WHAT IS POLITICS?

Many people think politics is where the elite and most influential people use their wealth to rule the poor. Others also perceived that through politics a person will be elect as a president of a country for the sole purpose of that person causing a financial change in the country. This ideology is mostly found in African politics.

Politics in its broader sense is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live. According to Harold Lasswell

Politics is the determinate of who gets ‘’ what; When and How”. Already politics is exciting because people disagree; they disagree about how they should live. Who should get what? How should power and other resource be distributed? Should society be based on cooperation or conflict?

‘’Who gets what” in politics means; For instance when there is budget reading by the government, this determines which regions gets water, jobs, or schools. ’’When” in politics also means when there is initiative; people ask is this year or next year. ‘How’’ in politics rise a concern such as how will government fund a project.

For Aristotle, this made politics the ‘’master science”; that is, nothing less than the activity through which human beings attempts to improve their lives and create the good society. So above all, it is a social activity. Politics is a conflict resolution, than its achievement, as not all conflicts are, or can be resolved, never the less, the preserve of diversity (we are all not alike] and scarcity (there is never enough to go around], this ensure that politics cannot be taken away from human condition.

Also according to David Easton which I coat; Politics is the ‘’authoritative allocation of resources that are value. T his tells us that resources are scarce and this is very true, whiles other definitions of politics makes us to understand that; it is the exercise of power, the exercise of authority, the making of collective decisions, the practice of deception and manipulation.

Truly, politics has brought change, development and dynamics in most countries. For instance, does ‘’politics” refer to a particular way in which rules are made, preserved and amended (that is peacefully, by debate] or to all such processes. Similarly, is politics practised in all social contexts and institutions, or only in certain one (that is government and public life].From this perspective, politics is worth practicing because it gives different views such as:

Politics the art of government.

Politics as public affairs.

Politics as compromise and consensus.

Politics as power and the distribution of resources.

Akpene Lovia Baku
PUC/151050

GIVING IS LIVING.

GIVING IS LIVING

(A TRUE LIFE STORY)

written by: Johnson David

At the time when everyone was expecting to see the best,Jack has changed drastically into what no one would believe.He was a middle aged man who has just forsaken his million dollar business for a very important calling. Just before then he was the bread winner of the family and without him no decision was made.He was his mother’s best and a blessing to his siblings.One fateful day without putting all these things in consideration and also turning deaf ear to his family’s advice, he thrashed everything to answer a calling which no one would approve of.The calling of God.

His early days in ministry  were full of pains and rhetorical questions.It all seemed like a total disaster.In a twinkling of an eye,he had lost all and became very poor.Jake’s family became his foe and his friends his enemies. His mother became hard on him and even to eat was a problem. ‘’Jake you are a mistake in my womb.i should never have given birth to a child like you’’ says  his mother to him one day after returning from preaching the gospel.Jake could not believe his ears.Once a mother’s best and now a mistake to her womb.This was so painful and unbearable to the extent that he moved out of the house.

Some months after moving out, he got married to one of the sisters who believed in him and his ministry and loved him after been turned down several times by other ladies in the church because of his plight.Although the materials used for the wedding were borrowed.Both of them could not enjoy their wedding night as other couples do immediately after wedding.A honeymoon has now turned into a ‘honey mourn’.They had to go stay with Jake’s friend who agreed to accommodate them until they were able to get their own place.The first month was pleasant but as people would say, ’’A good visitor is the one who knows the right time to leave’’.The next month was unpleasant as they woke up one morning to find out that the kitchen that was always open was locked.They understood the message and decided to leave that evening.His wife had to go stay with her family whiles Jake squatted with one friend to the other.After much suffering,he was invited to preach in a particular church where he was able to get some cash to rent a room for himself and wife.it was during that period they had their first child. Though they were able to get an accommodation but food was still a major problem.

As a very committed and dedicated pastor,Jake and his family had no choice than to always go to church regularly.his wife and new born baby would have to walk a long distance to church. They continued for a while until one day Jake became angry with the situation and said to his wife one day after church’’whiles I am away you will be with the baby’’his wife responded and said yes but how long will this continue?it will continue until we get our own car or at least a motor bike to convey us to church ‘’he replied like a thunder roaring’’ she shouted ’’our own car?his wife could not talk.She only imagine how on earth they would get the money to buy a car when they’ve not had enough to eat.How do we get the money to buy the car?she asked after much silence. ‘’we shall save he replied.She agrees but after she has made him promise her that come rainfall or sunshine they wouldn’t refer to the money for any other purpose.The deal was done and they started saving.

