STILL MOMENTS

At a point in time in our lives, there are those instances we happen to make memories. I call them STILL MOMENTS. These are the memories best shared with friends, family, a loved one and sometimes, total strangers. I have had many of those moments this year. Life and living is barely an arduous task; yet we allow so many complications to weigh as down. The times that we so easily forget: birth, first kiss, first crush, first time being laid, first meritorious award, dancing in the rain, first accident and the thought of death that followed, first real salary, first time moving out, the day you did that incredulous thing with that person or those people, all these are memories we so easily forget in the pile I call anxiety.

Our STILL MOMENTS, which are suppose to be our lifeline, are the very things we lose. After a while, we sit and ask ourselves, "did we really do these?" Happy and not happy moments are the best memories we can ever have irrespective of what one thinks about those not so happy moments. The only thing that separates humans from other species is our ability think and mature in our capability to reason. It's our ability to hold on to these STILL MOMENTS that makes us and will keep us human.

I had one today, a thought, rather an epiphany, was very gratifying. May be one day I will grow and not be that person who loses himself in his worries. I pray for more times like these; at least, I know that it always makes me smile. I'm sure it will do same for you. STILL MOMENTS, they are worth having so keep that camera, or camcorder close by.

WILL IT EVER CHANGE

The price of oil keeps shooting up, especially, during this volatile period where Arab countries (major producers of oil) seem to be experiencing so much unrest. It gives us, users of crude products, a cause to worry. However, as a passionate advocate for clean energy and the environment, I should say that the unstable nature of oil prices should really encourage us, human beings, to consider other clean, safe, less expensive, efficient and effective sources of energy. Today, I read a friend's status message. He asked a very basic and simple question with regards to the use of alternative sources of powering motor vehicles. He asked why we are not experiencing a rise in demand for electric vehicles when the price of crude oil keeps shooting up.

There are so many answers we can provide for this question: infrastructural reasons, availability of input products in producing the commodity in large quantities, , cost of production, future expectations of crude prices, etc. The list can go on for quite some time. Albeit all these reasons, I believe this is the time for consumers to put pressure on producers to come out with alternative sources for powering vehicles (this is not to say that there are no alternatives in the market, that will be downright erroneous). For a push in this direction will be good for the stability of crude prices, especially, when we have found an effective and efficient alternative to it.

The only way this dream can be achieved is for both consumers and producers to come to a consensus that the need to push for alternative energy sources is not just pertinent for the near future crusade, rather, it is needed today. I believe it is this common assertion that will provide the impetus for the rise in demand for alternate energy products, like electric cars, in the world.

We need to make the world a better place to live in; the change we seek so much for ourselves cannot be located in the future, it is in our backyards, our beaches, the sun, and the water bodies, and the ultimate location, in US (human beings). All these can be found right here and now, in the present, let us all come together with one voice and reduce the power of OPEC. Alternative energy sources, the key to stabilizing crude prices

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Once again, Ghana's oil is in the news. It might not have been hyped as the first time we heard of the commercial quantity potential or the legislation that should be enacted to ensure the judicious use of the revenue. This time around, we, Ghana, as a nation is being advised to follow in the footsteps of the Saudi's.

The question to ask our leaders is what they know of that experience. Could we ever have a situation where both rural and urban communities receive the same attention, in terms of provision of infrastructure and other developmental projects? The nature of this issue is so dicey, I always approach it with such caution.

For a developing country like Ghana, the sound of 'OIL WEALTH' excites a lot of the general populace. What most of these people are failing to recognize is that, the wealth they dream of will not just appear overnight. If truly, this nation is going to make headway in the future, this current generation should come to an understanding that they, like Moses, will lead the nation to the promised land but, they will never step there.

The best thing that this generation can do is to put the right infrastructures in place to safeguard posterity's comfort. This is the main headlines that should be flashing in every newspaper and television program when we want to talk about the oil wealth, "WHAT CAN WE DO TO ENSURE THE COMFORT OF UP AND COMING GHANAIANS."

It makes a lot of sense to think in this manner. At least, in my opinion, those in this generation should not get the hopes up so high, it might lead to colossus disappointment.

ON THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY

In January this year (2011), the first oil was lifted by Tullow Oil with its Jubilee partners, in March, they (Tullow) are about to lift their second consignment from the Jubilee field. We have a rough idea as to how much the government earned, but no one has come out to state explicitly the exact amount generated from the lifts. It was however , estimated that about a little over 100 million dollars was accrued from the sale of the lift by GNPC. Some one might ask, where is he going with this? Well let me go straight to the point then.

We know that the OIL AND GAS bill has been passed by Parliament. I am yet to know if the president has appended his signature to the bill. There is the need for the government to let Ghanaians be part of the process from the very onset. It is of with great concern that I make this statement. Failure to include the people in the process will spark little unrest among the people, leaving the not-too- informed citizens vulnerable to chaotic instigation.

