Ghana Broadcasting Corporation

In 1968, a British Politician Enoch Powell said “the greatest disservice one can do to his nation is to see and not speak.” This statement, though uttered many years ago, is still relevant because of the current happenings in America. The issue of racism has been an age-old canker in the annals of American history. This can be traced to the very moment the first set of slaves arrived on American soil from Africa. The white slave masters subjected these slaves to dehumanizing conditions with the view that they were inferior to them. This notion of inferiority emanated from the fact that these were blacks and they were white. However, what at all is racism? This term, strictly defined refers to the unequal power relations that emerge because of the socio-political domination of one race by another race which result in systematic discriminatory practices. Racism in America has never been defeated even after civil rights activists like Martin Luther king JR. launched relentless crusades...

Dreams, visions, ideas or plans are very essential in the life of individuals, families, communities, nations and even continental blocks. They help shape direction and serve as road map to the attainment of aspirants. It is instructive to state that the creator of the Universe encourages people to dream dreams when He declared in the book of Acts 2:17 that quote “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Unquote. President Akufo-Addo upon assumption of office envisioned a country where its development will be driven by the ingenuity of Ghanaians leveraging on the nation’s endowed human and natural resources. He believed in a paradigm shift where Ghana will cut down on its dependence on foreign assistance. This belief birthed the now popular vision, Ghana Beyond Aid. The President and his team must be applauded for the bold initiative to change the narr...

For close to three months, almost every aspect of our national life has been shaken by the corona virus. Government based on its understanding of the dynamics of the virus instituted measures and interventions geared towards controlling the spread of the virus and reviving the ailing economy and other sectors like, education, religion and social life. Many skeptics have questioned the effectiveness of government’s programmes towards ending the spread of the virus. They have complained about the unavailability of PPE and the seemingly lack of transparency in the disclosure of the true state of Affairs.  This notwithstanding we have to commend the health experts and the team managing the fight and urge them not to relent in their efforts even as the cases continue to rise. Ghana now has about twelve thousand cases out of the two hundred and fifty-four thousand three hundred and thirty-one (254,331), tests conducted. A total of four thousand, two hundred and fifty-eight (4,258) rec...

During the President’s latest update on the coronavirus pandemic, he relaxed some of the existing restrictions. Among the list were the increase in the number of mourners from 25 to 100 for private burials, the resumption of conferences and the partial re-opening of schools. Also, on the list was the relaxation of restrictions on church activities. The announcement was received with mix feelings especially when the guidelines were outlined. Most believers thought that “half a loaf is better than none”, and that it was better to spend an hour in the house of God, than praying at home. However, the guidelines issued later, erased every joy that accompanied the President’s announcement. In coming out with the duration for church meetings, the President, being a Christian, himself might have been informed by a question put to the disciples by Jesus Christ. “Why could ye not watch with me one hour?” as narrated in Mathew 26:40. Comments on social media then started coming in; some as emo...

Undoubtedly, the greatest of all disruptive viral infections in history is coronavirus, popularly known as COVID-19. In fact the World had witnessed all kinds Infections, but none has ever caused as much headache for virologists and epidemiologists as COVID-19. The strange disease, which scientists are still struggling to find a cure for, was reported to have emanated from Wuhan, one of China’s top industrial cities. It has since affected almost all other countries, hence its declaration as a pandemic. Unlike other viral infections like HIV AIDS, COVID-19 has serious effects on almost every aspect of human life, due to its mode of transmission. For instance, it has significantly altered the culture of people and has necessitated the campaign against the usual lovely handshakes and social gatherings of any kind. What is more. The dangerous nature of the spread has compelled and propelled governments to issue strict restrictions. Some people were virtually imprisoned in their own home...

