Friday, June 30, 2006

As the Week draws to a Close in Accra: Thoughts on Regulating /Complaining about Water, Electricity; Air Quality in Accra Deteriorating


I spent the better part of my lunchtime trying to chase down Ghana Water Company and Electricity Company of Ghana. Actually, I only managed to get hold of GWCL, whilst making a complaint about ECG.

My primary beef with GWCL was that they had switched the water off in my residential area since Monday evening, and it had not come back up until today, Friday, 30 June. Were they waiting for the Black Stars to come home before they switched it on, or what?



I pointed out that unlike ECG, who at least inform the public that they will cut the electricity off for maintenance work, those people at GWCL don’t even have the decency to inform us. Why was that?

When I spoke to the woman at GWCL, she asked me to hold on. Prior to that, she explained that "oh, I didn’t know", triggering much bemusement with me.

"You did not know??!", I wondered curiously, "then why didn’t you check?".

I had to repeat myself to the so-called foreman, who spoke with me about the issue. He said rather emphatically that "when we switch the water on, as far as we know, it has come on, so it should be for you to tell us."

"But not everyone likes to call—besides it’s expensive—so it should be you who should check with us."

He didn’t seem to understand, so I left the issue, and said "yes, yes", just to shut him up.

For us, the consumers, to call? What on earth?!

Then I remembered that two days earlier, I had tried to call the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (http://www.purc.com.gh),located downtown in Accra. They had given me one number to call.



Thankfully, the bright voice of a young lady answered today, and she said that she could help. I detailed my complaints—that for the past two weeks, ECG, without any warning, has been switching the electricity off indiscriminately, and very much to a lot of people’s chagrin.

I wanted to know exactly what methods of redress would be given to me, especially as ECG was, before the World Cup season, informing us on the radio, etc.

She explained that they would take my particulars—phone number, name, etc—and call the district engineer in my residential area. They would then try to establish what the problem was. If he knows, then he tries to explain why it is happening, and what can be done about it. If not, then they will check their equipment.

She promised to get back to me. I certainly hope she does! If not, especially with the celebration of 1 July (republic day tomorrow), and "consigned" till Monday as a public holiday, I am deeply afraid that they might pull an indiscriminate lights-off on us.

I wondered whether there was no hotline, and she claimed the number I had called was the hotline, and that they regrettably do not work on weekends, but at least during the week, they work from 8-5pm.

I asked her surname, and she wondered whether I was a journalist…I wondered whether I should not put their names. Should I? SHouldn’t I? Maybe, if they knew a "journalist" was complaining, they might be more serious, or…???:-)

Whatever the case may be, I will DEFINITELY be getting back to them. I really do hope PURC prove to me that they can be an effective regulatory body—not just a toothless one!


In other news, in the web excellence awards of the Kofi Annan IT Centre for Excellence (http://www.aiti-kace.com.gh) that took place yesterday, CITI97.3FM took home the award for the best news website. Kudos!!

Health Watch
Doctors , "of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, who recently staged a strike action over delay in the implementation of a new salary structure, have been paid their June salaries under the new structure, which has replaced the Additional Duty Hour Allowance (ADHA)" (from: http://www.ghananewstoday.com/gnt_cn_detailb.cfm?tblNewsCatID=32&tblNewsID=473

[I guess as proof of PURC’s investigation, I actually just received a call from the lady I spoke with who wanted to verify which residential area I was talking about, as she was being queried when she made some calls. I am impressed!]

Other health news is that:

  • Health institutions are being encouraged to "provide space" for herbal practitioners, which is great news for a population that relies a great deal on the latter, and cannot always afford the private, or let alone, the NHIS-subsidised healthcare, which is selectively free.
    From: http://www.ghananewstoday.com/gnt_cn_detailb.cfm?tblNewsCatID=32&tblNewsID=530 There is, in fact, a 142-page manual out, that "would enable the country to develop safe and efficacious traditional and herbal medicines of international standards and of health, economic and social benefits to the people". Good stuff!

    On other health news, disturbing reports reaching CITIFM’s news was the air quality in the capital of Accra is deteriorating as a result of "indiscriminate burning of materials, particularly plastics in open spaces." From: http://www.ghananewstoday.com/gnt_cn_detailb.cfm?tblNewsCatID=32&tblNewsID=470

    Most noteworthy from the report is that:

    • "The worst destruction to the air currently is from vehicle emissions, which is really affecting the health of a lot of people living around major roads such as Kaneshie First Light and East Legon due to the huge emissions,
    • The level of particulate matter within the ambient air was quite high and was affecting human health seriously, hence the need for caution

    It would be the Environmental Protection Agency that would come out with this warning last week, warning residents of Accra of "an increase in cases of respiratory tract infections; headaches and cancers".

