tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84882531019290258582024-03-18T07:22:24.877+00:00My Blog. Sakyiwaa Mensahgeneral musings on life, art, anything that interests me and sharing my random thoughtsakosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-5513329320239073432017-06-30T20:37:00.001+00:002017-06-30T20:38:41.263+00:00Nonsensical <p dir="ltr">It doesn't matter what right you have ever done. When wrong occurs, you'd still be expected to solve whatever problem. <br>
Look, you ain't below no one! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Take a step back. Treat people the way they treat you. When they get angry and decide not to talk to you, that's fine. When you get angry for whatever reason, shut down too sometimes. And especially when NO ATTEMPT is made to even ask why you are upset. </p>
<p dir="ltr">You can't always be on a peace keeping mission. You will be drained. You will drown. When people refuse to see your worth and will rather compare, and hold you to whatever standards, look, love yourself enough to block out the silliness.</p>
<p dir="ltr">This level is actually nonsense. <br>
Not just silliness. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Love? Gosh it is pure and blissful and involves sacrifice and servitude but IT IS NOT ONE SIDED. </p>
<p dir="ltr">When you have leant and understood and applied how someone appreciates love, but they careless what love means to you, when your servitude is ignored because of ego, let it all slide and smile at yourself. Love you, for you are worth soooooo much to you and God and family and loved ones. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Love is never boastful nor disrespectful. <br>
Love isn't silent nor seeks to present oneself as better than the other. <br>
Love isn't a journey of constantly being made to feel as if you need someone's seal of approval. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Bring in attitude, add silent treatments, shut down, do all the wrongs, and don't ever blame your partners when they shut down too. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Love is a beautiful simple easy thing. Complicate it and become a victim of your own doing. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Now. . . it's a Friday night. Kojo Akwaboah sings that the forest that has helped you before, never call it a useless forest! </p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank God for today! ;)</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeLfaxUV5-BY7tcJ9VCTR6Riiy-3VUKmcKa_fvsLKDdK478Oz_HhX8u6C5bRzspoFjMYw3vQTLyz-_PLzjvbbq9WuKparsOq5TBthtT3QPBaDU4YW359zK7M0gQqktv_7qG2rFJj9HGTa/s1600/03a71f79e741b2ef6cda6b5b0e9e76d8--poster-x-type-posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeLfaxUV5-BY7tcJ9VCTR6Riiy-3VUKmcKa_fvsLKDdK478Oz_HhX8u6C5bRzspoFjMYw3vQTLyz-_PLzjvbbq9WuKparsOq5TBthtT3QPBaDU4YW359zK7M0gQqktv_7qG2rFJj9HGTa/s640/03a71f79e741b2ef6cda6b5b0e9e76d8--poster-x-type-posters.jpg"> </a> </div>akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-40559385682121123942016-08-09T14:21:00.001+00:002016-08-19T11:05:07.237+00:00GHANA POLICE MAKES PROGRESS WITH KEY POPULATIONS<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">Key
populations! Now who exactly are they and why do we refer to them as key
populations? The easiest way to understand them where HIV and AIDS is concerned
is that they are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>groups of people within
the general population who are most at risk of contracting HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS. Key populations include both male and female sex workers, men who
have sex with men, transgender people and sometimes vulnerable groups of people
who for some reasons cannot access proper healthcare and treatment for the
ailments they suffer from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">
Prostitution is seen as a criminal activity in some countries of which Ghana is
one. At the just ended 21st edition of the International AIDS Conference held in
Durban, South Africa, and organized by the International AIDS Society, Chief Inspector
Thomas Salifu Ndeogo of the Public Health Department of the Ghana Police
Service made a presentation on who the focus should be on regarding issues
of morality when enforcing the law. In the presentation, he made mention of the
fact that some time ago, the Police arrested alleged sex workers at various
places within the country and used condoms they were carrying as evidence of
their sex trade. Now the first question here is, if agencies like the Ghana
AIDS Commission, civil society organizations and NGOs are calling for safer sex
practices through the correct and constant use of condoms, how then do you
arrest someone and possibly prosecute them for carrying condoms? </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv7Hp2xBy-9xLVfRc01_-ACts5cOZgdPBNjpUj8MHAtSh_Dl1g8F8HA4fIK4MilbLUHbKmaK90euivBO3Z2rHpbkYo6lnMpTdHXa7XMVdUPanEpiLqaU6sKHE03Iztq6P-SK3MOlbLgdv/s1600/Dr+El-Adas+of+the+Ghana+AIDS+Commission+and+Chief+Inspector+Ndeogo+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv7Hp2xBy-9xLVfRc01_-ACts5cOZgdPBNjpUj8MHAtSh_Dl1g8F8HA4fIK4MilbLUHbKmaK90euivBO3Z2rHpbkYo6lnMpTdHXa7XMVdUPanEpiLqaU6sKHE03Iztq6P-SK3MOlbLgdv/s320/Dr+El-Adas+of+the+Ghana+AIDS+Commission+and+Chief+Inspector+Ndeogo+.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr EL-Adas of Ghana AIDS Commission and Chief Insp Ndeogo after his presentation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">Ghana
has recorded significant progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS over the
last decade. The national prevalence has plateaued around 1.3% in the general
population within the 15-49 year gap for the past few years. However, the
situation with persons within the key populations is different and worrisome as
their prevalence rate is about fifteen times higher than that of the general
population. For instance among men who have sex with men, the prevalence is 17%
while it is 11% among female sex workers according 2015 IBSS. The worrying
situation can further be attributed to some social, political, religious and
legal settings and challenges that do not promote access to treatment and care
services for these groups of people. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
conflict of promoting safer sex amongst the population, and using condoms as
evidence to prosecute sex workers is a bad situation that stands in the way of
advocates, law enforcement agents and the very people who need to be protected.
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">In
a country like Ghana where some laws are sometimes created based on prejudice,
fear and myths but not on science or research, issues of intolerance and human
rights violations will be on the increase. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Ghana Police Service
together with John Hopkins University developed a training manual which focused
on stigma and discrimination reduction among key populations. The manual is in
two parts which are the training school manual and the in-service manual for
Officers already in the Service. This is targeted at improving knowledge of
police officers in the area of HIV/AIDS and its related stigma and
discrimination practices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
AIDS Control program of the Ghana Police Service is also trying to educate the
officers on issues relating to HIV and AIDS and their role as law enforcement
agents in mitigating the increase in prevalence. Together with the UNFPA Ghana
office, a program using focus group discussions was implemented in six out of
the fourteen Police Regions of the Service to solicit information on how the
Police will identify sexual minorities or key populations, how they can define
and <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">analyze</span> laws that classify key populations and to increase the
understanding of what constitutes the causation of a sexual <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">offense</span> as against
public morals as stipulated in the Criminal <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">offenses</span> Act 29/60. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
focus group discussions brought to light the low levels of knowledge on
identification of possible offenders especially among junior officers. In a
response as to how a female sex worker can be identified, some responded that
they are identified based on the skimpy short dresses, long earrings, exposed
breasts, chains on their legs, fancy hairstyles and their location especially
at night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
discussions also brought to light the fact that some officers of the Ghana
Police Service did not fully understand the Criminal <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">Offenses</span> Act where the
description of <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">offenses</span> relating to unnatural carnal knowledge were concerned.
Issues on what constitutes sexual <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">offenses</span> against public morals also found the
officers generally lacking. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">From
these focus group discussions among the various sub jurisdictions, the Service
realized that the Personnel need to be sensitized on being more professional in
their dealings with every segment of the society. Some senior officers admitted
that sometimes they find themselves in puzzling situations where they try to
protect the rights of these key populations but they are compelled to go after
them due to political and societal pressures. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">Laws
are usually more rigid than issues bothering on morality, hence the two must be
decoupled while a greater supervision of personnel, especially those in the
patrol teams was called for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
Ghana Police Service, noting some of the discrepancies in the dispensation of
their duties, and how closely those dispensations bothered on the rights of some
of these individuals agreed to sensitize its personnel in order for them to
better understand the intricacies of dealing with people within the different
population units. Some may ask why the focus on key populations. Well this has
a simple explanation. Persons within the key population groups are not always
confined to those groups. For instance a man who has sex with other men could
also be having sex with a woman in the general population. This woman could be
having sex with another man who also could be with another woman. Hence,
assuming that the man who has sex with men and then women has HIV, or contracts
HIV from his male partner, he will succeed in infecting the woman who then will
infect the man and the infection could go on and on. In the same vein, a female
sex worker may have lovers who are not her clients. Assuming she contracts HIV
she can pass it on easily to her male lover who is not her client who may also
pass it on to another woman. Bottom line is, issues affecting the key populations
can hit and destabilize the gains already made lowering HIVE prevalence in the
general population. Attention must therefore be given to the members of the key
population groups if Ghana want to win and keep HIV infection at lower
prevalence. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">The
program implemented by the Ghana Police Service realized that acceptance of key
populations and their uniqueness is a major breakthrough to reforms. Meaningful
engagement with them will be able to ensure consensus building, transparency
and sustainability of programs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">Chief
Inspector Thomas Ndeogo acknowledged the administration of the Ghana Police
Service from the Inspector General and The Ghana AIDS Commission and thanked
them for being committed to ensuring that the Police personnel get the
requisite <span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">training</span> needed to be more efficient in the discharge of their
duties and for getting involved with the reforms. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "candara" , sans-serif;">***Content
picked from Chief Inspector Ndeogo's presentation at the 21st International
AIDS Conference 2016.</span></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-29591485880021483912016-01-28T20:09:00.001+00:002016-01-28T21:04:26.824+00:00Parenting, As We Witnessed It, And As We Can Make It. <p dir="ltr">I don't know about you but there have been times that I have felt totally out of place on this earth and in my family. And this has happened quite a lot. In interacting with others, I have realized quite a number of my associates and friends and colleagues have had similar issues with their parents. Some are unable to hold any meaningful discussions with their parents no matter what. Some only have a hi hello good morning relationship. One common thing has been that most common felt they haven't ever been needed by their parents. </p>
<p dir="ltr">However, I think we need to cut our parents some slack. They, and especially African parents sub the Saharan have had to grow up in tribes and groupings and families that hardly connected emotionally with each other. There was always some sort of knowing you are part of a group, but that emotional attachment was never really nurtured. In this part, if a woman suffers from depression after delivery of a child, she will never be taken seriously. If a man gets his heart broken out of a relationship gone bad, he will likely be told he is a fool. If a woman gets her heart broken, she is weak. This has been our society and background. We as a people have had top to bottom communication and obey before complaint kind of lifestyle. Here, a child can never be right in a case of wrong doing involving an adult. The adult will always be right. Parents do not talk with their children. They talk to, and at the children. The feedback from a child never really mattered. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our parents simply never appreciated the weight of emotional connections and the importance of engaging children. Child birth is not seen as something that needs emotional and psychological preparations. It is seen as a right of passage. At a certain age, you must have children and children you should and will have. You are told God will take care of the children. From this very statement, parents are separated from engagements with their children, generally. And so again, a child is viewed, not an a human who needs to be supported, but as a human who needs to be commanded. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Most of the parents of the younger generation went through this. We the younger generation are lucky to have been allowed to be a bit more expressive. By being expressive, we also started demanding what we thought and felt is ours. We have developed a sense of entitlement where we think we must have whatever we wish to have. And so when it comes to our parents and our emotional needs, we feel they should have simply provided it, damn their challenges. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our parents have tried. We may not have loved them or even felt that love most part of our lives with them. We may be feeling that love now that we are grown and are able to appreciate certain things. We may still be angry and feel like they never wanted us. We feel this way because emotionally, we have felt rather empty. (Sometimes this emotional emptiness accounts for emotional abuse in romantic relationships. We have never really felt connected to another so as another person has made us realize that part of us, we become too afraid to let them go when they hurt us. Because we love the feeling of being wanted and feeling like you want, almost need someone too). </p>
