#SCHOOLNASWEET LAUNCHED.

SchoolNaSweet is a non-governmental initiative geared towards sponsoring brilliant students in the Korle-gonno community and beyond. SchoolNaSweet is an initiative driven by 2112 charity; a Korle-gonno-based charity foundation. The launch saw host of children across the environs of Korle-gonno present yesterday, at the Okpotsu Park, Korle-gonno. It was graced by dignitaries including; Naa Korkor Ajeoyi; queenmother of Adabraka Atukpai, Pastor Nii Laryea of Obonu Fm amongst others.

Chairperson for the programme, Naa Korkor Ajeoyi in her own words stated that; she is particularly happy about the initiative here in Korle-gonno. This was to the effect that, there is a general perception that, people residing along the beach do not patronize formal education. She iterated that in the early days, people who resided along the beaches especially the Ga people took education seriously. The big question we must ask ourselves is; why are the indigenes of the seaside shunning education? She also appealed among other things to the public to respect and uphold our local languages. In her final statement, she commends the 2112 Charity foundation for the good course.

Spokesperson for Coldsis; a partner to the initiative stated that “Coldsis is a school management system…………… we also have an application called Coldsis……. We are offering a laptop to the Best B.EC.E students next year” as an addition to 2112’s package. Coldsis has plans of installing a state-of-the-art school management application freely for one school in the community. This would go the school that has the “requisite infrastructure” that can support the application. Coldsis also assured the community of support for SchoolNaSweet as long as 2112 Charity exists.

The programme came to a close as Pastor Nii Laryea of Obonu Fm takes on the microphone and gives the closing prayer. The latter got interesting amidst music and the taking of “item13”. The initiative is partnered by BBEmpire, Jolahart Consult, Coldsis, Bissap Fresco, HQ catering services, Event Matterz and Focusonline.com.

If you wish to sponsor SchoolNaSweet initiative follow the steps below:

[MTN, TIGO, AIRTEL]

STEP #1: Dial *718*800#

STEP #2: Enter 2112

STEP #3: Enter Amount

STEP #4: Confirm payment details.

CAN THE ELEPHANT LIVE UNDER THE UMBRELLA? PART II

Sequel to my previous article, you might have reasoned with my facts, and even found answers to my questions. This is a very interesting topic; it needs one to put on his literal lens to deduce from the symbolic factors played here and how it is purported to have affected us, or purporting to affect us, and affecting us. Today, I would consider into some detail, the effects of the elephant and the umbrella on human lives.

A report on the adaptation, habitation and the feeding habits of elephants as captured by Hadley Law journal [hardleylaw.wikispaces.com/file/view/report.doc] indicates that; elephants cause a lot of destruction to farm crops in search for food. They also interrupt high ways in the course of their migration and other urban development.

As elephants devour vegetation they will naturally search elsewhere for food. This can lead to increased conflicts with local farmers and villagers. In some of Africa’s National Parks, elephants roaming can get up to half their food by risky midnight raids into crop fields; this was reported by scientists who tracked elephants through satellite monitoring. During these raids elephants caused major damage to farmer’s crops. In India 8-10 million hectares of crops are destroyed per year. However, farmers have exaggerated the problems by taking over parkland to grow more crops, where they were once free to roam. In Sumatra, reports suggest that elephants are occasionally poisoned by villagers who are angered by repeated crop-raiding and house destruction.  In one instance in 1996 twelve elephants were poisoned in Riau province. In May 2002, 17 elephants were poisoned in North Sumatra, and there have been more incidents of poisoning since these (found in source 1).

An expanding human population has also meant that many migration routes for elephants have also been interrupted by highways and other urban development. This affects the genetic diversity of elephant’s herds, as they are isolated; there is lack of opportunity to mate with unrelated elephants. Inbreeding can cause many problems with elephants – one article stated that death rates of young inbred was far greater than those who were non-inbred.

In the seventies and eighties the ivory trade was at its peak and is considered responsible for a 50% reduction in the global elephant population. It was not only the tusks that were hunted for, but also the elephant skin; which could be used to make belts and bags. In some areas up to three hundred elephants were killed each day, in Uganda 95% of their elephant population was lost in fifteen days! Whilst an international ban on poaching allowed elephant populations to recover; investigations show that elephants in Amboseli are continuing to be killed by bullets, poison arrows and spears. For the first time since the ivory trading period tusks are being removed by unknown persons and sold at market value of approximately 3000/- shillings ($38) per kilo. Unless action is taken fast, the Amboseli elephants will be decimated.