At the end of one year,after much management and thriving they were able to save just Ghc 150(one hundred and fifty Ghana cedis).It was okay to get that amount looking at their level of poverty.Jake kept his promise to his wife not until one night when he almost broke it due to the suffering hunger caused,but  for the resistance from his wife,he was able to hold on.his wife and baby had not eaten anything throughout that day.his baby crying as a result of hunger.Jake was highly disturbed and was in pain seeing his child cry because of hunger.After much thought,he told his wife to take part of the savings but the wife refused reminding him of the promise made.we shall not take a dime out of that money says the wife .she broke into tears after such statement.They slept that night without food.God kept the child and even the next day she seemed to have adapted as she did not look like someone who slept with an empty stomach .God has miraculously filled her.After a few week Jake was invited to preach in a particular church.On his arrival,it was clear that the people of that church are very poor looking at the dilapidated building and tattered roof.During ministration he was ordered by God to call out 10 people to give Ghc100(one hundred Ghana cedis) each for the fixing of the church. he made the call and also told them within a short time those who respond will receive a gift of a car.No one came out after  much talk. And the holy spirit refer to the money in his house.he resisted for awhile until he was convinced and decided to stand in for the church.He told the pastor to follow him to the house after the service to collect the money. To Jake the money was not the problem but how to convince his wife.This and many other thought were going through his head as he made his way home with the pastor.On arrival,he asked the pastor to wait in the hall whiles he went into the bedroom. He took  a while to open up his mouth after using every available sweet words to thrill his wife. What money? ‘’his wife asked shouting’’ the same money’ replied by Jake. He kept quiet but praying silently for God to touch his wife. Surprisingly,she turned at him to ask what the money was needed for.He told her it was for the work of God and that is why the pastor followed him to the house. she replied.why didn’t you tell me?you almost made me go against God.She handed the money over to Jake and he quickly took the money before she changes her mind. He gave the money to the pastor and saw him off. Jake returned home only to find his wife crying uncontrollably he has no option then to join her.

The next month became a turning point in Jake’s life.He was invited to preach in a particular church outside his region where he’s never been before.how the invitees  got to hear of him  was a great surprise.He went to his church to get more information. instead of an encouragement he was discouraged as he was told that the pastor who has invited him is a  mincer. he left but was never discouraged or changed his mind.he asked one other pastor to follow him after he rallied round to borrow the money for transportation. They embarked on the journey and eventually got there.He preached as he was appointed to and handed over the  microphone to the host pastor as he was through. The pastor presented to him a cheque of Ghc10,000(ten thousand Ghana cedis)and Ghc5,000(five thousand ) to the other pastor .To the surprise of everybody even to Jake himself, Jake received a key to a brand new car.

From that day henceforth, Jake and his family never lack. Things began to work well and he receives invitation for ministration within and outside the country.God used him to turn the stories of many people around to glory.

Jake went back to the church where he gave his last money to testify.

On another occasion,while preaching in a particular church, the holy spirit instructed him to call out ten people to give fifty thousand each for the work of God.Nine people came out and it was left with one person.It was then revealed unto him by the holy spirit that the last person is a lady.After much calling,a poor looking woman came out.When he saw her coming,he was almost tempted to ask her to go back,but he did not. He ask her to take the number of steps according to the number of days she want to receive her miracle.She took about seven steps forward and the man of God(Jack)told her that her miracle would come in seven days.He further asked her how she was going to get the money.She told him that she was a widow and that she was going to sell the big generator she got as compensation for her husband death.She also told him that it is the generator that her children normally switch on in other to watch films so as to forget the pain of their father’s death.Jake blessed them and they left.In seven days ,the woman was called to a meeting and was given a contract worth billions of Ghana cedis and was been paid a million weekly.She called the man of God to share his testimony. this woman became a business tycoon.she built houses,schools bought properties. Poverty has lost its address in this woman’s life