<p dir="ltr">In all our pain and anger towards our parents, we sometimes fail to appreciate the other ways they have shown this same love and care and support. Feeling needed can be attained mostly via communication, via what is said to you. If it accompanies what is shown, beautiful! If it is shown but the words don't come, we end up being like that guy who loved the girl so much and did many things for her, but as he never opened his mouth to propose to her, he ended up serving drinks at her wedding. He lost her. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our parents have showed us love and care. They have paid school fees, sheltered us, fed us, clothe us. ... no they hardly sat with us to do our homework. Or even got the importance of attending a PTA meeting at school. They was minimal to no celebrations to greet accolades from school. Maybe they didn't even understand the importance of these things to their children. Or maybe they did, but they could not express it. Mind you they came from a background where they weren't allowed to express themselves. Our parents have bent their backs for us to ensure our safety. Yet we feel angry because of the one thing we felt entitled to. . . Emotional support. We forget people cannot give what they do not have or have not known. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let us go easy on our parents. They have tried. They have done an awesome job at raising us. Let us take note of the void we have identified and ensure our children will have it better. Let us ensure we will be there for our children, emotionally. </p>
<p dir="ltr">In giving a child what you wished to have as a child but did not have, you still need to be firm, and realize that the world will not always present our children with what they want. And so we must create balances and cut off excesses. We should be careful not to train children with the wrong sense of entitlement. Our children do not need luxury. They need love, the presence of the parents, the emotional connection. They need you, not your money or the gadgets as substitutes. <br>
They need you to chat with them and to teach them sorry and please and thank you and no please and may I please get water and thank you for the water and mummy you are invited to my meal and daddy how was your day! They need you to teach them this and more. Money has never been known to be able to afford these. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Our children need humility. And love. And care. Our parents could not give us what they never really knew. We cannot give our children what we don't know too. However we can give ourselves the opportunity to learn what we do not know. To read. To ask questions. To chat with other people. To equip ourselves with experience, knowledge, and wisdom and most importantly, their applications. We need to make ourselves better so we can make parenting better for our children. We need to understand that our parents loved and still love us no matter what. </p>
<p dir="ltr">When we gracefully get old and grey, our memories, I guess, will not be filled with the adrenalin of work and the stress it came with. It will mostly be filled, I guess again, with events and moments that included other people. Moments that explored bonds and emotions. The smiles we gave people. The hugs, the encouraging words. The support. The nice things we said. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Let us appreciate our parents, possibly understudy them and fish out their flaws, so we can improve on ourselves. We owe this to the next generation.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RupDiz_BxoXY6gN5X07O_00z-u82etMIMk6J3vArVgqmlDpTXeELQZzs78YODqIejp4soVzydKebfU7MJ-1plngeL4_SjUmoE1LHC6xJhhJNZLN-mYmgFmV04hG8kH_QUxmjxPd7-N9A/s1600/FB_IMG_1454014950354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RupDiz_BxoXY6gN5X07O_00z-u82etMIMk6J3vArVgqmlDpTXeELQZzs78YODqIejp4soVzydKebfU7MJ-1plngeL4_SjUmoE1LHC6xJhhJNZLN-mYmgFmV04hG8kH_QUxmjxPd7-N9A/s640/FB_IMG_1454014950354.jpg"> </a> </div>akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-8550955483309494742015-10-08T14:51:00.001+00:002015-12-21T15:00:10.164+00:00"I Have Given Birth To His Children". . . So What? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCenaUPYikh5oOuX-Q2srfqn-3h0mGZ1TT8fe4PPvsYP5mU86YOxIUMHTxIzl6yBCj1iCjOLBU0uwUdtw-BxfuqTeio5DoIR6JPc8GIfE3Gg9OmAN6XLEcY6yY0pe0Mkb2oiIFxklvmHzh/s1600/stock-vector-silhouettes-of-woman-man-children-family-vector-illustration-64366699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCenaUPYikh5oOuX-Q2srfqn-3h0mGZ1TT8fe4PPvsYP5mU86YOxIUMHTxIzl6yBCj1iCjOLBU0uwUdtw-BxfuqTeio5DoIR6JPc8GIfE3Gg9OmAN6XLEcY6yY0pe0Mkb2oiIFxklvmHzh/s320/stock-vector-silhouettes-of-woman-man-children-family-vector-illustration-64366699.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Sometimes I think my Pig Farm (The suburb within Accra I grew up in) upbringing has really influenced a lot of my thinking. The population on social media are somewhat different from the population and caliber of people I saw in the neighborhood mostly. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">When I say women should work, and not just say they have given birth to children for their husbands, I in no way lose appreciation for housewives, because that in itself is work, and that is okay if the man is providing. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">But I have seen the lives of many children turned around badly after the death of their fathers. The mothers who usually do not work are left to cater for these children. The consequences have been terrible. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">I have realized that dutiful housewives have been able to make an impact and still cater for their children after the demise of their husbands, while those whose only brag have been that they have given birth to children for the man have had their children have possibly no aspirations for the future. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">When I say women should do more than just brag with "I have given birth to his children", I in no small means downplay the conception, gestation and birthing period. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">There are dutiful housewives, and the other types of women who will not dress their children nor wash nor sweep. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">I have witnessed one too many times when children had to switch schools from private schools to public schools and eventually to drop outs because father died and mother couldn't take care of them. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">And I have witnessed fathers who died, yet mothers who were housewives suddenly found a means to make ends meet. </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Again, I say, do not let your brag be that "you have given birth to his children". Any other woman can do that for him. Because that is somewhat automatic. What is not automatic is caring for the children, especially in situations of death of the men.</span>akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-64609930755748428962015-09-23T23:12:00.001+00:002015-10-08T14:54:29.583+00:00When You Call Me Ugly. . . (Wiyaala)<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0pGkYzXBtd9YbIn1UHZty_7s0NWavYGUHrhV02y0nXRPmHVETt6xpi9ZKxNsIsFjZf1Ra5UHYRVkz22wes9e8RXJDpMuOuUc-IPtp5maa-ExX0Jck9bpys6mc0Ui6cUMgWrR6YDwIrYH/s1600/Wiya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0pGkYzXBtd9YbIn1UHZty_7s0NWavYGUHrhV02y0nXRPmHVETt6xpi9ZKxNsIsFjZf1Ra5UHYRVkz22wes9e8RXJDpMuOuUc-IPtp5maa-ExX0Jck9bpys6mc0Ui6cUMgWrR6YDwIrYH/s320/Wiya.jpg" width="320" /></a>When you call me ugly, I often think you say so because you do not have the heart to tolerate others who are outside your box. <br />
I feel you want me to be like you or others like you. </div>
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You set my brain back to the times when I could not be normal, the times you weren't there, the times I hardly had use for a mirror. </div>
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When you say I am ugly, I think you want me to conform. </div>
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I ask myself. . .conform to what? <br />
Where were your long lips and noses when I had to suffer bullying and eventually had to fight for myself?<br />
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Where were you when my mother had to struggle and struggle and had struggle become a part of her name? </div>
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Where were you when I made it to tertiary school. . .to Takoradi Polytechnic. . . Oh what joy!!!!</div>
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Where were you when my initial polytechnic results had me obtaining very good grades and shooting me to first class student status? </div>
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Where were you when I had to drop out for lack of funds? Where were you when my mother could not afford to take care of the children she had had with this same man who had no responsibility to these children? </div>
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And then you call me ugly. </div>
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I wasn't ugly when I opted to drop out of school just so I wont end up a prostitute. <br />
I never saw myself ugly during a those times when mirrors wer luxury and far cries from me. </div>
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I never saw myself as ugly when scars of emotional and physical torture wanted to drain me. </div>
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I did not see myself as ugly when I had to go through audition after audition with no proper support but hope! Hope against all else.. . . </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdQC2dQulfaXKEDgHJ2SgjodXax_2WCeoFojgHR74WA-1uvW8Ag3SzW1n-DDHwUoPnm9eI92v6-DnonvOaaBYDGcyq1lSHZnhzcIBnpu2RnCfgHbPUDKw9PY3OpHThiF4GeG89mQCmjSJ/s1600/DSC_4565-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdQC2dQulfaXKEDgHJ2SgjodXax_2WCeoFojgHR74WA-1uvW8Ag3SzW1n-DDHwUoPnm9eI92v6-DnonvOaaBYDGcyq1lSHZnhzcIBnpu2RnCfgHbPUDKw9PY3OpHThiF4GeG89mQCmjSJ/s320/DSC_4565-Edit.jpg" width="320" /></a>My scars are deep. Yet they do not define me. <br />
I know God. I know He created me in His image. I have His spirit. That spirit of resilience, of hope, of honor and dignity and that same spirit that makes Him stand out no matter what. . . That spirit I was created with. . .that spirit that makes me want to stand out no matter what. . . </div>
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When you say I am ugly, I do not respond. That does not mean I am not human. In fact I am so human sometimes I break down at your bitterness. </div>
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The few times I respond to your teasing, you increase your calls of me being ugly. </div>
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Seriously people, with all I have been through, if I am still standing, it is to the glory of God. Not to man. Not to you. </div>
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Your comments hurt me. But they can never compare to the pains of my past so when you say I am ugly, I smile and tell myself. . .these people do not know what they are saying. </div>
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I am Wiyaala. The lioness of Africa. I mix my traditions and culture with bits of elements from here and there. Should I go to my village, I know my dressing will not push me out. </div>
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While you spend time thinking of insults and unhealthy comments, I spend time trying to keep improving my work. </div>
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Call that ugly. . . . I call it work. Hard work. Smart work. I see beauty in my eyes and in the eyes of God.</div>
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I am beautiful in my own ways. . . </div>
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I am Wiyaala!!!<br /></div>
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***Wiyaala is a Ghanaian musician. She has constantly been harassed by sections of the public for her appearance. This piece is meant to celebrate her. </div>
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Written by Sakyiwaa Mensah, after a chance meeting with Wiyaala, this has been published with permission from her(Wiyaala). </div>
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akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-10888728147504301842015-06-08T22:30:00.001+00:002015-12-21T15:01:05.300+00:00Victim and Villain<div dir="ltr">
He pursued and got her interested. <br />
She fell and admitted it. <br />
They started out and dated to the point of courtship. <br />
They had become exclusive. <br />
She had asked if he was married. Or had kids. <br />
Both he had denied seriously. <br />
And so for 14 months, she thought this exclusive meant exclusive. <br />
He would cancel out on appointments sometimes and would only sit out with her in the company of a male friend of his. </div>
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Else he would insist they sit in his car only. <br />
She would call and hear voices of children. <br />
She would ask and he would say they are his nephews or nieces, whichever one seemed convenient. <br />
Women and instincts. <br />
And so she cornered one friend of his and begged him to respect her enough not to lie. <br />
She asked if his friend was married. <br />
The silence of the friend was deafening. <br />
She found her way to unravel and alas he was a married man. With three children. <br />
She did not feel hurt for herself as much as she felt for his wife. <br />
For every memory was laced with lies to her. <br />
She felt sorry for his wife who had to live with a man who could deny her totally. <br />
Totally. <br />
Totally. <br />
She had friends who were dating men who were married. <br />
And they knew these men were married. <br />
But not her. <br />
She had found her man for she always considered herself too full a woman to share a man, or to have a half man. <br />
And so she stepped aside and ignored him. <br />
But her other concern hit her. <br />
It bugged her. <br />
Would she have been seen as the victim if a pregnancy had come up for instance? <br />
Would society listen to her? <br />
Will society believe that she did not know he was married? <br />
Will society accept and support her and her child? <br />
Will his wife then turned rival realize she felt sorry for her? <br />
Poor girl who only innocently was dealing with her life, she got stuck in love with a lying tongue. <br />
She had never wanted to date married men. And she wouldn't. <br />
She felt she was too full a woman to have a man who could not talk her to sleep. <br />
A man who could not speak on phone at certain times. <br />
A man who always wanted to hide her. <br />
A man who played chaskele with her. <br />
Chaskele. Because when his wife was around, she got thrown off. <br />
Poor married woman with such a lying man. <br />
And they actually had four children. Not three! <br />
And the wife is by no means a lazy unattractive woman. <br />
Maybe they have their own issues. <br />
But from her point of view, no married man should ever deny his wife. <br />
That is bad. <br />
Who will listen? <br />
Who will not judge? <br />
Sometimes the villains society creates and admonishes, are actually victims of the same circumstances as well. . . .akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-9075363313629147552015-05-28T12:02:00.002+00:002015-12-21T15:00:45.590+00:00The Turnaround <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd98qzyVw4iH7iWYeFCgAhAsXjCmMCH48j3j-Gcr7COdmdjD2VwfwNojaAV-MnRYgHDys-tySEkpF6RTi7SsRNlCK68c9RYzt3lwcT32YGLn5ZN-b2nKoomW61Zjb0bbDnJcWRbkMPbAfv/s1600/Get-Ready-For-A-Turn-Around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd98qzyVw4iH7iWYeFCgAhAsXjCmMCH48j3j-Gcr7COdmdjD2VwfwNojaAV-MnRYgHDys-tySEkpF6RTi7SsRNlCK68c9RYzt3lwcT32YGLn5ZN-b2nKoomW61Zjb0bbDnJcWRbkMPbAfv/s320/Get-Ready-For-A-Turn-Around.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No. That relationship was not the best. However it
had potential. It had potential to be one of the best and the only. All
Akushika wanted was to have open conversations with the man of her life.
