I spent the weekend of 5 and 6 March 2011 dabbling in two of my delights: spending time with the youth in Cape Coast and ministering with Joyful Way Incorporated in Takoradi, now christened Oil City or OilKrom.
I was a priviledged to be invited by Nhyira Foundation to speak at the Gathering of Visioneers Conference in Capec Coast, bringing together pupils and students from Junior High and Senior High Schools in and around Cape Coast.
It was not all talk, though. We had some good music. On the bill was Michael Oware Sakyi, aka OJ. I had heard a couple of his soings but had neither seen nor heard him live. Two of his popular songs are Obi Nya W'aye and Koso Na Koso, which he released in 2003. I was impressed with him.
Before singing his last song for the afternoon, OJ shared with us his story, where he had come from, how far God had brought him, how his experiences and desires combined to make him who he had become, and provoked our thoughts that God had made each one of us unique. Then he sang Obi Nya W'aye, loosely translated from Akan as 'someone wishes he/she was like you'. He asked us to sit quietly and listen to the lyrics. It was good advice.
The story is told of a man, let's call him Kwame Nkrabia, who was so frustrated with life, his lack of success,and the non-achievement of his dreams that he decided to end it all. He was broke, in debt, with no hope of recovery. After begging for a few months, he felt he didn't even have the strength to go on begging. One day, he left town, to hang himself.
Finding a forest area, Nkrabia selected a tree whose branches were strong enough to ensure the rope held. To delay any chances of his body being found, he decided to remove his clothes, leaving only his underpants. As he tied the noose, he detected some human activity in the undergrowth. With amazement, he saw a man kneeling by his discarded, tattered clothes, carefully folding them, whilst muttering a prayer for a good find. Nkrabea aborted his suicide mission.
Someone gave a testimony of expressing gratitude and appreciating that his lack of shoes was not that bleak, considering some had no feet. In secondary school, any time I was broke with no food in the chop box, I could thank God that I was able to eat in the dining hall, fresh food, not like the sopi boys who came from the nearby villages to help in the pantry so they could go home with the leftover food, what we discarded - actually not much so the sopi boys had to sweep the tables to take the crumbs and spills from our plates, literally.
It is good to compare yourself to your peers, to calibrate, so as to encourage yourself to do more. But we should always remember that our paths in life are different. Even twins don't have the same characteristics, a friend reminded me at work this week. Even Siamese twins disagree on what to do from time to time.
As my friend Dr Bisi Onoviran said, "you shouldnt compare yourself to others - they are more screwed up than you think."
There is always someone who will admire something in you, wishing to be you. Who you are today is someone's dream.
But that is not to say you have to remain at this point. You can only become better from today, as you keep on. But the journey forward is enhanced with a positive appreciation of the path you have trodden, lessons learnt and gratitude of the present. It is only then that you can practise what Eugene V Debs called 'intelligent discontent' which he stated "is the mainspring of civilization". That discontent which says "I am grateful for what I am, but I can be more".
Action Exercise
What is eating you up? Could it have been worse? Reflect and take action to improve, to go ahead, to be better.
Quotes
"I am content with what I have, little be it, or much." John Bunyan
"It is not being out of heels that makes a man discontented, it is being out at heart. To be contented is to be good friends with yourself." Bliss Carman
"All our discontents spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have." Daniel Defoe
"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." Benjamin Franklin
"It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are." James Mackintosh
"It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time." Winston Churchill
"Envy is ever joined with the comparing of a man's self, and where there is no comparison, no envy." Francis Bacon
"There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state to another, another more." Alexandre Dumas
"He that is born to be hanged shall never be drowned." French proverb
Mar 21, 2011
Jan 2, 2011
My 2010 Awards
This is very eclectic. Enjoy and Happy New Year!
1. Most publicized job: Foot-soldier.
2. The most misunderstood statement: "There are many ways to kill a cat."
3. The most popular charge: "Causing fear and panic."
4. The most consistent utility company: Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). You could always count on them to disappoint.
5. The most popular new word: Suarez. Wikileaks was a close second.
6. The most popular passenger: Amina.
7. Most popular make of bus: Yutong. (courtesy Abraham Nebu Adomah)
8. The most popular social commentator: Nana Darkwa.
9. The busiest service unit: Ghana Fire Service. The success rate was, however, low.
10. The most silent politician: Dr. Edward Mahama
11. The most soothing and well-received political promise: "2011 is a Year of Action". We had been expecting that statement for two years. Better late than never.
12. The most discussed publication: "Better Ghana Agenda Top 50 Achievements" of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills-led government in his first two years in office. A number of the achievements are on-going, yet to be completed. And some of the projects are going...slow.
13. Arrest of the year: the arrest of Shakespeare Ofori-Atta by the Ahenfie Police of the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin. Shakespeare Ofori-Atta, together with some other executives of the NDC in the constituency, in an interview on Peacefm’s “Kokrokoo”, threatened to visit violence, fire and brimstone on the newly assigned NHIS Manager to the area, Mr. Daniel Adjei Danjuma, should he dare enter his office to perform any duties. The arrest of the Tuobodom chief by Techiman youth came a close second.
14. The most popular abbreviation: STX.
15. The most talked about commodity: Oil.
16. The most hesitant aspirant: Nana Konadu. Will she stand for the NDC Flagbearership or not? Still not clear.
17. The most challenged group: Alliance for Responsible Opposition (AFRO). They experienced more opposition within their ranks, leading to suggestions to form another group: Alliance to Keep AFRO Together (AKAFROT).
18. The busiest actor: Agya Koo.
19. The promise most expected to be fulfilled: "We shalll appeal!" Made various times by the Attorney General.
20. The most listened-to politician: JJ Rawlings. Everyone listens to his speeches, even when some know they may not like what he says.
21. Politican loss of the year: Uncle Dan Lartey's death (29 Dec 09 but felt in 2010). I miss him, sincerely. Theresa Amerley Tagoe's death came a close second.
22. The most anticipated date: 15 December, when first production of Ghana's Jubilee oil took place.
23. The most secret naming ceremony: The change of name/restoration of name/putting up of signage - Jubilee House called Flagstaff House.
24. The most consistent TV station: GTV. Nothing has changed since I stopped wearing napkins, the one that used pins to hold intact.
25. The most anticipated death (Africa): President Yar-Adua of Nigeria. His aides told us he was getting well and started jogging when no one believed them.
26. Team of the year: Chelsea...of Berekum.
27. The most scarce product: LP gas.
28. My inspirer of the year: Farida Nana Efua Bedwei. It was a pleasure meeting her face-to-face this year.
29. Preacher of the year: Pastor Mensah-Otabil. His sermon "By Wisdom a House is Built" is one of the best I have ever read.
30. The worst excuse: Joshua Clottey's poorly timed meal of Banku and okro stew with kawe. (Courtesy: Genevieve Parker)
31. Gossips of the year: Two Members of Parliament (names withheld). One said: "I saw the Minority leader threw his hands at you as the Speaker," and the other said "Mr. Speaker, I overheard Hon. Hackman say you are not correct." In both instances, Hon. Doe Adjaho was in the Speaker's seat.
32. Absentee worker of the year: The Speaker of Parliament.
33. Best poetry line heard: "You said I was your heartbeat; are you still breathing? Because I just died." From a poem by Ama Asantewaa at Ehalakasa Talk Party
34. Political toonoo/toke of the year: Gbagbo. [Gbagbo taw) ni 3gbo!] Best proverb that describes what he is doing was heard on BBC: "Only a foolish monkey climbs a tree in a burning forest."
35. Footballer of the Year: Asamoah Gyan. My lesson from Asamoah Gyan's progress: never listen to naysayers, including your own doubts. The journey from reject to elect is powered by belief, persistence and hardwork.
36. Boxer of the Year: Joseph Agbeko
37. The upgraded language in town: SLAFA - Suddenly & Locally Acquired Foreign Accent.
38. My satirist of the year: Francis Qouphy Obirikorang.
39. My best indigenous quote of the year: "Let's thank God and think." Pastor Mensah Otabil. This one came close too: "The mind of the ant is bigger than the ant-hill, afterall it [the ant] created the ant-hill." Prof Atukwei Okai
40. Political gaffe of the year: Tie between - Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, John Jinapur and John Mahama. Rojo - For insulting Nurses; Jinapor for denying his boss, the Vice President, had signed a letter even before speaking to his boss, only to change his statement a few hours later; John Mahama - For his "Baloney" statement (Courtesy Kotei Neequaye, I added the Jinapor one).
41. The most debated word: Collateralization.
42. "Agyeeeeiiii" moment of the year: When Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty. Very very close second: when Suarez pushed the ball from the net.
43. The most forgotten Prophet: Apraku (my daughter) (courtesy Kwaku Sonny)
44. Biggest false alarm of the year: Ghana's so called earthquake. (courtesy Sandi Nartey)
1. Most publicized job: Foot-soldier.
2. The most misunderstood statement: "There are many ways to kill a cat."
3. The most popular charge: "Causing fear and panic."
4. The most consistent utility company: Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). You could always count on them to disappoint.
5. The most popular new word: Suarez. Wikileaks was a close second.
6. The most popular passenger: Amina.
7. Most popular make of bus: Yutong. (courtesy Abraham Nebu Adomah)
8. The most popular social commentator: Nana Darkwa.
9. The busiest service unit: Ghana Fire Service. The success rate was, however, low.
10. The most silent politician: Dr. Edward Mahama
11. The most soothing and well-received political promise: "2011 is a Year of Action". We had been expecting that statement for two years. Better late than never.
12. The most discussed publication: "Better Ghana Agenda Top 50 Achievements" of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills-led government in his first two years in office. A number of the achievements are on-going, yet to be completed. And some of the projects are going...slow.
13. Arrest of the year: the arrest of Shakespeare Ofori-Atta by the Ahenfie Police of the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin. Shakespeare Ofori-Atta, together with some other executives of the NDC in the constituency, in an interview on Peacefm’s “Kokrokoo”, threatened to visit violence, fire and brimstone on the newly assigned NHIS Manager to the area, Mr. Daniel Adjei Danjuma, should he dare enter his office to perform any duties. The arrest of the Tuobodom chief by Techiman youth came a close second.