On another occasion, Jake went to preach,whiles he was ministering, he was instructed by God again to call 10 people to give 1,000 cedis each to support the work of God.At first eight people came out and after much calling,a young man came out but the last person did not come out.Jake waited awhile to see if the last person will obey the voice of God but to no avail until God reveal to him the status  of this man and how he came into the city and what he was wearing and mentioned his name but still the man turn deaf ear to the voice of God.After much talked he prophesied that that man has missed God.He prayed for those who came out and ended his sermon for that day.Three months later,those who came out called to testify of the favor and goodness of God.They became so rich,got series of contracts and became so prosperous to the glory of God.some months later Jake was invited by the pastor to pray for a man in his church who used to be very rich but now so poor that the poor would call him poor.Jake agreed and followed the pastor to the man’s house.On their arrival,Jake was baffled at seeing a man who appears like a skeleton because of hunger.The pastor told Jake how the government seized his goods as well as license together with his wife’s own. After the story Jake started praying .he opened the bottled of anointing oil and as he was about anointing the man,his hand seized in the air.He thought it was something minor so he tried again.his hand seized for the second time.it was then the lord revealed to him that this man is the 10^th man who refused to come support the work of God.Jake was ordered by God to get out of the house because the man  was caused as well as its inhabitant.Jake covered the oil and reminded the man of the day he called for those to support the work of God.After which he left the house immediately.

It was then Jake learnt a very important lesson not to forsake God from that day henceforth.He vowed never to forsake God.

These and many more wonders that God used Jake to perform.A man who once saved 150 cedis in a year has 10 different cars.he now lives in a very big mansion and has four child.He is so blessed to the extent that people in his village are afraid to collect money from him thinking he is into rituals.he opened the scripture to make his people understand that his wealth is from God.The people in his village understood and surrender their lives to God.

Jake ministry continued  to improve greatly.In addition to all his wonderful words through Christ…This is another story of a man. This man is called Mr John(a catholic man) but never liked anything Pentecostal .He is so wealthy and contributed only to the catholic church.As he was going home from church with his driver,he heard a voice at the junction of a Pentecostal church saying ‘’STOP’’he asked his driver to stop in shock.After stopping he did not know what to do so he asked the driver to move.as they were about to move,he heard the voice again but this time he waited for awhile.  The voice continued saying.’’Go into that church and support my work’’He tried arguing but the voice persisted.he went in to support knowing well that it’s the voice of God.This continued the second  Sunday and 3^rd Sunday.Mr John did not want to support again so he waited awhile after service and decided to dodge and pass but the voice still spoke.This time he was asked to sponsor to build the entire church and make sure that the necessary things are in place. this he obeyed.

Some years later, the only son of Mr. John fell sick and died after taken him to several hospital,herbal homes,spiritual homes and native doctors...it was a shock to him.He thought to himself that how can I support  God’s work  and get this reward.He took his dead son straight to the Pentecostal church  junction if he will hear the voice again but didn’t hear so he decided to go into the church to leave his son on the alter.as he took a few step the son sneezed and to the glory of God he woke up…

After the miracle, Mr. John,his son and driver gave their lives to Christ..

GIVING IS INDEED LIVING

GOOD FRIEND TURN ENEMEY

Friendships often involve a strong emotional bond to someone. As long as the friendship is healthy and thriving, that bond is a good thing. When a friendship takes a turn for the worst, that bond sometimes makes it hard to have a clean break. This can lead to former friends being subtle, or open, enemies. If you feel that you are in this situation, you have to identify the signs of an unfriendly friend, let go of the friendship, and neutralize any negative actions that your former friend takes against you.

Friends will often share their opinions on a host of things, from your clothes to your significant other. These opinions come from a genuine interest in your life, whether it’s good or bad. If your friend offers you constructive criticism that has a positive intent, that is acceptable. If they consistently bring you down with negative and overly critical opinions about you and your life, then it might be time to have a conversation with them about where the friendship is going wrong.

A friend offering constructive criticism might pull you to the side and say something like “Have you noticed that the shoes you are wearing have a hole in them? You might want to put on something else before we go out.”

Someone who is being overly critical may address the same situation by calling you out in front of everyone and saying something like “Seriously? You are wearing shoes with holes in them. Don’t you have a better pair?”

