HALLOWEEN….MY STAY IN THE U.S

KNOCK! KNOCK!! There is someone knocking on my door. Who could it be I wondered since I was not expecting anyone this afternoon? I hesitantly head towards the door to check who was there. As I opened the door, I was greeted with a loud “trick or treat!!!!!” from some children in my neighborhood. They were dressed in all kinds of funny costumes. Then they stretched forward a candy basket which meant I am expected to drop in some candies. Their basket was already half filled with different kinds of candies. Oh yea today is Halloween, I quickly recollected because the whole of this month, everything around us is centered on this day. TV commercials, movies, talk shows and even items on display in the stores were centered on this day including food. This actually reminded me of how we use to go from house to house in my community in Ghana during Christmas to have treats from neighbors and even strangers. Dress in masquerades and Christmas apparels, we sing and chant “maame yabe wofie maye bibi kakra maye ko” literally meaning “ma’am we are in your house, give us something and we will go”. Indeed, as children in those days, every child looked forward to Christmas with high expectations and anticipation. Those times were really fun. It is sad that all those memorable moments are fading away so fast due to the fact that many people thinks it is simply old fashion. Anyway, back to my encounter with these beautiful kids at my door. As I said they were five in number, three girls and two boys with their ages ranging between 6 and 11 years old. After dropping in some candies from my dinning table into each of their baskets, they politely said “thank you”. Then I tried to find out from them in their opinion what this day is all about. They told me all kinds of interesting stories they know about Halloween. The striking one came from the 6 year old boy who was dressed like a black cat“…Halloween is the time we get to see spooky spirits like ghost, monsters and devils.” He said. They each told me why they chose a particular costume and the reason why they are pretending to be that character. On that note they all said ‘bye” and moved on to the next door. Apart from children going house to house for candies after school, the older people throw parties at night. Most of these parties are characterized by creepy and terrifying stuffs. One thing I also noticed is that Pumpkin is a major symbol of Halloween. It is usually sculptured into so many spooky faces. At this point, let me hastened to add that although Halloween is one of America’s biggest celebrations, not everyone believes in it. Those who don’t believe in it say it is superstition. The fact is, apart from the fun fair such occasions bring it is also a major economic booster for the country. The National Retail Federation –U.S last year quoted a survey conducted by BIGinsight that 7 in 10 Americans (71.5%) will get into the haunting Halloween mood and a total Halloween spending by estimation was expected to reach $8.0 billion. According to history, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition. It is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.

SOLAR ECLIPSE…GHANA WILL SEE IT AGAIN.

The last time Ghanaians witnessed an eclipse was in March 29th 2006. It was 66 years after the last one in 1947. The solar eclipse appeared in it total form to those viewing from Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern and Volta Regions while those in the other five Regions experienced a partial eclipse. Hundreds of tourist trooped into the country to join millions of Ghanaians to catch a glimpse of it. There was lots of public education for the general public on how and when it will occur. The media also created the awareness of protecting one’s eyes since viewing the eclipse with the naked eye to could result in major eye damages. The sales of a protective goggle for the viewing also became a big business venture. Stationed at Makola, the Central Business district at Accra as a filed reporter, I remember the sounding of the siren at the general post office to alert the public the moment it appeared. According to Experts on ABC Science website, it usually takes 100 to 200 years for one to predict when the next eclipse will occur the second time in a particular area. So for Ghana to experience one of nature’s beautiful phenomenon, for the second time within a period of 7 years is quite amazing. Could it be luck or just by chance? Well, be prepared if only you happen to be in Ghana to experience the only time in life when day and night embraces each other for a moment on 3th November 2013.

MEDICAL TEAM SCREENS ARRIVING HAJJ PILGRIMS

This year’s pilgrimage to Mecca by Muslims took place amidst great fear around the world over the Middle East virus, a deadly virus that infected a number of pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia. As the first batch of Ghanaian pilgrims arrive in the country, medical research team from Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ngouchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and Port Health are keeping a keen eye on them. Due to this, a medical screening and samples were taken from the first 319 pilgrims who arrived last night. The medical team comprising of bio-chemist from the above mentioned medical institutes are stationed at the Hajj village in Accra to make sure every individual is screened. Collected swabs from the mouths and noses of pilgrims by the team will be sent to the Ngouchi medical institute at the University of Ghana for scrutiny. The reports will be ready in 10 days. Although most of the people arrived with coughs, the medical reports whether or not one has contracted the corona virus (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). Hajj is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca and the largest gathering of Muslim people in the world every year. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and a religious duty which must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in his or her lifetime.

GHANAIANS WARNED OF BOKO-HARAM AND AL-KAYIDA.