14. The most popular abbreviation: STX.
15. The most talked about commodity: Oil.
16. The most hesitant aspirant: Nana Konadu. Will she stand for the NDC Flagbearership or not? Still not clear.
17. The most challenged group: Alliance for Responsible Opposition (AFRO). They experienced more opposition within their ranks, leading to suggestions to form another group: Alliance to Keep AFRO Together (AKAFROT).
18. The busiest actor: Agya Koo.
19. The promise most expected to be fulfilled: "We shalll appeal!" Made various times by the Attorney General.
20. The most listened-to politician: JJ Rawlings. Everyone listens to his speeches, even when some know they may not like what he says.
21. Politican loss of the year: Uncle Dan Lartey's death (29 Dec 09 but felt in 2010). I miss him, sincerely. Theresa Amerley Tagoe's death came a close second.
22. The most anticipated date: 15 December, when first production of Ghana's Jubilee oil took place.
23. The most secret naming ceremony: The change of name/restoration of name/putting up of signage - Jubilee House called Flagstaff House.
24. The most consistent TV station: GTV. Nothing has changed since I stopped wearing napkins, the one that used pins to hold intact.
25. The most anticipated death (Africa): President Yar-Adua of Nigeria. His aides told us he was getting well and started jogging when no one believed them.
26. Team of the year: Chelsea...of Berekum.
27. The most scarce product: LP gas.
28. My inspirer of the year: Farida Nana Efua Bedwei. It was a pleasure meeting her face-to-face this year.
29. Preacher of the year: Pastor Mensah-Otabil. His sermon "By Wisdom a House is Built" is one of the best I have ever read.
30. The worst excuse: Joshua Clottey's poorly timed meal of Banku and okro stew with kawe. (Courtesy: Genevieve Parker)
31. Gossips of the year: Two Members of Parliament (names withheld). One said: "I saw the Minority leader threw his hands at you as the Speaker," and the other said "Mr. Speaker, I overheard Hon. Hackman say you are not correct." In both instances, Hon. Doe Adjaho was in the Speaker's seat.
32. Absentee worker of the year: The Speaker of Parliament.
33. Best poetry line heard: "You said I was your heartbeat; are you still breathing? Because I just died." From a poem by Ama Asantewaa at Ehalakasa Talk Party
34. Political toonoo/toke of the year: Gbagbo. [Gbagbo taw) ni 3gbo!] Best proverb that describes what he is doing was heard on BBC: "Only a foolish monkey climbs a tree in a burning forest."
35. Footballer of the Year: Asamoah Gyan. My lesson from Asamoah Gyan's progress: never listen to naysayers, including your own doubts. The journey from reject to elect is powered by belief, persistence and hardwork.
36. Boxer of the Year: Joseph Agbeko
37. The upgraded language in town: SLAFA - Suddenly & Locally Acquired Foreign Accent.
38. My satirist of the year: Francis Qouphy Obirikorang.
39. My best indigenous quote of the year: "Let's thank God and think." Pastor Mensah Otabil. This one came close too: "The mind of the ant is bigger than the ant-hill, afterall it [the ant] created the ant-hill." Prof Atukwei Okai
40. Political gaffe of the year: Tie between - Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, John Jinapur and John Mahama. Rojo - For insulting Nurses; Jinapor for denying his boss, the Vice President, had signed a letter even before speaking to his boss, only to change his statement a few hours later; John Mahama - For his "Baloney" statement (Courtesy Kotei Neequaye, I added the Jinapor one).
41. The most debated word: Collateralization.
42. "Agyeeeeiiii" moment of the year: When Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty. Very very close second: when Suarez pushed the ball from the net.
43. The most forgotten Prophet: Apraku (my daughter) (courtesy Kwaku Sonny)
44. Biggest false alarm of the year: Ghana's so called earthquake. (courtesy Sandi Nartey)
Dec 24, 2010
Time Management for Academic Excellence and Personal Aspirations – Speech at Youth Seminar
MYP CONFERENCE 2010 – YOUTH SEMINAR BY INFO-PRO AFRICA IN CONJUNCTION WITH CRYSTAL YOUTH MINISTRY
TOPIC: TIME MANAGEMENT – FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS
18 DECEMBER 2010 – AUDITORIUM OF CALVARY CATHEDRAL INT., KWASHIEMAN, ACCRA
One of my passions is to encourage young people, to share my experiences with them, to provoke them to believe, rightly so, that they can do more than their limited expectations.
I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday morning with a mentor of mine a month ago. In our discussion about how we can step-change the pace of development in our country and continent, he told me the secret is in Romans 12:2:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
See, it all begins in the mind. Your biggest asset is your mind. Today, as we spend time discussing time management, if you will not accept those thoughts I share intellectually, with your mind and decide to take action, with your mind, today will just be an occurrence.
The African is capable beyond what we have demonstrated so far. Kwame Nkrumah stated “And as I pointed out… I made it quite clear that from now on – today – we must change our attitudes, our minds; we must realize that from now on, we are no more a colonial but a free and independent people. But also, as I pointed out, that also entails hard work. That new African is ready to fight his own battles and show that after all, the black man is capable of managing his own affairs. We are going to demonstrate to the world, to the other nations, that we are prepared to lay our own foundation.”
About 50 years later, we haven’t demonstrated that much. Yaw Nsarkoh, another mentor of mine, who is currently the Managing Director of Unilever East and Southern Africa, remarked to my team recently that “Africans have still not accepted that we can be as good as anyone else.”
That is why I am always excited to speak to young people, and I seek to provoke us all, that we are the game-changing generation for our continent and country. We cannot join in the chant of our predecessors; we cannot think at the same level, we cannot go at the same pace. We are the generation with the greatest exposure to what better conditions can be like – let’s replicate it here. We know what it a country that takes action looks like – let’s cut the long talk. We know not just the potential but the actual position this nation can spring to – let’s get working.
Furthermore, one of my cardinal philosophies is that you have not started living until you live your life for someone else as well, imparting into someone, changing at least one more life. Every instance in your life is an opportunity to impact someone's life and to be impacted as well. No moment is insignificant. If you invest in someone's life at any moment, you have no idea what that person may turn out to be and what your seed will turn into. A chance meeting with a fellow prisoner and interpreting his dream was all that was needed to bring Joseph's name to the attention of the Pharaoh of Egypt.
So when Daniel Oberko contacted me through a mutual friend that he would want me to be here today, I didn’t hesitate at all. Thanks, Daniel, and thanks y’all for having me.
I am in my mid thirties; I am married with three children: two boys and one girl. I am married to lovely Vivian, who has been a wonderful wife to me and a great mother to our children. I work with Unilever Ghana Limited as a Research and Development Technical Manager. I am a Chemical Engineer.
I also write. Excursions In My Mind, my first book, was launched in 2008. My second book Through the Gates of Thought was released this year in April and launched in Accra on 5 November. Both books are available in Ghana and also online through Amazon and other outlets globally.
I instigate thoughts; I provoke people with my writing. But I am primarily a storyteller. I like to tell stories of my life, what I have learnt, what I have gather through my reading and through that derive lessons for myself and for my readers.
Recently, I attended a function that had the Vice-President of Ghana in attendance. It was the first time I had seen him at close range, and it felt cool.
The start time advertised on the ticket was 6.30pm. I spent the morning with my two sons visiting some friends and family and got back home around 2.00pm. At 3.00pm, I went to the bedroom to take a nap, telling my wife wake me up at 4.30pm, so I could dress and leave home at 5.30pm for the program, which was taking place in Accra. I usually give myself an hour to drive from Tema to Accra for functions. I had a very deep sleep, and Vivian woke me up a few minutes to 6 pm. I guess she saw how tired I was and decided to have mercy on my soul!
Anyway, I was on my way soon enough and got to the venue of the program just before 7pm. The Vice-President arrived soon after I did.
A few minutes after 7pm, one of the masters-of-ceremonies (MC) came on stage and called the meeting to order. He then invited a pastor to give the opening prayer, after which the chairman for the occasion was introduced. The speech by the chairman, in response to the introduction, was delivered with fervor and the message was apt, relevant to the theme for the celebration.
The MC came back on stage just as the chairman was ending his speech and told the chairman, and us all, that we were supposed to have been on air (TV, I guessed) at 7pm, but we were still not on air, so he would have a contract with the chairman to call him back on stage to give his speech again, for the benefit of the nation! Yaw Nsarkoh, once said that sometimes we have to laugh at outrageous occurrences to prevent us from laughing. I laughed at the incredulity of the suggestion!
Dinner was served, and at 8.30pm, the MC called up the pastor to repeat the opening prayer, the chairman was introduced again, and the chairman repeated his speech! I was really impressed that the chairman delivered with even greater passion (well my companions at my table indicated that he had just eaten).
The event closed eventually at 12.30 am. We had been in the hall for five and a half hours, and it was an awards program. I wondered why we couldn’t do it in two hours, really. And was it the most cost effective use of executive time, of the Vice-President’s time? I also wondered why the start time was advertised as 6.30pm when it was clear that the actual event would begin at 8.30 pm? Was it because it was envisaged that the invited guests would be late, so let the time be given two clear hours to make allowance for lateness? Was it just to get us there to eat and wait for the actual start time?
A couple of months ago, I attended an annual general meeting which started at 11 am, even though the invite indicated 10 am to start. Why?
If you invite me to a meeting, and you know it will start an hour late, give me the time plus that hour, so I am on time. I was in a meeting when someone came an hour later than the time the meeting was to start. The meeting did start an hour late, anyway, so when the person was queried, he quipped “I know I am late, but I am on time!” I didn’t find the remark funny.
The theme for today is: Time Management for Academic Excellence and Personal Aspirations. In my view, two qualities of a serious person suffice: the person keeps to time and keeps his/her promises. I like the topic, because if we are to change Ghana, one important commodity we need to start treating with respect is time. We need to change our attitude towards time. We must appreciate time.
The precarious state of our nation is even bleaker when viewed against the backdrop of our lack of urgency, acting as if time is an unlimited resource. To borrow from Loren Eiseley, we need to refine our sense of time, to upgrade our appreciation of this resource and utilize it profitably. Philip D Stanhope speaks my mind when he says: “Know the true value of time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination.”
First a broad definition: Time management refers to a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope[1].
Let’s now discuss some tips about time management[2].
