Month: April 2016

Hahaha. Hahaha. It is most unusual to start an article with laughter. I just did. The title ‘PHD’ does not refer to the degree but rather it is an acronym. I will get round to it soon if you have not figured it out by now.

I live in the USA and I have seen development. I try to create an intercourse between my Ghanaian culture and the American norms. I try to create a hybrid that is peculiar to the Ghanaian family of today. I refuse to believe in the culture that places the woman on the pedestal of a servant or second rate citizen. I charge you never to carry the negatives from the marriage of your parents into yours.

I will not say or defend wholly American norms. The USA is a melting pot of different cultures. I will not dwell on all these cultures but only one or two.

I will start with the Chinese. Every Chinese restaurant is staffed by Chinese. I hardly see any other nationality in there .  As time goes on, you realise the senior waiters and waitresses are nowhere to be found. They are replaced by a younger generation. The senior ones are also assisted to set up their own restaurants. The same can be said of the Indians when it comes to convenience stores and gas stations. It is nice. It is beautiful. They prop each other; they help; they assist one another.

Now welcome home. Home to my Ghanaian community. Do we assist or do we pull down? Hence my title ‘ PHD’- Pull Him/Her Down. It is easy for someone you know to deride you on your blindside to potential would be clients or audience. They do it for the simple reason that they lack the skill which you have, makes you a target of hatred; an enemy of their progress; detrimental to their well being. They have to bring you down at all cost. That is when they refuse to acknowledge the truth and persistently try to ensure that their whims are carried. They go against all known norms.

What will it take to admire and encourage and stand solidly behind one of our own? What will it take to make people realise we are not all cut from the same cloth? What will it take to make people think with a conscience? What will it take to stop destroying one another?

As for me, as long as I have breathe of life, I will encourage and support. If it is not your forte, hey, I will tell you. Until then only you can make that needed CHANGE!!

Beautiful. Very beautiful. I am amazed. You want to know why? Unless you are blind, even then the energy oozing out of its beauty is enough to power the whole of Africa; the Continent Africa.
Social media is constantly awash with our proclamations of piety and religiosity. We constantly remind others of how holy we are. How holy are you? How? Is it exemplary in your lifestyle? Are you a positive role model?
Take a break. In the noise of your silence, question the answers you provide to your self about yourself. Ponder! Deeply. Advise yourself. Live Right.

#SILENT NOISES

“now I have joined the club” those were her first words to me after a hearty laugh in answering the phone. She did not say Hello or anything else. She just laughed on answering. For someone who had just endured a grueling “pushing” session in the labor ward, it was strange.

I have a sister but I have sisters. Unfortunately some have fallen into the category of the ‘ex- sisters’. Nana A and Z with my M and M are still counted among my sisters. I will jump at their whim any time. I digress though.

Our society measures a successful marriage in terms of the children that it produces. Who will carry the family name into the next generation? No wonder it takes a village to raise a child because that child is seen as growing up to defend the village; to be a role model to others and carry on its traditions and cultures. I welcome my niece.

JGA-B please take your seat. Enjoy a sip of milk. It is not nice in the future but now it will sustain. Hurry up and hand over the milk containers back to Daddy. He is used to sucking from them. Enjoy your stay. Welcome your brothers and sisters.. You have brought us much joy. May it remain same till we depart. Remember, you are of Ghanaian parentage more so Peki-Avetille and Peki-Blengo. May traditions be with you but modify them small. May you not indulge in Burghers and fries and what not ( your grandma loved McDonalds).

Be respectful to your parents and elders. Eschew pride. Above all, as you grow , Trust in God. Nobody will teach you about God for you are from Him. Trust only in Him.

Once again Janell,woezor lo!! Congratulations to Ben and Meg. Aunty May too. Love you all.

Today is packed. Likewise tomorrow. I really love tomorrow. It is Sunday. I was born on Sunday. I will close a 2 year chapter of my life tomorrow. I am grateful to God for His grace.
I have embarked on a new chapter that is equally and even more demanding.
It was a journey of hills and valleys. There were times I nearly drowned. I had a goal. My vision was clear.

What about you? Why have stopped persisting in your endeavor? Get up! Make a move. A wise move is a move. No movement is silly. Without trying you won’t know which is good. Blaze your own path. You are you! You are His child! He is your rock. Rely on Him! Trust in Him.
#SILENTNOISES

I dedicate this poem to all you single mothers whose education was cut short because you fell prey to those big elderly wolves out there. To you in particular. You know who you are.                Rise up and smile with the rising sun. In you. Never give up.  Blessings Always.

Eyes on her, he claimed to be smitten
With smooth words he claimed to be a kitten,
Hand in hand, legs entwined
He claimed her as a twinny
She believed she was enshrined
In a stonecold heart
That only sought her sugary and sweet fruit.

Boom! The bomb. Schooling shattered.
To him it never mattered.
He was chasing money
She made him angry
Better to destroy
Said the good friend
Yes good friend
They played in the same league

Smart girl. Now a lady
Runaway.
Kept her baby safe
Refuge in God
You want a relationship
When you never built a bridge
Can you call him your child?

Now you sit in church
Doing churchical stuff
I cannot judge but you are not a role model
Have you claimed your child?
Or waiting till they step into their blessings?

Your character is beautiful
Worthy of emulation
The beauty of an Irresponsible Father!

When I first referred to a lady as ‘Aunty Kakai’, many thought I was referring to that ‘U’ word. Far from that. It was only in reference to a popular song.  ‘Kakai’, “Kakamotobi’, ‘Emaasi’. These are words that are names that connote fear and hideousness.

If you did not come across these words whilst growing up then I dare to say you are a late 90s child. If you were born in the late 60’s, 70s and 80s, you can simply identify with this piece. It was in those days that you had the masqueraders come to your home to dance. At Christmas. Yes at Christmas. Some children were scared and run to hide. Others danced along. Others stared with mouth agape.

These days they hardly dance around at Christmas. You rather see them on TV daily. What is this borrowed accent? Some one goes to South Africa or Dubai or Singapore and on their return (after 1 week) they have developed an accent. Either speaking with a Texan drawl or the fast paced nasal New York accent. To add insult to injury, they adorn themselves with multiple wigs that flow like a horse’s name. Why? Can’t they be Ghanaian? Natural hair? Light make-up? Do they have to scare us on TV? With all those wigs on your head, what nationality shall we ascribe to them? As for the accents we simply love those ‘hot kenkey and pepper’ and ‘ waakyerised’ accents. It is sexy. We love the Ghanaian in you.

Many guys are scared to get married. Can you imagine what they would see in the morning without the layers of paint and all that hair tied up? Trust me when I say Ghanaian women are the most beautiful on earth but the ‘copycatism’ is crazy.

We don’t need that on TV. We don’t need those fake wannabe accents on Radio. Just be you. We love you just as you are. Don’t scare us. Let us enjoy you.