WHY I DREAD USING THE MADINA FOOT BRIDGES. (Part 1)

WHY I DREAD USING THE MADINA FOOT BRIDGES. (Part 1)

A lot of people are calling for the arrest and prosecution of pedestrians who refuse to use the new foot bridges spanning sections of the Adenta-Madina highway.

In fact, there is a video in circulation which shows some "hungry-looking" military officer subjecting perceived lawless pedestrians to rigorous physical exercise, apparently, for refusing to use the bridge.

I have a contrary opinion on this whole subject, informed largely by experience and observation.

I declared independence from my parents not too long and so I managed to secure some ghetto around one of the gutters in the Madina Zongo area. That is why I FREQUENTLY use the footbridge close to the Zongo junction intersection, if not on a daily basis.

But trust me, I have my own reservations about - the use of - this footbridge, some of which I have detailed below:

If you use the bridge in the evening from 9:00pm thereabouts, I swear, your commentary will change.

There are no lights overlooking the top of the footbridge. It can get so dark you hardly see ahead of you. Every step makes you feel like you are stepping into an empty space/bottomless hole, which sparks that funny or uneasy feeling that you could trip and fall off and onto the road.

That aside, the place is so dark that when on the footbridge, you keep looking over your shoulders and holding your valuables (like phones, purse, bag) firmly while cautiously suspecting those criminal-looking guys who idle about or perch on the metal railings.

You see, the ideal thing is for pedestrians to use the bridges for the purpose for which they were constructed. But my problem is about how people jump into conclusion and accuse pedestrians in the area of lawlessness without crediting them - at least some of them- with some small "sense".😏

There are real issues, which are worth considering. If you only drive pass the place *vuuum vuuum vuuum* or run your commentary from afar, you may not have a good feel of the inconveniences the perceived "lawless pedestrians" go through, which virtually compel them to do what they are doing.

A holistic assessment of the situation will prove very useful.

I shall return

Published: Friday 10th January, 2020

EDDIE KWABI - A FRIEND TO REMEMBER, A BROTHER TO MISS

 EDDIE KWABI - A FRIEND TO REMEMBER, A BROTHER TO MISS

Late Eddie Kwabi 

There is something disorderly about the death of a young person. In a universe disturbed by so much over which we have no control, an untimely tragedy – such as the passing of 32 year old Eddie Kwabi - rattles the teeth of our already shaken confidence. (Faye Moskowtiz’s quote rephrased)

It is the morning of the second day of May, twenty twenty; Edward Kwabi should be lying within the confines of his narrow wooden bed by now, ready to make his last public appearance before taking that eventual stroll into a new life in eternity. I find myself trapped in my room, reflecting on Eddie’s passing and wondering what to say. The season in which we are has also robbed us of the opportunity to even congregate as friends and see him off.

The mere mortals that we are, some are wont to think and classify this call and the physical loss of such a gem as too sudden but ‘His thoughts are not our thought, neither are His ways our ways’.

Eddie and I were in GIJ together at a point, we were not tight friends while on campus though; he had his circle of friends and I had mine. We rather became closer after leaving school and that must be because we ended up on the same alumni page where ‘boys and girls’ mingled, had fun, reflected on life on campus and peeped into the future hand-in-hand with so much confidence and hope.  

From school, I drifted towards Public Relations practice while Eddie landed and remained in mainstream journalism. He excelled and was fast rising when the uncertainties in life swung in his direction, bundled him off and truncated that promising career.

You know how important media and media contacts are to PR practice right? He made my PR work easier. He was just a phone call away. He could book and block interview slots for you at the snap of your fingers; he could arrange media coverage for you with cheeky ease without subjecting you the hassle that came with upfront payment. He was a walking phone directory. He put his links and expertise at the disposal of his friends. I am a grateful beneficiary of Eddie’s near-perfect human relations and friendship.

Eddie dressed and carried himself like a real gentleman, he reasoned intelligently and oh, he kept our alumni page alive, sometimes, he literally set it ablaze with his sense of humour, refined and light-hearted jokes. Alphonse de Lamartini’s said – “sometimes when one person is absent, the whole world seems depopulated’, I think I am making more sense of this expression now.

It was Marcus Tullius Cicero who also said, ‘the life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living’. Death thinks it can take you away from us, but it doesn’t know that you will always live in our memory. Brother, God has you in his arm, we have you in our hearts and minds.

Father in thy gracious keeping leave we now thy servant sleeping.

Published on Saturday May 2, 2020

REV. CHRIS BAAH NARTEY LAUNCHES ANOTHER SET OF BOOKS

The Author, Rev. Chris Baah Nartey

Writing and launching four books within and space of a year – that is how young Presbyterian Minister, Rev. Chris Baah Nartey etched his name on the slate that holds the names of authors of Christian literature.

