Pen of Truth

Pen of Truth Competition launched

The Pen of Truth Awards, a Ghanaian educational television reality show for young aspiring graduates and graduates to compete for chances to reform their society with their innovative ideas was launched on Monday March 3 in Accra.

According to Mr. KwadwoBoateng, Operations Manager of Cheetah Communications Ltd, organisers of the Awards programme, the competition would offer a platform for critical analyses of Ghana’s economy from an intellectual perspective and equip the participants with entrepreneurial and employable skills.

He said the initiative which started two years ago was aimed at engaging and empowering undergraduates and graduates in ventures that would translate their knowledge into practical and productive enterprise, as well as them become solution-driven persons and entrepreneurs.

Though the competition is targeting Business and Commerce, and Art and Culture as the two thematic areas for now, organisers say others areas will be introduce including Health and Medicine, Law and Media, Food and Agriculture among others would be introduce in subsequent years.

Mr. Michael Amoah, member of the Cheetah Communications explained that the Competition was in four stages, the first which last for six weeks is dubbed the Research Task and entails writing and submission of research essays.

The second stage (Knowledge Ball stage), includes the selection of 40 participants who would undergo employment and entrepreneur Clinic, and the third stage (Board Room stage) comprises the selection of the final 20 participants to meet the board to defend their research essay.

The final stage is the Awards stage where the best winning essays are chosen and awarded at a banquet.

Mr. Amoah noted that the Awards which is opened to all undergraduates pursuing certificate, Diploma, HND and First Degree programmes as well as Diplomates and Graduates who left school in the last five years.

He said interested Applicants could download the Pen of Truth application form from: www.cheetahcommunications.gh.com and obtain a competition code at GH c 20. From any UT Bank.   

Mr. KwekuRockson, Former Acting Rector of the Ghana Institute of Journalism, who chaired the function the programme was a unique one since it was geared towards addressing a the youth unemployment situation and empower young entrepreneurs in the country.

Launching the Awards, he said the competition was going to be a thorough one and advised organisers to get the message to all tertiary schools in the country, and be meticulous in empanelling judges.

He also advised them to look for sponsorship to sustain the programme.

Mrs. Margaret Tekyi Micah, Chief Executive Officer of Next Ideas, partners of the awards programme, urged Ghanaians not to despise small beginnings but support one another improve and develop their dreams into full potentials.

She said instead complaining about the state of thing the youth should start working on their dreams, adding that “whatever dream you have focus on it”.   

  

Stop selling knowledge

Stop selling knowledge to children- Teachers told

Most Rev. Charles Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra Archdiocese, has called on teachers to device innovative ways to impart knowledge to students.

He decried instances where “some teachers have resorted to selling their wisdom and knowledge at high costs and, sometimes  even collect double monies for work not done or not properly done” at extra classes, and urged teachers to rather help the students entrusted to their care rise by finding time to impart knowledge them.

The Archbishop said these in an address during the 15^th Anniversary and fifth Speech and Prize Giving Day of the Our Lady of Mercy Senior High School at Tema.

It was on the theme: Quality Education, The Role of the Church and Government.

Archbishop Palmer-Buckle who queried how teachers output could be assessed in cases where students or pupil flops in examination, called a mechanism to heighten the sense of moral responsibility in teachers and parents in the task of bringing up their children and wards properly and seriously.

He highlighted the essence of obedience and discipline in quality education delivery, and said the ultimate aim of education was to enable the person become a useful citizen, one ready to serve his or her society to the best of their ability.

He said the only way to make this country a haven was to inculcate the indispensable virtue in the pupils and students in our schools, urging teachers to discipline the students to help them become self-discipline and self-control in society.

The Archbishop who centered his address on obedience, growth in stature, wisdom and in favour with God as well as growth in service to humanity, noted it was the duty of every teacher and parent to make sure that children grow in the fear of the Lord, favour of their fellow human beings and in the love for their neighbors.

He exhorted the students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and guardians, and all stake-holders in the enterprise of Catholic Education, to read and abide by read the Gospel of St. Luke Chapter 2:41-52 and advised students to be studious, make good use of the internet facility in their studies and have enough rest.

He said Catholic Church was in the education enterprise because Jesus Christ mandated her to do so, adding that the delivery of quality education was to help form individuals identify to respond to their God given vocations as well as make children grow with a deep sense to serve humanity.

The Tema Metropolitan Director of Education, Mr. Kwesi Hutchful noted the importance of the Church state partnership in the provision of quality education in the country and urged teachers in the various units seeking transfers to follow due process.

He said whether the schools were established by the mission or state, there was a critical for stakeholders to perform their roles to sustain the schools.

Mr. Isaac Ashai Odamtten, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive, said government cannot provide quality education alone, but noted that they would continue to collaborate with the mission provide it.

