Features
The Obuasi mine issue
A picture I saw and an attached post caused my heart to miss a beat. I said to myself “oh no, not again” The story was about some illegal miners who had breached the fence around Anglogold Ashanti Mine and had entered the property and had been shot by military men protecting the property.
This is not the first time such an incident had occurred in Obuasi and it is about time a solution was found to it. When such incidents occur, powers that be suddenly switch to fire fighting mode and start to initiate all sorts of directives but within a few weeks when things have blown over everybody goes to sleep.
No permanent solutions are outlined and a few years later, the issue rears its ugly head again.
It was announced that school children should not attend school for a couple of days and just imagine the number of children who will be staying at home due to this incident?
Again consider parents who will be inconvenienced by this directive as they have to make arrangements for people to look after their kids who would normally be in school, allowing the parents to go to work.
There are reports of destruction of property belonging to Anglogold Ashanti by some persons believed to be friends of the murdered men.
In fact a statement has been issued by Anglogold Ashanti, warning its employees to avoid wearing work uniforms in town till further notice. This is to ensure their safety as there is a possibility the illegal miners who are on rampage might attack them since they want to take revenge on anything Anglogold Ashanti.
The stress this issue brings to bear on employees is not helpful, given the environment in which these employees especially those working underground operate in.
One needs to have a sound mind to work underground otherwise serious injury or even fatality could occur so these incidents which brings stresses should be avoided.
The causes of these incidents must be carefully identified and effectively dealt with. Without delving deep into the matter, what is a notoriously evident is the political game being played by some politicians and more recently journalists who instead of sticking to their profession, are also indulging in unprofessional conduct by meddling in the Obuasi issue, nudging the illegal miners to trespass on the Obuasi Mine property.
The basic thing people should know and understand is that, mining properties are by law, restricted areas and you cannot enter without authorisation, especially working areas.
With my knowledge as a mining engineer and someone who once worked at Obuasi mine, l know the danger breaches of certain areas can create for the employees underground.
There is the need to recognise that no investor would allow their investments to be put at risk especially investment in the mining sector which can run into hundreds of millions and in some cases billions of dollars.
It is therefore imperative for stakeholders to try and promote a certain level of understanding between the mine and the Obuasi community.
These deaths that occurred were needless, they should never have happened, they were avoidable.
Trespassing is a crime under our criminal code and therefore opinion leaders within mining communities should make the effort to educate the youth about the need to stay off the property of mining companies if they have not been authorised.
This is the surest way to prevent the unfortunate incident which happened at Obuasi.
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
