Category: Uncategorized

Traditional Marriage vs. White Wedding

#SilentNoises ~knm

Traditional wedding is now referred to as “engagement”.
Then there is this thing called “wedding”. (One day I hope to have a big one)
Key word here is ‘traditional’ emanating from tradition.
Now when our ancestors ( I beg e bi like you no get some) were getting married, the process was lengthy. Negotiations were begun sometimes at birth for the would be parties. Careful observations were made by both sides- that is groom and bride. The intent among others was to make sure offspring brought into the world were healthy on entrance. No rings were exchanged. Our grandmothers and their forebears amassed authentic jewelry which they stored in earthenware jars and only brought out to adorn themselves on festive occasions or to give as marriage presents to their daughters when they also married.

Now that word “wedding” in itself must be researched. The etymology breaks down into two parts- the “pledge” and the “bet”. Find out more for yourself.

The knocking was first during which presentation and subsequent acceptance, a date was set for the marriage ceremony. In some areas, the newly minted couple had to consummate the marriage and show evidence of virginity of the bride.
There was no priest/pastor/minister or whatever then. (Hmm)

Today, with the advent of Christianity (which is a way of life, by the way), we call the our traditional marriage ceremony an engagement and thence proceed to encourage the young couple to lavishly spend on an activity of socialization that would last for only at most twelve hours over two days combined. In the days of yore, it could run for days into weeks depending on the wealth of the families as seen in cattle, goats and tubers of yam stored in huge barns.
Then I ask who we are as a people. For we cannot demean our tradition and still praise it. Think twice.

So far as that so-called traditional engagement takes place and the dowry is accepted by the bride’s family, and there are pastors/priests/ministers present to pray and grace the occasion, I, son of Kwabena Mensah, grandson of Ntem Kwasi Mensah, would not be a hypocrite and would forever see it as a binding marriage ceremony that allows the couple to go forth and multiply as the Good Book urges all couples to do.
Now let us not be myopic in our thinking and think for a second that we are so holy and pious. You are no more sanctified than I am. We are both sinners.
Let us be judged by God. Let us acknowledge our ancestors for they knew and we know not. Follow not blindly.
Done.
Kiss your bride!

#SILENTNOISES

One district One Factory

#SilentNoises ~knm

… and when we come into power, we will build a factory in each district. This will open up development to the people. The previous government has failed us. One district One factory!!
That was one of the promises shouted from the rooftops to the good people of Ghana. These people had suffered and were badly bruised from a previous government. A government that simply did things their own way without recourse to the very lives of the people who voted them into power.
I am using the phrase ” into power’ because we as a people have failed miserably. We have failed because we vote these guys into office and have to hold them accountable. We have failed because we wait on the government to wipe our butts when we are done using the loo. The one thing we are good at is sensationalism. We are very good at that. In the heat of the moment, each becomes a judge and jury and executioner. we torture ourselves on the pedestal of nonsensical nepotism and then turn around to cry “WOLF”. When these same guys, (note, I call them guys) come to us during election times, wooing us with colorful rubbish and enticing words, (like a first year JHS boy wooing a JHS girl), we are smitten and vote them back into office to rape and loot the motherland.
After the promise, we have read and heard some appointees make some ridiculous remarks- “Accra is on its way to being the cleanest city (where?); “my mandate is to use state resources to promote party activities among others”. Then I knew yes, the promises are being kept.
With the demolition of structures to make way for a small capacity cathedral which will suffer the fate of no-maintenance like other state buildings and even some private structures; with the mortgaging of bauxite to another sovereign country for a loan (heeerrrrrr), I dare to assume the people have been taken for a ride. A hell of a roller coaster.
The lies actually are coming from every corner, every district. It is worse than before. O yes! I have eaten and I am full so I am  talking garbage!
One District One Lie!!!