He advised parents and teachers not to relent in instilling discipline in their children to become good citizens in future.

In an address, Mr. Clemence Yao Baba, the Headmaster of the School, said the school which started with 15 students and 11 teachers, was established in 1999 by the Our Lady of Mercy Parish at Tema Community One.

In 2001, the school with motto FEDES-SACTITAS-SANCTITIA (Faith, Holiness and Knowledge) was absorbed into the public system aims to be the best rated school in Tema Metropolis by 2015.

He said with 52 teaching and 20 non-teaching staff, the school recorded improved academic results and success in other disciplines, but added that lack of science laboratory equipment, encroachment of the school land were some of the challenges the school faced.

Mr. Baba appealed to organisations and individuals to come to the School’s aid and to expand the wash rooms, buy a car to assist movement of the school.

He thanked the government for supporting the school over the years, governors and stakeholders of the school as well as the Priests and his predecessors.

Benefactors of the School, including Sir P.V. Obeng, Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission were awarded with citation, alongside long serving staff and students who excelled academically.

Earlier, Archbishop Palmer-Buckle with some dignitaries inspected a guard of honour mounted by the School’s Naval Cadet Corps. 

Other programmes organised as part of the 15^th Anniversary included a float through some streets of Tema, talk on Sanitation and Hygiene; Science and Maths Quiz Competition and cleanup exercise.  

*Archbishop Palmer-Buckle with some dignitaries inspecting the guard of honour

(inset) the dignitaries at the function. 

Our heroes, our pride

With cautious steps they warmed their ways into our bosom memories. They touched, infected and affected many hearts and tasted our passionate reverence as they walked our dusty paths. They kissed the roughness in our gentility and endured our pleasant recklessness when their unpalatable words or actions or indifferent principles scratches or disturbed the order. Yet they never relented in the pursuance of their dreams, visions and aspirations.

They may not necessarily be the saintly characters of religion but are like that next door neighbour whose tenacity to duty, passion for excellence has brought honour to our society.

I cannot stop listening to their inspiring thoughts or even think of erasing their memories from my mind. Some were very close associates and friends of the friends but I admired them not because they were sinless supper humans but because they understood their calling and activated their enthusiasm in pursuance of those ideals.

I cannot name them all, because the list is endless. Some of them are interred in our subconscious mind and are part of our living memories. But a lot more are out there walking and breathing a dignified silence of their maturity and perhaps nursing future torchbearers.

The mere mention of their names adds a distinction of stateliness to the presence of a people, especially when special courtesies are accorded to their fellow countrymen because of the esteem in the names of those heroes and heroines.

We may know some, but it’s not enough to just know them. We must not just honour them but celebrate them while they live, and not wait to pay glowing tribute to their memories when they join our ancestors in the hereafter.

The demise of Prof. Kofi Awonoor, one of Ghana's finest and erudite Poet, a Nationalist who evoked the Pan-Africanist Spirit in his thoughts and works, died tragically in Kenya when terrorists of the al-shaabab sects in Somalia marred the beauty of The Founder's Day on Saturday September 21. It's a sad day indeed to loss such an academic gem and a nationalist of our time.

The torrent of messages that poured in after his death are enough to pacify the dreadful death to reinstate his soul in his mortal frame, if there should be a chance. But it goes to confirm the fact he and perhaps others gone before him were illustrious sons and daughters worthy of celebration.       

It is not enough to name them after national monuments, institute memorial lectures in their name or declare a national holiday in their honour, rather we should strive to learn the lessons they sought to live or preach when they lived. And resolve to better and improve our lots and engender the common good.

Let every town name, honour and celebrate the deeds of their illustrious daughters and sons for, what use is it to celebrate them after they’ve silently left the scene? It is important to celebrate them today and tomorrow. 

May their lives and stories inspire us to be diligent in our strive for national unity, progress and the enhancement of the lives of every Ghanaian.

God bless us all.

My Words of gratitude

My words ofgratitude

For the unmerited love, affection and graces

over these years,  I thank you Yahweh.

For your mercies and forgiving heart,

accept my humble praise and gratitude Lord.

For the lives of my parents, relatives, friends and friends,

friendly enemies and well-wishers , I am most appreciative.

Thank you all for accepting me into your fold and  treating me as one of your own.

I am eternally grateful to you Mother, Father, friends and friends, friendly enemies and well -wishers for tolerating my troubles, complaints, clumsiness, naughtiness, mistakes, surprises and imperfections.   

For the moments you offered me warmth and a reason to keep moving;

The moments you believed me and encouraged me to continue the pursuit;

The instances you inspired hope in me to keep trying, I am indebted.

I can't mention or list all your names but be assured that I will never  forget you, since I treasure you in my heart.

To those of you who have preceded to your maker, know that I'll always cherish your memories.