1) Realize that time management is a myth
No matter how organized we are, there are always only 24 hours in a day. Time doesn't change. All we can actually manage is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have. If you don’t respect time, no time management tool can help you. Therefore, the right phrase is ‘Personal Management’. When you effectively manage yourself, you automatically manage the time you have.
In discussing this issue of lack of respect for time with George Owusu-Ansah, a senior colleague in Unilever, now working in Singapore, he told me that in an environment where nothing is predictable, people tend to make and accept excuses and then arriving late at a meeting becomes a norm, not an aberration. He went further to say that for the couple of years he has lived in Singapore, he has never spent more than thirty minutes driving to work from home. Such predictability makes for good planning. As a nation, we have to think about managing our traffic, our roads, and thus, our time. It takes me fifteen minutes to drive to Tema from home without traffic, with normal traffic, forty-five minutes is average. I have spent two hours making the same trip some days.
But that is not within your control. So plan ahead of time; setting off 15 minutes earlier, on a journey that can take you 15minutes, could save you an hour in traffic and perhaps give you 30 minutes to do something beneficial.
According to George Matthew Adams, “We cannot waste time. We can only waste ourselves.”
2) Find out where you're wasting time
Many of us are prey to time-wasters that steal time we could be using much more productively. What are your time-bandits? Do you spend too much time 'Net surfing, reading email, or making personal calls?’
Most people waste too much of their time and hence do not have time! Absurd, right? Wasting time whilst complaining of not having time. We do not really utilize leisure or ‘free’ periods wisely.
Spend some time to do a tracking of your daily activities, so you can form an accurate picture of what you actually do, the first step to effective time management.
Victor Hugo said that ‘short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time.’
Generally as a people, we should reduce the hours we spend during functions, cut off frivolities and use time more effectively. A four-hour church service can easily be over in two hours if we cut off the lengthy announcements and just paste them on the notice board, giving only the highlights during the notices. I used to visit an Assemblies of God church in Nottingham. The entire service took two hours – from the welcome session, praise and worship time, testimonies, music ministration, sermon and announcement, and enough time to twaa tea at the end of service! All in two hours. And I always felt well-fed and nurtured spiritually (and physically) after service. Most churches in Sikaman have a lot to learn, to cut down the time wastage we exhibit every Sunday. Many programs, especially our music concerts, are guilty of this.
3) Create time management goals
Remember, the focus of time management is actually changing your behaviors, not changing time. A good place to start is by eliminating your personal time-wasters. For one week, for example, set a goal that you're not going to take personal phone calls while you're working.
4) Implement a time management plan
Think of this as an extension of time management tip # 3. The objective is to change your behaviors over time to achieve whatever general goal you've set for yourself, such as increasing your productivity or your grades. So you need to not only set your specific goals, but track them over time to see whether or not you're accomplishing them.
Your goals should be recorded and broken down into a project, an action plan, or a simple task list. For individual tasks or for goals, an importance rating may be established, deadlines may be set, and priorities assigned. This process results in a plan with a task list or a schedule or calendar of activities.
5) Use time management tools
The first step to physically managing your time is to know where it's going now and planning how you're going to spend your time in the future. A software program such as Outlook or the calendar on your phone, for instance, lets you schedule events easily and can be set to remind you of events in advance, making your time management easier.
Get into the habit of creating a to-do list at the beginning of the week and for each day; this helps to keep all the activities in focus. Review them at the end of each day and each week, to monitor your progress and what needs to be done later.
Task list organization
Task lists are often tiered or in layers. The simplest tiered system includes a general to-do list (or task-holding file) to record all the tasks the person needs to accomplish, and a daily to-do list which is created each day by transferring tasks from the general to-do list.
6) Prioritize ruthlessly
You should start each day with a time management session prioritizing the tasks for that day and setting your performance benchmark. If you have 20 tasks for a given day, how many of them do you truly need to accomplish?
An early advocate of "ABC" prioritization was Alan Lakein. In his system "A" items were the most important ("A-1" the most important within that group), "B" next most important, "C" least important.
A particular method of applying the ABC method assigns "A" to tasks to be done within a day, "B" a week, and "C" a month.
To prioritize a daily task list, one either records the tasks in the order of highest priority, or assigns them a number after they are listed ("1" for highest priority, "2" for second highest priority, etc.) which indicates in which order to execute the tasks. The latter method is generally faster, allowing the tasks to be recorded more quickly.
Realize that you have only 24 hours and you may not be able to do everything. Apply the Pareto principle: which is the top 20% of the activities that will have 80% impact on your output/performance/achievement?
A completely different approach which argues against prioritizing altogether was put forward by British author Mark Forster in his book "Do It Tomorrow and Other Secrets of Time Management". This is based on the idea of operating "closed" to-do lists, instead of the traditional "open" to-do list. He argues that the traditional never-ending to-do lists virtually guarantees that some of your work will be left undone. This approach advocates getting all your work done, every day, and if you are unable to achieve it helps you diagnose where you are going wrong and what needs to change.
7) Learn to delegate
No matter how small your business is, there's no need for you to be a one-person show. For effective time management, you need to let other people carry some of the load.
8) Establish routines and stick to them as much as possible
While crises will arise, you'll be much more productive if you can follow routines most of the time.
9) Get in the habit of setting time limits for tasks
For instance, reading and answering email can consume your whole day if you let it. Instead, set a limit of one hour a day for this task and stick to it.
10) Be sure your systems are organized
Are you wasting a lot of time looking for files on your computer? Take the time to organize a file management system. Is your filing system slowing you down? Redo it, so it's organized to the point that you can quickly lay your hands on what you need. An organized office can save time spent in looking for an item.
11) Don't waste time waiting or idling
From client meetings to dentist appointments, it's impossible to avoid waiting for someone or something. But you don't need to just sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Always take something to do with you, such as a report you need to read, a checkbook that needs to be balanced, or just a blank pad of paper that you can use to plan your next marketing campaign. Technology makes it easy to work wherever you are; your PDA and/or cell phone will help you stay connected.
Let’s do an exercise now. For those of us who spend lots of time in traffic driving, if you spend an average of two (2) hours in traffic each day, that translates to 14 hours (weekly) on the basis of seven days a week and 728 hours for a 52-week year. That translates to a month of learning, on a 24-hour day basis. In four years, that will be equivalent to a full semester worth of tuition in the University. That is how much time you can gain from utilizing 2 hours a day, either listening in your car if you are driving, or reading in traffic to and from work! Stretching this, in 32 years at the same rate of 2 hours a day of learning, you would have done 8 full-University semesters and you can award yourself a Degree!
Most of the idle time is like the spaces between stones in a bucket. If you should fill those spaces with sand, the volume/weight that bucket can take will be far more. Fill the empty spaces in your day with worthwhile activities. This assertion is collaborated by Sir Henry Haddow who advised that ‘the real secret of how to use time is to pack it as you would a portmanteau, filling up the small spaces with small things.’
I have written chapters of my books waiting for someone to come to his office, waiting in an airport to board a plane; I carry books with me to read all the time, I am never bored or alone.
Philip D Stanhope recommends: “…take care of the minutes, for hours will take care of themselves.”
12) Do things promptly
Don’t touch a document or task twice, if you can treat it at once. “During a very busy life, I have often been asked ‘How did you manage to do it all?’ The answer is very simple: It is because I did everything promptly.” Sir Richard Tangye
13) Keep your promises – to yourself and to others
Keeping to one’s time is a promise honored. Keeping your promise or otherwise is a reflection of your integrity. It always amazes me how businessmen in Ghana act as if the number of times they fail to keep their promise is directly proportional to their status as crack businessmen. It gives me a very negative impression of that person. Some take your call, and promise to get back to you by email or phone, because they are engaged, in a meeting or another activity, and never get back. It is better not to promise if you know you cannot deliver, keeping to the advice by George Washington, “not [to] undertake what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.”
On a daily basis, in meetings, we promise to follow up on an action, to send an email by a certain time, to update our teams with relevant information to aid the achievement of a specific milestone. Any time we fail to deliver to such a promise, we dent our integrity, we waste time, and we fail our team and company.
Once you have made this commitment to manage yourself, keep to it. That is the only way that the first twelve tips will work.
Finally, permit me to reflect on some quotes with you:
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” Charles Buxton
“Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces and which most men throw away, but which nevertheless will make at the end of it no small deduction from the life of men.” Charles Caleb Colton
“Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” Benjamin Franklin
“Learn to use ten minutes intelligently. It will pay you huge dividends.” William A. Irwin
“The man who wastes today lamenting yesterday will waste tomorrow lamenting today.” Philip M. Raskin
“Part of our time is snatched from us, part is gently subtracted and part slides insensibly away.” Seneca
“Time is too short and the time we waste in yawning can never be regained.” Stendhal
“It is later than you think.” Sundial inscription
“The time best employed is that which we waste.” Claude Teller
“Waste of time is the most extravagant of all expense.” Theophrastus
“Most of us spend half our time wishing for things we would have if we didn’t spend half our time wishing.” Alexander Woollcott
“Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity.” Jean de la Bruyere
“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Wasted time means wasted lives.” R Shannon
“From time wasted there can be no salvage. It is the easiest of all waste and the hardest to correct because it does not litter the floor.” Henry Ford
“Be avaricious of time; do not give any moment without receiving it in value; only allow hours to go from you with as much regret as you give to your gold.” LeTourneux
“Lost, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, sixty golden minutes. Each set with sixty diamond seconds. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever.” Horace Mann
“Without the management of time, you will soon have nothing left to manage.” William D Reiff
“Thus we play the fool with time and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us.” William Shakespeare
“Life is too short, and the time we waste in yawning never can be regained.” Stendhal
“Waste of time is the most extravagant of all expense.” Theophrastus
“We must leave exactly on time. From now on everything must function to perfection.” Benito Mussolini
“The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but time.” W B Yeats
We re-denominated our cedi in 2007; perhaps, we should have done same to the Ghana Maybe Time! Indeed, time is money, time lost is never found again and we should respect it as such in this land of our birth – Sikaman. You can be in control and accomplish what you want to accomplish - once you've come to grips with the time management myth and taken control of your time.
I thank you, and God bless.
