Features
Amidu and Mahama: Who is “stupid”?
When one hits 60 years of age, having accumulated a lot of experiences in life, some put the 60+ candidates on “the sixth floor of life.” So, this column will be contemplating on “the sixth floor,” examining issues of local, national and international relevance and importance for the benefit of society.
The column begins with a flaming issue of “stupidity” charged on the Special Prosecutor (SP), Mr Martin Amidu, by former President John Dramani Mahama. Mr Mahama is said to have described Mr Amidu’s recent conduct as “stupid” at a forum at the Commonwealth Hall Conference Room at the University of Ghana in Accra. The reason? Mr Mahama says the SP has confirmed in a statement to President Akufo-Addo that elected Government Official 1 in the global corruption-riddled Airbus scandal is no other person than former President Mahama himself.
According to Mr Mahama, the reason adduced by the SP for not inviting him for questioning on the stinking Airbus issue, because he has been elected flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, is not only tenable but also “stupid”. Mr Mahama contends that there is no law protecting any “suspect” elected presidential candidate of any political party in the country, and that, such “suspect” can be investigated or prosecuted. Mr Mahama says, the SP should have restricted himself only to the risk assessment of the Agyapa deal assigned to him, but strayed into the Airbus scandal and roped him in to equalise the corruption scandal, thus, describing his conduct as “stupid” and “cowardice”.
Former President Mahama then challenged the SP to investigate the Airbus scandal and present a comprehensive report on it, assuring that he is ready to appear before the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to assist in the investigations, if the SP has evidence to suggest that he (Mahama) is complicit in the shameful scandal. The words stupid, stupidity, coward and cowardice are ringing bells in the statements used by Mr Mahama to address the SP for confirming him as the elected Government Official 1 in the Airbus scandal.
The New Edition of Chambers Dictionary defines “stupid” as, senseless; deficient in understanding; showing lack of reason or judgement; one wanting in wisdom; a person of weak mind and wanting discretion. The same dictionary defines “coward” as, a reprehensively faint-hearted person; one without courage or one who is timid.
”Interestingly, Mr Amidu has responded to the stupidity and cowardice description of him by Mr Mahama, punching him instead, that Mr Mahama lacks understanding of issues of security and intelligence. According to Mr Amidu, his long public service of over 25 years, spanning various aspects of security and intelligence, makes him more experienced in determining when it is not conducive to the national security interest to foolhardily take certain law and order actions.”
The SP says, he owes that exercise of discretion to his vast experience and his responsibility to maintain national stability and his conscience, stressing that “there is no question of stupidity or cowardice about it.” According to the SP, any person aspiring to be President of Ghana for a second term who does not know that the cardinal principle in security and intelligence is that, caution is the better part of valour, not worth the votes of the people.
In a statement issued on November 9, 2020, by Mr Amidu, however, he challenged former President Mahama “to man-up, wise-up, and be bold and brave enough” to voluntarily visit the OSP with two lawyers of his choice to be cautioned and interrogated to demonstrate his valour and wisdom as not being the elected Government Official 1, and also as not being the first guarantor to Samuel Adam Mahama’s forged passport application.
Indeed, I will urge Mr Mahama to swallow the SP’s bait and see what will happen to his campaign to the Jubilee House.
Meanwhile, is it a mark of “stupidity” for the SP to ask Mr Mahama to voluntarily go to the OSP with two lawyers of his choice for questioning on the Airbus scandal?
Will it also be a mark of “stupidity” or “cowardice” for the SP to subpoena Mr Mahama to the OSP for questioning on the Airbus scandal?
What “wise” method would Mr Mahama prefer the SP to use to invite him to appear before the OSP for questioning on the infamous Airbus saga?
Is it the case that the good citizens of the Republic of Ghana are still not aware of who the elected Government Official 1 is?
Readers, what do you also think of the tone and structure of the language employed by the former President to express his disagreement with the SP on the subject under discussion?
Dear readers, from the foregoing, can you tell which of the two characters is really “stupid” or “wise”? Please, this is “homework” for you.
Features
The power of change: Understanding the process and catalysts
CHANGE is an inevitable and essential aspect of life, shaping individuals, organizations, and societies. It can be transformative, leading to growth, innovation, and progress. But how is change created?
This comprehensive article explores the process and catalysts of change.