Conversations that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were unending and
reciprocated. She did not want to always be the one to initiate conversation and to make suggestions of dates. Aku had become weary of constantly been let
down at the last minute. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once, Aku had set a date with Nii Armah for a clear two
months. The program was the wedding of one of Aku’s friends. With a history of
Nii constantly letting her down at the last minute for some other reasons, Aku
had constantly reminded him and asked to save this date. The day of the wedding
came and Nii sent an early text message that he could not make it. Aku felt
crushed but still held on. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Everyone has a breaking point, no matter what.
Francis had come into the picture and was giving the attention Aku had been practically
begging Nii for. Nii will not respond to text messages nor return phone calls.
His reasons were that so far as they are in a relationship, that was all there
was to it so this constantly been in touch attitude was not going to add
anything to the relationship. Aku had tried severally to explain that such
neglect had a bad impact on her as it made her feel neglected, yet Nii will not
budge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Francis and Aku met via Facebook. They had been
chatting and eventually exchanged phone numbers. Francis was so on point with
his responses to messages and call backs. He initiated conversations. He seemed
to do so so effortlessly that before she could realize, she had suddenly began
to wait and anticipate his texts and calls. Upon this realization, and the
drift on her part, as she was not calling Nii often, she decided to have
another hearty chat with Nii concerning their relationship. Nii was still
unrepentant. They had been together for two years and, Aku had never heard him
say he loved her aside that one time in the initial stages of their
relationship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Francis was being him, Aku’s emotions were in
turmoil. She had drifted from Nii within a one month period with the worst
coming when she intentionally decided to not contact him for a two week period
and to check if he would by chance contact her. He never did. By the end of
this two week period, Aku had tirelessly drained her emotions from Nii and
heightened them in Francis. They started going out for dates until Francis
asked her to be his woman. Aku had an easy way informing Nii about her desire to
end the relationship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That evening, after Aku had told Nii that it was
over, he just left. After two months of bliss with Francis, she received a text
from Nii to the effect that she really hurt him and he never expected that to
happen to them. Aku was however not willing to go back to Nii, tried as he did
because she finally relished in this emotional heaven that she was not going
back to that emptiness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Francis had four children with two women and he was even not in a financial stability to take care of his children. None of the
children lived with him and he paid less attention to their welfare. His own
upkeep was a problem and he still chased any girl he could chase. Aku got to
know all these after about seven months. She knew it was wrong to be with
Francis. She longed to leave and live, but she had gotten so emotionally
involved that leaving spelt pain and doom for her. So she hanged on. Besides
Francis, as typical of such men was damn good at lovemaking and making her feel
important. You would want to leave but knowing no man had ever made your feet
curl in the air, nor made you moan from the depths of your soul, nor thrust you
so sensually that he fitted so well and with nothing but
pleasure, you knew it was even more troubling to leave. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Aku stayed. Not because she hoped to help Francis become
a better person, but because she needed these emotions as they made her feel
alive. She could finally miss someone from the bottom of her heart and have a
longing to see the person. This person was not good, as decided on by her own
brain but her helpless disrespectful seemingly dysfunctional heart was in a
different realm. And so the relationship went on for about six more months. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The master of the game will sometimes get caught
anyway anyhow. Aku had never chanced on any evidence of another woman and so
though she had inkling, she had never had hard evidence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One Sarah Adu had started writing funny commentaries
on Francis' Facebook wall. No. Aku had not gone digging. But she saw a post and
the responses from Francis and decided to visit his wall. More of such posts
and responses greeted her. Eyebrow raised, she decided to fish out for all she could.
And so she set up a different Facebook account and befriended enough people who
were friends with this lady. She sent a friend request to her and they started
chatting soon after. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Trust a lady on a mission to get all her details. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Aku had gotten to know that Francis had told this
woman that she Aku is his secretary. She had asked about her when she also read
some posts Aku had shared on Francis wall. You know those kind of “le boo”, “man
of my life” and such posts? Yes. So she had also gotten curious and asked and
he’d been informed that Aku is but a secretary and she does that to just tease
whoever he might be dating or looking at dating. Sarah was due for a visit in
Ghana in two months time as she was domiciled in Canada. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Aku probed further for some more information over a
three week period until she was sure she had gotten enough. Throughout this
time, Francis was the least on her mind as she was in an emotional turmoil and
wanted to painfully withdraw emotionally from him so she could have the
strength to walk. She informed Francis of her decision and actually told him
all that had transpired between her new Facebook page and Sarah. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wasted years! Not according to Aku though, but
according to society. There was pressure on the now 27 year old Aku to get
married. She was thankful to Francis for helping her to realize herself,
sexually and sensually and could at least brag as being one of the very few
women in the entire world who had actually experienced so much orgasm that
faking was just not an option. Let the man fail her and she knows exactly where
to touch to stimulate herself to get there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As society increased pressure on her, and as she
increasingly attended more and more weddings, she was forced to have an
introspection and to sort of reach out to any of her old flames as a settlement
option. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Aku did a good scan and started reaching out to some
of them with simple enquiry text messages. Nii Armah was one of the three
options she was looking at to settle with. He had gone on to be with another
person though but he was currently single. As Aku retraced her steps, she felt
she had sunk low one day when while she was watching a movie titled, Why Did I
Get Married by Tyler Perry, she asked herself what her relationship with Nii
Armah will be like if they should reconcile. Was he going to be the same old
person who could not and would not respond to messages for whatever reasons?
This is Aku. She said to herself. I am Aku. The girl who would want to exchange
texts with my spouse throughout as often as possible. I am Aku. The girl who
wants to have an emotional dependence on her man so she could lose herself in
him. I am Aku. The girl who wants to giggle while at work or with her friends
because her husband had sent her a message that he couldn’t wait to see her or
that he had missed her! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And this is Nii Armah! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nii Armah would not do any of these. No. He would
make her feel so neglected she would definitely fancy other men all the time. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon this realization, she stopped herself in her
own tracks of this turnaround. She would not settle. She would not settle for a
man who did not see relevance in her basic needs. She would not settle because
society seems to be in unison in singing that men are hard to come by so women
should settle for just about any man. No. Aku would not settle for such painful
life. She had witnessed some of her colleagues complain on end about their
spouses. Some had complaints so basic that it really should not be a complaint
but alas they were. Neglect in marriage. A feeling of loss and hopelessness.
Husbands who only showed care for their child or children by paying school fees
and nothing else and wives who needed sex, weren’t having sex because their
husbands weren’t giving them and yet knew these same husbands were having sex
with other women. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No. Akushika will marry, definitely. Akushika had
made mistakes in poor judgement and in choices of men. Akushika had chased for
emotional dependence and need because that was one of the things she had
never experienced in her life, despite having family and friends. Akushika had
never felt what it felt like to miss someone and get moody until you hear from
the person. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite Francis’ shenanigans, he had helped her to
appreciate what it meant to have these feelings come from within and she
cherished them. She was not going to live life with a settlement mentality.
That mindset of accepting things as they are and as if they could never change
. . . because they would never change. . . Akushika almost made a turnaround
for such but. . . </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People need to appreciate who they are with and
listen to them. If your spouse makes a particular complaint over and over and
over and you ignore it, do you then blame them for leaving you? Love should not
be a hellhole. Love should be beautiful and sharing. Love is sacrificial. You
need to lose a bit of you, you need to sacrifice that aspect so your spouse
could possibly be happier. You need to work with your spouse and not against
them. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Poor judgement in partners will always give a
lesson. But do know that even the spoilt wall clock is right two times in a day.
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Akushika will meet and experience love again.