People discuss other people all the time. Doing so is not inherently bad, but when someone takes the opportunity to paint an absent person in a negative light, that’s not a good sign. If one of your friends is talking about you in a bad way, you will probably hear about it from other people. What they have to say about you when you aren’t around is a fair reflection of what they think about you overall. Knowing what they think about you can help you salvage the friendship if you are interested in doing so, but it will require cooperation on both ends.

Do not overreact to a friend making a lighthearted joke or stating something that is true. For example, say you aren’t on time for a get together and one of your friends says something like, “I’m not surprised. They probably lost the car keys.” This isn’t something to be offended by (especially if you commonly lose your car keys).

Personal and demeaning comments rarely, if ever, fall into the lighthearted joke category. Take the same example of being late for an outing and imagine one of your friends says something behind your back like, “I can’t stand them. All they do is complain about how bad their life is and bring everyone around them down. I hope they don’t show up at all tonight.” In this case, this person is likely not a friend anymore.

Friends advocate for one another. This means that a real friend will support you when you need it whether it is in public or private. If you notice a friend sticking up for you or helping you out, they are likely a genuine friend. This can be a good sign that they are interested in repairing the relationship, even it if it is currently on the rocks.

For example, if someone says something rude to you and your friend diffuses the situation by saying something like, “That’s not necessary. Let’s all be mature,” then they are taking up for you.If your friend joins in and says something unkind to you, they might not be as good of a friend as you thought.

If your friend has flipped sides and become your enemy, there must be some reason. Have a conversation with them and see exactly why the animosity has developed in your relationship. Be direct and clear with your old friend, especially if you want to be friends again.

For example, you could say something like “I’ve noticed that we don’t get along as well as we used to. It seems like you aren’t very fond of me anymore. Is there a reason?”

This conversation might be best had alone.

Once you deem a friend lost and an enemy gained, you have to decide whether this is what you want. If you want to rekindle the friendship, you will need to cooperate with the other person and create active steps. If you aren’t interested in rebuilding the friendship, then the two of you will most likely remain enemies. You could take active steps like having breakfast together once a week to reunite.

Before deciding that the friendship isn’t worth fixing, you might want to consider things like mutual friends involved. You might spend a lot of time around this person whether you want to be friends or not. In this case, it might be best to at least be on speaking terms

If you have a friend that you have decided is now an enemy, you need to let go of the friendship. This means releasing the good times and the bad. This process will likely come with a mix of good and bad feelings that you will need to sort through. There are several ways to help yourself do this:

Create some kind of ‘moving on’ ritual. Do something that symbolizes the end of the friendship for you. Common versions of this would be to burn or bury something that the friend gave your or that you two shared.

Write out your feelings. This could be in the form of a letter to your friend (don’t send it), a poem, or even just a list of the things you are thinking and feeling.

Dwelling on the past will drain the energy and excitement out of your life. Instead, focus on enjoying your life as it is right now. To do this, spend time with your current friends, or go make new ones. You can also find things that you enjoy doing alone and spend time doing those. Practicing mindfulness can help you let go of the past and focus on the present.

An example of something you might enjoy doing alone could be exercising, art, or reading.You can go out to movies, coffee shops, or the park with your friends to enjoy yourself.

If your new enemy is an old friend, you are likely to cross paths from time to time. Whether you still have several mutual friends or just live in the same neighborhood, social situations could force you to tolerate each other. It is best if this situation does not catch you off guard. Some things you can do to prepare for an encounter are:Think about how to respond if they are rude to you.Consider what you should do if they want to be friends again.

Practice saying what you think you will need to say. For example, say something in front of the mirror like “I’m well. I hope you are well, too.” If you don’t want the conversation to go any further, you can excuse yourself.

 Unless you plan to lose more than one friend, leave mutual friends out of the drama. No one wants to be forced to pick between you and your new enemy. They also aren’t likely to enjoy listening to you talk badly about someone that they still consider a friend. If you need to talk to someone about the situation or vent your frustrations, do so with a friend that doesn’t know your former friend. You could also talk to a family member, counselor, or other supportive figure.

