Features
Intolerance
There has been a canker that has been growing gradually and eating at our moral fibre as a country and it has a name. It is called intolerance and if care is not taken, it will destroy this nation in the near future.
All across the city of Accra, and I tend to believe across the country, everybody seems to be in a rush to go somewhere, such that the usual Ghanaian attitude of demonstrating care for another person is gradually being lost.
When two people are approaching each other in a narrow alley, the usual or normal attitude is for the younger person to wait for the older person to pass before the younger person then moves.
The situation is changing and younger people are not observing this accepted normal practice in the Ghanaian society. Just go through the Okaishie area and use the narrow alleys connecting the various buildings housing the shops in the area and you would easily confirm this behaviour.
In traffic, the situation is even worse. Having given an indication that you want to turn either right or left onto the next lane due to a broken down vehicle blocking your way, especially on three lane roads, the driver of the vehicle coming from behind will not slow down for you to join his or her lane.
The few seconds that one driver can give to another so one can pass and the other would also move, usually results in collisions. Most of the collisions on the highways are as a result of such incidents.
On the highways, this display of intolerance graduates into madness, where some drivers decide to overtake more than one vehicle on a hill, when they cannot see ahead of them. If an oncoming vehicle happens to be speeding from the opposite direction, the obvious result will be a direct collision with its attendant loss of innocent lives.
Any observer of the debates on radio and TV would have noticed this phenomenon of intolerance running through every facet of our society. Panelist refuse to observe the ethics of discourse and interrupt other contributors in a manner that is so frustrating.
Instead of noting points of disagreement and offering a rebuttal when it is their turn to speak, they just keep on butting in to disrupt the train of thought of the one speaking. I was told of an incident at a studio of a radio station where a panelist was so incensed with the constant interjections by a co-panelist so much that he slapped him.
It is an unacceptable behaviour but if you put yourself in his shoes, you would not judge him harshly. On a number of occasions, I felt compelled, if it were possible to have entered the studios through the TV set to repeat what the gentleman did to his co-panelist.
In our social circles, this intolerance translates into unhealthy competition that has the potential of ruining people’s lives. The get-rich-quick mentality that is permeating our society must be urgently and seriously addressed.
This brings to mind the sad story, a few years ago of an incident at Kasoa, a suburb of Accra where two teenagers murdered their 10-year-old friend with the intention of using parts of his body for rituals to get money.
Everybody is in a rush to get ahead of his neighbour, friend, brother or sister regardless of the method used as if the world is coming to an end in the next couple of months. I do not know whether it is due to the difficult economic conditions prevailing in the country, everybody seems to be in a bad mood.
Any little disagreement turns into a quarrel of some sort. Parents snap at their children at the least provocation.
The religious leaders, opinion leaders, civil society etc. have a duty to preach tolerance to help address this behavioural menace afflicting our nation.
May God help us!
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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