Akushika will love and be loved by the right man. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For now, Akushika is enjoying her singleness while
hoping for the next man who will make her feet curl out of pure blissful
excitement to turn up, and soon. </span></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-27080277923537930052014-09-12T16:42:00.000+00:002014-09-12T16:54:45.736+00:00#NoChoBo: Blogging Ghana meets Ghana Medical Association <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On Wednesday
10<sup>th</sup>September 2014,the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and Blogging
Ghana held a forum at the Bloggers Ghana hub to sensitize the public on Ebola
and Cholera prevention and management.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dr.Ayegua
Hagan Seneadza, a representative of GMA explained that, Cholera is an acute
diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the
bacterium Vibrio Cholerae. Food can be contaminated by water that has cholera
germs in it or food prepared or handled by a person sick with cholera. She
added that, every year, there was an estimated 3–5 million cholera cases in the
world with 100,000–120,000 deaths (WHO).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Speaking
on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Dr. Ayegua noted that it is a severe often
fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90% and affects both humans and
non-human primates. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Ebola virus contains five species which are:</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">•Bundibugyoebolavirus
(BEBOV)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">•Reston
ebolavirus (RESTV)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">•Sudan
ebolavirus (SEBOV)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">•Tai
Forest ebolavirus (TAFV)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">•Zaire
ebolavirus (ZEBOV)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">As
of 6th September 2014, there has been a total of 3,944 suspected cases and
2,097 confirmed deaths of EVD.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">The
hardest hit countries are neighboring Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Ebola
virus is spread through human-to-human via direct contact with bodily fluids such
as blood, saliva, vomit, semen, urine, stools, and sweat containing the virus.
Ebola is also transmitted by contact with corpses of infected persons or
animals and contaminated surfaces/objects.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">She
cited a couple of interventions being undertaken to control the Cholera
epidemic and to prevent an Ebola Outbreak. These included among others educational
campaigns with the use of information vans, electronic, print and digital media,
media briefing and sensitization, clean-up exercises in the cities,
surveillance at the ports of entry and preparing health personnel to take care
of Ebola patients. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">In
the end she mentioned that, regular hand washing with soap under running safe
water and regular application of hand sanitizer in cases where you do not readily
have water were ways of reducing the risk of Cholera and Ebola infections.
Again she said, food must be cooked (especially animal products) properly and
one must wear gloves and use the appropriate personal protective equipment
(PPE) when caring for an ill person especially in the case of Ebola.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Gazie
Decker, Head of Brand Development and Activations at PZ Cussons announced that the
business was partnering with the GMA on this forum as part of an initiative to
drive awareness and educate the general public on Cholera and Ebola. He
indicated that as a Business, with operations in this part of the world where
certain habits and cultures normally predispose people to some of these
dangerous infections, PZ Cussons thought it a laudable idea to embark on such
an initiative. He also added that PZ Cussons and the GMA were, as part of this
project, working on other platforms, to not only educate but also to give free samples
of Camel and Carex products to consumers. This is especially beneficial at a
time in the history of this country where we have recorded over 5,000 cases of
Cholera in a little over 2 months.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt;">Stephen
Boadi, Head of Digital at PZ Cussons also indicated the business had adopted
social media as one of the platforms in driving this CSR agenda. “Our Facebook
pages, Carex Ghana and Camel Antiseptic Ghana are dedicated to teaching hand
hygiene and promoting germ free environment” he added.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">For more information, visit Carex Ghana
(Facebook), Camel Antiseptic Ghana (Facebook) and </span><a href="http://www.carex.com.gh/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">www.carex.com.gh</span></a><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">. Follow the
campaign online at </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">#NoChoBo</span></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt;">
<br /></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-24288736841325685602014-09-12T13:52:00.000+00:002014-09-12T13:52:26.568+00:00#NoChoBo, The Hand Sanitizer Distribution Campaign <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRu7GoKeS0rGfSi1X1fsH4sVVilTgkHdpVPHefl_PCt0yFwy0DkIYMzZIH1i2xmLWnu9efMMojTD5ANbe-0fwgu9UcIvdWjywNZox4jgksHMtKHKOuttMrUN_XVnG_jlmnVDHQ_hZYq14/s1600/10533320_697253350345495_8084136748919833578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRu7GoKeS0rGfSi1X1fsH4sVVilTgkHdpVPHefl_PCt0yFwy0DkIYMzZIH1i2xmLWnu9efMMojTD5ANbe-0fwgu9UcIvdWjywNZox4jgksHMtKHKOuttMrUN_XVnG_jlmnVDHQ_hZYq14/s1600/10533320_697253350345495_8084136748919833578_n.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a>There is currently a cholera outbreak in Ghana with increasing cases as the
days go by. Cholera is an infection of the small intestine caused by a
bacterium known as vibrio cholerae. Symptoms of this condition include watery
diarrhoea, vomiting and weakness. Transmission occurs primarily by drinking
water or eating food that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected
person including those infected but with no apparent symptoms.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
As the spreading of cholera is primarily a sanitation problem, a campaign
has been launched to get as many children as possible some free hand sanitizers
to augment the hand washing with soap and general cleanliness messages. The
campaign is also seeking to work as a preventive measure for the looming Ebola
virus and disease of which no case has been reported in Ghana yet, despite its
prevalence in some other West African Countries. <br />
<br />
The campaign, known as the #NoChoBo Campaign is a crowd funded social
campaign. The idea behind it is to get individuals to buy and donate hand
sanitizers to some random children in their neighbourhood or a school and to
share pictures of their gesture on social media. As part of the campaign, such
persons who have taken up the challenge must then nominate three to five or
more people to also take up the challenge to which they must also share
pictures and nominate some more people to take it up. All updates and pictures
of the campaign on social media must have the hash tag, #NoChoBo. <br />
<br />
The #NoChoBo is an abbreviation for No CHOlera no eBOla and it is a drive
started by Sakyiwaa Mensah, a Communicator and social change activist and the
person behind “The SexTalk Forum”, the reproductive health forum that seeks to
demystify issues regarding sex and sex education. The campaign is supported by
Blogging Ghana. <br />
<br />
The #NoChoBo campaign, started barely a week ago has had some individuals
join and donate sanitizers to some random children with some opting to give
sanitizers to any blind beggars they meet in traffic. The public is being
advised to help and support this campaign in their own small ways, even if they
are not active on social media so together, we can curb the current incidence
of choler in Ghana. Help us in your own small way to reach as many children as
possible with sanitizers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-6950580552243121162014-06-22T14:50:00.001+00:002015-12-21T15:01:35.290+00:00Guts! Beautiful Stubbornness! <div dir="ltr">
I know nothing about football. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Okay I know something. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
I know penalty. I know cornerkick. I know midfield and defenders and strikers. Oh I know pain when Manchester United and Ghana loses any match. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Damn! I know football like that. Lol.</div>
<a name='more'></a> <br />
<div dir="ltr">
I know not of what left back or center back or something like that is. But I know when Coach Kwasi Appiah used the player, Kwadwo Asamoah at that position in Ghana's game against USA in the ongoing World Cup in Brazil, some of us talked a lot, and negatively too. Yesterday same player was used in the same position in the match against Germany. I didn't watch the match. But I'm informed he did so well. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Guts!!!!!! That is what Kwasi Appiah exhibited. Guts. Conviction. Not being moved by words of people who have never kicked 'chaskele' nor small poles before.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
Even with a whole nation of unqualified coaches, Kwasi still stood his ground and has succeeded in making all of you turn your negative talks into silence or praise. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
Guts! Conviction! Beautiful stubbornness. . . . . If only we could exhibit a little bit of that in our personal lives and decisions on love, life, work, relationship, . . . . . Will we not be more happier with ourselves? </div>
<div dir="ltr">
And oh! I have added Kwasi Appiah to my football knowledge!!!!! </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
(This has nothing to do with both of us hailing from Dormaa Ahenkro :) )</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7XKcoAToofBIyux-cLmlA5xGCrhchEHhoWVXnxr0ck2SXmrLQlv3avYu8vdJyCwJ9zd6YRSfNcCBfLlxfdlIf9nvWZjbFcgZZXdK18Kx2obtD0idHaoWPVc9-EJEFOFmMA2jgQ6Z8Akt/s1600/Screenshots_2014-06-22-14-57-20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7XKcoAToofBIyux-cLmlA5xGCrhchEHhoWVXnxr0ck2SXmrLQlv3avYu8vdJyCwJ9zd6YRSfNcCBfLlxfdlIf9nvWZjbFcgZZXdK18Kx2obtD0idHaoWPVc9-EJEFOFmMA2jgQ6Z8Akt/s640/Screenshots_2014-06-22-14-57-20.png" /> </a> </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-86509102203017701172014-04-05T20:13:00.001+00:002014-04-07T12:24:24.368+00:00My Pledge To Myself <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The more I counted, the more I felt the shivers for all the
many illicit sex I had had. Curiosity and giving in to my bodily needs for sex
had seen me start to experiment with sex at age fourteen. By the time I was
done with junior high school, I could very well qualify for a really sexually
active teenage boy. </div>
<a name='more'></a>I went to an all boys senior high school and though my
sexual escapades reduced whenever school was in session, it shot up during
vacations. Condoms had always been my friend and I had no problem going to a
far away pharmacy just to get condoms.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In my second year in University, and for the first time, I
had sex without protection. That experience lingered on and I wanted more and
more of that. Eventually, condom use was discarded by the third or fourth time
I was having sex with a particular lady. I knew of sexually transmitted
diseases. I had heard of HIV but from where I chose to see things from, the
University community was free from such illness. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Admittedly I have been involved in some very risky sexual
activities. In all my
involvements, I had discarded the condom use along the line. I never bothered
to check for HIV nor any other illness because again, I felt they were alien to
the group I had such sexual activities with and I just didn’t have any symptoms
that could prompt me to go have a test done. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eight years after my first degree and now with a Masters
Degree added, and not married, I used to constantly sit back and smile anytime
I heard of younger persons discussing their sexual exploits. Anytime I had a
new lady trying to tell me I knew next to nothing about sex, as I was a good
pretender, I smiled sheepishly at their comments. And felt happy that I was
very much passing my fake acting situations. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for HIV, I never thought it would ever be necessary for
me to go get tested. I felt I would rather not know as we were all going to die
anyway. My knowledge of HIV was as good as the knowledge of most of the best
economics students in Ghanaian senior high schools. I knew the theories, and
all there were to know but I had somehow not applied them to myself until I got
intrigued by an HIV advocacy campaign on social media. I liked how the campaign
was growing steadily and got jolted into my present state of self awareness
when it became evident that condom use in Ghana is generally low amongst
persons of higher education and earning a lot more money. Also that such people
were having an increased case of new HIV infections. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My sleepless nights had begun! I could see truth in what was
being said as I recounted my days from when I had first had unprotected sex and
the numerous male friends who had said they did not use condoms either. One of
the messages of the campaign was that people should reduce their sexual
partners. The reason basically is that once one person had the virus, it will
be spread to the other people in that sexual circle and members who were part
of another sexual circle could also transmit the virus to new people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My sleepless nights got worse. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I found some courage and decided to know my status once
and for all. I walked into a lab and asked for an HIV test. That was the
longest thirty minutes of my life in recent times. The result came and was
handed over to me. I drove home and drank some alcohol and drowned myself
before I opened the letter I had been given. The result. . . I was HIV
negative. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh of relief!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had already decided to use condoms, as the campaign was
suggesting and I had now gotten to know my HIV status. Mentally, I made a note
to be more careful from then on and to ensure I take care of myself. If
anything at all, I am going to use condoms always. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks to the Protect the Goal Campaign, which simply links
people preventing HIV infection to footballers preventing their opponents from
scoring them, I had gotten tested for HIV. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have now pledged to protect the goal too! </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-73701988025899912922014-03-24T17:58:00.001+00:002014-03-24T17:58:19.796+00:00The Love Of My Wife <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="usercontent"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As much as possible,
life had been a warm journey for me. Growing up in the suburbs of one of
Accra's average neighborhoods, life had been fun and happy.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<br />
<span class="usercontent">My parents tried all they could to provide a
comfortable life for my siblings and I. For this, we are very grateful. I
completed the university at age 22 and was done with my National service in a
year's t</span><span class="textexposedshow">ime.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">I have always fancied people in uniform. The Army.