Nana Awere Damoah
October 2010
Accra, Ghana
www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
[1] Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management
[2] With input material from www.about.com
TOPIC: TIME MANAGEMENT – FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & PERSONAL ASPIRATIONS
18 DECEMBER 2010 – AUDITORIUM OF CALVARY CATHEDRAL INT., KWASHIEMAN, ACCRA
One of my passions is to encourage young people, to share my experiences with them, to provoke them to believe, rightly so, that they can do more than their limited expectations.
I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday morning with a mentor of mine a month ago. In our discussion about how we can step-change the pace of development in our country and continent, he told me the secret is in Romans 12:2:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
See, it all begins in the mind. Your biggest asset is your mind. Today, as we spend time discussing time management, if you will not accept those thoughts I share intellectually, with your mind and decide to take action, with your mind, today will just be an occurrence.
The African is capable beyond what we have demonstrated so far. Kwame Nkrumah stated “And as I pointed out… I made it quite clear that from now on – today – we must change our attitudes, our minds; we must realize that from now on, we are no more a colonial but a free and independent people. But also, as I pointed out, that also entails hard work. That new African is ready to fight his own battles and show that after all, the black man is capable of managing his own affairs. We are going to demonstrate to the world, to the other nations, that we are prepared to lay our own foundation.”
About 50 years later, we haven’t demonstrated that much. Yaw Nsarkoh, another mentor of mine, who is currently the Managing Director of Unilever East and Southern Africa, remarked to my team recently that “Africans have still not accepted that we can be as good as anyone else.”
That is why I am always excited to speak to young people, and I seek to provoke us all, that we are the game-changing generation for our continent and country. We cannot join in the chant of our predecessors; we cannot think at the same level, we cannot go at the same pace. We are the generation with the greatest exposure to what better conditions can be like – let’s replicate it here. We know what it a country that takes action looks like – let’s cut the long talk. We know not just the potential but the actual position this nation can spring to – let’s get working.
Furthermore, one of my cardinal philosophies is that you have not started living until you live your life for someone else as well, imparting into someone, changing at least one more life. Every instance in your life is an opportunity to impact someone's life and to be impacted as well. No moment is insignificant. If you invest in someone's life at any moment, you have no idea what that person may turn out to be and what your seed will turn into. A chance meeting with a fellow prisoner and interpreting his dream was all that was needed to bring Joseph's name to the attention of the Pharaoh of Egypt.
So when Daniel Oberko contacted me through a mutual friend that he would want me to be here today, I didn’t hesitate at all. Thanks, Daniel, and thanks y’all for having me.
I am in my mid thirties; I am married with three children: two boys and one girl. I am married to lovely Vivian, who has been a wonderful wife to me and a great mother to our children. I work with Unilever Ghana Limited as a Research and Development Technical Manager. I am a Chemical Engineer.
I also write. Excursions In My Mind, my first book, was launched in 2008. My second book Through the Gates of Thought was released this year in April and launched in Accra on 5 November. Both books are available in Ghana and also online through Amazon and other outlets globally.
I instigate thoughts; I provoke people with my writing. But I am primarily a storyteller. I like to tell stories of my life, what I have learnt, what I have gather through my reading and through that derive lessons for myself and for my readers.
Recently, I attended a function that had the Vice-President of Ghana in attendance. It was the first time I had seen him at close range, and it felt cool.
The start time advertised on the ticket was 6.30pm. I spent the morning with my two sons visiting some friends and family and got back home around 2.00pm. At 3.00pm, I went to the bedroom to take a nap, telling my wife wake me up at 4.30pm, so I could dress and leave home at 5.30pm for the program, which was taking place in Accra. I usually give myself an hour to drive from Tema to Accra for functions. I had a very deep sleep, and Vivian woke me up a few minutes to 6 pm. I guess she saw how tired I was and decided to have mercy on my soul!
Anyway, I was on my way soon enough and got to the venue of the program just before 7pm. The Vice-President arrived soon after I did.
A few minutes after 7pm, one of the masters-of-ceremonies (MC) came on stage and called the meeting to order. He then invited a pastor to give the opening prayer, after which the chairman for the occasion was introduced. The speech by the chairman, in response to the introduction, was delivered with fervor and the message was apt, relevant to the theme for the celebration.
The MC came back on stage just as the chairman was ending his speech and told the chairman, and us all, that we were supposed to have been on air (TV, I guessed) at 7pm, but we were still not on air, so he would have a contract with the chairman to call him back on stage to give his speech again, for the benefit of the nation! Yaw Nsarkoh, once said that sometimes we have to laugh at outrageous occurrences to prevent us from laughing. I laughed at the incredulity of the suggestion!
Dinner was served, and at 8.30pm, the MC called up the pastor to repeat the opening prayer, the chairman was introduced again, and the chairman repeated his speech! I was really impressed that the chairman delivered with even greater passion (well my companions at my table indicated that he had just eaten).
The event closed eventually at 12.30 am. We had been in the hall for five and a half hours, and it was an awards program. I wondered why we couldn’t do it in two hours, really. And was it the most cost effective use of executive time, of the Vice-President’s time? I also wondered why the start time was advertised as 6.30pm when it was clear that the actual event would begin at 8.30 pm? Was it because it was envisaged that the invited guests would be late, so let the time be given two clear hours to make allowance for lateness? Was it just to get us there to eat and wait for the actual start time?
A couple of months ago, I attended an annual general meeting which started at 11 am, even though the invite indicated 10 am to start. Why?
If you invite me to a meeting, and you know it will start an hour late, give me the time plus that hour, so I am on time. I was in a meeting when someone came an hour later than the time the meeting was to start. The meeting did start an hour late, anyway, so when the person was queried, he quipped “I know I am late, but I am on time!” I didn’t find the remark funny.
The theme for today is: Time Management for Academic Excellence and Personal Aspirations. In my view, two qualities of a serious person suffice: the person keeps to time and keeps his/her promises. I like the topic, because if we are to change Ghana, one important commodity we need to start treating with respect is time. We need to change our attitude towards time. We must appreciate time.
The precarious state of our nation is even bleaker when viewed against the backdrop of our lack of urgency, acting as if time is an unlimited resource. To borrow from Loren Eiseley, we need to refine our sense of time, to upgrade our appreciation of this resource and utilize it profitably. Philip D Stanhope speaks my mind when he says: “Know the true value of time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination.”
First a broad definition: Time management refers to a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope[1].
Let’s now discuss some tips about time management[2].
1) Realize that time management is a myth
No matter how organized we are, there are always only 24 hours in a day. Time doesn't change. All we can actually manage is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have. If you don’t respect time, no time management tool can help you. Therefore, the right phrase is ‘Personal Management’. When you effectively manage yourself, you automatically manage the time you have.
In discussing this issue of lack of respect for time with George Owusu-Ansah, a senior colleague in Unilever, now working in Singapore, he told me that in an environment where nothing is predictable, people tend to make and accept excuses and then arriving late at a meeting becomes a norm, not an aberration. He went further to say that for the couple of years he has lived in Singapore, he has never spent more than thirty minutes driving to work from home. Such predictability makes for good planning. As a nation, we have to think about managing our traffic, our roads, and thus, our time. It takes me fifteen minutes to drive to Tema from home without traffic, with normal traffic, forty-five minutes is average. I have spent two hours making the same trip some days.
But that is not within your control. So plan ahead of time; setting off 15 minutes earlier, on a journey that can take you 15minutes, could save you an hour in traffic and perhaps give you 30 minutes to do something beneficial.
According to George Matthew Adams, “We cannot waste time. We can only waste ourselves.”
2) Find out where you're wasting time
Many of us are prey to time-wasters that steal time we could be using much more productively. What are your time-bandits? Do you spend too much time 'Net surfing, reading email, or making personal calls?’
Most people waste too much of their time and hence do not have time! Absurd, right? Wasting time whilst complaining of not having time. We do not really utilize leisure or ‘free’ periods wisely.
Spend some time to do a tracking of your daily activities, so you can form an accurate picture of what you actually do, the first step to effective time management.
Victor Hugo said that ‘short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time.’
Generally as a people, we should reduce the hours we spend during functions, cut off frivolities and use time more effectively. A four-hour church service can easily be over in two hours if we cut off the lengthy announcements and just paste them on the notice board, giving only the highlights during the notices. I used to visit an Assemblies of God church in Nottingham. The entire service took two hours – from the welcome session, praise and worship time, testimonies, music ministration, sermon and announcement, and enough time to twaa tea at the end of service! All in two hours. And I always felt well-fed and nurtured spiritually (and physically) after service. Most churches in Sikaman have a lot to learn, to cut down the time wastage we exhibit every Sunday. Many programs, especially our music concerts, are guilty of this.
3) Create time management goals
Remember, the focus of time management is actually changing your behaviors, not changing time. A good place to start is by eliminating your personal time-wasters. For one week, for example, set a goal that you're not going to take personal phone calls while you're working.
4) Implement a time management plan
Think of this as an extension of time management tip # 3. The objective is to change your behaviors over time to achieve whatever general goal you've set for yourself, such as increasing your productivity or your grades. So you need to not only set your specific goals, but track them over time to see whether or not you're accomplishing them.
Your goals should be recorded and broken down into a project, an action plan, or a simple task list. For individual tasks or for goals, an importance rating may be established, deadlines may be set, and priorities assigned. This process results in a plan with a task list or a schedule or calendar of activities.
5) Use time management tools
The first step to physically managing your time is to know where it's going now and planning how you're going to spend your time in the future. A software program such as Outlook or the calendar on your phone, for instance, lets you schedule events easily and can be set to remind you of events in advance, making your time management easier.
Get into the habit of creating a to-do list at the beginning of the week and for each day; this helps to keep all the activities in focus. Review them at the end of each day and each week, to monitor your progress and what needs to be done later.
Task list organization
Task lists are often tiered or in layers. The simplest tiered system includes a general to-do list (or task-holding file) to record all the tasks the person needs to accomplish, and a daily to-do list which is created each day by transferring tasks from the general to-do list.
6) Prioritize ruthlessly
You should start each day with a time management session prioritizing the tasks for that day and setting your performance benchmark. If you have 20 tasks for a given day, how many of them do you truly need to accomplish?
An early advocate of "ABC" prioritization was Alan Lakein. In his system "A" items were the most important ("A-1" the most important within that group), "B" next most important, "C" least important.