The Church and Hypocrisy

#SilentNoises ~knm

 

The church and hypocrisy

Growing up, I was scared of church. I viewed the Rev Fr. as holy beyond reproach. These were people who were so holy their piety was in my view as being second to Jesus the Christ.
By the way, yes His title is The Christ. First name Emmanuel and last name Jesus.
Then came the rise of these dawn churches in Ghana. They disturbed my sleep at dawn preaching messages of the coming of Jesus the Christ. The constant drumming home of the messages drove masses to run away from the orthodox churches to these churches that were springing up overnight like mushrooms in the Dodowa Forest. Is the God of the mushroom charismatic church different from that of the orthodox church?
Their diverse ways are stories for another day. Definitely we must revisit and dissect and get to the bottom of these shenanigans.
The issue that beats my mind today is the level of hypocrisy being exhibited today by these so called pastors and priests and ministers. Please leave out the other titles.
It is as though as part of their training and or calling to their chosen profession of being “shepherds” is to look in the face of their congregants and lie! Is it because the congregation is referred as ‘sheep’?
The lies are amazingly too much. The funny thing is the “culture of silence” used on us is no longer working!! We will no longer be cowed into silence!!!
The gracious and speedy advent of technology with an adventurous mind has liberated and allowed majority to see the light!!
The mind boggling question then is why the attempt to hoodwink or perpetuate falsehood all in the name of God almighty for selfish gains?
I am off to bed. I will continue.
A lie is a lie.
You look at the face of your congregation and spew forth garbage to cover your underhand dealings and then attempt to cover it in the name of the Creator? You know certain things that won’t go well for congregation is about to take place but because of your own myopic conceited interest, you live a lie and speak forth lies?
What is the fault of the people in allowing you to be their guide? Is it that being ‘sheep’ you are going to “fleece them of their wool?”

We will think and think and though yet not doubting Him who is, we will question that which is logical and of homo sapiens!

#SILENTNOISES

Just Waking

#SilentNoises ~knm

It has been a long sleep. Though I lived, I was asleep. I was oblivious to my surroundings caring only for that which kept me. Awoke. It is summer and one would have thought, I would have enjoyed same instead of hibernating. The heat though was though one had cold water poured on the body at 5 a.m. on a wintry day. My brains are not fried.

In truth, I had to take break. I was burnt out. I refused publishing what was already written. In all that time i just observed. I observed through weddings, funerals, christenings, retirements, postings, churches and their treatment of their congregation, births, just name it. In reality I am enjoying the break. A break that is allowing me to find myself; to reinvigorate myself; to speak truth to what is logic and give credit where it is due….  More of a Phoenix than a volcano!

I owe it to you my readers; your support is marvelous. I will touch on something bothering me. Respect for the woman. I have written on this subject before and i will not hesitate to write again. Seven letters: R-E-S-P-E-C-T. The road is narrow that brings glory but wide that brings shame. I have found my voice. I am back. I am #SILENTNOISES

Let us make some NOISE!!!

If I were the President …

#SilentNoises ~knm

Look at me. Simpleton as I am dreaming to be a President. President of Ghana. I am not on any hallucinatory medication neither have I smoked any herbs. I have not consumed any opiate that would dull my mental faculty. In fact I  am in full control of all my faculties. I am just sitting here watching as my family try to put together a five hundred and forty- two picture puzzle. Today is a day after the sixth of March, Ghana’s Independence Day. As I watch them, I  say to myself : “If I were ….

So if I were the President, I would call a meeting of my party hierarchy. I would inform them that now that we are in office, we would do all the right things past governments even those from our party have failed to do.
If I were president, I would do away with so many ministers and use a restricted number. Savings accrued would go to healthcare and educational sectors.
If I were president, I would do away with these V8s and V12s driving down our roads with impunity. The monies so saved would go to the healthcare and educational sectors.
If I were president, my priority in terms of security would be to beef up the police force with logistics and better remuneration. I would provide better accommodation and make it easier for transfers to take place. I would make the job worthwhile so there would be no room for corruption As I treat the police, so would I treat the other security agencies.
If I were the president, I would make sure the custodians of the rule of law would not be found wanting.
If I were the president, I would lead by example. I would cut down on foreign travels and travel light as with minimal entourage. A huge entourage is a drain on the national coffers. If I do this, all others will and must do same..
If I were the president, I would direct and ensure that affordable and modern healthcare is accessible to the people. Nobody including myself will seek medical treatment outside the country again. I would ensure a very good road network with alternate back routes that would be patrolled by drones and policemen. It would be safe.
If I were the president, I would empower my minister for education to make sure no school is housed under a tree. I would also task him/her to ensure the students have the necessary materials to adequately aid them in their studies. If I were the president I would abolish some relics of the Colonized period. Some of these relics only serve to give nightmares.
On a lighter note, if I were president, I just would drink “Kalypo” and shout “Onaapoooooooo”

