Circumspecte

It's been over three years since Ghana first struck (black) gold in June 2007 , and while the euphoria around the find has somewhat diminished, most Ghanaians still have high hopes for our "new" resource. Then, as now, I am highly skeptical about our oil find and probably more pessimistic than optimistic about its potential for growing Ghana's economy. Until now, I've kept pretty mum about the issue, but given that the first production of oil is set to start next month - in a couple of days - I think it's time to break the silence. While there is no set formula for development, many economists turn to income level to determine growth in an economy. Others would also look at education, health, the influence of technology and so on as determinants. With regards to Ghana, I believe that henceforth, our development will be greatly influenced by what I'd like to introduce as the oil-gas coefficient. So there you have it people, a historic moment is upon us. ...

Inspired by Ntozake Shange's Somebody Almost Walked Off With Alla My Stuff in "For Colored Girls (Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Was Enough)". See: http://africaknows.com/mu/blog/2010/01/destroyed-illegal-settlements-4/ Disclaimer: It's meant to be a parody, so please, don't take it too seriously lol. [Originally posted on Facebook on Nov. 8] -- Somebody tried to walk away with alla my stuff Expected me to sit there, smile sweetly, and just GIVE them alla my stuff Figured since they'd done it time and again, it would be as easy as pie Ha! Little did they know they had another thing comin' Somebody tried to walk away with alla my stuff But THIS time, I chased them down that street and beat them on the head Latched my non-existent claws into their shoulders and hang on for dear life Balled my fists into sledgehammers and hammer away I did For the first time, second, and oh for thinkn' there would be a third Somebody tried to walk ...

So, today's a special day in the Islamic Calendar. It's the day of Arafat - a day when all the Hajj pilgrims descend upon Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia under a state of "Ihram" (purity) and commune one on one with Allah. It's an open doorway to the heavenly chamber where gratitude, asking for forgiveness, committing oneself and praying for anything really rule supreme. Mount Arafat has a huge significance in Islam. It is believed that Adam and Eve found each other at that location after being cast out of paradise. It is also believed that Judgement Day will take place at that very mount. Perhaps, the most important thing about Mount Arafat for the world's millions of Muslims is the fact that it was on that very mountain that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) "perfected" Islam with his final sermon. For my Muslim brothers and sisters, I believe this is a great reminder about our rights and responsibilities as Muslims, and for how we should lead our lives. Fo...

Salam (Peace Be Unto You)! This post was supposed to be a quickly copied article or embedded video on Eid-ul-Adha (The Festival of Sacrifice), but after some thought I decided to just write an entire post on Islam's second most important festival. Besides, it's been a minute since I wrote a good letter, and given how far we've come since my last Islam-related post during Ramadan, I believe I owe God one. However, before I get into all the juicy details about the different shapes, sizes and aromas of the succulent lamb chops that grace Eid, I'd like to talk a bit about another equally important event in Islam - and probably the singular largest gathering of people in the world - that is sometimes overlooked in the haste for the Eid holiday: the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. The Fifth Pillar of Islam: Hajj Islam has five pillars or foundations that each Muslim is required (or should I say tries their best) to follow: Khalimat Shahaddah (bearing witness to the Oneness of ...

This piece is an excerpt from Paulo Coelho's "Stories for Parents, Children and Grandchildren" and it's definitely one of my favorites! Great comfort for when things don't go the way you might want them to, and also a good reminder about being thankful for whatever good comes your way without being too attached. Enjoy! --   A Traditional Sufi Story Many years ago, in a poor Chinese village, there lived a farmer and his son. His only material possession, apart from the land and a small hut, was a horse he had inherited from his father. One day, the horse ran away, leaving the man with no animal with which to work the land. His neighbours, who respected him for his honesty and diligence, went to his house to say how much they regretted his loss.  He thanked them for their visit, but asked: 'How do you know that what happened was a misfortune in my life?' Someone muttered to a friend: 'He obviously doesn't want to face facts, but let him think...