A particular method of applying the ABC method assigns "A" to tasks to be done within a day, "B" a week, and "C" a month.
To prioritize a daily task list, one either records the tasks in the order of highest priority, or assigns them a number after they are listed ("1" for highest priority, "2" for second highest priority, etc.) which indicates in which order to execute the tasks. The latter method is generally faster, allowing the tasks to be recorded more quickly.
Realize that you have only 24 hours and you may not be able to do everything. Apply the Pareto principle: which is the top 20% of the activities that will have 80% impact on your output/performance/achievement?
A completely different approach which argues against prioritizing altogether was put forward by British author Mark Forster in his book "Do It Tomorrow and Other Secrets of Time Management". This is based on the idea of operating "closed" to-do lists, instead of the traditional "open" to-do list. He argues that the traditional never-ending to-do lists virtually guarantees that some of your work will be left undone. This approach advocates getting all your work done, every day, and if you are unable to achieve it helps you diagnose where you are going wrong and what needs to change.
7) Learn to delegate
No matter how small your business is, there's no need for you to be a one-person show. For effective time management, you need to let other people carry some of the load.
8) Establish routines and stick to them as much as possible
While crises will arise, you'll be much more productive if you can follow routines most of the time.
9) Get in the habit of setting time limits for tasks
For instance, reading and answering email can consume your whole day if you let it. Instead, set a limit of one hour a day for this task and stick to it.
10) Be sure your systems are organized
Are you wasting a lot of time looking for files on your computer? Take the time to organize a file management system. Is your filing system slowing you down? Redo it, so it's organized to the point that you can quickly lay your hands on what you need. An organized office can save time spent in looking for an item.
11) Don't waste time waiting or idling
From client meetings to dentist appointments, it's impossible to avoid waiting for someone or something. But you don't need to just sit there and twiddle your thumbs. Always take something to do with you, such as a report you need to read, a checkbook that needs to be balanced, or just a blank pad of paper that you can use to plan your next marketing campaign. Technology makes it easy to work wherever you are; your PDA and/or cell phone will help you stay connected.
Let’s do an exercise now. For those of us who spend lots of time in traffic driving, if you spend an average of two (2) hours in traffic each day, that translates to 14 hours (weekly) on the basis of seven days a week and 728 hours for a 52-week year. That translates to a month of learning, on a 24-hour day basis. In four years, that will be equivalent to a full semester worth of tuition in the University. That is how much time you can gain from utilizing 2 hours a day, either listening in your car if you are driving, or reading in traffic to and from work! Stretching this, in 32 years at the same rate of 2 hours a day of learning, you would have done 8 full-University semesters and you can award yourself a Degree!
Most of the idle time is like the spaces between stones in a bucket. If you should fill those spaces with sand, the volume/weight that bucket can take will be far more. Fill the empty spaces in your day with worthwhile activities. This assertion is collaborated by Sir Henry Haddow who advised that ‘the real secret of how to use time is to pack it as you would a portmanteau, filling up the small spaces with small things.’
I have written chapters of my books waiting for someone to come to his office, waiting in an airport to board a plane; I carry books with me to read all the time, I am never bored or alone.
Philip D Stanhope recommends: “…take care of the minutes, for hours will take care of themselves.”
12) Do things promptly
Don’t touch a document or task twice, if you can treat it at once. “During a very busy life, I have often been asked ‘How did you manage to do it all?’ The answer is very simple: It is because I did everything promptly.” Sir Richard Tangye
13) Keep your promises – to yourself and to others
Keeping to one’s time is a promise honored. Keeping your promise or otherwise is a reflection of your integrity. It always amazes me how businessmen in Ghana act as if the number of times they fail to keep their promise is directly proportional to their status as crack businessmen. It gives me a very negative impression of that person. Some take your call, and promise to get back to you by email or phone, because they are engaged, in a meeting or another activity, and never get back. It is better not to promise if you know you cannot deliver, keeping to the advice by George Washington, “not [to] undertake what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.”
On a daily basis, in meetings, we promise to follow up on an action, to send an email by a certain time, to update our teams with relevant information to aid the achievement of a specific milestone. Any time we fail to deliver to such a promise, we dent our integrity, we waste time, and we fail our team and company.
Once you have made this commitment to manage yourself, keep to it. That is the only way that the first twelve tips will work.
Finally, permit me to reflect on some quotes with you:
“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” Charles Buxton
“Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces and which most men throw away, but which nevertheless will make at the end of it no small deduction from the life of men.” Charles Caleb Colton
“Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” Benjamin Franklin
“Learn to use ten minutes intelligently. It will pay you huge dividends.” William A. Irwin
“The man who wastes today lamenting yesterday will waste tomorrow lamenting today.” Philip M. Raskin
“Part of our time is snatched from us, part is gently subtracted and part slides insensibly away.” Seneca
“Time is too short and the time we waste in yawning can never be regained.” Stendhal
“It is later than you think.” Sundial inscription
“The time best employed is that which we waste.” Claude Teller
“Waste of time is the most extravagant of all expense.” Theophrastus
“Most of us spend half our time wishing for things we would have if we didn’t spend half our time wishing.” Alexander Woollcott
“Those who make the worse use of their time are the first to complain of its brevity.” Jean de la Bruyere
“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Wasted time means wasted lives.” R Shannon
“From time wasted there can be no salvage. It is the easiest of all waste and the hardest to correct because it does not litter the floor.” Henry Ford
“Be avaricious of time; do not give any moment without receiving it in value; only allow hours to go from you with as much regret as you give to your gold.” LeTourneux
“Lost, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, sixty golden minutes. Each set with sixty diamond seconds. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever.” Horace Mann
“Without the management of time, you will soon have nothing left to manage.” William D Reiff
“Thus we play the fool with time and the spirits of the wise sit in the clouds and mock us.” William Shakespeare
“Life is too short, and the time we waste in yawning never can be regained.” Stendhal
“Waste of time is the most extravagant of all expense.” Theophrastus
“We must leave exactly on time. From now on everything must function to perfection.” Benito Mussolini
“The innocent and the beautiful have no enemy but time.” W B Yeats
We re-denominated our cedi in 2007; perhaps, we should have done same to the Ghana Maybe Time! Indeed, time is money, time lost is never found again and we should respect it as such in this land of our birth – Sikaman. You can be in control and accomplish what you want to accomplish - once you've come to grips with the time management myth and taken control of your time.
I thank you, and God bless.
Nana Awere Damoah
October 2010
Accra, Ghana
www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
[1] Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_management
[2] With input material from www.about.com
Dec 3, 2010
Due Time - will you be ready? - Speech at Youth Seminar, October 2010
ADVANTAGE 2010 – YOUTH SEMINAR BY DZORWULU ASSEMBLY OF INTERNATIONAL CENTRAL GOSPEL CHURCH (IGCG)
TOPIC: DUE TIME – WILL YOU BE READY?
30 OCTOBER 2010 – DIMPLES’ INN, ACCRA, GHANA
It is a pleasure to be here to interact with you folks, youthful men and women. I was here with some of you last year – it was the 14th of November 2009, and we reflected on the thought: Dealing with the past and opening up a great future. When Pastor Langdon (I call him Onukpa Langdon) told me just after last year’s event that he would want me to come this year, I indicated that I was game. I love being with young people, I love investing in life, I just love being able to sow a seed into someone’s life, knowing that it will grow and bear good fruit, fruit that may abide.
One of my cardinal philosophies is that you have not started living until you live your life for someone else as well, imparting into someone, changing at least one more life. “What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” asked George Elliot, and Winston Churchill summed it well for me when he said that "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Every instance in your life is an opportunity to impact someone's life and to be impacted as well. No moment is insignificant. If you invest in someone's life at any moment, you have no idea what that person may turn out to be and what your seed will turn into. A chance meeting with a fellow prisoner and interpreting his dream was all that was needed to bring Joseph's name to the attention of the Pharoah of Egypt.
So even though I arrived from Kenya yesterday after a grueling business trip, I told Pastor Raph that I will still make. I won’t give this opportunity up for all the gold in Obuasi.
I am in my mid thirties, I am married with three children: two boys and one girl; my background is Chemical Engineering. I am married to lovely Vivian, who has been a wonderful wife to me and a great mother to our children. She is an example of prayerfully appreciating that the future is not by chance, but by change. I went after her with my eyes open, knowing what exactly I wanted in a wife, having prayed for years and God blessed me with her.
I also write. Excursions In My Mind, my first book, was launched last year and is available in Ghana and also online through Amazon and other outlets globally. My second book Through the Gates of Thought was released this year in April and will be launched in Ghana next week, on 5 November. You are all cordially invited.
I instigate thoughts; I provoke people with my writing. But I am primarily a storyteller. I like to tell stories of my life, what I learn, what I have gather through my reading and through that derive lessons for myself and for my readers.
The theme for today is: Our Future – by chance or by chance. I humbly submit that it is by change. Indeed, luck has been defined as “preparation meeting opportunity”. One golfer was asked whether he was lucky in his career. His response was: “The more I practise, the luckier I get.” Today, as we reflect on this theme, I want to narrow my discussion to the sub-topic I have created: “Due time – will you be ready?”
As is characteristic of my writing and reflections, I will tell you stories gleaned from my life, the Bible, books and quotations I have read, as well as my observations. I am a keen observer of life, as a proponent of continuous learning. We learn in four ways: by experience, by observation, by listening and by reading.
I was born and grew up I was born in Kotobabi, Abavanna Down, just around the corner from here (Dimples’ Inn Dzorwulu). As kids we used to view Dzorwulu from afar and wished to live here. We used to come to the area around the railway line to catch golden fishes in the flowing waters around. I used to hawk banku with a lady in our compound house who complimented with fried fish along that same railway line, during school vacations. I grew up in a compound house of about ten families. My family was made up of our parents and eight siblings. We grew up in a three-room rented apartment, what is traditionally called chamber and hall. Three-room, because there was the main bedroom, which was used by my parents and the younger kids, who slept on mats on the floor, the second room which was a combined sitting room with a bed on one side (my eldest brother used this) and served as a bedroom during the night when the chairs and tables were packed at one side to make room for mats and mattresses to be put on the floor for sleeping on. The third room was a kitchen space, but it was used to keep other stuff like water drums and served as the storeroom as well. And don’t have the image of the kitchen with fridge, cabinets, electrical cooker, et cetera. Just think kitchen space! Nine other families lived in the compound house and we all shared the same utilities – bathhouse, toilets, water pipe, etc. At a point, there was no flowing water and no toilet in that house. We used to walk from Kotobabi to Pig Farm to use the public latrine there. Imagine trying to control your bowels over that distance when nature was calling urgently! It was great fun, however, living in this house and growing up in Kotobabi. I went to the local Preparatory school, and used to hear with admiration and envy the exploits of the well-to-do kids in the neighborhood who attended Association International. From that time, however, I had a dream to be the best I could be. And reflecting on today and appreciating what I have become, I can say that my dreams are coming through.