The Change Process
The change process involves several stages:
1. Awareness: Recognising the need for change.
2. Assessment: Evaluating the current state.
3. Visioning: Envisioning the desired future state.
4. Planning: Developing strategies and action plans.
5. Implementation: Executing the plan.
6. Evaluation: Monitoring progress and making adjustments.
Catalysts of Change
Several factors can catalyse change:
1. Internal Motivation: Personal or organisational desire for improvement.
2. External Pressures: Market trends, technological advancements, or regulatory requirements.
3. Leadership: Visionary leaders driving change.
4. Crisis: Forced change due to unexpected events.
5. Innovation: New ideas and technologies.
Types of Change
Change can be:
1. Incremental: Gradual, small-scale changes.
2. Transformational: Radical, large-scale changes.
3. Strategic: Planned, deliberate changes.
4. Emergent: Spontaneous, unplanned changes.
Change Management
Effective change management involves:
1. Communication: Clear messaging and stakeholder engagement.
2. Training: Developing skills and knowledge.
3. Support: Providing resources and guidance.
4. Monitoring: Tracking progress and addressing challenges.
Resistance to Change
Resistance can arise due to:
1. Fear: Uncertainty and anxiety.
2. Habit: Comfort with the status quo.
3. Lack of Understanding: Insufficient information.
4. Power Dynamics: Threats to authority or control.
Overcoming Resistance
Strategies to overcome resistance include:
1. Education: Providing information and context.
2. Involvement: Engaging stakeholders in the change process.
3. Support: Addressing concerns and fears.
4. Leadership: Demonstrating commitment and vision.
Sustaining Change
To sustain change:
1. Embed Change: Integrate new practices and behaviors.
2. Monitor Progress: Continuously evaluate and adjust.
3. Celebrate Successes: Recognize achievements.
4. Maintain Momentum: Keep the change process moving.
Conclusion
Change is a complex and multifaceted process. Understanding the change process, catalysts, and management strategies can help individuals and organizations navigate and create meaningful change.
Recommendations
1. Develop a Change Mindset: Embrace change as an opportunity.
2. Build Change Capacity: Develop skills and resources.
3. Foster a Culture of Change: Encourage innovation and experimentation.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
This question of love
The question of love is something that will be talked about until kingdom come.
A discussion I observed on the internet about a 19 year old who had accepted the proposal of a 67 year old man reminded me of the preaching of Pastor Mensa Otabil.
He talked about the a scenario where a 60 year old man enters into a relationship with a 22 year old lady and the lady tells him I love you, when he has a protruded belly, with all the accompanying creases and he believes what she says.
He further went on to say that a whole grown up man, allows a young lady to call him “babe” and he does not feel offended.
He further went on to preach that, this young lady, young enough to be his daughter, says “babe, I love you” and this man sheepishly laughs and does not realise, he is being taken advantage of.
What keeps ringing in my ears is his statement that “what is there to love about a protruding sagging belly?”
There is no regulated way for how a person falls in love. It reminds me of a funny statement that Pastors or marriage counsellors often use, that if you fall in love, you may hurt yourself.
Love I believe is a beautiful thing but it is not something that should be toyed with. People getting into relationships should consider the realities that are bound to happen as the years go by.
Jealousy is a very destructive influence. It can influence a person to harm his wife or her husband or to even commit murder. There has been countless reported instances where a man has poured acid on his wife or girlfriend, slashed his wife to death with a cutlass because he suspected, the wife was cheating on him.
It is something that blinds one to right reasoning and once your reasoning stops functioning, then the wrong side of us takes over and the result is nothing to write home about. In most cases, it comes out after the horrible act has been perpetrated, that there was no truth in the issue that caused the jealousy, after all. However, a life would have been maimed, disfigured or destroyed forever.
One of the causes of jealousy in marriage is the age gap difference. Whether we like it or not we shall grow old one day if God by his grace enables us to live long. When we grow old, a lot of changes occur in our bodies and things we used to do with ease, suddenly become a huge challenge and it could be very frustrating.
One of the things that drives a man crazy is when he has grown weaker in bed and sees the wife interacting with younger men in a suspicious manner that seems to suggest that there is more to it than meets the eye.
Jealousy will definitely be kindled in the heart of such a man whose wife is far younger than him like this 67 year old man wanting to marry a 19 year young lady.
In 30 years’ time, this man will be 97 and his muscles would have become weaker affecting his erection. His wife would be 49 and will have to be satisfied in bed in a manner that this man cannot execute. What do you think is going to happen?
Marriage Counsellors advocate that the ideal age gap between marriage partners should not be more than 10 years. This is one way to eliminate suspicions which results in mistrust when the man grows old and gets weaker because it is a known fact that sex is very important to men than women.
A man becomes very worried when his sexual performance level drops. This is what causes some men to act in a manner that is condemnable. My advice, walk into love, don’t fall into it. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