The Navy. The Police. The Nurses. I had just fancied workers in uniform because
they usually looked very sharp and well dressed no matter what. With this love,
I decided to apply for one of the security services.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">I got enrolled and started my training. Eventually
the recruits were done with all we had to do and eventually we became officers.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Fast forward to six years after being in the
agency, and two years after dating Araba, I decided to marry her, if she would
agree to be my wife. We went through all the counseling steadily. We had a
series of medical tests to do as well. One of these was HIV testing. Araba and
I had decided not to engage in pre-marital sex.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">The tests came out and everything was fine, except
that Araba was HIV negative while i was HIV positive. I couldn't fathom where
and how I had possibly gotten infected. I tried so hard but I could not
remember how, or when.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">This result cast a gloom on our wedding
preparations. I was already asking her to please allow us to break up so I deal
with my misery as I did not want her to suffer the same fate. But Araba stayed
and comforted me. She did all she could to make me have a positive outlook.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">She had gotten herself an intense education on
persons living with HIV and she practically dragged me to a health facility.
With her support, several other tests were done and I was put on anti Retro
viral therapy. I still insisted she leaves but she insisted that in her
readings, she had gotten to know that it is possible to marry someone with HIV
and even possible to have children without HIV with the infected person.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Eventually we got back on track, while I was still
almost always afraid of transmitting the virus to her.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">I confided in a bosom friend about my dilemma. Next
thing I knew, some people in my area of residence had started giving me cold
shoulders. Eventually more and more people withdrew from me and Araba got
warned by one of them that I had AIDS and that if she loves her life, she
should stay away from me. This was when it hit me! Somehow, my status had
become public knowledge and they were stigmatizing me. It felt awful a lot of
the time. Sometimes I cried when any of them treated me so bad and called me
names anytime i walked by.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Eventually I had to move out as I could not stand
the treatment anymore. I tried to educate one or two that the fact that I have
HIV does not mean I will be transferring the virus to them simply by talking or
shaking hands with them or by living in the neighborhood. I became their
laughing stock and despite Araba's support, I almost got into a state of
depression.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Eventually I moved from the neighborhood.
Thankfully, the anti Retroviral therapy made me strong and look healthy so
there was no way anyone could see that I was sick. My immediate family gave me
support. Araba never informed her family of my status until she had eventually
educated them about persons living with HIV and how that is possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Later, she told them and her immediate family
accepted me as well. Some persons from both of our extended families however
made unsavory comments but we went past that. Eventually we got married and
have been blessed with three HIV negative babies since we got married nine
years ago.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Araba has been my pillar of hope and for that, I am
eternally grateful. Facing that strong opposition and stigma from my previous
neighborhood still hurts me. It hurts because that was one of the places I had
wanted to, and eventually lived there. The people were mostly amazing people
until my HIV status became a public note.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Stigma can cause depression and indeed though I was
on treatment, it made me entertain suicide thoughts. Thankfully they only
succeeded in making me get myself out of the neighborhood and not doing the
worst to myself.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="textexposedshow">To you all, please know that HIV is real and it is
also real that persons living with HIV can have a healthy normal life.</span><br />
<span class="textexposedshow">Stigma kills faster than the virus.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="textexposedshow"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Written by Sakyiwaa
Mensah</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-54722909287287718792014-03-06T10:11:00.003+00:002014-03-06T10:11:37.150+00:00Open Letter To Newscasters <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dear Newscasters in Ghana, and particularly those
who present the news in the local languages, and particularly again, in the
Akan language, we would like to applaud you for the various ways in which you
disseminate information to the understanding of many Ghanaians. You have helped
in bringing relevant news to the understanding of many people. <a name='more'></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, you generally have some flaws in your
presentation which are hurting people like us. We have observed with a lot of
pain, the very disparaging words you use to describe HIV and especially persons
living with HIV in your news items. Some of you make it seem like everyone who
has the HIV virus led a bad promiscuous life and should not be taken seriously.
More like, all of us living with HIV brought this situation upon ourselves so
we should not be supported. Oh and some of you use barbaric words and
situations to describe HIV and AIDS as if it is only animals who suffer from
the condition. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We will not try to explain and justify the various
means by which people get infected with HIV. However, we have a few questions.
For instance, the now 20 year old boy who was born with HIV, does he fit into
the promiscuous circle you have drawn, where HIV is concerned? The faithful
husband who got HIV through the adulterous wife, does he fit into your
promiscuous circle? The Good Samaritan who offered help on an accident scene
and somewhat had an incident of blood transfusion because of his own bruises
and that of one victim who was in a much severe state, does he fall into it?
That young girl who got defiled many times by her Uncle, does she fall into
your category? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Currently, information is available at almost every
corner, every phone, tablet and other computers you have in your offices.
Internet is very present. Will there be any harm in any of you going to Google
to type in a question about HIV\AIDS and educating yourselves before you come
to sit on radio and blatantly disrespect us like that? Should you take a ten
minute Google search on HIV, for instance, we are certain you will know that
treatment for HIV has advanced and that the antiretroviral drugs are able to
sustain and give us a very healthy normal life. You will realize that a woman
who is HIV positive can have a baby who is not HIV positive. Again, you will
know that a husband and wife who both have HIV can have a baby who does not
have HIV. And, an HIV positive person can get married to an HIV negative person
and they will be as healthy as any other normal couple. Yes, this is how far
the HIV situation has being contained and how easy this information is
available. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a news item on a seminar on HIV as part of
your news. The President has spoken about a certain fund for HIV related
projects. Some persons living with HIV are going on a sensitization drive. An
HIV positive person has called on support from the public. And you make these
news items seem like a waste of your airtime! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At all times when we listen to your descriptions of
our condition, our hearts break. You make our HIV negative partners feel stupid
for being with us. You make our children doubt whether they are indeed HIV
negative. You make us want to hide and never come out again. Your audiences are
large and very much uncountable. Anytime you make such pronouncements, you
single handedly, and in a few minutes mange to get a whole lot of people to
increase their intolerance towards persons living with HIV. Stigma and discrimination
kills faster than the HIV deteriorating to AIDS. Your stigma and discrimination
laden language is unfair, disrespectful and yes, we have not ceased to be human
beings because of HIV. We are just like you. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At least we have gotten tested and we know our
status. We are getting treatment and it is a wonderful thing for all of us. But
you who sit on air and crucify us, have you ever gotten tested for HIV? When
was the last time you checked? Now should you realize you are HIV positive,
will you see yourself as the worse of human beings? Will you describe your
condition as you do now in your news items? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The mode of transmission is such that you may think
you are far off. But hey, anything can happen any day. Today it is us, tomorrow
it can be you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our plea is simple. Stop your stigma and
discriminatory filled languages you use for us. You can come to us for some
education and we will be more than pleased to offer you any educative materials
you want. Use your medium to educate, and not to misinform people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thank you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***Sentiments drawn from some persons living with
HIV.***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-29963011848763112022014-02-13T18:29:00.000+00:002014-02-13T18:30:39.166+00:00Close Shave<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaJw_THoMdpEBdvZ-88ej8QeARLkpwpwIYFBjQgg6XDlmADUsFsDN-gEz_xS9UmPyHj8gwPazfJu-w3FKo2u0q_1S41SdIaH5EK2vF2Tvt1zGoLEnayCYT7aGsA_Z0_GNArc3LGyxX5kP/s1600/nervous-man-2500400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaJw_THoMdpEBdvZ-88ej8QeARLkpwpwIYFBjQgg6XDlmADUsFsDN-gEz_xS9UmPyHj8gwPazfJu-w3FKo2u0q_1S41SdIaH5EK2vF2Tvt1zGoLEnayCYT7aGsA_Z0_GNArc3LGyxX5kP/s1600/nervous-man-2500400.jpg" height="320" width="299" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">It was a
whole three months that my once happy and sexually active life with my wife
went into comatose. My wife had been worried sick over this attitude but I
could also not bring myself to tell her what I had done and what I was afraid
of. I had been cheating on my wife every now and then even though our sex life
has been relatively active and fun. Somehow I just fancied all these other
women constantly and I would usually find myself wanting to, and actually
having affairs with them.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">This
part of me had been hidden from my wife of eight years. Maybe she suspected me
on several occasions but as I was also careful with her, she didn’t have much
evidence to hold on to. This was my life until five months ago when I froze in
my tracks. When this single lady I had planned on being with for at least a
month made my head spin in several dimensions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Adjepoma
is beautiful. A heavy built woman with a whole lot of goodness in curves in the
right places. She was with a mutual friend the first time I met her. This
friend had been an old affair mate of mine and we got along very fine. We all
got into conversation and I managed to get Adjepoma’s contact with the aim of
helping her with some business contacts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">The very
next day, I called her as I had been able to secure a meeting for her with the
department in charge of whatever business proposal she needed to sell. We got
closer and closer and well, eventually we met for drinks with our mutual friend
not knowing about, or so I thought. That night, Adjepoma and I had sex for the
first time. I remember her clearly insisting that I use condoms and she even
brought some along. There were a good variety of condom brands available in
that hotel room that night and her insistence was quiet strong. Yet after
foreplay, and just when I actually had to get into her, I ignored all the
condom warnings. After that session, she smiled at me and while I asked if I
was good enough, she just smiled. We had some more sessions and yes, all her
condom-use pleas were ignored by me. Two days later, we met again at a
different location and this time too, she brought some condoms along but I
refused to use them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">We had
been together two times already. After the first, she spoke and responded
nicely to all my messages and phone calls. After the second, I realized she had
become withdrawn. Another two days later, around 3pm, she asked me when the
last time I had an HIV test was. I laughed it off and asked her if she thought
I had given her HIV and that my wife just delivered a baby two months ago. She
did the test while pregnant and she was negative so indirectly, I was negative
too. She asked me again when the last time I did it was. The second time jolted
me and I asked her why she was asking. Then she dropped a heavy message. She
said, Kofi Asare, you know you are married and your wife must be a cool person.