    Have a good weekend, and enjoy the Brazil-France game on Saturday at the ongoing FIFA 2006 world cup that has seen one controversial referee, Graham Poll, return home. Will the game be redux 1998, when Brazil was defeated at the hands of the French?

    enjoy!

  • Wednesday, June 28, 2006

    Post Mortem of Ghana's Defeat at the Hands of Slovakian referee, sorry, Brazil


    It is an article of a combination of luck and how far I have gone with this blogging enterprise to see that no less than the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldhaveyoursay/2006/06/what_do_you_want_to_talk_about_2.html) checked out this blog (http://ekbensahinghana.blogspot.com). The reason being for visitors to see for themselves the video commentary I captured of the jubilation by Ghanaians of the USA defeat by the West Africans, which you can see here.

    All the world cup footballers so far might just be laughing all the way to their bank, but understandably, in varying degrees.

    Ghana’s Black Stars will definitely be some $10,000-$20,000 richer for the games they played but, without a doubt, they remain heroes—just by virtue of the fact of having faced one of the stiffest challenges in the name of Brazil.

    The commentators suggested they gave Brazilians a run for their money. At times, Ghana managed to penetrate – and dominate – the Brazilian defence, albeit wastefully. But that’s okay.

    Had it been any other team other than my own, I would have rooted for Brazil. But that’s okay, too.

    Despite the unnecessary chutzpah of non-pundits like myself of the game over a possible win against Brazil, I think deep down, most believed it would be tough facing a team that not only played a bit like us, but possessed a more skilful technique, associated with an unrivalled experience.

    In my final analysis, I reckon the failure of Ghana in beating the Brazilians, whilst that prospect was a non-starter for many observers, was a good wake-up call to a creeping complacency that surrounds any debutante of a global game like the World Cup that advances to the degree the Black Stars advanced.

    Failure reminds us that success is a process, and the process, by way of the African Cup of Nations, which Ghana will host in 2008, may just be what the country needs to remind itself that our debutante performance could be a lot, lot better.

    Finally, is sport writing just not fantastic writing?
    Video Commentary: Check Brazil's Offside Goals for YourselfIn a somewhat characteristic move of mine, I ensured this time to capture the Accra-based TV3 late news on the defeat of Ghana by Brazil. Everyone in this country admits that Brazil would have gone through, but the incessant manner in which yellow cards were drawn by the Slovakian referee--not to forget his evidently partial attitude towards Brazil's (two) offside goals did not help show how well Ghana played. Check the video out for yourself. The file was originally 19MB, but I needed to convert it to .WMV in order for it to not clog the blog. Hope you can hear the commentary, and see the pictures. Thanks!

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    Tuesday, June 27, 2006

    Ghana's Coming Home, but Brazil Stole Two "Goals"

     

    The Brazilians played a relatively good game, but it was not, according to Barry Lambert the commentator, a Brazilian team that could not be beaten.

     

    Ghana took more shots than the Brazilians, but the latter scored more.

     

    That two goals were allowed by the Slovakian referee when the Brazilians were offside did not help matters for Ghana.

     

    Check the Guardian’s comment:

     

    44 mins: Brazil 2-0 Ghana Injustice! Lucio charged forward and fed Cafu down the right. He centred to Adriano, who tapped it home from a clearly offside position! Another scandalous decision in this increasingly farcical World Cup.

    From: http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/minbymin/0,,1788429,00.html

     

    A lot of people maintain the “officiating was bad”. Others say execrable; others “racist”.

     

    It’s not so much that this team lost, but more of a presaging of what is to come—that because of the potentially racist referees, Africa stands little chance of winning the world cup.

     

    Some of our players missed huge ones—Asamoah Gyan being the biggest, having missed at least three, but Brazil scoring was no news. We were hoping we could have equalised. Oh well. Someone has to lose. We lost—not so lucky!

     

    Till 2010!:-)

    Monday, June 26, 2006

    Yahoo Questions Live: Can Ghana Beat Brazil?

    Check this out!

     

    http://answers.yahoo.com/question/?qid=20060626094133AAb0Uhx&r=w#NbUvWje9UDkX5mG2nLfc

     

    This is my version. Whip me when I get it wrong:

     

    By the way, Ghana beat Czech 2-0; the USA 2-1; so I am reckoning by by seriously flawed and unscientific mathematics. that it will be Ghana 2, Brazil 2. But seeing as good things happen in threes, we will win on penalties!!:-))

     

    Okay. Kudos for chutzpah, no??;-))

    Friday, June 23, 2006

    Video Commentary (TV3): Black Stars Victory Against US Trigger Jubilation

    well, what else can I say? I captured this from the late (11pm) TV3 news of jubilation in the streets as Ghana Booted the US out. The Accra Mayor jumped for joy, as did many who believe Ghana has blazed the trail for Africa...enjoy!