He made his debut in the literary space when he simultaneously launched two ‘page turners’ titled “Kingdom mandate” and “Fulfilling a Glorious Destiny” in December 2017.

Twelve months down the line, he is out with another pair in his determined effort to augment the volume of literature on Christian themes.

Titled “Invoking Divine Visitation” and “The Passion of Christ”  the new set of two was launched recently at the Bethel Presby Church, Kpong, in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, attracting well-wishers from all walks of life.

About the two books

“Invoking the Divine Visitation” is a 94 pager and a product of thorough research and analysis. The book provides readers with a deep insight into what it means to have God’s presence in one’s life.

“The Passion of Christ” took 10 years of research to generate the content and every one of the 72 pages give you a sense of the effort that went into it. As carried in the tittle, the book is about Easter and appreciating the benefits the death and resurrection of Christ bring to the Christian.

Commenting on the launch and the inspiration behind the beautiful literary works, Rev. Nartey said “… I got moved to write these books because many people ‘lack depth’ on these subjects. Most of the topics treated in the books are from my personal encounter with the Lord.  As a minister of the gospel, I find myself preaching on them all the time. It is only prudent for me to have them in text and a more permanent form for people to read at their convenience”.

About Rev. Chris Baah Nartey

Rev. and Mrs. Nartey 

Born on 23^rd July 1979, Rev. Chris Baah Nartey, attended the Yilo Krobo Senior High School before proceeding to the Koforidua Technical University in 1999 to study for an HND in Accounting.

He heeded the call into ministry and that took him to the Trinity Theological Seminary (Legon) where he first studies for his Certificate in Ministry and later, First Degree. Presently, he holds a Master’s Degree in New Testament Studies having graduated from the Union Presbyterian Seminary, USA in 2016.

He is the current resident minister for the Bethel Congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Kpong, the husband of Mrs. Mabel Ayermle Nartey (an educationist) and the father of four adorable girls namely Anunyam, Sina, Dromi and Manyeyo Nartey. 

The children of Rev and Mrs Nartey 

WHO KILLED THE JUDGES? - My mixed feelings about the Joy News documentary

A “sleeping dog” will be awakened this evening at 8:30pm as Joy News screens it’s special assignment documentary on how three superior court judges (and a retired military officer) were heartlessly dispatched into eternity in the early 80s.

My reaction to this documentary is mixed. A part of me is eager to watch and to discover more - if only the documentary will reveal something new, beyond what is already in the public domain.

The other half of me is like, hold on, do we really want to wake this wild “beast” up? Do we really want to scrape the wound/scar that took so long to heal (or perhaps, is still healing)? Will the documentary be that deep to tell us something new - the real stuff we want to hear?

Aside the judges, will the documentary give details about the abduction and murder of Major Rtd. Sam Acquah too? He is often lost in narratives about the killing. The reason?

I am thinking, how do we “appease” the souls of the departed, soothe the sorrow of the families and related parties whose hearts ache at the recall or mention of the injustice visited on them?

Is it time to tell the perpetrators of the heinous crime something in their faces?

In my mind, I am like, what next after the documentary?

#whokilledthejudges

STEERING OUR OWN WHEEL

Exactly 58 years ago today, Ghana gained its republican status to wrap up the long period of the independence struggle which was characterized by the payment of the ultimate price - loss of lives- and other forms of precious sacrifices by our forebears.

From that point, we confidently shed off the shackles of colonialism and took our destinies into our own hands to govern ourselves.

The black man is indeed capable of managing his own affairs 

The first President of the Republic, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was so bold, masculine and emphatic when he said the black man was capable of managing his own affairs. It was a case of dictating and dancing to our own tune and this we have done for nearly six decade. We have since chalked some modest successes, but the trajectory came with its own challenges as well.

Admittedly, the pace of our development could have been faster than experienced. Our bane has been the widespread and deeply-rooted corruption, and the near acceptance of what I will describe as “veiled form of colonialism”, uncoordinated development effort/plans, disregard for time and maintenance culture, among others. Going forward, our fight against these phenomena should be more aggressive and collective to make any significant impact.

We however can pat ourselves on the shoulder for the long period of stability/peace and the conscious efforts we have made in this regard. The growing spirit of selflessness and good neighborliness which have made Ghana the home of warmth and hospitality is also worthy of commendation.

We have our own wheel to steer to continue demonstrating to the world that indeed we are capable. Our forebears have contributed their part and we cannot afford to douse the flame that was lit at such a price and in pure sacrifice.

As we mark this day in remembrance of the effort of our forefathers, the best of tributes to pay them is to rededicate ourselves to the efforts to make Ghana a great nation and to further consolidate our positions as the beacon and hope of Africa.

THE SECOND COMING OF ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS

The man, Anas Aremeyaw Anas. (Picture sourced externally)

One word that hits my mind any time the name, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, comes up is enigma. The young man is simply mysterious, puzzling and difficult to figure out.