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and other top Democrats took a knee Monday on Capitol Hill to honor the life of George Floyd, the Internet’s eyes jumped to the colorful fabric draped around their shoulders. Kente cloth — woven with vibrant strips of silk and cotton — comes from Ghana, where people wear it to show patriotism or celebrate a special occasion. It is associated with royalty, pride and black identity. Why did the Democrats sport it while unveiling a broad  police reform bill ? “The significance of the kente cloth is our African heritage and, for those of you without that heritage who are acting in solidarity,” Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, told reporters at Emancipation Hall. “That is the significance of the kente cloth — our origins and respecting our past.” The Black Caucus handed out the cloths to the lawmakers. The sartorial statement quickly went viral, spa...

The Electoral Commission has just concluded a two Pilot Voters Registration Exercise in all the sixteen regional capitals in the country. The essence of the exercise was to identify problems associated with the new system to find ways of mitigating them. The exercise is a strong and clear signal that the Electoral Commission is going ahead with its decision to discard the existing register and compile a completely new one in spite of strong opposition and resistance from the main opposition party, the NDC, other opposition parties and dozens of Civil Society Organisations. There is no doubt that the 1992 constitution guarantees the freedom and independence of the Electoral Commission in the discharge of its functions. However, it is important to understand that, the same constitution enjoins the so called independent bodies not to exercise their powers or discretion capriciously. In view of the consequences of electoral disputes, it is important that the EC does not glow too much in...

Thursday, June 4, 2020, marks the 41st anniversary of the 1979 June 4 Uprising, which was led by Flt. Flt. Jerry John Rawlings after being freed from military custody for an attempted coup plot to overthrow the Supreme Military Council II on May, 15, 1979. The Uprising was necessitated principally by the conviction of the junior ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces to get rid of corrupt practices within the armed forces and in the political and social life of the country. It was indeed a decisive action to lay the foundations of finding lasting solutions to Ghana’s economic difficulties and to establish a democratic system of governance, hinged on the pillars of probity, transparency, accountability and social justice. On hindsight, it could be said that, 41 years after that popular uprising it is good enough to reflect on the spirit and bravery of those who laid down their lives to embark on a strategic rescue mission of this country. Analysis of the theme for this year’s anniversary, t...

Now that the President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, made a decision regarding the reopening of schools, we must move to the next important stage of ensuring safety in our schools. We must ensure that the relevant health and sanitation protocols are adhered to in our schools in order to ensure that our schools do not become the new epicenters for the spread of the Covid-19. So far, Ghana is not alone in taking the decision to reopen schools, and that is why we must be guided by practices elsewhere in other countries much as we recognize that there is no one-fit-for-all solution to the issues we are dealing with. On Tuesday, 26th May, 2020, I took part in an International Zoom Conference organized for teachers across the world by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with UNESCO. In all, 75 countries representing all continents took part in this conversation. In this conversation, especially in my breakout se...

Early theorists of stigma including Erving Goffman in his 1963 work ‘Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity’, defined stigma as ‘an attribute that is deeply discrediting’ and one that, makes it impracticable for an individual to have full social acceptance. Evidence suggest that contemporary epidemics such as HIV/AIDS and Ebola were associated with significant social stigma and discrimination in which affected persons or communities suffer from social rejection, violence, and compromised quality of life. After a cursory look at the current COVID-19 pandemic, it appears to me that Ghana has learnt no lesson from the approach to HIV/AIDS in relation to stigmatisation. Did we not learn anything from the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Policy? Especially the objective three (3) i.e. mitigate the social and economic effect of HIV on persons affected and living with HIV. Granted we have not really learnt our lessons, the World Health Organisation (WHO), has also indicated tha...

Metrology is the scientific study of measurement. It establishes a common understanding of units, crucial in linking human activities. One important day set aside to mark the significance of accurate measurements which must be observed by all countries is what has become known as World Metrology Day. It is a day set aside to commemorate the importance of measurements in different aspects of our life including transactions in trade. The world has become a global village for which reason demands are promptly made from different parts of the world to suppliers in other parts to get access to fit-for-purpose goods and services. The theme for this year’s occasion is “Measurements for global trade”. It is meant to create awareness of the importance played by measurement to facilitate fair global trade and also ensure that products meet standards and regulations. If these requirements are met, the end result will be the satisfaction of customer quality expectations. Fit-for-purpose goods...