Not many of my friends in Kotobabi have turned out as I have. When I drive through where we used to live, I sometimes wonder how I made it. Apart from grace, I will tell you one reason as well: the dream and vision I had. A dream of my future, and I didn’t leave that dream to chance. I worked at it, I inputted into that change that I sought. What I am now didn’t come by chance.
Allow me to tell you a story. I got a letter mid-March 2005, and it got me very disappointed. I had applied to a school in USA, they had put me on a waiting list for admission and that letter killed the waiting. I had been rejected. One of my colleagues met me that morning and remarked that I was looking too morose. I am usually very pleasant and happy looking at work, even in the midst of stress of work. I told my colleague that I was managing a disappointment, and that I will be okay by the end of the day.
At home that night, I told my wife about the disappointment, and she actually encouraged me that God always knows best. She has always been right with her encouragement.
The next dawn, I decided to spend time with God’s word, and find His encouragement for me as well. The Bible is unique in one respect: it is the only Book in the world where you have the author with you as you read it. Indeed, the Bible is alive; is it a wonder the Word is the Lord Himself?
Anyway, my quiet time that morning ministered to me in a very special way. I got to read 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
God has His due time for each of us, and for each of His projects, plans and purposes for us. We do know the God is almighty and capable, but He works according to His due time.
Why should I fret then and feel disappointed when the due time is not due?
The principle of due time applies to every facet of our lives. And before that due time arrives, we have nothing to do but wait. However, it should not be an empty, void wait.
One of my favorite characters in the Bible is David. The young man David was anointed King when he was still shepherding his father’s flock and was not even eligible for draft into the army. Yet, David waited for God’s due time for him to ascend the throne of Israel. What I like about David as he waited was that he built himself up, he developed himself, he learnt to lead, govern and rule. David worked hard as he waited for due time.
In preparing for the opportunity to come, don’t despise anything you do. David used his time in the bush, shepherding his daddy’s sheep, to learn how to trust in God, how to fight animals, how to use the sling. When the time was due to fight Goliath, he was ready. I have sat in interviews for recruiting new graduates into Unilever; for standards of leadership, we draw on the experiences acquired in school, usually university, of these young people.
David used the preparation time to learn how to lead people. He actually started learning leadership skills with sheep. He led an army of willing soldiers, and by so doing developed the skills of what we call in business “buy-in” – getting people to believe in your vision. Learn to treat people right, because you will need them in future. No man is an island. Some people go through life antagonizing everyone they meet – beware. Time changes. The person you despise today may be your boss or key contact for a contract tomorrow.
David used this time to learn how to deal with failure. On your road to your future, you will have ups-and-downs, but the victor is the one who didn’t stop. A classic example in a competitive working environment is when we get discouraged because an anticipated recognition hasn’t come through. Due time has not arrived. What tends to happen is that most people then slack and work lousily. And then, their chances of recognition go down further and further.
During the time of preparation, seek to improve each day. The Chinese philosopher Confucius said ‘do not be afraid of going slow, only be afraid of standing still.’ I only admire those who seek improvement in what they do every day. Remember that even the ant reaches its destination.
Learn to take stock of wherever you are. Self-assessment is good for improvement.
In preparing for due time, surround yourself with people of like-mindedness, friends who will not distract you from your aim, your vision. In my case, I have decided to shy away from whiners and complainers; they only pull you back. I surround myself with people better than myself, so I can be better, and be challenged. Check out the mighty men who were around David in I Chronicles 11 verse 10ff.
For you to succeed, live with long perspective in mind. Stephen Covey said you need to start with the end in mind. Whatever you do, ask yourself: how does this enhance my journey towards my intended destination? What does it take out? I launched my first book in October 2008. I planned release my second book in 2010, and I thought about how to create publicity towards it, two clear years ahead of time. One of the platforms I decided to use was Facebook. Friends tell me I am always on Facebook, posting, writing, engaging with people; what they do not know is that it was part of a grand plan. It is interesting to note that it was through this medium that I met Pastor Raph. Via this same medium, I have had about eight reviews of my second book, by people in Nigeria, Ghana, UK, with some being worked on in Kenya and USA. I have had the reviews published in newspapers in Ghana and Nigeria, and magazines distributed across Africa like Business Times and New Africa. I actually saw a copy of the latter in the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, waiting to board on Friday. Via Facebook, I have got the opportunity to have my short story Truth Floats in an anthology Africa Roar. I was acting with the end in mind here, waiting for the due time of my second book Through the Gates of Thought.
As you prepare to take up that future role or position, learn to succumb to the authority in that position. Respect given is respect received in advance. David was careful to give Saul his due respect. He said to his men, when they even purported to quote a scripture to him (I Samuel 24), “The Lord forbid that I should lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed”. He was conscience-striken for having cut off even a corner of Saul’s robe.
Get a mentor in the field of your interest. Find someone who can guide you, who can give you unadulterated feedback. Get a Nathan in your life, who can tell you in your face that you are wrong. Our elders say he who cuts a path does not see that the path is crooked, only someone watching behind you can do so. Be willing to take that correction and become better. Get a Jonathan, who can teach you the rules of royalty.
Learn discipline and judicious use of time as you wait for due time. In my view, two qualities of a serious person suffice: the person keeps to time and keeps his/her promises.
Promises. We complain that our politicians don’t keep their promises but do you keep yours? Gary Jones, a former Training manager at Unilever Ghana, made a statement has been with me for a long time: “A good manager is one who does what he says he will do.”
Keeping to one’s time is a promise honoured. Keeping your promise or otherwise is a reflection of your integrity. It always amazes me how businessmen in Ghana act as if the number of times they fail to keep their promise is directly proportional to their status as crack businessmen. It gives me a very negative impression of that person. Some take your call, and promise to get back to you by email or phone, because they are engaged, in a meeting or another activity, and never get back. It is better not to promise if you know you cannot deliver, keeping to the advice by George Washington, “not [to] undertake what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.”
And when due time arrives, be ready to take it, and work hard with it. It has been said that most of us miss an opportunity because it comes disguised in work clothes.
What you do as you wait for due time is crucial. The waiting period should be used working more effectively; it should be used upgrading your skills; it should be used getting ready for the responsibilities that due time will bring.
Due time will come, in due time. Will you be ready when it does?
I thank you, and God bless.
Nana Awere Damoah
October 2010
Accra, Ghana
www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
TOPIC: DUE TIME – WILL YOU BE READY?
30 OCTOBER 2010 – DIMPLES’ INN, ACCRA, GHANA
It is a pleasure to be here to interact with you folks, youthful men and women. I was here with some of you last year – it was the 14th of November 2009, and we reflected on the thought: Dealing with the past and opening up a great future. When Pastor Langdon (I call him Onukpa Langdon) told me just after last year’s event that he would want me to come this year, I indicated that I was game. I love being with young people, I love investing in life, I just love being able to sow a seed into someone’s life, knowing that it will grow and bear good fruit, fruit that may abide.
One of my cardinal philosophies is that you have not started living until you live your life for someone else as well, imparting into someone, changing at least one more life. “What do we live for if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?” asked George Elliot, and Winston Churchill summed it well for me when he said that "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Every instance in your life is an opportunity to impact someone's life and to be impacted as well. No moment is insignificant. If you invest in someone's life at any moment, you have no idea what that person may turn out to be and what your seed will turn into. A chance meeting with a fellow prisoner and interpreting his dream was all that was needed to bring Joseph's name to the attention of the Pharoah of Egypt.
So even though I arrived from Kenya yesterday after a grueling business trip, I told Pastor Raph that I will still make. I won’t give this opportunity up for all the gold in Obuasi.
I am in my mid thirties, I am married with three children: two boys and one girl; my background is Chemical Engineering. I am married to lovely Vivian, who has been a wonderful wife to me and a great mother to our children. She is an example of prayerfully appreciating that the future is not by chance, but by change. I went after her with my eyes open, knowing what exactly I wanted in a wife, having prayed for years and God blessed me with her.
I also write. Excursions In My Mind, my first book, was launched last year and is available in Ghana and also online through Amazon and other outlets globally. My second book Through the Gates of Thought was released this year in April and will be launched in Ghana next week, on 5 November. You are all cordially invited.
I instigate thoughts; I provoke people with my writing. But I am primarily a storyteller. I like to tell stories of my life, what I learn, what I have gather through my reading and through that derive lessons for myself and for my readers.
The theme for today is: Our Future – by chance or by chance. I humbly submit that it is by change. Indeed, luck has been defined as “preparation meeting opportunity”. One golfer was asked whether he was lucky in his career. His response was: “The more I practise, the luckier I get.” Today, as we reflect on this theme, I want to narrow my discussion to the sub-topic I have created: “Due time – will you be ready?”
As is characteristic of my writing and reflections, I will tell you stories gleaned from my life, the Bible, books and quotations I have read, as well as my observations. I am a keen observer of life, as a proponent of continuous learning. We learn in four ways: by experience, by observation, by listening and by reading.
