A GOOD MAN HAS COME AND GONE

 A GOOD MAN HAS COME AND GONE

Last Saturday, I joined my JSS and SSS mate – now a brother - Gyan William, to bid farewell to his late father, Elder Sampon Kwame Gyan. If there’s any man I ever encountered who, in my estimation, came close to being a perfect human being, it’s Elder Gyan.

In the words of Mr. Djembi Lawer, one of Elder Gyan’s confidantes, “Elder Gyan’s lifestyle advertised his church, the Church of Pentecost”. He lived the tenets of the church to the latter and exuded, in no mean measure, the characteristics of a Christian.

He had a certain level of humility, decency and strong faith that put him in a bracket of his own. He was a man of refreshing candour, one with an endearing presence. He made sure he didn’t tell us – those who encountered him at close range - how to live, instead he lived and let us watch him do it. His whole life was one of fellow-feeling, modesty and simplicity; he had no time for excesses of any kind.

It’s often said that artisans are cunning but this man was a different brand. He built my dad’s house and many others in the Odumase-Krobo community and so this eulogy is born out of experience and coming deep from my heart.

He was a workaholic; idleness was never a part of him. He worked his way into recognition everywhere he went. It is amazing how God, in his infinite wisdom, put all these qualities in one man.

Given the chance to describe him, I will say he was a good man. We bade him farewell with tears rolling down our cheeks unbidden. The emptiness arising out of his physical loss is so overwhelming but J. K. Rowling’s words provide some form of relief. He said “To the well-organized mind and the man who has fully lived, death is but the next great adventure”. Old man is simply on an adventure now, and mortals as we are, we shall take our turn on this adventure that will give us the opportunity to meet him again.

Fondly remembered, Elder Gyan.

 

Published: Wednesday December 11, 2019

 A CHRONICLE OF EVENTS - WHY THE LOWER MANYA KROBO MUNICIPALITY IS NOT TAKING PART IN TODAY’S NATIONWIDE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS (Part 1).

1. In the year 2010, government stirred an existing boundary dispute between the people of Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region and their Dangme brothers of the then Dangme West District (now Shai Osudoku District) in the Greater Accra.

2. The government, through a Parliamentary Sub Legislation Committee, acted on the Local Government Instrument 2010 (LI 1983) and illegally moved SEVEN ELECTORAL AREA from the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the EASTERN REGION to the Dangme West District of the GREATER ACCRA REGION. 

3. The affected electoral areas which make up the Akuse township were Akutue, Zongo New Town, Osorkutu, Bungalow, Amedeka, Salon, and Natriku.

4. Follow this illegal act by government, the Electoral Commission (EC) attempted to rope in the candidates of these seven electoral area into the 2010 assembly election under the Shai Osudoku District INSTEAD the Lower Manya Krobo municipality where they rightly belong. Note this area carefully.

5. It must be noted that, by this action, the EC, and government for that matter were ILLEGALLY REDEMARCATING regional boundaries (the Eastern and Greater Accra regions) in a clear violation of the provisions in Chapter Two of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.

Note that by moving the seven electoral areas from Lower Manya Municipality to the Shai Osudoku District, government/EC were changing the boundaries of two regions, Eastern and Greater Accra. The constitution listed a series of processes which must be followed, if regional boundaries are to be changed at any point in time, among which are:

i. The setting up of a Commission of Enquiry by the President to determine if there is the need and a substantial demand for the creation, ALTERATION or merger of any region(s). In this case, they were ALTERING the Eastern and Greater Accra regional boundaries.

ii. If the Commission of Enquiry set up by the President satisfies itself about the need for the creation, alteration of boundaries or merger of the regions, it shall recommend to the President that a REFERENDUM be held to decide on the creation, alteration or merger.

NB: It is a tall list of provisions, you may want to refer to Chapter Two of the Constitution and read the provisions in detail.

Government didn’t go through these processes and yet it went ahead to move the electoral areas from Lower Manya (Eastern Region) to Shai Osudoku (Greater Accra region).

6. Government and EC’s action infuriated the people of Manya Krobo who registered their displeasure by besieging the Lower Manya Krobo EC office and locking it up. It remained locked for several months, and impeded the work of the Commission.

7. Then the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, led by late Nene Azago Kwesitsu (TESCO) and late Mr. Charles Mate-Kole (Chaley) took the action further by initiating a legal action against the EC and placing an injunction on the process to restrain the EC from conducting assembly elections in the municipality WITHOUT the seven electoral areas. The writ was issued in the Supreme Court on 24th December, 2010, a copy of which I shall make available on demand.

8.  After one and half years of a NEEDLESS legal battle occasioned by the action of government (December 2010 to June 2012), the Supreme Court declared LI 1983 (on which government and EC were basing their action) UNCONSTITUTIONAL and thus retained the seven electoral areas which were in dispute in Lower Manya Krobo in the Eastern region. The Court gave its ruling on 13th June 2012. The nine member panel of judges who sat on the case were Atuguba J.S.C (Presiding), Dr. Date-Baah, Ansah, Adinyira (Mrs), Dotse, Anin-Yeboah (who has just been nominated for the position of a Chief Justice), Baffoe-Bonnie, Gbadegbe and Akoto-Bamfo (Mrs).

9. All this while, the Lower Manya Krobo municipality was without assembly members. It was being administered by an Interim Management Committee (IMT) under the leadership of the then Chief Executive, Hon. Isaac Tetteh Agbo.

10. More than two years after the nationwide assembly elections were held ( i.e halfway through their four year tenure), and nearly one and Half years after the Supreme Court ruled on the dispute in favour of the Chiefs and people of Manya Krobo - retaining the electoral areas in Lower Manya Krobo -  EC was still not showing any sign of holding the assembly elections, rendering the Lower Manya Krobo Assembly empty.

11. Government/EC literally had to be compelled to hold the elections.

a. WHEN WAS THE LOWER MANYA KROBO ELECTION HELD EVENTUALLY?

b. HOW WAS THE EC COMPELLED TO HOLD THE ELECTION?

c. WHAT LED TO THE DECLARATION OF ‘SELF-GOVERNMENT’ IN LOWER MANYA?

d. WHO PLAYED WHAT ROLE IN PUSHING GOVERNMENT AND THE EC TO ACT?

e. WHY WAS THE COMMISSIONER OF KLOMA GBI AND 13 WOMEN/TRADERS FROM THE AGORMANYA MARKET DRAGGED TO COURT?

f. WHAT BECAME OF THE COURT ACTION INITIATED AGAINST KLOMA GBI AND THE MARKET WOMEN?

g. WHY WAS THE LEADERSHIP OF KLOMA GBI DRAGGED BEFORE THE REGIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, CHAIRED BY THE THEN REGIONAL MINISTER, HON. HELEN ADJOA NTOSO?

h. HOW DID LOWER MANYA KROBO END UP HAVING ITS OWN CALENDAR FOR ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS, AWAY FROM THE NATIONAL CALENDAR?

i. WOULD OUR CALENDAR EVER BE REALIGNED WITH THE NATIONAL CALENDAR? WHEN? HOW?

I shall return.

klonobi2007@gmail.coma

Published: Monday December 16, 2019

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.