Features
Societal insanity at the executive office
The concept of societal insanity is often associated with the collective behaviour of a society, where irrational and destructive patterns of behaviour become normalised.
However, this phenomenon can also be observed in the highest echelons of power, particularly in the executive office.
This article will explore the notion of societal insanity at the executive office, examining its causes, consequences, and implications for governance and society.
Defining Societal Insanity
Societal insanity refers to a state of collective madness, where a society or group becomes disconnected from reality, embracing irrational and destructive behaviours. This can manifest in various ways, including the normalisation of violence, the erosion of civil liberties, and the pursuit of policies that harm the greater good.
Causes of societal insanity at the executive office
Several factors contribute to societal insanity at the executive office, including:
1. Authoritarianism: The concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group can lead to a disconnection from reality and the normalisation of irrational behaviour.
2. Groupthink: The pressure to conform to a particular ideology or agenda can result in a collective madness, where alternative perspectives are ignored or dismissed.
3. Cognitive biases: The influence of cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias and the Dunning-Kruger effect, can lead to poor decision-making and a disconnection from reality.
4. Lack of accountability: The absence of effective checks and balances can enable the executive office to act with impunity, leading to a culture of irrationality and impunity.
Consequences of societal insanity at the executive office
The consequences of societal insanity at the executive office are far-reaching and devastating, including:
1. Erosion of democratic institutions: The normalisation of irrational behavior can lead to the erosion of democratic institutions, such as the judiciary, the media, and civil society.
2. Human rights abuses: The disconnection from reality can result in the normalisation of human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings.
3. Economic instability: Irrational decision-making can lead to economic instability, including inflation, unemployment, and economic inequality.
4. Environmental degradation: The pursuit of policies that harm the environment can result in devastating consequences, including climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
Implications for governance and society
The phenomenon of societal insanity at the executive office has significant implications for governance and society, including:
1. Need for accountability: The importance of effective checks and balances cannot be overstated, as they provide a critical safeguard against the normalization of irrational behaviour.
2. Importance of critical thinking: The ability to think critically and challenge assumptions is essential for preventing the spread of societal insanity.
3. Role of civil society: Civil society plays a crucial role in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance, and must be protected and empowered.
4. Need for emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is essential for effective leadership, as it enables individuals to understand and manage their emotions, as well as empathize with others.
Conclusion
Societal insanity at the executive office is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention.
The causes, consequences, and implications of this phenomenon are complex and multifaceted, and demand a comprehensive and nuanced response.
By promoting accountability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, we can work towards preventing the normalisation of irrational behaviour and promoting a more just, equitable, and rational society.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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