I was born and grew up I was born in Kotobabi, Abavanna Down, just around the corner from here (Dimples’ Inn Dzorwulu). As kids we used to view Dzorwulu from afar and wished to live here. We used to come to the area around the railway line to catch golden fishes in the flowing waters around. I used to hawk banku with a lady in our compound house who complimented with fried fish along that same railway line, during school vacations. I grew up in a compound house of about ten families. My family was made up of our parents and eight siblings. We grew up in a three-room rented apartment, what is traditionally called chamber and hall. Three-room, because there was the main bedroom, which was used by my parents and the younger kids, who slept on mats on the floor, the second room which was a combined sitting room with a bed on one side (my eldest brother used this) and served as a bedroom during the night when the chairs and tables were packed at one side to make room for mats and mattresses to be put on the floor for sleeping on. The third room was a kitchen space, but it was used to keep other stuff like water drums and served as the storeroom as well. And don’t have the image of the kitchen with fridge, cabinets, electrical cooker, et cetera. Just think kitchen space! Nine other families lived in the compound house and we all shared the same utilities – bathhouse, toilets, water pipe, etc. At a point, there was no flowing water and no toilet in that house. We used to walk from Kotobabi to Pig Farm to use the public latrine there. Imagine trying to control your bowels over that distance when nature was calling urgently! It was great fun, however, living in this house and growing up in Kotobabi. I went to the local Preparatory school, and used to hear with admiration and envy the exploits of the well-to-do kids in the neighborhood who attended Association International. From that time, however, I had a dream to be the best I could be. And reflecting on today and appreciating what I have become, I can say that my dreams are coming through.
Not many of my friends in Kotobabi have turned out as I have. When I drive through where we used to live, I sometimes wonder how I made it. Apart from grace, I will tell you one reason as well: the dream and vision I had. A dream of my future, and I didn’t leave that dream to chance. I worked at it, I inputted into that change that I sought. What I am now didn’t come by chance.
Allow me to tell you a story. I got a letter mid-March 2005, and it got me very disappointed. I had applied to a school in USA, they had put me on a waiting list for admission and that letter killed the waiting. I had been rejected. One of my colleagues met me that morning and remarked that I was looking too morose. I am usually very pleasant and happy looking at work, even in the midst of stress of work. I told my colleague that I was managing a disappointment, and that I will be okay by the end of the day.
At home that night, I told my wife about the disappointment, and she actually encouraged me that God always knows best. She has always been right with her encouragement.
The next dawn, I decided to spend time with God’s word, and find His encouragement for me as well. The Bible is unique in one respect: it is the only Book in the world where you have the author with you as you read it. Indeed, the Bible is alive; is it a wonder the Word is the Lord Himself?
Anyway, my quiet time that morning ministered to me in a very special way. I got to read 1 Peter 5:6: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
God has His due time for each of us, and for each of His projects, plans and purposes for us. We do know the God is almighty and capable, but He works according to His due time.
Why should I fret then and feel disappointed when the due time is not due?
The principle of due time applies to every facet of our lives. And before that due time arrives, we have nothing to do but wait. However, it should not be an empty, void wait.
One of my favorite characters in the Bible is David. The young man David was anointed King when he was still shepherding his father’s flock and was not even eligible for draft into the army. Yet, David waited for God’s due time for him to ascend the throne of Israel. What I like about David as he waited was that he built himself up, he developed himself, he learnt to lead, govern and rule. David worked hard as he waited for due time.
In preparing for the opportunity to come, don’t despise anything you do. David used his time in the bush, shepherding his daddy’s sheep, to learn how to trust in God, how to fight animals, how to use the sling. When the time was due to fight Goliath, he was ready. I have sat in interviews for recruiting new graduates into Unilever; for standards of leadership, we draw on the experiences acquired in school, usually university, of these young people.
David used the preparation time to learn how to lead people. He actually started learning leadership skills with sheep. He led an army of willing soldiers, and by so doing developed the skills of what we call in business “buy-in” – getting people to believe in your vision. Learn to treat people right, because you will need them in future. No man is an island. Some people go through life antagonizing everyone they meet – beware. Time changes. The person you despise today may be your boss or key contact for a contract tomorrow.
David used this time to learn how to deal with failure. On your road to your future, you will have ups-and-downs, but the victor is the one who didn’t stop. A classic example in a competitive working environment is when we get discouraged because an anticipated recognition hasn’t come through. Due time has not arrived. What tends to happen is that most people then slack and work lousily. And then, their chances of recognition go down further and further.
During the time of preparation, seek to improve each day. The Chinese philosopher Confucius said ‘do not be afraid of going slow, only be afraid of standing still.’ I only admire those who seek improvement in what they do every day. Remember that even the ant reaches its destination.
Learn to take stock of wherever you are. Self-assessment is good for improvement.
In preparing for due time, surround yourself with people of like-mindedness, friends who will not distract you from your aim, your vision. In my case, I have decided to shy away from whiners and complainers; they only pull you back. I surround myself with people better than myself, so I can be better, and be challenged. Check out the mighty men who were around David in I Chronicles 11 verse 10ff.
For you to succeed, live with long perspective in mind. Stephen Covey said you need to start with the end in mind. Whatever you do, ask yourself: how does this enhance my journey towards my intended destination? What does it take out? I launched my first book in October 2008. I planned release my second book in 2010, and I thought about how to create publicity towards it, two clear years ahead of time. One of the platforms I decided to use was Facebook. Friends tell me I am always on Facebook, posting, writing, engaging with people; what they do not know is that it was part of a grand plan. It is interesting to note that it was through this medium that I met Pastor Raph. Via this same medium, I have had about eight reviews of my second book, by people in Nigeria, Ghana, UK, with some being worked on in Kenya and USA. I have had the reviews published in newspapers in Ghana and Nigeria, and magazines distributed across Africa like Business Times and New Africa. I actually saw a copy of the latter in the Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, waiting to board on Friday. Via Facebook, I have got the opportunity to have my short story Truth Floats in an anthology Africa Roar. I was acting with the end in mind here, waiting for the due time of my second book Through the Gates of Thought.
As you prepare to take up that future role or position, learn to succumb to the authority in that position. Respect given is respect received in advance. David was careful to give Saul his due respect. He said to his men, when they even purported to quote a scripture to him (I Samuel 24), “The Lord forbid that I should lift my hand against the Lord’s anointed”. He was conscience-striken for having cut off even a corner of Saul’s robe.
Get a mentor in the field of your interest. Find someone who can guide you, who can give you unadulterated feedback. Get a Nathan in your life, who can tell you in your face that you are wrong. Our elders say he who cuts a path does not see that the path is crooked, only someone watching behind you can do so. Be willing to take that correction and become better. Get a Jonathan, who can teach you the rules of royalty.
Learn discipline and judicious use of time as you wait for due time. In my view, two qualities of a serious person suffice: the person keeps to time and keeps his/her promises.
Promises. We complain that our politicians don’t keep their promises but do you keep yours? Gary Jones, a former Training manager at Unilever Ghana, made a statement has been with me for a long time: “A good manager is one who does what he says he will do.”
Keeping to one’s time is a promise honoured. Keeping your promise or otherwise is a reflection of your integrity. It always amazes me how businessmen in Ghana act as if the number of times they fail to keep their promise is directly proportional to their status as crack businessmen. It gives me a very negative impression of that person. Some take your call, and promise to get back to you by email or phone, because they are engaged, in a meeting or another activity, and never get back. It is better not to promise if you know you cannot deliver, keeping to the advice by George Washington, “not [to] undertake what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.”
And when due time arrives, be ready to take it, and work hard with it. It has been said that most of us miss an opportunity because it comes disguised in work clothes.
What you do as you wait for due time is crucial. The waiting period should be used working more effectively; it should be used upgrading your skills; it should be used getting ready for the responsibilities that due time will bring.
Due time will come, in due time. Will you be ready when it does?
I thank you, and God bless.
Nana Awere Damoah
October 2010
Accra, Ghana
www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
Dec 1, 2010
You know you are in Ghana when...
You know you are in Ghana when street lights are visible decorations by day and invisible shadows by night
You know you are in Ghana when ambulances take people leisurely away from hospitals rather than hurriedly to hospitals
You know you are in Ghana when a politician pays you to get him into office only for you to pay him when he gets out of office
You know you are in Ghana when the Fire Service rushes to the scene of a fire only to realise they have no water in the Fire tender to fight the fire
You know you are in Ghana when the Fire Service uses water to fight every kind of fire
You know you are in Ghana when high rise buildings come up every month when we do know the Fire Service cannot fight fire above four storeys
You know you are in Ghana when police cars with siren blarring are full of people going to a wedding
You know you are in Ghana when the policeman asks you for the torchlight in your car at 12 noon
You know you are in Ghana when the policeman gives you all the reasons why he should not take you to court for a traffic offence
You know you are in Ghana when a customs officer who approachs you says, "$20 is not enough because we all have to share"
You know you are in Ghana when a 60 year old man is introduced as the Chairman of the Asikuma Youth Association
You know you are in Ghana when the toll booth on the motorway is closed for maintenance at 7 am
You know you are in Ghana when a motorway still continues being referred to as a motorway when it has clearly become a street
You know you are in Ghana when a driver reverses on a motorway
You know you are in Ghana when prime time on radio is used to discuss the meaning of an insult
You know you are in Ghana when a person uninterested in a political position still stands for elections due to the pressure of the masses
You know you are in Ghana when the time a person graduates from a tertiary institutions, he would have gone through five graduations, the first one at the prime age of five years
You know you are in Ghana when the Head of State states that religious leaders have more power and authority than he has
You know you are in Ghana when annointing oil develops a flash point lower than most combustible materials
You know you are in Ghana when the headline of a major newspaper has an error
You know you are in Ghana when the headline of a story is written a week before the story develops and the two do not agree
You know you are in Ghana when herbalists weave their submissions with biblical verses, even when the guy doesn't believe the other parts of the bible
You know you are in Ghana when all alcoholic drinks are aphrodisiacs
You know you are in Ghana when a four year old asks: "Who put off the lights? President Atta-Mills eh?"
You know you are in Ghana when nobody dies a natural death
You know you are in Ghana when the cab driver accelerates when the traffic light is amber
You know you are in Ghana when drivers do a U-turn in the middle of a T-junction
You know you are in Ghana when a pastor can actually sit on radio and say he will put a curse on someone for being insolent to him
You know you are in Ghana when someone feels insulted after asking him, "what do you mean?"
You know you are in Ghana when a census enumerator asks you, "Your wife, is she married?"