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    Thursday, June 22, 2006

    Ghana 2, USA 1--Redux : David Meets Super-Sized Goliath


    I’m just listening to commentary from my favourite Accra-based radio station (http://www.citifmonline.com) CITI97.3FM, which you can listen to online in crystal-clear quality. And as I sit at my desk, the cool wind blows, and I hear cars honking their horn in staccatos of one, two, three. We may be playing against the Brazilians.

    The USA are out (the staccato continues), prompting a comment from my colleague that the car’s battery “is gonna die isn’t it”?

    Someone shouts. Many hearts pound relentlessly.

    As if in a dream, work resumes, but is it at its normal pace?

    Ghana, the wrongly-speculated underdogs have transformed from football Lilliputians to the quintessential Black Stars of Africa who will be meeting Brazil – number one on the FIFA rankings – on…Tuesday.

    Hold your breath, Africa. Hold your breath, World!

    here are some more pictures:



    Ghana and Italy top Group E, leaving the Czech Republic and the USA woefully behind.

    With two minutes before half time...

    The US equalise. Ouch for GhanaL Dempsey cracked in in, after a cockup on midfield that involved Swedish-based Boateng…

     

    Kudos for the US…

    Goal for Ghana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Aminu Dramani scores the first goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! against the USA…..

    Battling the US: Oh so Political!:-)--Ghana vs USA at FIFA 2006 World Cup

     

    Never in the course of human history have so few men caused so much joy to so many people.

     

    Winston Churchill would be proud of this statement as I paraphrased itJ It is appropriate, wouldn’t u think? This may not be World War II, but it certainly feels like a battle.

     

    I’m off downstairs to watch. I am at work…J

     

    Peace!!

    Monday, June 19, 2006

    Video of part II of Sat 17/6/2006 Ghana-Czech game at FIFA 2006 World Cupthis is the last few minutes before the whistle goes for the Ghana vs Czech game. Enjoy!!!

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    part II of Sat 17/6/2006this is the last few minutes before the whistle goes for the Ghana vs Czech game. Enjoy!!!

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    Quadrennial (World Cup) Sensitivities: hen Football Defies the Maths, or When David Met Goliath in Germany: Ghana 2, Czech Republic 0

    Every four years, the world is awakened to the heightened and unique sensitivity that comes with twenty men running around after a small, leather ball. The timeless objective is to get that ball into that quintessential six-yard box area and score what ought to be a decisive goal.

    Every four years, some succeed where others fail. Some arrive on a neophyte ticket and perform woefully, making it very difficult to return, whilst others just go for their last time.

    Some call it the World Cup; others "the beautiful game".

    I am far from being a football pundit, but it is fair to say that this year�s world cup games have brought about a number of surprises.

    From Togo's surprise first goal leading to defeat of 3-1 for the Koreans once the Togolese lost their captain after a red card; to the rather lackluster Brazilian performance against the Croatians that saw them winning in the second half on a scoreline of 1-0 in their favour; the English scoreline of only "1" goal against the Paraguay's "0" to Saturday's quasi-brilliant display of a David-versus-goliath match that saw the debutante Ghana team, ranked 48th in FIFA rankings mesmerize international audiences by scoring an unexpected 2-0 against the Czechs, ranked second to the Brazilians who top the FIFA rankings.

    If ever I believed that luck and flair could defy mathematics and technique, it was that historic Saturday 17 June, 2006, when minutes before the match, the skies opened up in the West African country of Ghana to deliver what one could only presage as showers of blessing from Above.

    The Czechs might have had key strikers missing, but so did the Italians have one of their key players, Pirlo, being only 70 percent fit, yet managing to defeat Ghana with two decisive goals. Whether the Italian goals from the Azzurris were lucky goals or not, it was evident that Ghanaians--not to mention their national football team of the Black Stars--were crest-fallen.

    Thankfully, the Black Stars, to borrow the words of a lawyer-cum-presenter on CITI 97.3FM -- one of the Ghanaian capital's leading English-speaking radio stations broadcasting from "the heart of the city", who wrote a poem for the Stars, arose and surprised.

    Kudos for the Czech goalkeeper for speaking up for Asamoah-Gyan, Ghana's leading striker who scored the first goal against the Czechs within two minutes of the game, when he took a penalty before the referee's whistle, incurring a yellow card. Cech maintained that Asamoah Gyan, the Modena forward, took the penalty because he heard a whistle, which actually came from the crowd.

    That's what I call sportsmanship. That's what I call great football.

    But, ofcourse, I would say that: I am a very proud Ghanaian.

