life cycle thus, an egg, a caterpillar, a pupa and then…… a full blown butterfly! Yippeeeey!!! Let’s go on to learn ten distinctive characters from this wobbly insect or fly; call it whatever, lol J :

          Foremost, butterflies have vision, yes they see ahead of time. Surprised? These insects have the power to see bright colored petals of flowers even from a distance far away. They spot colors of violet, red, yellow, pink, green, you name it and alas! They fly to settle on them. Truth is, these insects are nearsighted but the lesson here is that, they set their eyes on things they love to achieve. Call them the go-getters if you like, but trust me; a butterfly would never go past a colorful flower.

           Again, a butterfly has great speed. Of course due to their light weight, they have a flight speed of about 12 miles per hour. This speed allows them to be faster among their competitors and to escape their prey faster as well. As humans, we should also strive to finish up the human race of life with great speed and fortitude. We should emulate a butterfly and its speed, not to be sluggish in our doings but to be smart and quick at finishing every task at hand.

            Moreover, they are industrious insects. Tell you what, butterflies build and are very productive. They build cases made of silk, plant or soil as hive around them. Amazing as that may sound, it does end there; they also produce silk and honey as by products. How wonderful! I always thought only bees could make honey, but no! Someone’s got that skill too. So you see why you must not remain useless or inactive. Even a butterfly has got so much up its sleeves.

              Furthermore, they are patient creatures. A butterfly as we all know has four stages of growth. Good! It does not totally rise to emerge as a butterfly as soon as it drops as an egg. It takes time to grow properly before popping out its wings to fly about. Even so, it doesn’t fly as soon as it emerges but waits till their wings are fully strong before. So to say, we should not be in a rush to reach a place of success in life. We must pass through the necessary procedures and experiences to get where we ought to get.

             Additionally, they are cautious. Butterflies are known to taste a leaf before settling on them to lay their eggs. This is to know if the leaves are good enough to feed their caterpillar. How caring of them, right? Aside that, they device lots of tricks to keep away from their prey by sticking close to plants in disguise, so that their prey cant differentiate from them and the plants, smarties, that’s what they are. How well do we caution rather than expose ourselves to problems and dangers? The ball is in our courts.

              Next, these insects prepare. Yes in all things, preparation is the first factor to consider. That is why butterflies choose to work on their mouthparts as soon as they emerge from their pupal case. They will need to feed with their mouth, that’s more reason why they never wait till hunger strikes before taking this action. My friends make hay while the sun still shines. It’s that simple!

              More so, they eat proportionately. Yes butterflies feed on plants, nectar and they drink mud puddles to generate minerals. They mostly have an all-liquid diet on which they gladly live on. It’s amazing how humans abuse food and don’t have a diet plan on which they live on. People eat anything at anytime forgetting how that can affect their lives. Butterflies have a life span of 2-4 weeks of which I’m sure they are aware of. They wouldn’t risk that to some outrageous diet imbalance. Wise up!

              To add to, they have limitations. Why do I say so? Because butterflies cannot fly cold unless at a temperature of 85-86 degrees. So you see, they are restricted sometimes but who says that scares them to a hoot. They always have another way out. By hiding in a warmer place, perhaps their hives until they are warm enough to fly again. Who says our limitations means the end to our dreams, you still won’t grow up?

             However, they are strong. Skeletons on the outside and soft on the inside, Exo-skeletons. That’s what it is right? We don’t have to show the outside world our soft spots, we always have to be strong in all matters like this insect. They never hide away because they fear to face difficulties or challenges, they just go ahead and flyyyyy. Need I say more>?

            Finally they can fly…….. My favorite part about them. Butterflies fly in their beautiful skin, or even if they are just moths. They love to fly in other to move and sometimes I think, just for the fun of it. Flying is a state of moving higher up in the air. The good thing about it is, you are able to see non-flyers beneath you and move much faster than they do. I believe everyone has the ability to fly to make a difference wherever they are. In fact, we must choose to fly irrespective of how beautiful or ugly our wings (situations) are. Just take the dreams and make them come true.

              Caterpillars always sit in trees and dream till they someday turn butterflies when they can fly away to achieve these dreams. Just when things are going on wrong, keep dreaming. Who knows? You may be preparing for a great day when you can fly. In the mean time, you’d have to allow your pupal case to fall off, sit on a leaf till your wings are strong enough, attain the right body temperature, sharpen your mouthparts for feeding, and the list goes on and on. But don’t you worry and just hold on tight, there will surely come a day when, pop! BUTTERFLY FLY AWAY.