If your mutual friends bring up your new nemesis, simply change the conversation and say something like “That situation is between the two of us. I think it’s best that I don’t involve our friends.” Anything you say could upset your friends or find its way back to your former friend.

An enemy that was made from a friend is likely to be holding on to some sort of grudge. They may try to upset you or entice you to argue and bicker with them. The best thing that you can do is ignore any immature behaviors and focus on conducting yourself in a respectable way. Otherwise, you will be seen as being just as childish as your enemy.

For example, if your enemy does something like leave a nasty note in your locker, just throw it away. There is no need to write a note back or confront them about it. Actually, you don’t even have to read it at all.

When a social situation forces the two of you to interact, not only should you be prepared, but you should also be polite. Being rude will only invite your enemy to do the same. It can also ruin the event for everyone else.

Finally, Avoid as much conversation as possible, but keep any conversation that you do have pleasant.

For example, if you go to a mutual friend’s birthday party, you might have to say something like, “Hi. How have you been?” After a short exchange you can move on.

If you are rude to the other person or complain about them being invited, you might make the whole situation stressful on your friend who’s having the party. This will make things tense between you and your friend.

 When you do interact with your old friend, make your boundaries clear. Though you may have to exchange pleasantries, you do not have to entertain your enemy for long conversations or reminisce about the ‘good old days.’ If you have no interest in rekindling the friendship, do not agree to meet up for coffee or hang out. Politely decline the offer and move on.

For example, your enemy might say something like, “We used to have a lot of fun together. We should grab coffee sometime and catch up.” You can politely respond with something like, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. We had a pretty rough falling out, and now we can be in the same room peacefully. I wouldn’t want to mess that up.

Flooding in the Ga Central Municipality

                                                      

Flooding as defined by Wikipedia “is the overflow of water onto land that is normally dry”. This situation often occurs when there is a heavy rain, when ocean waves come on shore, when snow melts too fast or when dams break. The Ga Central Municipal Area was carved out of the Ga south Municipal Area. The area has a land size of 48,997 square kilometers with a population of 117,220 according to the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC). It shares boundaries with the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to the south, Ga West Municipal Assembly to the East and North, and with the Ga South Municipal Assembly to the west. The area is made up of high lying areas as well as low lying areas. Due to myriad reasons anytime there is a heavy downpour in the municipality some parts of the community are submerged in water. These include the haphazard way of putting up structures by members of the community, lack of proper land administration silted gutters, storm drains and the Laffa stream either due to dumping of refuse or trapping of sands as result of the poor drainage system and soil erosion in the area as well as the poor road network.

Many developers put up structures without recourse to laid-down plans and procedures of the Municipal Authority. In doing so the natural course of rain water is often diverted by most of these developers thereby creating floods in hitherto dry areas. Poor supervision by the Authorities as well as the cunning way of the developers has led to numerous such cases. Those mostly affected are often those who have done the proper thing. These sometimes lead to quarrels between residents during situations of flood.

Due to lack of proper land administration in the area, land owners sell lands that are in marshy areas to developers who also go ahead and develop them and are frequently the victims whenever there is a downpour.

Silted gutters, storm drains and the Laffa stream makes it impossible for the free flow of rain water leading to spillage that causes flood. Whiles sand from untarred roads, irresponsible members of the community also dump their solid waste into the gutters creating silt that makes it impossible for the free flow of water into the storm drains and natural water ways.

Periodic dredging of the Laffa which also helps in preventing floods has also not been forthcoming. The timing of this exercise is also a factor. If dredging is done before the onset of the rains it will yield positive results. However it is often the case that dredging is done sometimes when the rains have started coming in which sometimes make it impossible for the heavy machines to access the soft grounds for dredging to be carried out.

The poor nature of the road infrastructure in the area is one of the major causes of floods in the area. Some roads have been constructed while a host of others have not been constructed. This situation leads to dumping of sands on the tarred road leading to the destruction of the already tarred roads.

 

In conclusion it is only proper to look at some remedies to the problem of flooding in the municipality. Whiles the citizens should act responsibly in the communities; Local Authority should also play their roles in ensuring that the right drainage and road infrastructure are provided in the community. Land and property administration should be strictly regulated to prevent such occurrences in the future. Citizens should avail themselves for the periodic cleanup exercise that is carried out to de-silt the gutters. There should be adequate education of members of the communities on the consequences of their actions such as the dumping of waste in the gutters and cutting down of trees which often leads to erosion. Rather members of the communities should be urged to plant more trees in their various places of abode. With the right dredging and improved road and drainage infrastructure as well as right attitude of the people, flooding will become a thing of the past in the Ga Central municipality.

