#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.