It is not only humans hurting elephants. Elephants are the largest land animals and are responsible for huge amounts of destruction affecting the social lives of many local villagers. In India alone, elephants kill 170 people per year, as well as damaging 10,000 – 15,000 houses.

In contrast there is little I can gather on the demerits or dangers of using an umbrella.

On this note, I put it to you again. CAN AN ELEPHANT LIVE UNDER AN 

UMBRELLA? CAN YOU RELATE IT OUR POLITICAL SCENE TODAY?

YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTS ARE MUCH APPRECIATED. KINDLY, KEEPING IT COMING THROUGH.

CAN THE ELEPHANT LIVE UNDER THE UMBRELLA? PART I

If my intellect serves me right, then I would authoritatively profess that; elephants are generally known to be the largest land-living animals. Ranging all the way from kindergarten to the highest level of education (if there may be) is a well-established fact that elephants are indeed large, huge, great, big or better still jumbo. Elephants are very strong and dangerous, and at their provocation can bring down logs of trees with their trunks. On the contrary, Umbrellas are only instruments for saving oneself from excessive sun scorch and rain. For the purposes of this write-up, I would discuss the features, uses and benefits of elephants as compared to an Umbrella.

To begin with, Sea World Parks & Entertainment; an online animal guide portal describes the African Elephant as follows: “African elephants are the largest of all farm animals, adult males weighing between 1,800 and 6,300kg (2 and 7 tons/4,000 and 14,000 1b.). Females are smaller, weighing between 2,700 and 3,600kg (3 and 4 tons/6,000 and 8,000 1b.). Shoulder ranges between three and four m (9.8 and 13.1 1ft.)”. This to a large extent shows how large these creatures are, and for that matter their strength. Elephants are so strong that, they can pull down trees with their trunks. A leading wildlife journal, Elephant Forever reports that; because of the elephant’s incredible capacity for knowledge, understanding, learning and insight, they have proved to be most useful to human beings. It has been supposed that India was the first place in which elephants started to become trained for domestic purposes. Elephants were trained and used in Warfare by the Indians, Chinese, and Persians. They were used to scare off their opponents who rode horses. Elephants are also of industrial importance such as slogging and lifting of heavy loads. Moreso, elephants serve as a source of income through tourist attraction. Their ivories were one of the most sought after commodities in the late fifteenth century to mention but a few.

An umbrella or parasol on the other hand, is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs, which is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is designed to protect a person against rain or sunlight. The word "umbrella" typically refers to a device used for protection from rain. The word parasol usually refers to an item designed to protect from the sun. Often the difference is the material used for the canopy; some parasols are not waterproof. Umbrella canopies may be made of fabric or flexible plastic. This definition is drawn from Wikipedia. The umbrella serves as shield, guard or defence to natural intruders like the sun and rain. It is also used for beautification and as an epitome of artistry. Its mass production for exportation results in national income.

The earliest record of elephants in the history of man was in Europe in 327BC where Alexander the Great descended into India from Kush. He was quick to adopt the use of elephants. After his death, his Ptolemy associate issued coins showing Alexander on elephant as head address, and that became an emblem of the Hellenized East. In comparison, the oldest reference to a collapsible umbrella dates to the year 21 AD, when Wang Mang (r. 9–23) had one designed for a ceremonial four-wheeled carriage.

The early times of these two symbols can be said to be belonging to the aristocratic class. This brings about competition among these two elements of society. This begs the question; which of these symbolic factors can dominate over the other?

Boiling it down to our locality; what can you make of these two elements in Ghanaian politics? 

Your wonderful comments would help settle issues this piece aims to raise.

WHY FOUNDERS DAY?