STEADY RISE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN GHANA

Entrepreneurship is becoming a major cultural change in Ghana because an appreciable percentage of the Ghanaian youth are actively seeking more flexibility, control and purpose at work. This emerging trend is a bold step worth applauding.
Below are some enterprising and industrious individuals leading the entrepreneurial drive in Ghana.

Ethel Delali Cofie, a leading tech entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Edel Technology Consulting, a company that provides IT and software services as an enabler for businesses to achieve their goals. She was named one of the top 5 women impacting IT in Africa. Ethel is also the founder of Women in Tech Africa.

Another great entrepreneur the nation Ghana can boast of is Fred Deegbe ; the founder and Chief Shoemaker of Heel the World, (HTW) a shoe manufacturing company in Ghana. He was in 2012 awarded by the president of Ghana for outstanding performance in the fashion industry.

Israella Kafui Mansu founder of Mansuki Ghana Limited a company that produces cosmetics from local products. She also employs lots of young people.

Godfred Obeng Boateng CEO of A1 Bread (a bread company) and other graduates out there also believe white collar jobs are not the only source of income. Godfred who is a graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is earning an income by selling bread in the streets of Accra.

These are just a few out of many Ghanaians blazing a trail in entrepreneurship. By dint of their hardwork, tenacity and success, they continue to motivate us to follow our dreams and live.







Nyarko Felicia
PUC/150437

THE DIPO RITE NOW A THING FOR TRADITIONALISTS

                          

The Dipo puberty rites is a very prominent event which has been carried out for years by krobos. It started from the top of Krobo Mountains when a man called “PAPA ANA” married two wives. His first wife had only girls and the second only boys. This was quiet traumatizing to the first wife because krobos inherit partrilinearly. Meaning only the second wife’s children could inherit their father. This made papa Ana come up with what we call “the dipo rite”, which was purposely to bring pride to his daughters and their mother and to prevent teenage pregnancy promiscuity until marriage.

When his first daughter menstruated, he gave her gifts including gold, traditional clay beads, scarfs, pieces of kente cloth and other valuables she needed as a woman. He then assigned her to the eldest women in the family to train ,which served as a form of vocational training as she was taught home keeping and child bearing. 

 She was walked with in town as she danced” klama” to announce her new stage of life dressed up in colorful kente and adorned with a lot of beads on her neck, arms and waist.

Unfortunately, the rites have undergone a number of changes over the years.

Previously it was held at home within the duration of one year but now in the shrines in the period of a week. This has gone a long way preventing Christian parents from allowing their children to get involved. They have food restrictions and are only allowed to drink from a well as a way of pleasing the gods.

As a part of this rites, a goat is killed and the fat is kept on the girls’ head with a hat and a leaf on their mouth. Which is not to be removed or to fall else she will face the wrath of the gods.

They are taken to a fenced rock distanced from the shrine which is believed to be a god and made to sit on, in order to determine her virginity.

 Any girl who is found not to be a virgin is ostracized and treated as an outcast. And therefore needs a set of purification rituals. If none of this happens, strong men are made to carry the victorious girls at his back and run with at a fast pace back to the shrine. These men are made to marry the girls as they say” he’s chosen by the gods”.

It is so sad that we have turned what used to be glorifying and beautiful to shame, spiritualism and human rite abuse.

 Girls are made to wear the very minimum clothing exposing their breast and other major parts.  They are also exposed to fear, AIDS as one razor blade is used in shaving their hair. .

And heartbreakingly compelling these innocent girls to marry men they do not love all in the name of tradition.

I so much agree with the conservationists when they say that “if you want to practice tradition go back to the ways of your forefathers”. Despite all the changes, krobos have managed to preserve this rite even though among other tribes in Ghana is virtually non-existing.

 Maintaining culture and tradition is not all about appeasing the gods rather depicting our forefathers.

Zii Wilhemina Autuogmin

PUC/150555