On 6th March 1957 Ghana became independent; a 'breakaway' from colonialism and oppression. On this day though i am on strike i take off my hat and salute the freedom fighters. Those people through whose blood, sweat and toil a nation was built. The utterances made on platforms, the declarations, announcements and proclamations that have made me a free man cannot be unappreciated. The schisms as a result of the desire to set a people free and fuelled by the great commission were worth it.
Today we all celebrate our independence, Ghanaians and non-ghanaians alike. The world over Osagyefo Dr.Kwame Nkrumah has been recognised as the main man and brain behind the cause. He deserves the credit even though he was not alone and i have reasons. I am in my mid-wenties so i heard and saw none of what happened. Despite what i have learnt from teachers, it seems i know nothing about Nkrumah and the struggle. Let me take the opportunity to ask why Ghanaians praise the dead while they rebel against them when they (dead) were alive. Days ago i was talking to a colleague teacher and she sang one of the songs sung against Dr. Nkrumah. It says Nkrumah was in the Guinea engaged in cocoa farming and Fathia was a 'koko' (porridge) seller. Some Ghanaians also 'buried' him when he was more than alive; a piece of plantain sucker purported to be the remains of Nkrumah was put in a coffin and buried.There are many of such songs and actions, they are in no book-i stand to be corrected but i have read no book that has this.
54 years of independence with great labels, symbols, speeches and shows. 54 years of defamation, vilification, nothing but nothing. 54 years of mental slavery, intellectual subjugation!
How and what would Ghana have been if Nkrumah and his colleagues were alive?
54 years of educational adultery! What can we boast of as a nation? Sovereign? I wonder! Is there a reason for the season? And does the season reason?
54 years of independence and we still 'dey beg'. What is the essence of school children marching past the 'this thing'? Thanks to teachers and their demands i can envisage the lowest turn out. I am already away from home and school doing my own thing so 'minus' my other three teachers and me. The take away continues.
A poem for the season and reason. My own poem:
We thought and
fought
They roared but we
won
Our warriors pushed
and pulled
Through the rough
and smooth
It was a struggle for
the tough
And the victory was
enough
We roared and they
left
Our warriors left not
their hold
For they were brought
up bold
But the cowards
allowed themselves
To be deceived and
took their knives
In sheep clothing they
came but wolves
(to be continued...)
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!
3/05/2011
3/03/2011
the lion sleeps tonight
I was born in 1986 in a Ghanaian village so i am a human being in Ghana. I have had all my education in this country, i do not hold dual citizenship and i have never gone to any of the air stations (forget the class) in Ghana. The first time i saw 'Embassy' was when i went to the NAFTI hostel (18th feb. 2011) and that was the American Embassy. I have voted twice-2004 and 2008 and in both i took part in the diferent shades (run-off), i pay taxes and i serve as i am supposed to. None of my ancestors was non-ghanaian.
What kind of sin have i 'done' against Ghana that is *so* unpardonable? A year after Senior Secondary School, i lost a brother who was sponsoring my education so my dream (which i referred to as my ultimate goal in life at the time) of becoming a media magnate was 'shutted'.
What i mean is that what is good for the geese is good for the gander! Early 2011, 'action year' was declared and so fuel prices were increased to almost 30%, there was reshuffling, editors of media houses were met followed by a buffet lunch. Mid-2010 the single spine salary structure (ssss) was implemented for the police and the increment was about 500%. Early 2011, teachers like myself were expecting a 'migration' on-to the ssss but for us it is now 'sickle cell salary structure'. The increment is about 0.0001%.
People have come out with various explanations, definitions and excuses. 'teachers are too many', the 'ecominy is fragile', etc. But the question is 'how much was the tea and wasn't the economy suffering at the time of the meal?'
Why do our leaders always have to demean the teacher and his contribution to national development? I read a comment on www.myjoyonline.com and it was unfotunate. It said that teachers should leave the classroom and join the police if they think their salary level is unfair. Another said we deserve what we have got.
I am a teacher and a Ghanaian by birth. If the ssss will not better the lot of the chalk holder, what about the recent increase in minimum wages? I appreciate the example of my colleagues in Koforidua, Accra and Kumasi; i am with them 150%. Today i went to class, wrote something on the board and sat in front of the office. The best part is that i have been paid though i have not been to the bank. The worst part is that i watch movies in the classroom.
If they think teachers are too many, i have this: let us teach them wrong so they do not add to the already disturbing number.
Press conferences! What was the agenda? What did Betty say? What about Graham? Okudjeto could only make anmouncements about the evacuation that never was! MPs wanted GHC7000 or so as salary plus 'in-' and ex-gratia! What about Job 600?
It is so funny! I am still watching movies// Angels and Demons. A quick reminder- i will be in school but will not teach!!!
What kind of sin have i 'done' against Ghana that is *so* unpardonable? A year after Senior Secondary School, i lost a brother who was sponsoring my education so my dream (which i referred to as my ultimate goal in life at the time) of becoming a media magnate was 'shutted'.
What i mean is that what is good for the geese is good for the gander! Early 2011, 'action year' was declared and so fuel prices were increased to almost 30%, there was reshuffling, editors of media houses were met followed by a buffet lunch. Mid-2010 the single spine salary structure (ssss) was implemented for the police and the increment was about 500%. Early 2011, teachers like myself were expecting a 'migration' on-to the ssss but for us it is now 'sickle cell salary structure'. The increment is about 0.0001%.
People have come out with various explanations, definitions and excuses. 'teachers are too many', the 'ecominy is fragile', etc. But the question is 'how much was the tea and wasn't the economy suffering at the time of the meal?'
Why do our leaders always have to demean the teacher and his contribution to national development? I read a comment on www.myjoyonline.com and it was unfotunate. It said that teachers should leave the classroom and join the police if they think their salary level is unfair. Another said we deserve what we have got.
I am a teacher and a Ghanaian by birth. If the ssss will not better the lot of the chalk holder, what about the recent increase in minimum wages? I appreciate the example of my colleagues in Koforidua, Accra and Kumasi; i am with them 150%. Today i went to class, wrote something on the board and sat in front of the office. The best part is that i have been paid though i have not been to the bank. The worst part is that i watch movies in the classroom.
If they think teachers are too many, i have this: let us teach them wrong so they do not add to the already disturbing number.
Press conferences! What was the agenda? What did Betty say? What about Graham? Okudjeto could only make anmouncements about the evacuation that never was! MPs wanted GHC7000 or so as salary plus 'in-' and ex-gratia! What about Job 600?
It is so funny! I am still watching movies// Angels and Demons. A quick reminder- i will be in school but will not teach!!!
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