#SILENTNOISES

The Conscience

#SilentNoises ~knm

Let those that have ears, see
Let those that have eyes, hear
Let those that have mouths, do what is right.
Let those that have a conscience be guided to guide.
Let not folly make you jolly
Tomorrow is unknown
Yet we plan as though we own.
Short and sweet
Lengthy and bitter.
The end is still the end but it could have been a different ending.
Then, ‘had I known’ swings,
Lip to lip with careless flings
Regrets cascading down the face and spinal column,
With careless abandon as a waterfall.
Sshhhhhhhh.
The whispers of the conscience,
Create a hallow on the brain.
Unfinished.
Finished.
Incomplete?
©kwasintemmensah 110517

So called Christia…

#SilentNoises ~knm

 

One of the dominant religions;
Also a way of life
Fashioned after the Christ,
Called by some as Christianity
Orthodox to some, Charismatic to others.
Claim to worship the same God.
Some claim His Son to be Him.
Different ideologies and doctrines all claiming Supremacy
So-called using foul language unbeknownst to Him;
Arrogance seated on a glass pedestal cloaked in a fragrance of deciet;
Gullible educated congregation consuming lies as a salt lick;
Preaching prosperity and throwing salvation to hell;
Feeding off the poor yet asking them to ask their Creator for food;
Riding golden Chariots while the congregation plod along as oxen drawing yoke;
Sharing the marital beds and saying it is of the divine;
Therein lies the gullibility;
That “touch not my anointed” has allowed the inimical to grow wings to be called infallible?
Shuddering to think why nobody is thinking except two or three?
Are they gathered in His name?
Flog the pastors
With questions
With answers
With Intergrity
With accountability
Lest they lead us astray into the den of the Lion!

#SILENTNOISES

 

©112517kntemmensah

In the absence of a father …

#SilentNoises ~knm

The joy of every child is to have pleasant and fond memories of moments shared with dad. Every child sees their dad as a superhero and equate them to their favorite characters from comic novels.
I am lucky. I count myself fortunate. I grew up under my father’s tutelage. Every child’s first teacher is the parents. It is not the bonding but the secure attachment that they provide that endear us to them (our parents). Not all grew up with their fathers. Some lost their fathers to death and others by their dads walking away when they were born. Others simply lost their dads because their moms refused to let them see their dads. Drugs and crime separated fathers from their children.
But in the absence of a father, there must be a father figure. When I was growing up, my father taught me to wash my hands well so as to be able to eat with my elders. ( African proverb). He taught me the qualities to look for and how best to present myself so as to seek guidance and direction.  Father figures are beyond mentors.  So when Dad was alive, I had uncles and yes father figures. They would easily treat me as their own.
Then he died. He left us after being sick for sometime. Some of the father figures evaporated overnight and some of the uncles just got lost. A vacuum was created. It is only when you lose your dad that you realize your foolhardiness in not listening to his advice.
Fortunately,  a father figure filled the vacuum. Even as I travelled and domiciled in a foreign land, I sought and always found these father figures. Father figures need not be of your race or color. Father figures need to understand and guide you. Father figures do not find you; you find them and they in turn latch unto you. Father figures provide love and instill confidence. Even as you become a father today, take someone less fortunate under your wing and guide same.

In the absence of a father, one can always seek a father figure who though not providing the same intimacy as a dad, will provide an invaluable assistance that will shape and mould one into a better person.

#SILENTNOISES

E-Romance

#SilentNoises ~knm

She is in LOVE
Refuses to admit
He is in love
But listens to the dictates of friends
She is a homely woman
He is a mommy’s man
She follows the heart of her man;
He follows the buttocks of women;
She has recoiled not to spring;
He has recoiled because he is scared.
A proverbial ghost torn between two paths:
To come home or sow wild oats.
She sits at home, bible in hand
Wine glass in the other.
Talking as though hot coals burn their tongues
Texting with a carelessness left for the first time lovers.
I sit on the fence and laugh.
I love their E-romance
Or should I say ,Tech-romance.

