I was thinking about my mother, whilst composing this column. In all honesty and truth, my life would’ve been something else without her. For years, mother has been a pillar of inspiration — not only to me but to others as well. Her words of wisdom have guided all of her children to a life devoid of complaints. Mother taught me about life and how to live it contentedly. She definitely gave me a heart to feel! Though, I inherited a Black man’s mind to think. From my absentee father, to be precise. There are so much I could tell you about my mother. Tales of wonder and intrigue! However, due to time constraints, I would limit them to a hand full. Mother didn’t have the privilege of going to school! I believe the circumstances deemed it so. Perhaps, it was by nature’s design. Who knows? Unlike most children, I didn’t have the privilege of growing up with my mother. She wasn’t there! She was in Europe in preparation for the future. This was in the early seventies, by the way. Indeed, a long time ago.
During her absence, family members would tell me about her industrious spirit. They would tell me about her curiosity for knowledge. Her ambitious nature wasn’t excluded from the conversation. The more information I gathered about mother, the more I became fascinated. I couldn’t wait to see her, for so many years had passed! Luckily enough, she came for my sibling and I at the appropriate time. Life in Europe wasn’t glossy, especially for mother! My sibling and I witnessed it, when we came along. Remember, mother had no education. So, menial labor became her only salvation in a country ruled by academics and technocrats. The more I observed mother work the double shifts — the more I became convinced of her strength! This lady was single-handedly putting food on the table. She was putting clothes on our backs — shoes on our feet. The bills were always paid on time, not a day late! Back home, in Ghana, folks would be asking favors from her. Financial favors, to be precise. Mother never gave them a no for an answer!
In fact, mother was taking care of everybody — not just her own. From then on, I saw how special Ghanaian women are and could be. Not only are they responsible, they are mothers. They see every child as their own. They are care-takers by nature! In this regard, we Ghanaian men are so different from them. I have keenly observed! One doesn’t have to be blind to see how irresponsible and careless we are and could be. Look at how we have ruined this beautiful country! We have unleashed an unnecessary economic hardship on our own sons and daughters. Thus, compelling most of them to seek greener pastures somewhere foreign. Now, what kind of men are we? And, what happened to our pertanal responsibility and pride? Do we have any? The Europeans and the Chinese are preparing their children to take over the world! We, on the other hand, have turned ours into unemployed graduates. For these graduates, a financial safety-net should’ve been in order! Unfortunately, there is none whatsoever to speak of. Hence, the country’s human capital flight.
We Ghanaian men have devalued ourselves to the extent that it has affected our management of this country. Our slavish colonial mentality has got us depending on the White man to do for us what we can do for ourselves. Look at our natural resources. Most of them are in the hands of foreign companies! Most of our national companies have been sold off for a mere pittance. We cannot even manage our airline profitably! Wealth, which should be managed properly, is being managed poorly. As consequence, life has become unbearable for so many of our own. As of present, Ghana has overtaken Nigeria as the e-fraud capital of the world. The list goes on and on! We Ghanaian men — with an exception of a few — cannot seem to do anything good. The record has shown! Engaging ourselves in futile political banter and gossip is what most of us seem to do best! Honestly, I think that the time has come for us to step aside. We could use the maternal guidance of the brilliant daughters in our midst. We Ghanaian men need to accept the fact that we have failed ourselves, our women and this country. Shame on us! Impotence shouldn’t be worn as a badge of honor.
In this technological age of ipods and ipads, why should Atta Mills or Nana Akuffo Addo be considered to run this country? What kind of nonsense is that? What became of the brilliant minds in our midst? Where did they go? The aforementioned senior citizens— with their slavish colonial mentality — don’t speak today’s language. No! They’re men of the past, not men of the future. They belong to the failed generation! I believe that Samia Nkrumah would do a better job if elected to govern this country. I truly do! Her understanding of politics differs from the old guards! Hers is more contemporary, progressive, service-oriented and innovative. Most importantly, she understands what our ancestors paid in blood and tears to change. There is a light in her, which must never go out! The light of hope of a better life — not just for some but for all of us. Let’s support her, shall we? Time isn’t on our side, nor is it ours to waste!
Welcome 2 the New age of Consciousness!
Source:
The Emperor