And it is my prayer the good Lord keep you in His warm bosom till we meet again.   

As human I make mistakes, I fail and err in my attempt to be me but I thank you for  condemning my action and not my human person. You've given me a chance to learn.

For the countless moments I have wronged, hurt, offended, disappointed and displeased you  in my interactions, action and inactions or in my quest to be me, or the times I couldn't return your love in equal measure, do find a place in your hearts to forgive me.

As I climb up the age ladder, I'll need you the more because you all have a part to play in my life.

So never stop being that friend, that pal, that buddy, that  comrade, that companion, that associate or  that person to keep that vital link or anchor the network for life through your continuous association with me. And please remember me in your prayers.

Thanks for the best wishes.

Morja me enu hwe

Support mental health

Do more to support mental health

I  wish to call on the Government to fast track  the implementation  of the Mental Law to ensure that the right structures were in place for effective and efficient mental health delivery in the country.

Reports that Ghana’s mental health service delivery falls short of 97 per cent treatment gap is worrying. According to Dr. Akwasi Osei, the Chief Psychiatrist, 97 out of a100 mental patients, who require health care, do not get it.

It is unfortunate that mental health services in Ghana is mostly limited to three specialized psychiatric hospitals in Accra and Kumasi serving a small proportion of the population and with relatively less funding.

Another worrying situation is the challenge of staffing at these hospitals. It is appalling that there are only 12 practicing psychiatrists and 12, 700 psychiatric nurses serving over the 25 million people of this country.

I agree with Dr. Osei, when he called for the restructuring and overhauling of the mental health care system and implementation of mental health law to improve the situation.

I appealed to relatives of persons with mental illness to support them seek professional assistance, instead of sending them to spiritualist and prayer camps for solutions where they are molested, chained and beaten. 

Faith of our Fathers re-enacted

Faith of our Fathers re-enacted

Some Priests of the Accra Archdiocese recently re-enacted the ‘Faith of Our Fathers’ as part of the 120^th Anniversary of the Catholic Mission in Accra.

The play, held at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka in Accra, was watched by hundreds of lay faithful and was the second after the first show at the Good Shepherd Parish in Tema, Community Two.

The drama, directed by Rev. Fr. Raymond Osei-Tutu, Parish Priest of Nima St. Kizito Church, was an adaptation of the script by Maurice Lyn of the Cape Coast Archdiocese, which recounts the resistance and suffering the missionaries and early converts faced in the Kingdom of Buganda now part of Uganda.

Fr. Osei-Tutu linked the death of the 23 Martyrs of Uganda, murdered in 1884 for their faith, to the ordination of the 23 Priests in the Archdiocese, and drew similarities of the experiences of the early Missionaries in Uganda and Ghana.

He noted that the Catholic Archdiocese in Accra has Martyrs of Uganda as one of her Patron Saints.       

Fr. Osei-Tutu, narrator of the play, acted the Character of the Missionary Priest in the play, who taught the people of Buganda the new faith and some songs.        

Rev. Fr. James Ahenkora of the Holy Family Church Mataheko, acted the impressive role of the unrepentant youth King Mwanga II, who demanded loyalty from the very subjects he sought to molest.

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Teresa Cudjoe, Assistant Priest of Taifa St. Dominic Rectorate, played the role Joseph Mukasa, an old Courtier and senior most member of the King’s Court.

Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Kofi Hanson of St. Raphael the Archangel Church at Lashibi, acted out the controversial Prime Minister character, who orchestrated and masterminded the murdering of the early Christians.

The King’s darling young and wise Kizito, acted by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Salifu of the Kpehe St. Paul’s Church, exhibited confidence in the new faith he received, when he together with Charles Lwanga and the other companions defied King Mwanga’s order for them to renounce their new faith.

With the aid of a dreadful Royal Executioner, Mutakanga acted by Rev. Fr. Samuel K. Korkordi, Assistant Parish Priest of Christ the King, he dutifully effected the King’s order to torture and murder the new converts.

The cast included Rev. Fr. Francis Oteng-Bawuah of the Kotobabi St. Francis Xavier Church as the Fetish priest of Buganda; Fr. Gabriel Kojo Ettiene of Star of the Sea; Fr. Michael Melvin Mensah of Battor Church and Precious Nutsugah of Kaneshie St. Theresa's Parish, who acted roles of the two women in the play.

Others were Rev. Frs. Hilary Agbenosi of Kwashiman Prince of Peace Church; Januarius Akpabli; the newly ordained Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Duku for the Accra Archdiocese and Bro. Courage Dogbe, a Seminarian.   

The audiences who sat through the more than two-hour show, recaptured the faith, suffering, tribulation and challenges the early Missionaries and converts went through in living their faith.              

Most Rev. Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, commended the Priests for staging the show, adding that they made the Priesthood a lively vocation.