You cannot be tamed from chasing other women and other women cannot be entirely
blamed for having sex with you while you are married but when a woman insists
you use a condom, just use it. After reading this message, I was pure
hysterical. I called her but she kept ending the phone calls only to send
another message that I should go and check my HIV status and that as this is
HIV, I have to have the test done again in three months time and then again in
six months time just to be sure. Sweat from nowhere started soaking my outfit
even though the AC in my shared office was working normally. I pulled back from
my table and rested my head on my chair, staring at the ceiling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Next
thing I knew, I was out of the office and frantically calling her to ask her
whether she was HIV positive. She never responded. I so badly wanted to ask our
mutual friend but Adjepoma had already stated that no one knows her status
though she was also not admitting or refusing it. Finally she told me to not
disturb her with questions she is not ready to answer and that I should call
her to inform her of my results in three months time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">This is
how my once upon a time vibrant sex life with my wife got messed up. We had
never used condoms since we got married as I had personally been against it so
using it now would raise too many questions I wasn’t ready for. I started
spending long hours in the office and being busy for nothing just so I would
leave home early and get home late. My wife got confused and started asking
questions but my confusion was just not allowing for any meaningful conversations
and I could also not feign anger with her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Finding
courage to go for the test became a nightmare. Waiting for at least three
months was hellish. By the following week, I had gotten some courage to go for
the test. I went to a lab and wrote out the test on a paper as I did not want
to risk someone hearing me asking for an HIV test. The fifteen minute wait for
the test results was the longest wait ever in my life. The results came back
negative but it had been barely a week so it was not enough for me to hold on
to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Problems
for my wife and I grew as I totally withdrew sexually from her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Painstakingly,
the three months came. I went for the test. I waited for the results. It was
negative again. I was unsure whether to breathe in a sigh of relieve or not as
I was still not sure. I managed to send a text message to Adjepoma to inform
her that the test proved negative after three months. She sent a message right
back to tell me that she is actually HIV negative. Stunned! I was stunned! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">I asked
her why she made me go through all of that and she responded that she needed to
teach me a lesson. Clearly I was uncomfortable with the possibility of getting
HIV yet I was displaying behaviors that clearly put me at risk. I was being
careless about it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Before my
marriage, I did not go for the test with my wife. We had been having sex
already so we both felt the results will not change anything. On her first
pregnancy, she got tested and it proved negative. Personally I had never had
the test until Adjepoma made me do it. Initially I was upset with her but upon
reflections, I am thankful to her for making me realize the many things I
overlooked. She did inform me that HIV is manageable and I had read more on HIV
than I had ever known, reading about the advancements with the treatment, how I
could still stay married to my wife if she so chose to have me still, how we
could have HIV negative babies if we chose to have another baby, how to access
treatment and how to live positively with HIV. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">I had to
go through this anxiety in order to get a wakeup call on HIV, my behavior and
the risks involved. This anxiety got me to know more about HIV and now I can
confidently contribute meaningfully to conversations relating to HIV. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">My wife
and I are very okay now and back to how we were before my three month anxiety
trip. My humble advice in all of this is that people should remain faithful,
reduce sexual partners and if they must, they should always wear condoms. Love
yourself enough to be responsible. And cherish those who love you enough to
protect them from getting the virus unknowingly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-69786499920515036382014-02-05T10:35:00.002+00:002014-02-07T10:45:26.312+00:00I Miss My Sister!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt9GVgqmIA4SzBHFBvV29VqbmHk8CwxDv3fPmIyp0HOqCpEbfwtE39GE_1pS_gsXuPfcmuGi24fBIF90wnHXWZPNgPD70TFq8FglsFn7y3bfEXXsgwgltDEMcMxabCmGiPZv4yjAAXwaI/s1600/hug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgt9GVgqmIA4SzBHFBvV29VqbmHk8CwxDv3fPmIyp0HOqCpEbfwtE39GE_1pS_gsXuPfcmuGi24fBIF90wnHXWZPNgPD70TFq8FglsFn7y3bfEXXsgwgltDEMcMxabCmGiPZv4yjAAXwaI/s1600/hug1.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
My sister has been dead for some years now. I was twelve
years old when my big sister, who was eight years older than me died. The
circumstances surrounding her death is, well, mean to say the least. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I am currently filled with guilt anytime I remember my
sister. I have been tormented for so long because I was forced to do something
which I did not understand then. </div>
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<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One morning, my Uncles from my mother’s side came to our
compound. They had a meeting in hushed voices with my mother and left with very
grim faces afterwards. Three mornings after, they came back with much grimmer
looking faces. They were offered seats which they took but refused the water my
mother served them. Typically, we the children were sent out of the compound as
soon as they settled down. They had a very short meeting with my mother and I
was called before them almost as immediately as I had gotten out of the
compound to play. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I was given a cup and ordered to go give the drink in it to
one of my sisters who was in a room on the compound which was situated in one
corner. She used to live with us in the main house but she fell sick and after
sometime, that small hut was built for her. The rest of the family all used
wares together but she had been given her own bowls, cups and bucket and had
been warned to not get into contact with anything which was used by the rest of
us. When I got into her room that morning, something that I had been banished
from doing, she was lying down and indeed her sight was pitiful. The order
given me was simple. Give the cup and its content to your sister. Stay and
watch her drink the entire content before you leave. This order I followed to
the core. I was also not supposed to take the cup back. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I did as I had been ordered and left. I informed my uncles
of my accomplishment. They asked just to be sure and asked me to go and play.
All through their various visits, my mother had usually had a grim face. Today,
she was actually sobbing while her brothers were telling her to stop. Her
husband, my father, with whom she had eight children with had left the house
when my sister got sick and she became the talk of the town. My mother was left
with taking care of her and the rest of us. We constantly got teased about my
sister and I did get into quiet a lot of fights with children who teased me
often because of her. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My uncles had left. I returned home later in the evening to
see them back in the house. My mother was wailing uncontrollably and they were
forcing her to shut up and dry her tears. My other siblings were all looking
sad. My sister whom I had been given “medicine” to be given to her had died
that afternoon. I dared not ask any questions even though I personally had been
subject to taunts by people in the community because of her. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was twelve years old. I knew of HIV\AIDS. Well okay I had
heard about it. Some people in the community started teasing us when my sister
would constantly fall sick and it got worse by the day. I later got to know
that indeed my sister suffered from HIV\AIDS and my uncles felt she was a
disgrace to the family. My father left because he felt my mother was
responsible for my sister’s sickness. According to him, my mother had trained
her up badly. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Now I am twenty five years old. I have been able to further
my education to the tertiary level and I am working now. I got to know that
HIV\AIDS can be treated through a radio program on HIV. That information
surprised me and made me sad at the same time. I immediately broke into tears
as images of me giving that cup to my sister flooded my memory. Apparently my
uncles had prepared poison for her. They wanted to end the so called disgrace.
And I had been the bearer of their diabolical plan. I feel very guilty as it
is. I feel sad. I miss my sister terribly and wish the family hadn’t connived
to end her life at the time they did. I wish they had given her the support. </div>
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My father never returned home to us. I personally do not
know where my sister was buried as definitely she was not buried in the
communal cemetery. I have had to go through some sort of counseling to help me
deal with the guilt. I wish we had the proper education about the illness so we
could have just supported her. This incident happened in the year 2001 in our
village somewhere in the Volta Region of Ghana. </div>
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I am now an HIV activist aside everything else I do. I
educate people on HIV anytime I get the chance. Majorly, I talk about support
for persons living with HIV\AIDS. I talk about people accepting them and
treating them as any other normal human being. I am now passionate about it,
maybe because it gives me peace where my sister’s memory is concerned. HIV\AIDS
is not a communicable disease. It can be treated ad I urge all of you to at
least educate yourselves on it. It is not deadly anymore. If for nothing, just
learn more about it please, and well, take my word. It is not deadly anymore.<br />
<br />
<br />
***This is a real life story which was recounted by the person. Sakyiwaa Mensah only wrote it out. This is not a personal account from her. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-43120941881392647412014-02-01T20:35:00.000+00:002014-02-02T08:56:44.258+00:00ORDER<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELov_NBq_6CoT0rEixet5Ttk5hkiU_bhqNrT5mGoquLZ-wFrR9vL6FORuyo3zlALbtUyt-3QXbkwyDGaIxu1jOerEj8FV7EW3RBZWGTarkSq_TgnRr7-Ox-Y38YRaR3GjbRq5w7y84Ioc/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELov_NBq_6CoT0rEixet5Ttk5hkiU_bhqNrT5mGoquLZ-wFrR9vL6FORuyo3zlALbtUyt-3QXbkwyDGaIxu1jOerEj8FV7EW3RBZWGTarkSq_TgnRr7-Ox-Y38YRaR3GjbRq5w7y84Ioc/s1600/3.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
Back in Senior High School at Labone Secondary School, I
studied Visual Art and did General Knowledge in Art as part of my elective
subjects. Under this elective subject, one topic I loved a lot was on Art Appreciation where we were taught to pay attention to the elements and
principles in design and be able to either appreciate or criticize it
constructively.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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On Sunday January 26<sup>th</sup> 2014, I was one of the
many people who had turned up at the International Central Gospel Church’
Christ Temple where Pastor Mensa Otabil preached on the day. I have been a
regular attendee since October 2013 and had seen their backdrop for that year’s
theme which was WORSHIP. This year, the theme is ORDER. </div>
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I had seen the new backdrop from beginning of year but it
was not until last Sunday that the backdrop alone was able to draw my mind to
it, fully, and instinctively, I began to appreciate it. What I saw, and started
thinking of silently succeeded in making me break out into smiles. And giggles.
And a nostalgic feeling of my days back in school and in the Art Appreciation
class. </div>
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I saw a backdrop with the outer part of it in darkness and
confusion. A depiction of the world before God came in to put it all in order.
