Wednesday, August 18, 2010

we've got BIGGER problems

Permit me one minute to leave the kitchen floor
Things are brewing, controversy galore!

In Ghana my motherland almost all is political
Of most of the issues, though silent, I still remain critical

Today for me is not such an occasion
Today I shall speak on religious political invasion

A man of God steps into the light
To engage himself in a political fight

A fight in which he has no business
Now has others queuing to bear witness

Their declaration of God's political intention
Has my brow furrowed in consternation

Friday, August 13, 2010

Me Against the World

Suggestive silence. The bane my of existence:
To look but never find. To call but never be answered.
To wonder with no destination. To ponder with no idea.

I cover my eyes from the blinding sun and I stare as far as my eyes can see:
A vast horizon. Possibilities of emptiness.
Promise of nothing. Adventure into a void.

To travel I muster courage and take that very first step:
Forward towards the past. Advancing to the back.
Pacing to regression. Heading for retreat.

I stop to think of my journey thus far, an endeavor without end:
Lost in discovery. Forgotten in remembrance.
Ignored in recognition. Grieving in happiness.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

The Average Ghanaian

Who, do you consider to be an average Ghanaian?



A man with a steady job earning between 1,000 and 1,500 Ghana Cedis a month?

A man with a car which he drives on the regular?

A man who shares a two bedroom flat with a friend so that he may defray cost and save more?

A man who eats out regularly at between 6-8 Ghana Cedis a plate?

A man who if he so chooses travels internationally once a year?



or



A man with a part-time job earning between 150-400 Ghana Cedis a month?

A man who takes the occasional taxi but moves primarily on tro-tros (commuters)?

A man who rents a small a single room which he shares with his wife and child?

A man who always eats at home or from the 'corner caterer' for less that 2 Ghana Cedis a day?

A man who has seen neither the inside of a plane nor the 'Welcome To...' arc of a neighbouring country?



or



A man who does odd jobs here and there for what ever is given to him?

A man who takes the occasional trotro but primarily walks to his destinations?

A man who has a kiosk or rents a mat when the sun turns in?

A man who survives on sporadic meals?

A man who thinks of travel only as a means to take him back to the bosom of his village?



....or is there yet another man who forms the benchmark of the average Ghanaian?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Today was a Good Day

while the sun shines, do make hay

while you are young, be merry and gay

when you are thankful, rejoice and say

My goodness; today was a good day

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I Told You So

You say you want to

I say, don't try

You say you'll have to

I say, you'll cry

You say you need to

All I do is sigh

You say you love me

I say, bye bye!

What do you see?

Black and white, shades of grey
green, green grass, bales of hay

the sweet smell of rain, cometh the monsoon
a beautiful house, boy locked in his room

a nice shiny car, blood sweat and tears
a nice shiny car, shattered dreams full of fears

religion in issue, clashes and destruction
smiling politicians, broken promises and seduction

a child's imaginary friend, neglect and confusion
a fat man with cake, gastric bypass operation

a couple holding hands, beatings and bruises
an F for math, female student refuses
an African nation, a people in strife
an African president, a country for a wife

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

...sometimes Music and Movies don't mix!

Watching the Dark Knight for the 3rd time I was joined by my elder sister who has the knack for asking too many questions about movies she would never watch.

- Oh, that’s BATMAN!

She says..

- Yes it is.

I reply...

- Why is he doing that?

- ‘cos he is a hero

- But he’s hurting them…

She exclaims…

- They’re bad people I reply

- Well that’s not very ‘hero-like’ is it?

To my relief she remembers she is cooking and leaves. However she returns later with yet another barrage of incessant questions much to my dismay

- Who’s that, and what happened to his face?

- Harvey Dent a.k.a Two Face. He was burnt.

She paused and proceeded in a enquiring tone…

- ….Two Face Shakur?


I smiled in silence.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Get Down On It!

R2Bees, 'I Dey Mad OH!' resonates from the speakers.
she took to the dance floor, her jewellery shining, her smile widening.
her enthusiasm, overwhelming.
her moves made my eyebrows inch closer to my hairline.
she was bobbing like a snake and shaking like a leaf.
as she 'went down' her arms reached for the sky and her bottom almost touched the ground!
shouts and whoops echoed from her peers, shock and disbelief evident from mine.

she has told me on many an occasion, 'the music you young people listen to today is trash, nothing like the good 'rhythms' of the old days. how can you even dance to it?'

Once she catches her breath all ask my grand-aunt the same question.