That he still plies his trade actively and yet most Ghanaians, till date, cannot put a face to the name is the most mystifying. He is such an artful and elusive character.

He must have planned his career so well to have come this far in terms of exploits and achievements while still going faceless. His is an uncommon spirit, a spirit so “stubborn” and daring.

Fact is, Anas is not the first to have ventured in journalism, or better still, investigative/subterfuge journalism, but he is certainly a pacesetter and perhaps the first to have taken it to this dizzying height- one that will remain the point of reference for a very long time to come.

There is however no illusion about how dangerous a career like his can be. Aside the inherent hazards of losing his precious life in the act and endangering those of his family, he is having to live an uncomfortable life in perpetuity, looking over his shoulders every minute and second.

Many are the careers he’s ruined and reduced to rubble through his investigative manoeuvre – in the interest of mother Ghana/humanity, as many would say – and numerous are the people who are seething with a vengeful anger for the huge embarrassment and anguish he’s caused them. 

At this point, he’s already put himself in harm’s way and can only remain anonymous for good otherwise the least act of indiscretion and he is a “grave man”. What a sacrifice for mother Ghana/humanity !

But hey, Anas is not alone, we don’t even know which of these young men parading in the customized mask he really is. He seems to be working with a team who are fast mastering the art.

"Baby Anas", extreme right, spotting his investigative mask

Some more youngsters are also burning with aspirations to step into his kind of shoes. A couple of days ago, social media went live with pictures of this faceless 3-year-old kid who seems poised to also go down the road less traveled.

She was bold enough to choose investigative journalism as a career and she dressed in the likeness of her role model, Anas, to mark a career day in her school. She became an instant (social media) celebrity; that is what creativity can do sometimes. It must be her parents’ idea because she appears too young to own and be credited with this ingenuity/creativity; she has become a “star”, the darling “Baby Anas”, nonetheless.

When Anas met "Baby Anas"

Anas is even reported to have paid her a courtesy call - that’s heartwarming. I hope he (Anas) takes special interest in her professional grooming to make sure this dream of becoming a journalist - a valiant investigative journalist,for that matter- is realized. That will be a good way to prepare the ground for his “second coming”, in a different human form.

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MURDERER OF MOTHER OF SIX ARRESTED

Kweku Baah, the suspect

Kweku Baah, who went into hiding after allegedly butchering a 41-year-old mother of six, Regina Ayobayo Kpabitey, at Anyesu near Asesewa in the Upper Manya Krobo district of the Eastern Region has been arrested.

The woes of Baah, has further deepen as another case of attempted murder emerges against him following his arrest.

His other victim, who survived an alledged attack by the suspect, was said to have escaped death by a hair’s breadth about two years ago but has been living with a deformity ever since.

Baah, the family indicated, had been on the run until he was alledged to have recently butchered Regina, his latest victim, at Anyesu which resulted in his eventual arrest.

Background:

Madam Koryoe-Bio Korli, the first victim

Narrating the ordeal to The Mirror, Matey Daniel Korli, spokesperson for the family of the first victim, said Baah was a farmhand to Koryo-Bio at Korlieteh, a peasant community near Ehiamekyene in the Fanteakwa district of the Eastern Region where they both lived until the incident.

He said on August 31, 2015, both the suspect and the victim went to the farm to harvest some foodstuff for sale as has been the practice.

In the process, the suspect made aggressive sexual advances on the victim who resisted him, resulting in a scuffle. 

Baah is reported to have slashed the victim’s forehead with his machete but the latter became even more resistant, amidst screams and desperate attempts to run to safety.

Her shout for help attracted some members of the community to the nearby farm, but Baah dashed into the bush and went into hiding.

Following the attack, the victims, aside the deep cut on the forehead, was said to have lost her left index finger and sustained a cut on the right thumb. She was then rushed to the Begoro District hospital where she was treated and subsequently discharged.

A report was lodged at the Bepoase Police station, near Ehiamekyene but all effort to track the suspect yielded no result until his eventual arrest on Wednesday August 2, 2017 at Patsleni village by the Asesewa Police. He has since been transferred to the Koforidual Divisional Police Command.     

Burial of the second victim:

Last week, The Mirror reported the murder of 41-year-old Regina Ayobayo Kpabitey, alledgely committed by Baah on August 29, 2017 at Anyesu, a farming community near Asesewa where both victim and suspect lived until the incident.

After the act, the suspect absconded and it took a search party to discover the decomposing body of the victim a day after, hidden under a heap of leave and debris on their farm.

A report was then made to the Asesewa Police who conveyed the corpse to the St. Martins Hospital, Agormanya.

The deceased has since been buried, leaving behind six children aged between 22 and 7 years.

The Mirror, Friday August 11-17,2017 (Front page)

The Mirror, Friday August 11-17,2017, page 3