Then there is a circular part which is bright and seemingly well arranged. The
land knows its boundaries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rocks,
the sea. GOD HAD ORDERED THE CHAOS INTO DEFINITE. Buildings signifying
development on the land and footprints in the sand. The footprints. . . His
word should be a light unto our path and we are entreated to walk in it. </div>
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There is a timepiece which signifies that everything happens
within a time frame. There is time for everything, for all seasons and for all
activities on earth. There is a beginning and an end. In the middle of this
timepiece is Jesus. Jesus, right in the very middle of the whole artwork. This
told me Jesus has always been the center of everything and He is still very
much the center of our lives. Everything revolves around Jesus who,
coincidentally, is walking on water in the artwork. That is the awesomeness and
greatness of Christ. Before and after him, no one has ever been able to walk on
water. The light of the world has a light shone on His face in the artwork with
a white dove signifying His righteousness. The Cross on which He died on
Calvary has been aptly represented with ORDER spelt out. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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From what I have come to know, the Church runs yearly themes
on one aspect of Religion. This year, the theme is on ORDER. Order for, and in
everything one does. Aside this very brilliant art representation of Order,
there is some wristbands with Order written on them. You could get some from
any of the Church’s many branches. But for now. . . I am loving the ORDER
artwork.</div>
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CLIMAX of my observation on that Sunday morning was the fact
that this was done by someone I admire and have blogged about before. Someone I
actually call my friend because, well, he is. It was designed by Nana K. Duah of Oxygen. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-70434678050627654652013-11-14T07:36:00.000+00:002013-11-14T07:36:01.525+00:00Talk Is Cheap!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SjDaJvlYzmsgSDkVkecEu9ycCWeuys9lOPYHtfZm9WAY9hxB1-I1EBBJ_Ep8C9bV3Rzy_Q-KTlRJ_F5UvfXFDyrFbaLzXbFEYtRlubYOZWndQurfYkJ1uhZoG1j-TvsOd2gVuSmXOfh/s1600/la+tante.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9SjDaJvlYzmsgSDkVkecEu9ycCWeuys9lOPYHtfZm9WAY9hxB1-I1EBBJ_Ep8C9bV3Rzy_Q-KTlRJ_F5UvfXFDyrFbaLzXbFEYtRlubYOZWndQurfYkJ1uhZoG1j-TvsOd2gVuSmXOfh/s320/la+tante.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Tante DC 10 Restaurant. Airport. Accra. Ghana. Pic: David K Sakyi</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I attended an HR Summit organized by <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1170062890&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/freda.addu?directed_target_id=0">Freda Addu</a> sometime back. Freda was the Human Resource Manager at a place I once worked. </span><br />
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Prof Ulrich was the main speaker at the summit. During his humor filled presentation,
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<a name='more'></a> he gave a situation. He had been flying Delta Airlines for a while and
had realized the airline delayed flights a lot. He decided to put a log
book to it and for a year, he recorded the flight departure times and
arrival for all the flights he took. He later prese<span class="text_exposed_show">nted
it to the President of Delta Airline. And pointed out the delays and
offered that he could come in to help solve the situation. </span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Of
course the President laughed him off. But he himself later kept a log
book on the flights and after barely a month, he called on the Professor
and admitted the problem. He asked for help to change that and viola!
The Prof had a new job to train Staff of Delta Airline. <br /> </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">Ghana has
the first ever plane that has been turned into a restaurant here. Many
complaints have come in. Granted. Some of these complaints may be legit
but aside ranting on Facebook and giving the whole idea a thumps down,
have you considered presenting a solution to the management? Have you
thought of collecting feedback from the various peeved people and
presenting it plus solutions to them? <br /> </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">So the green color is soooooo
bad. What would you recommend? Maybe Club Beer feels they can't
communicate their brand in any better way than the stark green. You
think otherwise. Can you contact club beer and the restaurant owners and
give them reasons as to how they can change the color but still manage
to effectively showcase club beer on it?</span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> The decor is bad. The set up. . . Do you have a better idea? Have you started putting it on paper? <br /> Your creativity wasn't sought after before. But you still have a chance to add your brain to the edifice. <br />
The services are poor. Can you get more complaints and make a
suggestion to the management for customer care training for the staff? </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Will ranting on facebook here and now and rubbishing everything else make it better? <br /> For every problem you identify, you also have a chance to make some real good money with your brain. </span></span><br />
<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> La Tante DC 10. . . Some have a problem with this name. . . Can you suggest another? A more catchy one perhaps?</span></span>akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-78830976247737993052013-08-03T22:59:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:38:00.271+00:00Good Women <div dir="ltr">
Women are never good enough!!! Well, that is according to men, generally. :-)</div>
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We all know there are women who change after marriage. We know of those who dont respect their husbands. We know some who immediately disappear and seek divorce should their husband's financial level drops for whichever reason. We do known of those who never cook and never manage their homes. </div>
<a name='more'></a>We know of those women who have grown claws and ensure their husbands are forever looking miserable. And yes, we know of the "halleluyah-screaming-amen-bless-The-Lord-oh-my-soul-there-is-none-like-Jehovah-bless-Him" church loving front-row-seating women who despite all their enthusiasm at church, simply exist to create misery for their men. And mind you, they always display their marriage rings so proudly.<br />
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And then there are the wives who manage their homes and kids and husbands effortlessly. The women who cherish their husbands. The women who turn into super heroes and work their backs in double shifts when their husbands lose their jobs. We know of women who are pillars in the lives of their husbands. The ones who accept other children into her home and trains them beautifully. We know of women who simply respect and adore their husbands and always ensure the man would want to come home straight from work. We know of the women who make homes and keep the homes. </div>
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For some reason, I think and feel that the second class of women are never really appreciated. The moment one man complains about his wife, it is likely that his male friends will join in the chorus. . . As for women, that is how they are ooo. They are just like that. Mean, nonsupporting and selfish. </div>
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Yet whenever a man compliments his wife, even in public, the praise for the woman is often sheltered. It seems to be the norm that women must be crazy and selfish and make marriage seem like a prison hole for their men. </div>
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Not all women are bad. Admittedly, some women are very bad. Admittedly too, some women are angels. Angels right here on earth. And angels who will stay and stand by their man no matter what. </div>
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Good women are still in existence. Just like good men. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-79765187648820232572013-08-03T22:43:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:39:37.950+00:00Just By Grace <div dir="ltr">
The following are actual situations of some people. No names are mentioned though and it is meant to make you realize that indeed, life is undulating. And it is all by grace. </div>
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Once there lived a young man, overly sheltered by his rich parents. They gave him all he ever wanted and more. In the business others did for money and livelihood, he did for fun. He had some people around him. They were not from homes as good enough as his and indeed they were struggling. </div>
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Fast forward to a time, about 15 years later and this rich overly spoiled boy is now totally broke with no money. The mother got tired of him draining her and as for the father, he wasn't really enthused about spoiling the boy yet the mother never listened to him. </div>
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One young man he was walking with, and who was from a mere average home always got teased by this rich spoilt kid. He would always tell the average boy of how easy it is to get things from his mother. How he was going to use the mother's resources to start a huge business. And how he would employ others. Mind you, all this was mere talk for he had no idea what it meant to build anything. </div>
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The average boy kept his cool and focused on his life. He actually applied for jobs, and worked hard enough. He built himself and his dreams. Now, the average boy has a fashion label which is doing very well in Ghana. He works in the public domain and is quiet popular and comfortable. He is married with kids and he is taking care of his responsibilities. </div>
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The spoiled rich kid, now an adult. . . He is broke beyond repair. He can't take care of his responsibilities and constantly lives off others. His mother is obviously tired and as for the father, he is just enjoying his retirement air.</div>
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This same rich kid once saw an actress on TV and said that that girl was a nobody and lived in a poor section of his childhood neighborhood. She used to sell water and that she is really a nobody. Yet, yet, and yet, this girl is now earning good money, doing a decent job. </div>
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Sometimes we love to judge people according to our immediate properties. We forget that it is just by grace that we were born to this or that parent and that we just could have been born poor or even with a deformity. We easily forget that indeed, it is just by grace. </div>
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In this life, never look down on anyone, no matter what. Never disrespect anyone. And never ride on the haves of your parents. It is all just by grace. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-5507611730539255702013-07-25T08:55:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:41:25.744+00:00Y'ede Awhrehuo - We Are Mourning <div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDyIu0GKt1dorDm9QSFzHnRPv4fYi1hHlgPikBOc-DLxRPpNieQj92wHvl5KgpRqMEUzsd_K_pbFgHWpByNZUY0zrN2sEEfNlp0SiarC_bnII99-VuveoIWDyrsbjohzeIf-ZhxZRRzfu/s1600/President-Mills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDyIu0GKt1dorDm9QSFzHnRPv4fYi1hHlgPikBOc-DLxRPpNieQj92wHvl5KgpRqMEUzsd_K_pbFgHWpByNZUY0zrN2sEEfNlp0SiarC_bnII99-VuveoIWDyrsbjohzeIf-ZhxZRRzfu/s640/President-Mills.jpg" /></a>The death of the President Mills of Ghana on July 24th 2012 gave birth to a level of creativity that I am yet to see a good enough competition for. </div>
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That same day was when the Musicians Union of Ghana was launching their website at the African Regent Hotel. Mid way into the launch, the news broke of the President's death. As part of his closing remarks, the emcee, Kwame Sayiamah announced that the President had passed. </div>
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I was then working as the Head of Communications for the Union. Just when the news broke, the Musicians had already started calling their colleagues.and arranging to meet at a studio to produce and record a tribute song for the late President Mills. In less than 24 hours, a tribute song had been released to the public. The song, Y'edi Awrehuo, which translates to We are mourning went viral. Radio stations were calling to have it, individuals were asking for download links, people wanted to have the song so badly.</div>
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What has always stroked me has been the time frame within which the music was produced, the lyrics, the various artists who somewhat made time at that particular moment and the emotion expressed by each artist. The song featured Amakye Dede, Rex Omar, Okyeame Kwame, Obour, Samini, Cecilia Marfo, Nacy, DSP Kofi Sarpong and a host of others, most of whom gave backing vocals. </div>
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Arguably, this song became the unofficial official mourning song for the entire nation. </div>
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And now, today, a day after the one year date of the passing of President John Evans Fiifi Atta Mills, Ghana is still in morning. And this song feels alive now as it did a year back. </div>
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To the Musicians who displayed such emotions, lyrics and character in the song, kudos! . . . I can hear Rex Omar's voice starting the song. . . Nti )kunini paaa na )da h)yi a )ntimi nkika ni hi ye. . . . Asomdwe hene paaa na )da h) a )di ninsa agu nehu ye?. . . . Y'edi awhrehuo ooo . . . </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-29361604449936292013-07-22T22:26:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:43:52.278+00:00Sakyiwaa Mensah on YFM<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NpU1E__K8ChVsTIqAnRJt7Yo4cUAjn961sSjODqUpIVpQPBI_A-jDgaEN0MxFQhq80uNu8bdlx6DC0mfYz5wPTkOcged9uKNTyLnCE1aAt0vncc0oJ5cWJmvONYb1-tICHXDk1dmLsR8/s1600/IMG-20130721-WA0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NpU1E__K8ChVsTIqAnRJt7Yo4cUAjn961sSjODqUpIVpQPBI_A-jDgaEN0MxFQhq80uNu8bdlx6DC0mfYz5wPTkOcged9uKNTyLnCE1aAt0vncc0oJ5cWJmvONYb1-tICHXDk1dmLsR8/s320/IMG-20130721-WA0007.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the evening of Sunday July 21st 2013, I had an interview on the MPwr(Empower) Show on YFM in Accra. The program is hosted by Emmanuel Gamor and Amma Aboagye. Let me just add that those two have a beautiful chemistry and their song choices, aided by their DJ is very much on point. </div>
