Many young people forget an important aspect about wisdom and knowledge: It is most often gained through life experiences, and that is something the young can't rush. I realize that many young people think people in their 60s (and older) are ready for life in retirement centers or graveyards or they should go & play with their grandchildren, but many older people function at a much higher level than the young, and the experience they have absorbed during these extra decades are more important than new ideas learned in a classroom. Historically, I believe most of the finest politicians were older men, and many younger ones do not have great track records. Two of these youngest Presidents in America : Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama, have proven to be among the weakest; while one of the oldest, Ronald Reagan, still gets high marks . In Ghana, I dare name names. I certainly see nothing wrong with young men and women becoming involved in politics, and our nation could sure use an i...

The word “Respect” is defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. It is also known as regard, esteem, reverence, deference and honor. Respect is not shoveled out the way oil-blocks and contracts are rolled out to cronies in Ghana. Respect is not free food in a paper plate or a hand-out received on demand. Respect is not a freebie tossed on your lap because you THINK you deserve it, and not made available because you demand it. Respect is a jewel and a precious stone, it is more precious than silver and costlier than gold. The values of Pearls and diamonds are not comparable to the value of respect.  Big FUUGU and flowing KENTE don’t provoke respect. Big talk, haughty swagger, big jeep, big castles, and big oil don’t provoke respect. Persons in authority who think they are having a field’s day robbing and clubbing their followers into submission may be feared, but not res...

On Friday January 20th, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States. In his inaugural address, he delivered a memorable line that remains deafening, resonant and stentorian in the hearts and minds of all Americans; “ Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country ”. This statement was a shot in the arm, a reiterating re-awakening clarion cry bolstering and boosting the people’s mindset about nation-building. What JFK was alluding to was that nation-building is a divine assignment for all citizens, not just a few. In Ghana, we share the same sentiments. We know it is a good idea, but for reasons not in alignment with good reasoning, many good people are slumbering off. Good ideas in the hands of good people always get better with time. But anytime good ideas get in the traps and snares of bad people, they become bad ideas. Ghana is a good idea, but today across the board, the lachrymal truth is t...

Even to the politically blind, the path is no longer a convolution, and to the deaf, the musical tones and lyrics are no longer hard to hear. If you are deft in the sign-language of politics you will agree with me that by now, every indication imaginable points to the fact that John Dramani Mahama is running for a second-term in office as the president of the most beautiful nation in the world. Although he has not affirmed it officially, JDM is running not as the old John Mahama with a potluck that anybody can just shove around like a hopeless and hapless houseboy, he is running fast and furious with wits, wisdom, and whooping monetary wherewithal as the sitting president of the gateway to Africa. The daily jarring din, and the hourly hoopla and brouhaha from quarters in and outside of Ghana adjudge that on the watch of JDM as president, the hand of the clock of progress has not ticked forward, but tilted backwards. The promises of regular supply of electricity have not been fulfille...

The mother-in-law arrives home from the shop to find her son-in-law boiling angry and hurriedly packing his suitcase. "What happened?", she asks anxiously. "What happened? I'll tell you what happened. I sent an email to my wife telling her I was coming home today from my fishing trip. I get home... and guess what I found? Yes, your daughter, my Rachel, with a naked guy in our marital bed! This is unforgiveable, the end of our marriage. I'm done. I'm leaving forever!" "Calm down, calm down!" says his mother-in- law. "There is something very odd going on here. Rachel would never do such a thing! There must be a simple explanation. I'll go speak to her immediately and find out what happened." Moments later, the mother-in-law comes back with a big smile. "I told you there must be a simple explanation .....she didn't receive your E-mail.!"