    For the sake of posterity, I have captured the last ten minutes of the game on my digital camera, and uploaded it on my blogs, so whether you are an Accra by Day and Night visitor, or an international visitor to my Reflecting Eccentric World of E.K.Bensah II, or my indigenous Trials & Tribulations of a Freshly-Arrived Denizen, you are seeing this post in uniformity.

    God Bless our Homeland Ghana!!


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    Read the Guardian newspaper's account here: Ghana's young stars reflect the diamond at their heart

    Friday, June 16, 2006

    As the Week Draws to a Close in Accra: Of Mendacious Multinationals, Maggots, Lawyers, & Football


    Just when Ghanaians though their food was safe, an investigative reporter from the Crusading Guide newspaper—known more for its defence of the NPP and NDC-bashing—reveals that Ghanaians have been eating maggots. If you area like me, you might have squirmed a degree or two, but if you are like the rest of my fellow Ghanaians, you probably might have inundated the airwaves to the degree that you, the perpetrator (in this case Eurofoods) might just feel like leaving the country ASAP.

    The operative word here is "might", because like many a multinational when its pants have been caught down, it bluffs and blusters, as the lawyer for the company, Turkson, speaking on CITI FM two days ago, did. He tried to argue that there were no maggots nor weevils, nor fungi, and that it was figments of people’s imaginations. Then he tried to lay a guilt trip on Ghanaians that if foreign investors fail to come to this country, then it is because of incidents like this.


    Not that he wasn’t doing his job—hell, if I were in his position, I might have said the same thing, but I suppose he is Ghanaian. He definitely spoke like one, and he seemed to have no problem that Ghanaians were being fed expired flour. Though not quite literally, then, to him it’s ok, cos it’s cooked!

    This is how CITI FM reported it on its news website:



    But the Solicitor to the Company, Lawyer Bernard Turkson, in an interview with CITI NEWS said that the move was wrong and an affront to the nation's attempt to woo foreign investors into the country.

    Lawyer Bernard Turkson told CITI NEWS that the allegations that the company was in breach of the FDB's safety regulations by using unwholesome materials in its production chain were false.

    Lawyer Turkson also hinted of a possible law suit against the FDB and the Police administration, if the current verbal ban on the company's operations is not revoked within a reasonable period of time.

    Meanwhile, the newspaper reporter, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, is standing by his story disclosing that he got employment from EuroFoods under a cover and that he has evidence to support what he reported.
    http://www.ghananewstoday.com/gnt_cn_detailb.cfm?tblNewsCatID=32&tblNewsID=324



    When armed police swoop down on your factory, then you know your time’s up. If you hadn’t been doing something wrong, why would they be there? So that’s a queue to all those multinationals out there who feel that operating in a developing country means utilising sub-standard methods. If that doesn’t wash, how about being reminded that Blacks aren’t as puerile and infantile as they make out to be, so TNCs, please watch out. We’ve got your back. You don’t take profit to the grave; you leave it all behind. We know you do it because you can, but just remind yourselves that sometime, somewhere, some people might just wake up and take notice—like the Food and Drugs Board did.

    I just checked the FDB website, and it is regrettable that their latest press release is that of April 2006. We need INSTANT communication and monitoring of what happened at the East Airport-based factory.

    As for investigative reporting, this is the second time this reporter-- Anas Aremeyaw Anas—has uncovered a scoop. His first item a few weeks ago was that of passports, which I covered here, and he caused some public furore.

    Health Watch
    On the health front, whilst I am still thinking of Nana Amma, time is helping me cope with her loss. But I cannot forget what is happening in the country as doctors are being asked to go back to work after the three-week strike.

    Here’s a story that originally ran in the VOAnews:


    By Efam Dovi
    Accra
    13 June 2006
    Doctors in the Ghanaian capital Accra have returned to work after being on strike for nearly three weeks over a salary dispute.
    Authorities of Ghana's medical sector are relieved doctors decided to go back to work after an 18-day strike. They feared the industry would collapse after the walkout of all health workers, coupled with Ghana's "brain drain' as doctors leave the country for better jobs abroad.
    The president of the Ghana Medical Association, Francis Adu-Ababio, says the order is effective immediately.

    "We have been at negotiations with our employers, the government for the past three months," he said. "We have reached a point where the national executive council and the leadership [of the Ghana Medical Association] have come to be convinced that, yes indeed, come pay day this month the new salary scheme will kick in, which will mean that the demands we were making will be fulfilled and it is on that basis that I have asked the entire membership, especially those who have been on strike for the past two and a half weeks, to go back to work and this must be with immediate effect."

    The junior doctors, or doctors in training, began the strike almost three weeks ago to demand payment of their salaries. Their pay had been in arrears for five months while senior doctors negotiated with the government.
    A spokesman for the junior doctors, Hadi Abdallah, said he and his colleagues would not go strike on the salary issue anymore, even if the government does not pay them as promised. He says that doctors in Ghana have bigger issues to focus on.