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Anyway so the month of July happens to be the health month of Accra based YFM and me being on the program was somewhat just right as I have just returned from a one week trip to Abidjan where there was a conference on the Media and HIV, organized by UNAIDS and it featured Journalists from over 20 Countries from Sub-Saharan Africa. </div>
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So on the show, we talked generally about the conference and the HIV situation in Ghana. It is good to know that Ghana has a stable HIV prevalence rate over the past five years. Mother to child transfer of HIV has seriously reduced. Sex workers have embraced condom use, generally. However, over the same period, the rate of new infections have been rampant among highly educated and high earning Ghanians. This is interesting and this is what we spoke more about, considering that the listeners of the station fall majorly into this category. </div>
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While I was on the show, I felt honored to know that the UNAIDS Country coordinator for Ghana, Girmay Haile was listening. He gracefully contributed to the program via chat messages to me on whassup. </div>
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Now onto some of the reasons why this group was the most affected, well, number one is that people in this group feel they know all they need to know and therefore need no new information. People in this category again feel shy to talk about their health problems and to seek for support from the appropriate health facilities. They (or rather We) choose to be quiet on issues affecting us and rather pretend to know more than they actually do. </div>
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Also, it seems (and this is MY Opinion) that people in this category are going after, and having wild sexual fantasies which they are actually fulfilling. There have been increased rates of orgies, threesomes and all sorts of sexual activities. </div>
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Look, HIV is still here with us. We are all being called upon to stop stigmatising people living with HIV. The treatment for HIV has now graduated to a single dose, instead of the initial cocktail of drugs. Ghana has done well so far with HIV and the fight against it. Yet we need to watch these behavorial patterns that have the potential to throw our country overboard. </div>
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If we must, please, let's use condoms. Let's protect our goals. HIV is no longer a death sentence, but that does not mean we have.to be recklessly careless. </div>
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People, please, let's protect ourselves. Please. Condoms. Have them, use them, use them well and always. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-33952928419878555142013-07-10T20:31:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:44:26.089+00:00Of Business, Marriage and Co-Habitating<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAX-j9yKuESKUidIshujA0_kSbsZwlA8pPkXjm0eSV3JDvAfCvS_gFxKBvwLC2qxiqyP60u9dVj1BpLIh9VTRHtaHPR7kc-1TvX0wNxRBygmOcVpqs3lypkqnlHdopgHKqIn4LapLaXlj/s1600/photoshake_1372785672961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAX-j9yKuESKUidIshujA0_kSbsZwlA8pPkXjm0eSV3JDvAfCvS_gFxKBvwLC2qxiqyP60u9dVj1BpLIh9VTRHtaHPR7kc-1TvX0wNxRBygmOcVpqs3lypkqnlHdopgHKqIn4LapLaXlj/s320/photoshake_1372785672961.jpg" width="320" /></a>Once I was having lunch with a friend. He did not seem to understand why marriage was so important. He felt people could just easily co-habitate and the whole hustle of weddings and the marriage ceremonies could be forgotten. I tried to tell him that marriage offers some security and in the event of a divorce, partners could be entitled to parts of properties acquired by both. I mentioned that co-habitating can make people just decide to pack and leave anytime without feeling the need to at least try to make the union work.<br />
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In another breath, we were talking about business and working in Ghana. We zoomed into talks on the sudden boom in entrepreneurship in Ghana. My friend was concerned about how new entrepreneurs seemed to want to work alone without feeling the need to join forces and skills with others. </div>
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We got to talking about working in a new business which could not necessarily afford to pay for skills and relied on friends and families to survive. To this, he put in a suggestion, that if new businesses could not afford to pay for.skilled services, they could hire the people alright and instead of upfront payment, they could offer them with shares so they will feel secured about putting their energy into the business.without the fear of being kicked out later on. </div>
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For someone who felt women should agree to co-habitate instead of getting married which will give them some strong legal stand, he was going against his own self where business was concerned. Ironic. </div>
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Needless to say, he was made to realise the link between having shares in a start up company which could not afford to pay upfront and having shares(actual marriage) between couples so no one will be cheated out of their energy. </div>
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akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-60103273743080352642013-07-10T20:05:00.001+00:002013-11-14T07:45:14.272+00:00Hope with HIV<div dir="ltr">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSDoPcHhPNNVv6V1_gsiDZlqUBGqoxPeto_sTHn9A0Dhyphenhyphen0DM06xVpp4XteWeSXKFZXV1nrO2ca0VfjDbQ5t8uztjZcAvsuhMnrMUFPBIuzsvthtoYEpV-epGfYMo-4bvqNaCvNsqu4pMX/s1600/download-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSDoPcHhPNNVv6V1_gsiDZlqUBGqoxPeto_sTHn9A0Dhyphenhyphen0DM06xVpp4XteWeSXKFZXV1nrO2ca0VfjDbQ5t8uztjZcAvsuhMnrMUFPBIuzsvthtoYEpV-epGfYMo-4bvqNaCvNsqu4pMX/s640/download-1.jpg" /></a>There is a seminar on the media and HIV reportage currently ongoing at Hotel Ivotel Plateau, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire for which I am partaking. It is from July 8th to July 11th 2013.<br />
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In this blogpost, I will share some of the highlights of the conference with regards to HIV\AIDS because I believe this information can go a long way to educate us all. </div>
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First off, the technology in the advancement of the drugs for the treatment of HIV has gotten to the point where patients now need only one tablet a day, instead of the former cocktail of drugs. </div>
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Secondly, deaths related to HIV\AIDS have reduced the world over. </div>
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Africa is still the continent with high incidence of new infections with women and particularly younger women at high risk. Most societies still believe that an HIV positive man will get cured by having sex with a young unaffected virgin. This has accounted to the high infection among young women. </div>
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Mother to child transmission has lowered as a pregnant HIV positive woman on treatment cannot transfer the virus to her child, if she follows all instructions. </div>
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The media has been tasked to desist from using scary and near death images of persons living with AIDS in their news items as this will continuously affect the mindset of the public. Such images can be used to trace and praise the advancement in the treatment, for instance. </div>
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Persons living with HIV can have a normal healthy life once they follow their medications. </div>
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HIV\AIDS is no longer considered as a deadly disease. it is now considered as a chronic treatable disease. </div>
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The general situation of not talking about sex and related issues is still a major obstacle in the fight against new infections. On this, everybody is being advised to educate ourselves well enough and to be able to confidently educate others on sex and safe sex practices.</div>
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Condom use is still the only safer way to reduce the incidence of HIV transmission and this should be preached to those who cant abstain. </div>
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Abstinence is still being advocated as it is the only way to avoid HIV, sexually. For couples, faithfulness to each other will save both from heartache. </div>
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Religious beliefs has always caused hindrances to the fight. Some people believe the disease does not exist, some believe it is a form of spirit and so on. We all must come together and help in a way to educate ourselves and the people around us of this reality. </div>
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Overall, Ghana is doing well in the fight against the disease. However there are some lifestyle indicators which can blow us upside down if they are not checked. Generally, the Ghanaian prostitutes have embraced condom use. However, the highly educated and high earning Ghanians have over the past five years had the most new infections. There is a tendency for this to blow up if we do not keep talking and preaching about condom use and against risky behaviors. </div>
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Stigma is one hurdle which we are yet to cross. We are all being encouraged to know that persons living with AIDS are just like us. The virus can only be transmitted through blood, semen and breast milk. Let us try to embrace such persons and be friendly towards them. </div>
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These are some pointers I would like to share. </div>
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<br />
Hope they can go a long way to inform us, should we decide to help in the fight against HIV\AIDS. </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-49293261255194253502013-06-03T11:54:00.001+00:002013-06-03T11:54:16.299+00:00Help Me Read! <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRLfkiBRREtYh1SD_9u9hEYtFgjmDZMvEaUg0Zp5SU0JoD-Zoq_hS45Dv2OMoCd6mDRr9ifVQe2eWGlz4FuRCVIVBKon9SpLvevTfw9dtA5xCpwHh86oLWyv1KEL1BqykyRpgbySrGOab/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRLfkiBRREtYh1SD_9u9hEYtFgjmDZMvEaUg0Zp5SU0JoD-Zoq_hS45Dv2OMoCd6mDRr9ifVQe2eWGlz4FuRCVIVBKon9SpLvevTfw9dtA5xCpwHh86oLWyv1KEL1BqykyRpgbySrGOab/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been nursing a growing pain from trying to read
status after status which people put up on social media. There is this new
silly trend of people spelling words differently from their original spellings.
Whenever such people put up a status update, reading them becomes a nightmare. </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Honestly, I would prefer if such people write in Pidgin
English, if they are worried about spellings and grammar because this whole
shorthand writings is a pain to read. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes, the shorthand version they write is the same number
of letters it would have taken for them to write the actual word. Sometimes
they end up with more letters than the original word. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I may be told to stop reading updates from such people. Fair
enough. Excerpt that in real life, it is not normal to have negative influences close to you. You cut them off if they are unwilling to help you
positively. In the world of social media, there are tabs with “unfriend”
written on them. This makes life easier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please note that I really would love to read everything you
put up. But for crying out loud, help me to have an easy read. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do not say “fanks” when you mean THANKS. Do not say “fins”
when you mean THINGS, unless you are referring to a part on a fish. Do not say “burfdae”
when you mean BIRTHDAY and do not ever write “pweedy” on my wall when you
actually mean PRETTY! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will unfriend you! </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8488253101929025858.post-4465403727159048852013-06-03T11:39:00.000+00:002013-06-03T11:39:36.079+00:00The Flawless Flow Of Comedy<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLS6zb5XTBiJ9H2pObH5_m-BtoZaigABixZCaVtwOIUcqWrfaqE4enuLbvAv0fFE5q5fLaYwcHPbsl_TQ1GqzGvMSNiOq6OJuHkYh-cJLjXcMG-A1FZZ4JlLtbD1R5sdQdsupFH2T8oEF/s1600/comedyfaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLS6zb5XTBiJ9H2pObH5_m-BtoZaigABixZCaVtwOIUcqWrfaqE4enuLbvAv0fFE5q5fLaYwcHPbsl_TQ1GqzGvMSNiOq6OJuHkYh-cJLjXcMG-A1FZZ4JlLtbD1R5sdQdsupFH2T8oEF/s320/comedyfaces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over and over again, Ghanaians have questioned how come the
Nigerian comedians are way better at telling jokes than their Ghanaian
counterparts. This question come up majorly, around the times when comedy shows
are about to be staged and it is realized that majority, if not all of the
comedians are Nigerians. </div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ghana’s own Funny Face came up with his spectacular ways of
telling jokes and needless to say, he is the toast of many Ghanaians where
comedy is concerned. He does not chase after all the proper English construction.
He focuses on telling his jokes and if an infusion of Ga and Twi words alongside
some Pidgin English will get him to make his audience laugh, then so be it. His
antics are effective too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I personally think that the Ghanaians are poor at the
delivery of their jokes majorly because of the language barrier. The Nigerians
use their pidgin English which pays no specific attention to grammar nor construction.
They are able to infuse their local language into the dialogue and this makes
the delivery easier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seriously, it takes too much of an effort to speak another
language as your own and when that language is none other than English, I think
there will be too much strain on speakers to ensure that certain basic
formations are gotten right. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, Ghanaians are fond of stupidly laughing at each other
because one person pronounced an English word wrongly. This adds more pressure
when speaking the language. People will rather take pride in the fact that they
can speak another person’s language much better than their own. I think this is
lost. This is very lost. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think our comedians should embrace any means possible to
help them break their jokes into ways that will ensure the audience enjoyment. After
all, such shows are attended for the laugh, whichever way it is presented, not
for the grammar! </div>
akosuahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748661929643365984noreply@blogger.com0