The Founder’s Day has become a very remarkable day on the Ghanaian calendar. It is marked on the 21st day of September every year after its passage by Professor John Evans Atta Mills under the Executive Instrument, 2010 of the PUBLIC HOLIDAY (DECLARATION) INSTRUMENT, E.I 53. The instrument reads “AND WHEREAS the President has determined that Tuesday, the 21st of September, 2010 be celebrated as Founder’s Day in commemoration of the centenary birthday of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the Republic of Ghana”. The President’s act was in exercise of his declaratory powers, that is; “In addition to the Public Holidays provided under section 1, the President may, in the public interest, by executive instrument, declare any other day to be public holiday” pursuant to section 2 of the PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ACT, 2001 (ACT 601). The President has the power to declare any other day as holiday, and it must be followed as such. The purpose of this article is to focus on the life achievements of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Born Francis Kofi Nwiah on the 21^st September, 1909 at Nkroful, in the then Gold Coast. Little was gathered about his parents except Nyanibah being the only name known of his mother. He took his elementary education at the Catholic Mission School at Half Assini. By 1925 he was a student-teacher in the school and was baptized in Catholicism, and by 1930 he had become a fully-trained young teacher from the Achimota College. During his teaching job, he was exposed to the ideas of pan-Africanists like Marcus Garvey and W. E. B Du Bois. He also had acquaintances with personalities like Dr. Kwegyir Aggrey, Nnamdi Azikiwe and the likes who in one way or the other inspired him and heightened his interest for Black Nationalism. His Alma Maters include Lincoln University, University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, University College of London, and the Gray’s Inn. He married Fathia Ritz. His children include; Mr. Gamal Nkrumah, Dr. Samia Nkrumah and Mr. Sekou Nkrumah. He was later invited by the United Gold Coast Convention (U.G.C.C) to serve as its General Secretary, where he later broke away and formed the Convention People’s Party (C.P.P) which gained independence for the country and he ruled Ghana until his overthrown by Gen. J.A Ankrah in 1966. Nkrumah finally died on the 27th of April, 1972 after a short illness.

First of all, he gained independence for Ghana, the first of its kind in the sub-Saharan region. He also spearheaded political activities in Ghana, and in other countries. He was said to have loaned some money to Guinea to fund their struggle for independence from the colonialists. He also played pivotal role in the establishment of the O.A.U now African Union (A.U).

Dr. Kwame Nkrumah introduced the Socialist and Egalitarian ideologies which sought to serve the people of Ghana, either than leaving the economy in the hands of some group of exploiters looting the coffers of poor citizens in the face of fierce competition. This he did by the construction of the Harbour and Tema Communities, the construction of the Volta Dam at Akosombo which is still the only largest source of electricity to the country as well as the progressing housing projects he undertook which can never escape the minds of the good people of Ghana. He also initiated the Nuclear Reactor Project in 1961, which created the Ghana Atomic Commission in 1963. Also instituted policies that boosted cocoa production making Ghana the largest exporter of the commodity. His uncountable achievements can not all be featured here; the ones I have mentioned are just the least of his achievements.

Furthermore, he has been one of the sitting Presidents who has written the numerous books. Some of his works include: Negro History: European Government in Africa, The Autobiography of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah (1957), Africa Must Unite (1963), African Personality (1963), Neo-Colonialism: the Last Stage of Imperialism (1965), African Socialism Revisited (1967), Dark Days in Ghana (1968) amongst other breathtaking works.

In the year 2000, Nkrumah was voted BBC Man of the Year recounting his achievements. Nkrumah is dead and gone, but his ideologies still lives on. That is why Nkrumahists would not cease the opportunity to preach his ideologies.

Rest in the best part of the heavens, our Leader, our Mentor, and our Father Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah!!!

KNOWING YOUR RIGHT, AN ELEMENT OF DEMOCRACY.

Human Right Activism has become a legal weapon in the hand of every civilized citizen. They are enforceable in the courts of law, and most importantly are referred to as Natural Rights, but the mind boggling issue is that; Natural Rights are only in three dimensions, namely: Right to Life, Liberty and the Right to own Property. The rest are all what the state may by law or statute provide. The primitive notion is that, man was born with these rights, hence cannot be taken away from him or her. Renounced English theorist, Thomas Hobbes paints an hypothetical situation where man out of his own will entrusts his natural right into the hand of a sovereign under an ideological Social Contract elaborated in his treatise, the Leviathan (1651). Samuel Pufendorf (1673), John Locke (1689), J.J Rousseau (1762), Immanuel Kant (1797) in the same vein shares a similar view, and bought into it in one way or the other. In present times, Human Rights under the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR), 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris has become laws of member states of the United Nations (UN), of which Ghana is no exception. This has been ear-marked under chapter 5 of the 1992 fourth republican constitution. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the basic Human Rights under the constitution.