    Hadi Abdallah"In the hospital that I work, that is Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, we do not have what we call risk allowance for doctors," he said. "So if you get a needle sting injury from an HIV patient, that is, you will not be compensated. And they will only give you drugs, the anti-retroviral, which every Ghanaian enjoys. So even as a doctor working in the hospital, I do not have access to free medical care, which is very, very bad."

    Meanwhile, members of the Health Workers Group who joined the junior doctors in a strike last Thursday, remain off the job.
    From: http://www.bloggernews.net/2006/06/striking-doctors-in-ghana-return-to.html


    Incidentally, on the football side, we lost to the Italians on Monday 2-0. The game was exciting, though, with John Mensah defending fantastically. The goalkeeper, Richard Kingston, did an equally stupendous job of keeping many Italian goals away. It was a combination of luck and perseverance that saw them scoring against Ghana in the second half. We play the Czechs Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed, pls!

    For more on the world cup, pls check a kewl site out here

    Thursday, June 15, 2006

    Watch Out, People! ECOWAS is Coming Closer to You!


    Efforts to make regional integration real and palpable to ECOWAS citizens have always been a bit of a challenge. So it is with great joy, for example, to read an article from the Daily Observer of the Gambia here that the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice , Justice Hansine Donli, is indicating that "citizens of ECOWAS countries can file cases directly either by fax or send their application to the court in Abuja, Nigeria".


    The practicalities behind this new revelation might be a bit more problematic than the semantics; nonetheless, it is heart-warming that an attempt to make regional integration palpable -- in the way the regional bank ECOBANK has by way of its recent product, the so-called DSA, or Direct Sales Agency Service, where potential customers on ECOBANK products are targetted in their homes, offices, etc -- is being made more comprehensively.

    According to Justice Donlie, teh Court "shall grant audience to member states and the member states may file actions on behalf of the nationals of the member states against other member states or institutions in respect of the interpretation and application of the treaties of the community".

    Mind you, it was as far back as 2005 that, according to an article on the WILDAF site here, individuals were granted access to the Court. The amendment on the protocol was made in August 2004.

    Wednesday, June 14, 2006

    Excitement Reigns Supreme in Ghana as Black Stars Play Italy this Evening



    Over the past couple of weeks, many column inches have been dedicated to praising the Black Stars over their possible defeat of the Italian Azzuri in the FIFA 2006 World Cup. Considering Ghana is in the World Cup for the first time ever, pundits might speculate wrongly and dismiss the Ghanaian team as underdogs. They might just be in for a surprise--if excerpts from the article below is anything to go by:


    Ghana's strong point is a solid midfield manned by captain Stephen Appiah, Chelsea star Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, who, like Appiah knows the Italian league well.

    The World Cup debutants go into the contest brimming with confidence. 'We're strong enough to reach the semi-finals,' coach Ratomir Dujkovic said.

    'We're not here just to take part - we're here to succeed. Every team that plays against us must suffer if they are to beat us.'

    But all the confidence doesn't stop them realistically giving the tag of favourites to Italy. 'We're not under pressure,' said Appiah.

    'We've nothing to lose - we're in a World Cup for the first time, while Italy are three times champions,' said Kuffour, the long- time Bayern Munich defender who switched last year to AS Roma.




    from: http://sport.monstersandcritics.com/worldcup2006/news/article_1171894.php/Totti_doubt_ahead_of_Italys_opener_against_Ghana

    I am thinking that the quote for the day on my desk is very apt for today's game. Dontcha think?:-))

    SITE OF THE DAY


    Here is the link to the whole Ghana Black Stars squad!:-):

    1 ADJEI Sammy (GK)
    2 SARPEI Hans
    3 GYAN Asamoah
    4 KUFFOUR Samuel
    5 MENSAH John
    6 PAPPOE Emmanuel
    7 SHILLA Illiasu
    8 ESSIEN Michael
    9 BOATENG Derek
    10 APPIAH Stephen
    11 MUNTARI Sulley
    12 TACHIE-MENSAH Alex
    13 MOHAMED Habib
    14 AMOAH Matthew
    15 PANTSIL John
    16 OWU George (GK)
    17 QUAYE Daniel
    18 ADDO Eric
    19 PIMPONG Razak
    20 ADDO Otto
    21 ISSAH Ahmed
    22 KINGSTON Richard (GK)
    23 DRAMAN Haminu

    Monday, June 12, 2006

    FW: Why Ghana must win the FIFA World Cup

    Creative Storm is an Accra-based Multimedia services company. As the Germans get ready to face the Costa Ricans very soon, this is interesting food for thought sent in by the big boss of that company…

     

    Enjoy!