The more we know about the exact figures and what the government plans to use it, the better the minds of the citizens of this noble country will be at rest.

CHANGE!

THE ESSENCE OF CHANGE

Not too long ago, Ghana celebrated its 53^rd independence anniversary; I can recall some of the many social debates that were heard throughout the country on the various channels of media communication over whether or not we had achieved anything during that period to merit a celebration. The reason for this celebration, in my opinion, was to remember the change that revolutionized the African spirit of independence. Some even went as far as to embark on demonstrations, while others bastardized the very nature of our political system, calling its practitioners immature, greedy and egoistic. Our neigbours, Nigeria, also celebrated their 50^th independence anniversary recently and what we heard through international news agencies was quite repulsive. Two bombs exploding at different times and injuring some people. This is how some people choose to echo their aggravations about how there has been NO CHANGE in many years. These are just a few of the many occurrences of such situations in our beloved continent. We are always crying for CHANGE!

In the Concise Oxford Dictionary, change is defined in its verb form as “to make or become different; to become new.” If I am to probe further into what others -- scholars and philosophers-- have said there shall be no end to what the word change is not, and is. Nonetheless, I have always enjoyed this statement I heard in my philosophy class when I was an undergraduate student: “You can never step in the same river twice.”

When we study the history of our beloved nation one thing is clear we have not enjoyed sustained steady growth in a long while. For if we had, we would be experiencing what economist have termed economic development. This is development characterized by major infrastructural change. This is the kind of change that will increase the per capita income of the people, provide better healthcare delivery system(s), make available excellent educational facilities to all citizens and reduce drastically, if not obliterate totally, the level of poverty in the country. This is the kind of change that the people of Ghana, Africa and the world as whole would like to see.

How then can we bring about this change which results in the creation of a ‘state of utopia’? This is the question that many scholars, philosophers, politicians, corporate CEOs and the general populace have been contemplating about for centuries. One school of thought argues that this change has been experienced in Western countries while Africa and other third world countries are lagging behind. If this is true, could we say then that the explanation for all the horrific things that have been perpetuated by some African heads of state and military governments are because Africa and other continents characterized by these features so desperately need change? Should we associate the brutalities accompanying such atrocious acts as worthy sacrifices for change to materialize in the continent, or should we say that it is just an expression of frustration on the part of these leaders for not realizing the change that we so much wish for? How do we experience change that does not result in a blood bath?

The answer to this question is simple: be the change you want to see. Day in and day out we hear people complaining about the many defects surrounding them, we also observe these very people who continually fuss about such issues do nothing about it. If it bothers you that much, instead of picking up placards and walking on these same streets in the name of freedom of demonstration, let us rather use our strength in organizing the very people marching on the streets to fix the problem. It is the rational thing to do. I am not here to downplay the importance of being able to exercise one’s frustrations in the streets. However, most of the times, the time we spend holding placards could have been used to fix a problem in our homes, communities and country for that matter.

When you are sitting in the church and everyone is clapping for the choir about the song they sung, and you have realized they have been consistently singing off-key, and that annoys you, instead of telling your friends about how the choir or the person who conducts it knows nothing about music, why don’t you volunteer and offer-up your musical knowledge to better the choir. If you are part of those who always complain that there is no job in the system, instead of thinking about who will employ your, start thinking about how to establish your own business so that you can also employ people in this manner, you help to reduce the level of unemployment in the economy.

When I listen to radio programmes, I hear those on the panel and those who call-in accuse politicians of being corrupt. The question that these people often fail to ask themselves is how upright they themselves are. Jesus asked the Pharisees to let those without sin be the first to throw the stone at the woman. How many of us will refuse the ‘gift’ that is suppose to motivate us to carry out a duty briskly. How many of us ask customers, clients, or prospective clients and customers to give us something supposedly for the ‘boss’ or behave rudely to them because they fail to ‘recognize our efforts’?

Upon careful thought I propose these to be the essence of the change we so badly seek:

CHANGE SHOULD BE A CONSCIOUS ACT. In deciding to do what is right, we are consciously saying that we are going to be a part of the process, because inherently, we are part of the problem.

CHANGE SHOULD BE BY CHOICE, NOT BY MASS PROTEST. In the spirit of decision making, let us all come together and agree on what is right, to make our homes, communities and country the place we want it to be.

CHANGE SHOULD BE A DISCIPLINE. Biblical scripture informs us that the heart is deceitful above all things. This tells me how unstable we are as human beings. The Apostle Paul agrees, that is why he said he beat his body into submission when he wrote to the Christians in Rome. There is the need to be disciplined in order to experience real change.

CHANGE IS LIFE NOT A LIFESTYLE. So many people see many things which are necessities in life to be a lifestyle. Life and lifestyle are two different concepts. In order to experience real change we need to acknowledge that Change is life not a lifestyle. Heraclitus said, “you cannot step into the same river twice.”