For the past weeks, there have been some level of attacks on some prophets and church Leaders.  A member of Parliament Kennedy Agyapong is leading the onslaught on television exposing the alleged dirty deals of some prophets and church Leaders considered fake. The MP’s crusade against “False Prophets” in the country has won the hearts of many and is receiving growing support from the public. Some are also concerned and wondered if the campaigners know the long term effect their pronouncements will have on the Church. In as much as we want decency in the Church, care must also be taken so we do not slaughter innocent sheep among those condemned.  Prophecy is highly recognized among Christians and the leadership of the Church as a core part of the Christian faith and any attempt to downplay or demonize it will not augur well for the Church. The unfortunate thing is that the growing attacks on prophets has tainted the reputation of those who are genuine due to careless gener...

Children are not the face of the COVID-19 pandemic which has raged the world since December, 2019 but they risk being among its biggest victims. While they have thankfully been largely spared from the direct health effects of COVID-19 at least to date the crisis is having a profound effect on their wellbeing according to the United Nations. These effects on the welfare of children and adolescents are vast and will not be equally distributed. The expected effect is envisaged to be most damaging for children and adolescents in the poorest countries, and in the poorest neighborhoods, and for those in already vulnerable situations. All over the world, the home represents a source of security and safety. But for some children and adolescents it cannot be the case because parents and care-givers subject them to all forms of violence. As the closure of schools and ban on church activities mean that children in these uncomfortable situations have no respite. According to UNICEF Viol...

Africa Union Day is a day set aside to remember the contributions of the founding fathers and mothers of the Organisation of Africa Unity, OAU, established, on May 25, 1963, and now called the African Union, AU. The day is observed once a year with programmes to recognise and honor Africans who fought for liberation from colonial rule and championed the yet to be attained unification of the continent. Africa Day or AU Day is also used to reflect on challenges undermining the progress of the continent and deliberate on ways to address the challenges. Africa believed to be the land of civilisation has struggled over the years to liberate itself from underdevelopment and economic difficulties. The Continent is bedeviled and shackled with issues such as poverty, diseases, low socio-economic development, political leadership challenges, technological under development, unemployment, illiteracy and corruption. Attempt at solving these challenges have been slow, making it difficult for the...

According to former US President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a system of government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is a system of government by the whole population. Leadership in this system is often through elections. Elections are key in a democratic regime. Transparency, fairness and consensus building before, during and after electioneering process are vital pillars in a democracy. Electorates have regular opportunities to elect leaders who prior to the election sell ideas in campaigns and manifestos aimed at enhancing the development of the state. Voting is ideally based on the messages and promises of politicians and beliefs of the electorates. Though countries in the Western World like America have practiced this system of governance for decades elections which are focal to the system are characterized with challenges in many diverse ways. In Africa, the case is not different. Elections are also plagued with many problems, the greatest being the lack of t...

The Coronavirus has affected millions of people and killed thousands across the globe. Since its detection in Wuhan city of China, little did the world know that the virus was going to spread to the most powerful countries with sophisticated health systems like America, UK, Spain and Russia. Today these countries with the best of health systems are being ravaged by the virus with thousands of people dying daily. The situation in Africa is not different.  The World Health Organization has warned that the toll on Africa may be very high since the health sector on the continent is ill equipped to contain the situation, if the virus is allowed to further spread. As the battle of the pandemic continues there are accusations and counter responses among nations about the origin of the virus and that it was a labolatory created weapon geared at destroying well stabilized economies. This banter mainly between the US and China is yet to be resolved. The economy in Africa is already weak a...