    From: Creative Storm [mailto:creativestorm@4u.com.gh]
    Sent: vendredi 9 juin 2006 15:02
    To: Creative Storm
    Subject: Why Ghana must win the FIFA World Cup

     

    There comes a time in the life of our planet when a momentous event literally stops time and all mortals are duty bound to watch 22 grown men kick a ball about to great frenzy and spectator madness, until and with spectacular funfair a gold cup is raised to cheers and tears or worse. The event, ladies and gentlemen is upon us, starting from today. You could be excused not to have noticed if you were a visitor from Mars because frankly, there is no where on earth to escape this ritual. Not even in America where the grown men prefer to pass the ball by hand rather than kick it or if you were God himself reincarnated as Madonna . The only man to score with his hand and deprive England of possible glory.  

     

    You are probably wondering by now the point of this email. Perhaps you are conspiring to leave work early to beat the Friday traffic to pick up a new TV set or sneak to the supermarket to stack up the beer,confirming industry research that we are all losers except the famous players who will rack in even more ridiculous sums of money, TV manufacturers, ticket touts, beer companies and self appointed football pundits, who see a fast buck or Euro this time of the year in correctly pronouncing Ronaldino, Appiah or Gustavo - which I understand is the most common surname at this year's world cup? Can't possibly be true but the real question is, can the world afford the world cup? I don't think so. All bosses and office managers are bound to notice slower moving brain cells, distracted workers except glued to the TV set screaming goal! goal! goal!  - which can drive the rest of the office crazy. Threats of divorce and family disputes will rise with fist fights over TV switch ownership. Where are all the defenders of the family? Have they all been bought hook wink and sinker by the mindless world cup circus?

     

    A few brave journalists have suggested that all companies must declare a three week holiday in all soccer crazy countries. The alternative, they claim is a shape rise in workers calling in sick, taking the injured dog to the vet or not venturing out to work to avoid a tsunami or measles.  

     

    If I believe that the world cup is not good for the world, why the title of this email. Simply and humbly put, I believe that we must make an exception and support the Black Stars to win this year's world cup. Some have said we deserve it because this is our first time. That is patronising. Unlike any other country in the competition, Ghana deserves to win the cup for very good reasons - in fact, as a true patriotic  and well meaning Ghanaian who believes in ' seeing someone to see what can be done' I have been cracking my brains to 'see' exactly what. Won't it be a great present for our 50th anniversary next year, if only to remind ourselves that we are still young, the best and not approaching a mid life crisis?  As a proud Ghanaian, I also believe in miracles. If you would join me in prayers and fasting, the Italian goal keeper would see several balls instead of one anytime Essien approaches. I started praying last week and the news so far has been fantastic. I read with shameless joy that key Italian defenders are falling sick or succumbing to injury. More will fall on the pitch as Ghanaian supporters sing the famous Ghanaian refrain for all occasions, "Da no ase, da no ase, da onyame ase" (praise him, praise God,praise God).  I don't mean the diasporan supporters in Germany or those coming from London. I mean bona fide Ghanaian patriots from Chorkor and Mamobi, those who managed to run the German visa gauntlet and landed in Deutschland.

     

    Prayers and incantations from Kpandu, Nyamuransa or Larteh may work on lesser teams but what if we come face to face with Brazil in the finals? That prospect is daunting and frankly frightening.  Nevertheless, apart from believing in miracles, which may be of limited value against Ronaldo and Ronaldino, the Ghanaian is resourceful. I trust that Essien, Appiah and the rest of the boys have Ananse in their bones and will pull some real surprises. You may think I have converted to hopeless optimism but even Dujkovic, the strangely pessimistic coach is now learning to sing "Da no ase.." in preparation for the Accra victory parades. We have edited a Pepsi advert in support of Ghana, now playing on TV, hopefully until the boys lift high the cup on 9th July. Are we dreaming? Only optimists may respond.  

     

     

    Kwesi Owusu

     

     

      

     

     

    Saturday, June 10, 2006

    FW: Why Ghana must win the FIFA World Cup

    Creative Storm is an Accra-based Multimedia services company. As the Germans get ready to face the Costa Ricans very soon, this is interesting food for thought sent in by the big boss of that company…

     

    Enjoy!


    From: Creative Storm [mailto:creativestorm@4u.com.gh]
    Sent: vendredi 9 juin 2006 15:02
    To: Creative Storm
    Subject: Why Ghana must win the FIFA World Cup

     

    There comes a time in the life of our planet when a momentous event literally stops time and all mortals are duty bound to watch 22 grown men kick a ball about to great frenzy and spectator madness, until and with spectacular funfair a gold cup is raised to cheers and tears or worse. The event, ladies and gentlemen is upon us, starting from today. You could be excused not to have noticed if you were a visitor from Mars because frankly, there is no where on earth to escape this ritual. Not even in America where the grown men prefer to pass the ball by hand rather than kick it or if you were God himself reincarnated as Madonna . The only man to score with his hand and deprive England of possible glory.  