CONCLUSION

Changing is one of the most difficult things for some of us, but we should decide -- make a choice, a conscious one for that matter -- to remain disciplined and live a life of change. If we, (humans) are created in the likeness of God, and one major characteristic of God is that he keeps surprising, then we should make it a point to surprise ourselves. We should change!

THE GATEKEEPER

Behold I am the keeper of order

My presence demands it

My employer does nothing without me

For I am his keeper

The Protector some call me

The Shield some may say

I prefer the Sifter

Yes, I’m much enthused by the name Selector

For what goes and comes is by me

I AM THE GATEKEEPER

If you want to be heard, you better come and see me

Sounds of thrashing and bashing

The sound of thrashing and bashing

Fills the street with wailing and screaming

The sorrowful shrills of the mothers

Makes the soul quiver at its core

How long shall this unrest remain?

How often do the mothers have to beat their breasts?

The fathers stand aside with conscious fear

Looking for someone to step up and be a hero

Yet no one shows, no one appears, we all are timid!

Full of weakness, terrified with fear of death

The sovereign reigns with terror in the land

Yet there is no hero of in this town

All we hear is the sound of thrashing and bashing

And the cries and wails of the women in the streets.

O man! Who else could it possibly be

O MAN! WHAT ELSE

It is written that he shall dwell in this house and it shall be hallowed (paraphrased). However, how do we deal with people when our ideas and actions lead to the desecration of God’s house? Is it the signs of the time, or it’s simply pure ignorance and lack of respect for God and everything pertaining to him. Who should be blamed for the desecration of God’s temple? Do we blame the priests or the insolent congregation? May be, we should blame unsuspecting conspirators who always plan to divide and break asunder this unperfected unity we have in the church.

Let us not be misguided, confusion is not part of God’s being; confusion is an unfortunate characteristic of man. We shall in no sense appeal to reason and intuition as means to escape our uncouth actions. We are all responsible for whatever happens to and in God’s temple. We are guilty in what we have uttered or not uttered, done or not done, whichever position we find ourselves in, we are to blame since we are the keepers of his temple.

The church should fume with righteous indignation, the body of Christ should awake and hear the calls of the angels and saints, we live in a world filled with evil; only those who stand for righteousness will be persecuted. As the saying goes, only the sick need medical assistance; thus, only those who seem to be doing something right will be opposed. Human beings by nature are rebellious to the truth because the truth hurts as the maxim posits. Irrespective of the truth, chastisement should be done in love not anger.

We have an obligation, duty and calling to uphold, if we are true sons and daughters of the church, then we should arise and stand, just as we call on God to arise and let our enemies be scattered. The sanctity of the church should be lifted high, and all of us will make it a reality. Cooperation, understanding each other no matter how different our views are, seeing the big picture not the small one, is the only way we can forge forward. Let us not blame individuals, for God has a triune persona. Before Jesus left this earth he encouraged us thus, “strife for peace with all men.”

LOGIC AND REASON

Logic and Reason

The fruits of this capability, in a greater majority are growth, development and destruction

A gradual progression from wow to ohh!

It is the gift of our race no doubt about it.

In that same stead, the curse of generations past, present and future

They are the foundation upon which civilization is founded,

Logic and Reason, they are the epitome of this world.

The quest for self-actualization is founded on the principle of logic and reason

However, it ends in utter despair, the search for mundane things

Logic and Reason, they say is what makes us the superior race

Logic and reason, the exact reason why we are suffering

So ironic, very powerful, extremely sarcastic, outrageously cynical

The pursuit of happiness, the driving force of survival for this race

Vanity, is the major characteristic of this race

All these are symbolic embodiment of logic and reason

WHAT NEXT

After tarrying months of loquacious speeches from various interest groups in the oil and gas industry that has sprung in Ghana, the first oil was lifted, and according to the reports, sold at a price less than what was quoted on the international oil market. One might be tempted to think of this as a mishap, but i believe the right thing was done. There is the need to establish oneself as a strong player before demanding for certain incentives.

After the first lift, we have not heard any of those heated debates that engulfed the country concerning how the proceeds from the industry is going to be utilized. However, not too long ago, the Oil and Gas bill was passed by the legislature. There are concerns as to why the 10 percent request for the region where the oil was discovered and drilled was ignored.

Some questions to ask oneself is: Should the place of discovery be given special prominence over the other regions. What will be the resulting consequence(s) of such action or inaction? I don't want to downplay the pertinence in developing the region that produces most of Ghana's natural resources. However, before we rush and make such a decision, we should ask ourselves, "why now?" Before oil and gas, there was gold, bauxite, and diamonds. Why did we not push for a legislative instrument that warranted the Western region to some percent of the total revenue that accrues to the nation for developmental purposes?

In all, I believe the future holds great prospect for this industry in this nation; the trillion dollar question is and will remain, "is it a curse of a blessing?"