Features
An ode to Kojo Tsikata
When I heard of the death of Captain KojoTsikata, all I said was Ghana has lost a great time in history. Only a couple of weeks ago I wrote in this column what Ghana would lose if Tsikata, indeed, refused to write his memoirs before his death.
His name evoked fear among many who had heard of his exploits in the liberation struggle hotspots on the African continent. We are told he was called General Gomez in Angola. I heard quite a bit about him till I met him for the first time in the last quarter of 1983. Before then I had only seen pictures of him.
I was in the first class section of Ghana’s only DC-9 aircraft at the time at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, when Kojo walked in and took a seat after giving a head bow to those of us already seated. A cabin crew member gave him a piece of paper a while later. Kojo opened the folded paper, read whatever was on it, smiled and crumpled it into fine dust. He later told me in 2009 when I visited him in the company of Capt. Joel Kwami Sowu that was the last time he flew on Ghana Airways.
He was born into a family of very brilliant academics. True, every Tsikata I have encountered has an above average intellectual capacity. Kojo was no exception. I came to know him better through his friendship with Prof. Kofi Nyidewu Awoonor and my cousin, Charles “Avu” Segbefia. It took Avu many months to recover from the death of Awoonor in Nairobi, Kenya, from a terrorist attack. Avu was to die a couple of months later.
Like Professor Awoonor and Kofi Annan before him, Kojo Tsikata chose cremation as the method to dispose of his remains. Great souls make such a choice. And I have no doubt in my mind that Kojo was one great soul. I have come to the understanding that when people don’t know you they either fear, despise or even hate you. So was it with Kojo.
The following piece was forwarded to me by a bosom friend. The author is anonymous, though I suspect who it might be. It also tells of what I knew about the man Kojo Tsikata:
“Capt. Kojo Tsikata was my Boss, mentor, teacher, elder brother, all rolled in one. He did not only nurture me in the intricacies of the art of our profession, he also took me under his protective wings and taught me, by his own example, that life is all about being true to yourself, your principles, your beliefs and, above all, your total dedication and commitment to those beliefs and principles.
“It was such an honour and a great joy working under Capt. Kojo Tsikata. If you did a good job, he showed his appreciation for that excellent performance by a very firm handshake, a flash of a smile and a soft ‘thank you’ that was so satisfying. If he disapproved of your performance, he did not yell, castigate or say anything that could discourage you. He only gave you a long gaze and that piercing gaze was enough to spur you on to revisit the task, engage your intellectual faculties more rigorously and improve upon your performance. Because you were afraid of that gaze, you always made sure that you gave of your best.
“Captain Tsikata taught me also not to take myself too seriously but to be humble, unpretentious and develop the capacity to tolerate even my most spiteful detractors. He himself had detractors who were so vicious in their quest to assassinate his character. He was in Luanda, Angola, during the May 15 and June 4 1979 insurrections and subsequent executions of Generals Acheampong, Afrifa and others.
“I saw him almost daily and I personally broke the news of the executions of Acheampong and Utuka to him in his hotel room at the Panorama Hotel in Luanda. Yet, he was viciously accused of being present at a meeting at Burma Camp where he played a key role in the selection of those to be executed.
“This level of character assassination can affect the psychological and physical well-being of a person. But, Efo Kojo always bore the pain of these allegations with a forgiving smile. Even in death, an apology of a journalist decided to use the pretence of a tribute to malign his moral fortitude by surreptitiously implying that Captain had a hand in the execution of General Acheampong; the same person who spared his life!!! How low can people descend in their vow to vilify him even on his death bed!!
“Captain Kojo Tsikata was an African patriot of few parallels. He devoted most of his life to the liberation struggles in Africa. In his mind, political power is all about service; service to your Nation, your people and service that demands self-sacrifice. To him, political power, influence or connections are about using that influence and connections to do good for your Nation. Few days after his arrival in Angola in April 1979, at the invitation of President Agustinho Neto, I mentioned to him casually about the problem of accommodation that our Mission was facing.
“He did not tell me he would intervene on our behalf. Within two to three days, the Angola authorities resolved the problem. He was not obliged to intervene but he did so voluntarily thereby saving Ghana the huge expenditure on hotel accommodation. That is service to one’s Nation.Captain Tsikata dined with the most powerful in Africa and beyond.
“He was close friend with the highest echelon of political leadership and power in most parts of the world, particularly the African continent. But he NEVER tried to use such connections and influence for personal gain. Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘nearly all men can stand adversity; but, if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.’
“For years, Efo Kojo had enormous political power in Ghana but he never allowed it to consume his soul. We do know that, more often, political power triggers inappropriate behaviour.
“Power can make the holder have less empathy for the plight of other people. It can corrode the holder’s conscience. Captain Tsikata had that power but he never let it get into his head. He kept his feet firmly on the ground and used the formidable power and influence for the common good.
“He never underestimated the corruptive nature of political power. And he never succumbed to corruption. He had no palatial edifices or illegally acquired mansions in Ghana or elsewhere to boast of as many people in power often do so shamelessly. He had a soul as strong as granite and political power did not corrode it. He had also such a strong distaste and loathing for all the trappings of power; its stiff protocols and its suffocating grandeur. Wherever he is right now, I suspect he will be laughing at the foolishness and absurdity of it all.
“Those who did not know him that well saw Captain as a very stern person. But beneath the veneer of that seemingly stern, uncompromising and tough public image lay a very compassionate, patient, tolerant, very fair and very generous angelic soul.
“Efo Kojo lived a very unpretentious life that was so rich in its simplicity and so inspiring in its decency. He was special. I know he did not want a tribute and I totally respect his wish. So this is not a public but a few words to friends and family, just to say to him Efo Akpe. Well done.”
People know others for very many reasons and by what they stood for. Fortunately, none of the people who thought and said Kojo Tsikata was evil has come out to say what the man did to be so described. The above “few words to friends and family” sum up who the man KojoTsikata was. Rest well, brave soldier.
- Writer’s email address:
akofa45@yahoo.com
BY DR. AKOFA K. SEGBEFIA
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
