Circumspecte

Dear Registered Voter, In less than 5 days, it will be election day, or as some call it, the day of accountability. We have prepared for this day for months, been subjected to endless bickering by some politicians, and, have gained insight into the men and women who have brought themselves forth to serve our great nation through leadership. It might not seem like it, but you, dear registered voter, have the opportunity of a lifetime. The opportunity to select Ghana's next leader and to help steer the course of our immediate future. For our country's sake, don't take that opportunity for granted. Many Ghanaians, myself included, do not have that opportunity, and as a result, cannot participate in this solemn duty to our motherland. Nobody should be telling you who to vote for, but we can only implore you to do your best in choosing Ghana's new path and the people who will lead us on it. You might think your vote doesn't count. After all, what's one vote out...

Khalil Gibran is one of my favorite poets/writers. I believe his piece "The New Frontier" rings true for Ghana, L'Afrique today. Changes in [ ] are mine: The New Frontier There are in [Ghana/Africa] today two challenging ideas: old and new. The old ideas will vanish because they are weak and exhausted. There is in [Ghana/Africa] an awakening that defies slumber. This awakening will conquer because the sun is its leader and the dawn is its army. In the fields of [Gha na/Africa], which have been a large burial ground, stand the youth of Spring calling the occupants of the sepulchers to rise and march toward the new frontiers. When the Spring sings its hymns the dead of the [harmattan] rise, shed their shrouds and march forward. There is on the horizon of [Ghana/Africa] a new awakening; it is growing and expanding; it is reaching and engulfing all sensitive, intelligent souls; it is penetrating and gaining all the sympathy of noble hearts. [Ghana/Africa] tod...

"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it." - The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) Finally, after numerous allusions on this site, I get to introduce you to a project I've been personally involved in since returning home to Ghana. As you know, our dear continent (Africa) has undergone many challenges over the years, some of which seem to get worse by the minute. In the midst of all of that however, there has always been the resilience and sheer force of the African spirit that refuses to buckle under all the pressure. Many times I've listened to friends, colleagues, coworkers, family, acquaintainces and even strangers talk about how they would rather NOT be doing what they are doing (I believe the term used is 'day job') and would rather be pursuing something else entirely (their passion/dream). Why DON'T they? Family pressure, financial contraints, fear, unpreparedness, insecurity, time, age, lack of motivation, doubt; the li...

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. ...