Two new hiplife rap songs dubbed “Al-kayida” and “Boko-Haram” introduced to the entertainment scene in Ghana recently is generating great concerns. Al-kayida just like the popular Azonto dance, is a social dance associated with the music “boys abre” literarily meaning boys are tired. The lyrics relays emphasis on the socio-economic hardship the youth are facing in the country. Interestingly, the video of this song features Kwadjo Nkansah aka Lil Win, a prominent local comedian and an actor. His twist and turns of the dance and his fusion of rapping makes it very hilarious. The writer of Boko-Haram also tells his ordeal as a resident student in a community in Nigeria which was attacked by Boko-Haram an Islamic jihadist militant organization based in Nigeria with links to Al-Qeada and Alshabab. But for his flair in rapping and his smartness of singing to his captors, he would have been killed. The song writer in the music says he was released after singing this Boko-Haram song to the militants. This song just like the Al-kayida dance has laid its grip on almost every Ghanaian particularly the youth. As a result, some concerned citizens are calling for the ban of these music and dance. Some of the raised concerns are that these groups are noted for violence across the globe and continue to perpetuate atrocities against humanity; therefore anything associated with either of them must be treated with seriousness and not to trivialized them into social entertainment. Others also believe that entertaining Boko-Haram in Ghana might attract these militant to influence the youth to join them. Some have also argued that embracing such dances in to Ghanaian society relegates traditional dances such as Adowa, Kpanlogo and even highlife to the background. However, commenting on the issue on PeaceFM , an executive member of Musician Union of Ghana, Okyeame Kwame says he finds nothing wrong with the song. He explained that like most songs, musicians tell stories through their songs and it could be on any issue “music is expressive and it is usually based on what the song writer feel about a particular issue”. Okyeame Kwame however noted that he is a bit troubled by the Al-kayida dance rather than the Boko-Haram song and hope something done about it.

INVESTMENT IN NUTRITION IS KEY...WFP

Today the World commemorate World Food Day, one of United Nations annual events. As this day brings to mind, a focus on food. And to take a look at who gets food not just food, but balance and nutritious diet. It is estimated that, more than 842 million people(1 in every 8 people in the world) suffer from chronic hunger. Many more people on daily basis wake up to face a day of not knowing where and how the days meal is coming from, more of these people are children and women. Although each year this day is highlighted yet it has not created the needed awareness it needs to reduce hunger rather, hunger related problems keep mounting up across the globe. In view of this, the Executive Director of World Food Program, Ertharin Cousin has noted that Prioritizing nutrition is a major investment sector in our collective global future. Therefore investors must place equal emphasis on food and agriculture. He further indicated that under nourished girls and boys face barriers in health, in schools performance which later affect their work efficiency. It always affect their human potential capacity to contribute to the society in which they live in. Ertharin Cousin made this known in a press release as the World commemorates World Food Day today. He said if the global community invested $1.2 billion per year on reducing micronutrient deficiencies over a-five year period, there will be much improvement in health care delivery as well as fewer child deaths and this will generate an increase in future earnings worth $15.3 billion.

MODERATE FUNERAL..PROF AWOONOR LEADS THE WAY.

The late Prof. Awoonor who was killed in a gun attack in Kenya on Saturday, September 21, 2013 was laid to rest over the weekend. Not only did he live his life as a great teacher but even in death he still gives us lessons. The mortal remains was cremated in accordance with the Professors wishes.A family source said Prof. Awoonor made some declarations on how he should be buried upon his death. He declared that the pre-burial ceremony for him should not last more than one hour. The late professor had also declared that there should not be wailing and crying at the ceremony and also indicated a particular spot at his home town, Weta in the Volta Region, where he would have a “final and eternal rest”. Guided by these wishes, the family in planning his funeral and burial rites organized a solemn ceremony to send home Professor Kofi Awoonor, the immediate past Chairman of the Council of State The strictly private ceremony, held on the wishes of the late Professor, was attended by his family members, some government officials and representatives of political parties. In a solemn way the ceremony was characterized by pouring of Libation, a prayer by Rev. F.M. Amevenku and the singing of the Methodist hymn, “When Peace Like a River”. A selection of poems authored by the late Prof. Awoonor like “ What Brought Me Here”, “Across a New Dawn”, Those Gone Ahead” and “Up in the Garden” were recited at the funeral by his family members. In times where funerals in Ghana has become extravagant and event of socialization , showing class, wealth and ones stature in life, he decided to be buried in a humbling and simple way. Something Ghanaians need to learn and emulate. The death of a dear one calls for mourning so let us stop the funeral fun-fairs of eating, drinking and dancing and respect their memory so they can rest in perfect Peace.