     

    You are probably wondering by now the point of this email. Perhaps you are conspiring to leave work early to beat the Friday traffic to pick up a new TV set or sneak to the supermarket to stack up the beer,confirming industry research that we are all losers except the famous players who will rack in even more ridiculous sums of money, TV manufacturers, ticket touts, beer companies and self appointed football pundits, who see a fast buck or Euro this time of the year in correctly pronouncing Ronaldino, Appiah or Gustavo - which I understand is the most common surname at this year's world cup? Can't possibly be true but the real question is, can the world afford the world cup? I don't think so. All bosses and office managers are bound to notice slower moving brain cells, distracted workers except glued to the TV set screaming goal! goal! goal!  - which can drive the rest of the office crazy. Threats of divorce and family disputes will rise with fist fights over TV switch ownership. Where are all the defenders of the family? Have they all been bought hook wink and sinker by the mindless world cup circus?

     

    A few brave journalists have suggested that all companies must declare a three week holiday in all soccer crazy countries. The alternative, they claim is a shape rise in workers calling in sick, taking the injured dog to the vet or not venturing out to work to avoid a tsunami or measles.  

     

    If I believe that the world cup is not good for the world, why the title of this email. Simply and humbly put, I believe that we must make an exception and support the Black Stars to win this year's world cup. Some have said we deserve it because this is our first time. That is patronising. Unlike any other country in the competition, Ghana deserves to win the cup for very good reasons - in fact, as a true patriotic  and well meaning Ghanaian who believes in ' seeing someone to see what can be done' I have been cracking my brains to 'see' exactly what. Won't it be a great present for our 50th anniversary next year, if only to remind ourselves that we are still young, the best and not approaching a mid life crisis?  As a proud Ghanaian, I also believe in miracles. If you would join me in prayers and fasting, the Italian goal keeper would see several balls instead of one anytime Essien approaches. I started praying last week and the news so far has been fantastic. I read with shameless joy that key Italian defenders are falling sick or succumbing to injury. More will fall on the pitch as Ghanaian supporters sing the famous Ghanaian refrain for all occasions, "Da no ase, da no ase, da onyame ase" (praise him, praise God,praise God).  I don't mean the diasporan supporters in Germany or those coming from London. I mean bona fide Ghanaian patriots from Chorkor and Mamobi, those who managed to run the German visa gauntlet and landed in Deutschland.

     

    Prayers and incantations from Kpandu, Nyamuransa or Larteh may work on lesser teams but what if we come face to face with Brazil in the finals? That prospect is daunting and frankly frightening.  Nevertheless, apart from believing in miracles, which may be of limited value against Ronaldo and Ronaldino, the Ghanaian is resourceful. I trust that Essien, Appiah and the rest of the boys have Ananse in their bones and will pull some real surprises. You may think I have converted to hopeless optimism but even Dujkovic, the strangely pessimistic coach is now learning to sing "Da no ase.." in preparation for the Accra victory parades. We have edited a Pepsi advert in support of Ghana, now playing on TV, hopefully until the boys lift high the cup on 9th July. Are we dreaming? Only optimists may respond.  

     

     

    Kwesi Owusu

     

     

      

     

     

    Friday, June 09, 2006

    What a Rainy Day!!! Presaging a victory for the Black Stars in Ghana-Italy gamae on Monday?

    till Monday!

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    Thursday, June 08, 2006

    Thankyou all You visitors, but PLEASE LET ME KNOW...

    …which country you are from by placing you pin on the BRAVENET GUEST MAP.

     

    You can find it above this:

     

    2 Extracts of My Favourite Ghanaian Song for 2005 (Most Popular in Ghana as of mid-2005)-- Kwabena-Kwabena

     

    Thankyou!!!

     

    Wednesday, June 07, 2006

    Such a Sunny Day!


    I really did not feel like getting out for lunch this afternoon! Whatever happened to the rainy season that was supposed to be here?!!

    Tuesday, June 06, 2006

    Friday, June 02, 2006

    Nana Amma's coffin enters the hearse in preparation for Osu cemetery. Taken 27/05/2006

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    As the Week Draws to a Close in Accra: Thoughts on…Home Delivery, ATM-frenzy, ECOBANK Share Offer

    Home delivery
    I woke up on Saturday 27 May a very preoccupied man. I would be attending the funeral of a truly good, beautiful, caring and loving married friend, Mrs Nana Amma Osei-Ahenkorah.

    I still cannot believe that I have not cried. Maybe the experience of t he demise of Samuel, my one and only elder brother, on 8 May, 1991, has fortified my attitude on the significance of death. Don’t get me wrong: death is still a very painful "enterprise", as it were, for the family and friends of those left behind, but taking succour from the fact that we shall meet again, maybe mitigates the pain.