112517

#SILENTNOISES

In this matter of Ghana @ 61…

#SilentNoises ~knm

Back to the drawing board. 6th of March is Ghana’s independence day. It will be celebrated all over the world. Everywhere two or three Ghanaians are, they will put their heads together and play some “Ebony’, “Wutah” “Sarkodi3” among others. They will cook Fufu and light soup, waakye, banku (if possible) and tilapia and the mighty Jollof. In Ghana, the day will be celebrated with useless march pasts that was bequeathed to us by the Colonial Master. School children will stand in the wickedly blazing sun all across the country to offer a parade to be reviewed by the president and his appointees all over. I wish Nana could say “No more”. Enough of this colonial nonsense and henceforth you judges should stop donning those outrageous robes and wigs. They are relics. Even those that asked us to wear then, no longer wear them. I am nearly derailing. My apologies.
61 years of freedom. Freedom from what? 61 years of independence? What independence? I would rather say 61 years of DEPENDENCE. After all, we still go begging with a tin cup in both hands and the tinkling noise of the pittance handed to us makes us dance as though to the rhythms of the atumpan drums. 61 years of Freedom and we still cannot think straight as a people. We are lawless to a fault and deem ourselves above the law. This is the law of our land. The land that our forefathers fought to ensure independence from colonization. If we cannot protect our own, then let us go back to them. When we travel outside we obey the rules of law as though it is our biological mother, yet when we are home we point to our father’s house with our left hand.
Last year, I asked if the President would ride in a Katanka to boost the message about Made in Ghana? This year? I am hoping that the rhetoric would cease and we would see some real actions.
Example: stop the annexation of Ghana to Nigeria else one day we would celebrate Nigeria independence day as ours. The Nigerians seem to have to taken over (apologies to Shatta) Ghana. They have brought with them their version of lawlessness which is grades higher than that of Ghanaians.
Another example: the spate of armed robberies is disheartening. Why? They rob with impunity and kill brazenly; all in broad daylight. Where are the security agencies? Or these are also Delta Invicible Forces?
Another example: Jospong after ripping the country off is also walking around with raised shoulders. Look at Zoomlion contracts and the treatment of workers. Yet you commend him! How?  Do not forget there are others like him.Then the ordinary decides to emulate Jospong but ends up using the gun to achieve his end.
61 years of what? Our health care system is nothing. Our Veep had to be rushed out of the country to seek medical attention. Why? Can the nation Ghana not put up affordable and smart healthcare facilities for its people? Why buy these V12s to show off as status quo and have the blood of the inhabitants on your heads?
61 years of negligence. We have allowed negligence to become our fabric of choice for everyday wear. We are negligent in speech right through to being negligent in our actions. Some accidents are avoidable so are certain deaths but then thanks to Dada Negligent……                                                                                                                61 years of filth. 61 years of garbage. At times I ask if we do not create the very aura to befit our description. Then we stand up to say we have been insulted when the truth is shoved down our throats.  Even the capital city or major cities are nothing to write about yet I believe we have sanitation capos walking around enjoying hefty salaries and “fianga gers” When it rains ………………………………………..        Our security. Mr President your own security detail is fraught with mistakes. There seems to be some many errors going on around you but then i understand. You are “book-long” and nowhere near the operation aspect of things, I wont be surprised if you at times get confused y the lingo.  You have a million security capos: Security Sinister, Security Adviser, Security Consultant, Security Secretary, IGP, Deputies, Military Chiefs Intelligence Chiefs, security pastors and the almighty prophets, Let them work.

I would wish, a national day of reflection on the 6th day of March. I would wish the people especially those in office and our clergy to ponder  over their actions and words and reflect on where Ghana is today.
It can be done. It will be done. Let us as one hold accountable office holders and put on a new cloth woven of Truth, Law, Accountability and Integrity.
Blessings Always.
#SILENTNOISES