Features
The verdict on ‘Akwapim Poloo’: ‘Parental care and motherhood consideration’?
There is a ‘very active’ young Ghanaian actress popularly called “Akwapim Poloo’. Her real name is said to be Rosemond Brown. She has recently been in the news; not for good reasons, anyway.
The actress got herself into trouble after taking a ‘disturbing’ nude picture of herself, together with her six-year-old innocent son , ‘to celebrate his birthday.’
A single mother, Rosemond Brown pathetically shared her nude photo , together with her son on social media in the name of celebrating her son’s birthday.
Really, Poloo’s nude photo posted on social media, ‘elicited’ huge public condemnation . And Child Rights International, a non-governmental organisation, dragged her to court on three charges, including violating her son’s rights to dignity and privacy and reckless endangerment to a minor.
Initially, Poloo pleaded not guilty and reportedly told the court that she was pregnant but pregnancy test ordered by the court proved otherwise.
Later, she changed her plea to ‘guilty’. She was then sentenced to three-month jail term by an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Her Honour, Mrs Christina Cann.
When Poloo moved to a High Court in an attempt to have her 90-day custodial sentence quashed, the court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, upheld the decision of the Circuit Court and ordered that Rosemond Brown must serve the full sentence in jail.
Still not satisfied with the decision of the High Court, Poloo moved her case to the Court of Appeal . And ‘interestingly’ all the three male judges who adjudicated the case concluded that a fine of GH¢12,000 was rather enough punishment for her, instead of the 90-day custodial sentence.
According to the ruling of the Court of Appeal judges, they considered the interest of Poloo’s six-year-old son and the fact that he would need ‘parental care’.
The panel of judges again considered the fact that the convict ” is a single mother”.
Indeed, Poloo had been standing trial for many months until the court presided over by Justice Anthony Koffie, Justice Eric Baah and Justice Bright Mensah set aside her 90-day jail term , just a couple of days ago.
So, reportedly, the GH¢12,000 fine imposed by the court on Rosemond Brown is said to have been fully paid. Consequently, Poloo is now out of jail and a very free person now.
Interestingly, the ruling of the Court of Appeal has generated a-near national conversation.
Some critics claim that all the male panel of judges at the Court of Appeal took “parental care and motherhood” into consideration while such considerations did not seem to influence the two women judges.
Such critics are of the view that because Poloo is a ‘young mother’; without a husband and has a six-year-old child; the judges who insisted on her custodial sentence are women and mothers; they could have been swayed by Poloo’s gender and her child to have been lenient on her.
Others also argue that probably, the women judges might have considered the ‘depravity’ of aspects of social media and how some people ‘born from the bowels of women’ degrade ‘womanhood’ and ‘manhood’ with impunity on such world-wide platform.
They contend that many Ghanaian youth post a lot of obscene materials on social media to corrupt their peers and, therefore, they see the 90-day custodial sentence as ” the best punishment” the women judges handed Poloo to serve as practical deterrent to others.
Some critics also argue that the “popularity” and ” notoriety” of Poloo on social media could “influence” some “benevolent” and ” philanthropic” persons to pay off the GH¢12,000 fine imposed on Poloo without she herself, experiencing any sweat.
The critics say, it is such notion , probably held by the two women judges that might have swayed them to insist on the imposition of custodial sentence on Poloo, instead of a fine.
The critics add that the women judges are “child bearers” and “women educators” in their homes; “so, aside from the law , they know how to ‘discipline’ ‘spoilt’ and ‘recalcitrant’ girls so as to make them change for the better,” hence the imposition of the custodial sentence.
However, in the case of the three appellate court judges , some of the critics claim that , “they may be pampering their “spoilt girls” in their homes while being “hard” on their “spoilt” male children, instead.
They asked: “Otherwise, aside from the law, why should they quash Poloo’s custodial sentence and replace it with a fine? “
They urged the three male judges to go on-line and see things for themselves, contending that “as soon as Poloo was released from prison, she somersaulted onto the social media platform to continue doing her own thing.”
Meanwhile, the year 2022 is almost here with us. It is “gingerly” waiting to embrace us all. Really, it is barely 10 days more, for us to step into the New Year.
As we anxiously await 2022, I wish readers of this column, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, in advance.
May the New Year, 2022, bring us good tidings; understanding, peace, unity of purpose, tolerance and cooperation, so that we agree to disagree while discussing diverse issues confronting our nation; in the true spirit of building our own ‘Ghana-made’ civic democratic culture to guide us in our chosen democratic path.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