    I still see no reason why one should hold back from crying. On Saturday, I was so distraught—to the extent that after attending the cemetery service (wanted to know where she is buried), I seemed okay, but upon going back home, couldn’t help talking about her to my parents. My Dad -- jokingly I hope – was wondering whether Nana Amma was not my girlfriend. As I confessed elsewhere, I initially had a crush on her, but knowing there was no way anything could happen between us, we proceeded as friends. She became like a big sister to me—we confided in each other on a lot of things. I will admit, upon retrospect, that not only do I have her picture on my desk at work, but I do think I loved her a great deal.



    It regrettably had to take her demise for me to realize this. I am just waiting for the tears to come. Maybe like that of my brother’s, it is delayed, and will only ‘surface’ in a couple of week’s time… What is clear, though, is that Nana Amma has veritably gone "home", where she belonged.



    We shall meet again:-)

    On another case of home delivery, it was with great joy that I stumbled over a copy of the "Daily Graphic" on Wednesday night around ten thirty, lying quietly on my terrace. It had been delivered by the Home delivery service who had thrown it there, clearly afraid of the incessant barking by our dog, Fenix. I got a copy of the 1 June edition, which looked like the picture to below left:



    ATM Frenzy
    Yesterday was a deeply hectic day. I needed money from the bank, and the most convenient place to get it was by way of an ATM, especially one of those visa-branded ones like this one below:



    So, I went to an ECOBANK one at my place at A&C Shopping Mall (pictured right). That was out of order. Quickly, I called a taxi, and went to the University campus area one (Legon). Also out of order. So, on I went to Silver Towers, where Stanbic Bank and ECOBANK, along with Ghana International Airlines share lodging. Also out of service. On back to the so-called EZI-Services (hosted by ECOBANK) at the Airport Shell. No luck.

    37 Liberation Road (SG-SSB bank) proved equally futile—as did the ATM at On the Run, not too far from 37 military hospital.

    So, it was decided to go to Ring Road Central (RRC). Thankfully, I stopped at the ECOBANK branch there instead of going to SG-SSB that was up ahead.

    Hurrah!! Result. Card in, money out.

    The prospect of facing a queue was not on my list of things to do.

    I then went back to the office, wondering whether it might not just be a good idea to have a single ECOBANK Savings account at the plush branch located at Silver Towers. Time will tell…

    Speaking of ECOBANK, the share offer is in its final day today. Since 15 May, the bank has been offering 8,750,000 shares or so for sale, with one share selling at ç11,000, or almost €1.00.

    Suffice to say that my parents and I are now proud shareholders in our small way of ECOBANK.

    The future might just be that much brighter.

    Health Watch
    According to this morning's Statesman newspaper, which carried the headline "HOSPITALS HOLD GOVT TO RANSOM", the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is facing the prospect of many strikes in the country’s hospitals. Government has consistently failed to present new payment structures and, as such, it is causing a number of strikes, with doctors saying that they won’t go to work unless arrears of months have been paid.

    The most distressing thing about this situation is that whilst they are entitled to strike, what, then, happens to the rest of us who want medical assistance. Most people cannot afford to go private, so what do they do? Go untreated? The paper maintains that since Monday, Ghana’s biggest teaching hospital, Korle-Bu, has had junior doctors go on strike! They claim that until money from January to May 2006 is paid, they will not resume work.

    Apparently, if this news is anything to go by, the NDC, former government in power, did something right with the so-called Additional Duty Hours’ Allowance (ADHA), introduced in 1999, and sadly terminated by the incumbent government last year. Doctors who were then earning GHC 6,000,000/month (almost $US700) under that scheme are now earning just under half that.

    Without a doubt, a lot more needs to be done by the NPP government on healthcare policies -- especially those of healthcare workers -- otherwise people might go down the private route – unprepared, and with dire consequences on the families of those that remain if things don’t go well in private either…


    SOME THINGS I REALISED I LIKE ABOUT ACCRA:

    1. the verdant scenes (greenery) almost replete in the capital (on the left--a view of the road that leads to the airport (right) and up ahead, Airport Shell station);



    2. although could have been better-designed, the Tetteh-Quarshie interchange (a view of it going towards Madina, Aburi, East Legon);

    3. the ATMS!!

    SITE OF THE DAY


    CITI97.3FM’s site has been re-vamped. Go check it out: http://www.citifmonline.com

    Mourners wave Goodbye to Nana Amma...

    Goodbye Nana Amma: mourners at the Police Church, 37, on 27 May, 2006 wave goodbye to Nana Amma. Her coffin moves gracefully outside towards the hearse--and Osu cemetery, located twenty minutes away.

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