#SilentNoises ~knm

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.

Sporadic thoughts

Finally the brakes are being applied. Some TV stations are off air. Please apply same to radio. Papa NCA, I like your attitude. They can operate in space we care less. Did you read my article ” Who is the Master?” thus taking quick action?

Who regulates the churches? I mean the one man church businesses springing up overnight like virgin forest mushrooms? Please see Papa NCA for advice.

O Hon. Wamputu! What happened? Was it because of your son-in-law’s ‘sandals’ or The No.2 man’s wahala? I figured it out. It’s  the decision by the Tuobodom people. You did not give them their money. D “something” is their name. You did not regulate their ‘chopping’ of the people’s money. Now you are going home. Aaargh Wamputu paaa!!

Charley, Akpatse is sick ooo. People for help. He needs about 5000Gh for surgery. Is that how we celebrate people who have brought laughter to us in the midst of hardship?

Social media is no longer for friendship or staying in touch. Now it is for war, enmity, insults, dragging personalities and reputations in the mud. Education and upbringing counts a lot in our lives.

The man is 72. He is competent. The co-president sent him a message. The other co-president is in Kenya. I guess he forgot.

Did I forget anything? Yes. Yes. What?  Your ears inside dey sweet you. Anyway I am and remain
#SILENTNOISES

Whenever we talk  or make mention of an ‘EX’, our minds go immediately to a boyfriend or girlfriend. It actually depends on which gender makes mention of that two letter word.
“Ex” meaning former, pertaining to a previous relationship is a word so weighty it is not easy to carry. When a person is attributed to as an ‘EX’, the stereotyping that goes with it is just unimaginable.
I am not here for the EX boyfriend/girlfriend type of thing. I am here purposely to encourage you to make some people Exes in your life. These are people who will in no way contribute to your success in life. It is best to discard them very early in life.
I start  with “Ex friends”. This category is made up of people you called friends but really just sought for you to remain at one station in life. These are the friends who realising they are in a quagmire, endeavor to pull you to a standstill with them. They find fault with everything you do. They never encourage but rather do their best to thump you into the dirt hoping you never rise again. These are dangerous species. You cannot call them friends. You better make them Exes.

My next category is family. I am treading on quicksand here. I am neither scared nor ….. I will say it as it is. Some members of our families do not seek our interest. They rather seek theirs. One way or the other, either both parents or a parent was a trailblazer. They have helped where it was needed. Contrary to expectation of goodwill, there rather lies within their cold hearts, jewels of animosity and hatred. These jewels are mined to be worn as glorious ornaments upon the demise of either or both parents. That is when the colors of the traffic lights make sense to you. I say cut them off. Make them Exes. I hear the expression “Blood is thicker than water’. You cannot drink blood always to assuage your thirst neither can you have a water transfusion when you are in dire need of blood. I have Ex-cousins and what have you.

As God feeds the ant and birds and all His creations so will He feed you. He will never make you an Ex. He created you as a Unique individual. So you should rely on only Him. Close your eyes to those enchanted by greed and corruption and focus to find out your purpose on this planet.

I see some of my Ex and I feel sorry for them. At the end of the day…. He who laughs  last laughs the loudest, best and…. Heeeeeheheehee. Add the rest

I have been taking a keen look at Ghana’s religious landscspe for sometime now. It has always been an aerial view. Eagle like eyes. Sharp. Great vision.

What is amiss today? Have we as a God fearing people that we claim to be taken a retrospective look at our perception of Religion? Our way of life? Our way of worship? Whom we are worshipping? The questions are in abundance.

There are answers but they all boil down to vulnerability, gullibility and the infallibility of the flock and shepherd respectively.

In days of old if a goat herder is found mistreating his goats, he is fined. Same applies to the cowhand and co. Today we see the pastors misbehaving and we cannot call them to order. Yes we are afraid because they will curse us and our families; they will stop us from entering heaven and lastly they can do no wrong. They sit on radio and the latest craze (TV) and insult and castigate each other with impunity. (Aaargh Judas sef go bore brutal).

It is sad the way the airwaves have been taken over by the miracle business. The message of prosperity has replaced that of salvation. Everybody wants to go to heaven but then nobody wants to be accountable. We claim Christianity and yet perpetuate acts of villiany. Churches are springing up faster than mushrooms. It is as though the Ministry of Agriculture is supplying them with special fertiliser. The titles of these so-called and their so- called miracles simply irks me. Give the poor man food to eat, cloth him and provide shelter. Help the poor man get back on his feet. You rather dress in the fanciest of clothing, ride in luxurious vehicles (claiming God blessed you with it) and live in houses that can pass for palaces.  If we are not taking anything away from this earth, why the crazy accumulation of wealth?

Why the arrogance of ” I prayed for you that is why…” and ” I can transform….” and “I am a senior pastor so…”? Are we worshipping our Creator or worshipping the shepherds? We are giving so much reverence to these flesh and blood they are loosing focus of their mandate: to preach the message of salvation.  Consultation fee galore! We are rather blasted with the ability to create fortunes overnight ( how can you make fortune when you are lazy); the ability to replace body parts spiritually; the need to sow seeds of….( am I doing farming in church?)

We revere God in church. Within the four walls or whatever. The bible has become a Sunday ornament gracing our hands. The bigger the better. Our pastors have become gods. We are lost. But….

I am only a messenger

I have come to deliver

It is a great thing to write. I thank my teachers. I thank those of my friends who have and keep encouraging me.

Mediocrity is a word. It is in the dictionary. When humans encourage mediocrity it becomes a way of life. It becomes a norm. We always as Ghanaians say “fa ma Nyame” meaning ” leave it to God” ; better still ” give it to God” Give what to God? Our nansins(Ga voice)? Instead of paying heed to revamp and improve the country’s educational system, we are enjoying the luxuries of teenage bosoms and V12s .  We would rather spend money on vehicles for useless ventures than build schools. I shudder to mention smartboards because those to effect the use are equally not smart. I daresay only 10 or a maximum of 20percent of the teachers in Ghana can string cohesive comprehensible sentences together. Some have the passion to teach but lack the fundamentals to be able to teach effectively. Something must be done. I am not surprised at the language in the Brochure and the subsequent apology letters. It tells how rotten the system is.

Ghana is only 59 years. She is too young to start worrying about pension. With one voice, let us advocate for a change in the educational setup. English is our mode of communication with the outside world. Let us be articulate in its use and still have our local languages. It can be done. Otherwise ….(Hasaacas).

I am only a messenger.

I have come to deliver.

#SILENTNOISES