Human Rights under the Ghanaian constitution are entrenched provisions pursuant to article (art.) 290 clause (1) paragraph (d). This is an indication that, Human Rights are highly accorded in the Ghanaian jurisprudence. These provisions to the lay man may mean; provisions that cannot be amended, but are provisions that can only be amended within the strict procedure set out under clause (4) of art. 290 to the legal mind. In the clear sense, it is a provision whose amendment must be subjected to the interest of the public, wherein a referendum of 40% of people entitled to vote must be held, and 75% of them must have voted in favour. Moreso, in serving the President with such bill to be assented, it is accompanied by a certificate from the Electoral Commission, and bearing the seal of the commission, that the bill be approved at a referendum in accordance with art. 292(b). This is a clear indication that Human Rights are attached with some importance. Below are discussed human rights enjoyed as a citizen of Ghana.

The life of any person cannot be taken by the state or any other person, except in the exercise of an execution of a sentence of a court when the person has been found on all grounds of a high criminal offence under the laws of Ghana. This can be affirmed by reading art. 13(1) of the constitution.

“No person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana of which he has been convicted.”

A person shall not also be held to have deprived another person of his life when the person dies out of a lawful act of war or any reasonable act of force justifiable under paragraphs (a) to (d) of art.13(2). Thus, a person is not liable on conviction purported to have taken the life of another person when for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property; or in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained, or for the purposes of suppressing riot, insurrection or mutiny, or in order to prevent the commission of a crime by that person.

Subject to the 1992 constitution, every person shall have a Right of Personal Liberty or freedom, and this right cannot be taken by anybody or authority except in certain instances prescribed by law. These have been delineated under art. 14(1) of the constitution. This can be carried out under an order of the court in the execution of a sentence in respect to a criminal matter, or in the execution of a court punishing for contempt. It can also be carried out for the purposes of bringing one before a court in the execution of an order, or in a case where a person is suffering from an infectious or contagious disease, a person of unsound mind, a person addicted to drugs or vagrant for the purposes of care or protection of community. Again, it can be exercised for the purposes of protection of education or welfare of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, prevention of the unlawful entry in Ghana, or for removal of persons from Ghana, or persons conveyed through Ghana in the extradition or removal from one country to another upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana. 

Notwithstanding to the earlier, a person arrested, restricted or detained shall be informed immediately; in a language he understands of the reasons for the arrest, restriction or detention and of his right to a lawyer of his choice as clearly spelt out under art. 14(2)(a). If the person is brought before a court in the execution of a court order upon reasonable grounds of having committed a crime or on suspicion per art. 14(2)(b), he shall be brought before a court within forty-eight hours.

(3) “A person who is arrested, restricted or detained –

(a) for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of an order of a court; or

(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana, and who is not released, shall be brought before a court within forty-eight hours after the arrest, restriction or detention.”

When the person arrested, restricted or detained is not tried within the reasonable time then without prejudice to any further proceedings that may be brought against him, he shall be released either unconditionally or on conditions necessary to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or proceedings. A person who has been unlawfully arrested shall be entitled to compensation from that other person under clause (5). Where a person convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment has spent some period in lawful custody, it shall be considered and justice would be meddled with mercy in such instance. When he has spent the whole or partial jail term and he is acquitted on appeal by a court other than the Supreme Court, the court may certify the Supreme Court that he is paid compensation, and the compensation may be awarded accordingly.

(6) “Where a person is convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for an offence, any period he has spent in lawful custody in respect of that offence before the completion of his trial shall be taken into account in imposing the term of imprisonment.

(7) Where a person who has served the whole or a part of his sentence is acquitted on an appeal by a court, other than the Supreme Court, the court may certify to the Supreme Court that the person acquitted be paid compensation; and the Supreme Court may, upon examination of all the facts and the certificate of the court concerned, award such compensation as it may think fit; or, where the acquittal is by the Supreme Court, it may order compensation to be paid to the person acquitted.”

Equally important is the Protection of Privacy of Home and other Property indicated under art. 18. It states that, every person has the right to own property either alone or in association with others. Ghana permits citizens to own their own property; moveable or immovable except in few instances by statutory provisions may pay rate upon them, serving as revenue to government. Nobody’s privacy, communication inter alia can be interfered or intercepted except in accordance with law for public safety or economic well-being. Thus, to prevent the commission or omission of an act or whatsoever.

(1) “Every person has the right to own property either alone or in association with others.

(2) No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence or communication except in accordance with law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the protection of health or morals, for the prevention of disorder or crime or for the protection of the rights or freedoms of others.”

Having discussed the three fundamental Human Rights I would like to stop here and reserve the remaining for another discussion. I entreat you all to take note of the following rights.

Gracias,

By Felix Acquaye.

0279512614

*For contributions, clarifications and other purposes call the writer*