You know you are in Ghana when you hear names of football clubs like Asante Akyem Weder Bremen, Gomoa Dominase Everton, Betomu Hull City, Sefwi Wiaso Barcelona, Patase Milan
You know you are in Ghana when you are branded 'too known' for insisting the right things must be done
You know you are in Ghana when you hear bus stops called 'Basket', 'Potholes', Tiafiahe'
You know you are in Ghana when you need permission from land guards before you build your house
You know you are in Ghana when the total cost of building a house includes the cost of keeping a land guard
You know you are in Ghana when a person accuses another of corruption without proof and insists the accused must provide evidence to show his innocence
You know you are in Ghana when a person is deemed guilty until he is proven innocent
You know you are in Ghana when you laugh about serious issues to keep your sanity
You know you are in Ghana when you laugh to prevent you from crying
You know you are in Ghana when you read this, shake your head and smile
Because you know, only in Ghana can you not have a dull day!
You know you are in Ghana when ambulances take people leisurely away from hospitals rather than hurriedly to hospitals
You know you are in Ghana when a politician pays you to get him into office only for you to pay him when he gets out of office
You know you are in Ghana when the Fire Service rushes to the scene of a fire only to realise they have no water in the Fire tender to fight the fire
You know you are in Ghana when the Fire Service uses water to fight every kind of fire
You know you are in Ghana when high rise buildings come up every month when we do know the Fire Service cannot fight fire above four storeys
You know you are in Ghana when police cars with siren blarring are full of people going to a wedding
You know you are in Ghana when the policeman asks you for the torchlight in your car at 12 noon
You know you are in Ghana when the policeman gives you all the reasons why he should not take you to court for a traffic offence
You know you are in Ghana when a customs officer who approachs you says, "$20 is not enough because we all have to share"
You know you are in Ghana when a 60 year old man is introduced as the Chairman of the Asikuma Youth Association
You know you are in Ghana when the toll booth on the motorway is closed for maintenance at 7 am
You know you are in Ghana when a motorway still continues being referred to as a motorway when it has clearly become a street
You know you are in Ghana when a driver reverses on a motorway
You know you are in Ghana when prime time on radio is used to discuss the meaning of an insult
You know you are in Ghana when a person uninterested in a political position still stands for elections due to the pressure of the masses
You know you are in Ghana when the time a person graduates from a tertiary institutions, he would have gone through five graduations, the first one at the prime age of five years
You know you are in Ghana when the Head of State states that religious leaders have more power and authority than he has
You know you are in Ghana when annointing oil develops a flash point lower than most combustible materials
You know you are in Ghana when the headline of a major newspaper has an error
You know you are in Ghana when the headline of a story is written a week before the story develops and the two do not agree
You know you are in Ghana when herbalists weave their submissions with biblical verses, even when the guy doesn't believe the other parts of the bible
You know you are in Ghana when all alcoholic drinks are aphrodisiacs
You know you are in Ghana when a four year old asks: "Who put off the lights? President Atta-Mills eh?"
You know you are in Ghana when nobody dies a natural death
You know you are in Ghana when the cab driver accelerates when the traffic light is amber
You know you are in Ghana when drivers do a U-turn in the middle of a T-junction
You know you are in Ghana when a pastor can actually sit on radio and say he will put a curse on someone for being insolent to him
You know you are in Ghana when someone feels insulted after asking him, "what do you mean?"
You know you are in Ghana when a census enumerator asks you, "Your wife, is she married?"
You know you are in Ghana when you hear names of football clubs like Asante Akyem Weder Bremen, Gomoa Dominase Everton, Betomu Hull City, Sefwi Wiaso Barcelona, Patase Milan
You know you are in Ghana when you are branded 'too known' for insisting the right things must be done
You know you are in Ghana when you hear bus stops called 'Basket', 'Potholes', Tiafiahe'
You know you are in Ghana when you need permission from land guards before you build your house
You know you are in Ghana when the total cost of building a house includes the cost of keeping a land guard
You know you are in Ghana when a person accuses another of corruption without proof and insists the accused must provide evidence to show his innocence
You know you are in Ghana when a person is deemed guilty until he is proven innocent
You know you are in Ghana when you laugh about serious issues to keep your sanity
You know you are in Ghana when you laugh to prevent you from crying
You know you are in Ghana when you read this, shake your head and smile
Because you know, only in Ghana can you not have a dull day!
Nov 6, 2010
Author's Address - Launch of Through the Gates of Thought - 5 Nov 2010
THROUGH THE GATES OF THOUGHT BOOK LAUNCH
AUTHOR’S ADDRESS
5 NOVEMBER 2010: TEACHERS’ HALL COMPLEX, ACCRA, GHANA
Madam Chairperson - Ms. Anna Bossman (Deputy Commissioner, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice), Sam Dontoh (HR Director, Unilever), Kobby Parker who authored Gate 10 in the book, special invited guests, my family, my Ghana National College seniors, my classmates from secondary school and University, Facebook friends I am meeting in flesh and blood for the first time, friends and loved ones, today is auspicious in many ways, but most importantly it is the birthday of my best friend, the person who took the risk to proceed on a journey with me, when all I had to my name was a promised first degree. Interestingly, this book is dedicated to her and our children. And this year’s birthday is a special one, considering that it was nearly postponed forever. Will you kindly help me say “Happy birthday” to my wife Vivian Damoah!
My first book was released in October 2008, and launched in Ghana on the 18th of December, and I set myself a target of releasing another one within two years. I was able to achieve it in one and a half years. I am thankful to God and many of you here for the encouragement and support in diverse ways.
My loving and faithful mum is here with us this evening, and I want to specially acknowledge her. It is fitting that she features in Gate 1, in which I recount one of the many lessons she taught us. Mama, medaase.
I always find it difficult deciding what to talk about on such important occasions – too much to say, so little time. My boss, Sammy Avaala, told me a story of a young village boy who had been in Accra working as a house help (let’s call him Kofi), missing all the good food he used to eat back in his hometown. One day, the mum of his madam visited and brought some good yams – pona. Knowing that Kofi likes yam, Grandma gave him a good portion, and Kofi took it to the veranda to do justice to it. He looks at the yams on the plate and the stew by it, and remarked: “Pona paa nie, a, nanso, abom no sua!”, to wit, “wonderful yams, but the stew is too small!”
My first book was Excursions in My Mind and this current one is Through the Gates of Thought. Why do I focus on the mind, on thoughts, on reflective thinking? That is my over-riding passion with my writing. I am motivated by my desire to make my impact on my society, with my thoughts. To share my experiences, with the hope that I may be able to change even one mind. If I can change one such mind, I would have contributed to the agenda of building our nation, our continent, our world.
I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday morning with a mentor of mine a couple of weeks ago. In our discussion about how we can step-change the pace of development in our country and continent, he told me the secret is in Romans 12:2:
Yaw Nsarkoh, another mentor of mine, who is currently the Managing Director of Unilever East and Southern Africa, remarked to my team recently that “Africans have still not accepted that we can be as good as anyone else.”
In chapter four of my first book, I assert that many of us don’t spend quality time thinking, even though we worry. We are good at worrying about the present, the future, even about the past, which Agathon indicated even God cannot change. Is it because thinking is seen as hard work? Thomas Edison observed that “it is remarkable to what lengths people will go to avoid thought.” Thinking is an alien activity for most people, but if we are to be rich and prosperous, and not just in the value of your bank account but more holistically, the quality and quantity of your thoughts matter.
Each significant step change in the history of civilization has been brought about by thinkers, and of course, implementers of the thoughts. We usually quote this one definition of insanity: doing things the same way and expecting different results from what the same method has delivered – nothing! We talk of thinking out of the box, but we fail to ask whether we are even thinking within the box in the first place. You can only be able to walk on the moon if you can actually walk, whether under gravity or not.
The wealth of nations has been thought to reside under the earth or in the sea: gold, bauxite, diamond, crude oil; some of the wealth is grown on the earth: cocoa, coffee, corn. I aver that the best wealth of the globe resides in our minds, and the real capital is an idea, a stance which is collaborated by Harvey S. Firestone, who stated that ‘Thought, not money, is the real business capital’.
A year ago, I caused a flurry of comments on my Facebook page when I asked a question that was bugging me: “When will our media in Ghana stop discussing events and petty squabbles and start discussing ideas and thoughts?” As I write today, our airwaves are still replete with such talk. You all have countless examples. We make mountains out of mole holes and treat the actual mountains as if they were less than mole holes.
Or is it the case that we are proving Walter Lippman right, when he stated “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much?” I find that most Ghanaians behaving like untrained amateurs playing football – all follow the ball at the same time! What I choose to call ‘stomach direction’!
In Africa, we have had thinkers like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba, people who are usually described as being ahead of their time. Today, we have Nelson Mandela, who is also unique in the sense that he is a legend in his lifetime.
Thinkers. Looking around today in leadership, do you see a lot of such thinkers shaping the African agenda? We are where are today as a continent because of our thoughts, and the extent to which we will go as a continent will depend on the quality of thoughts that drive leadership. James Allens captures it thus: “You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.”
Are we developing nations of thinkers? What would we rather give as a gift: a fish or a manual on fishing? Are we teaching our generation and the next, our youth, our children, the act of thinking? Of valuing ideas? During my time in Nottingham University, I had a flatmate, Mirza Cengic from Sarajevo, who was studying for his Masters in Critical thinking. I was intrigued by it, but that is what we need: the art of critical thinking.
We must write our thoughts and share them. We write wills and leave property, cash, etc for our children and benefactors. It is a sign of how we value thoughts and ideas that we don’t deem it fit to document these and leave for posterity.
What is the overriding thought or idea driving the agenda for Ghana and Africa for the next decade for instance? My wish for my nation and my continent and for all reading this piece is that we follow Blaise Pascal’s advice: “All of our dignity consists in thought. Let us endeavour then to think well; this is the principle of morality.”
As my friend Quophy Obirikorang puts it, “we need a rude awakening from our mediocrity and self pity.” Nkrumah declared that there was a new African, but frankly isn’t that African old now, as we are not thinking ahead of the game that much anymore?
Recently, the drilling of the world's longest transport tunnel was completed, which connects Switzerland to Italy under the Alps. The 57km (35 mile) rail tunnel has taken 14 years to build and is not likely to open before the end of 2016. [The distance from Tema Oil refinery to Nsawam via the Motorway and Achimota is 56.3 km] It is expected to revolutionise transport across Europe, providing a high-speed link between the north and south of the continent. Eventually, trains will travel through it at speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph), slashing journey times between Zurich and Milan by as much as one-and-a-half hours.
It has taken 14 yrs to get to this point and will take 6 yrs to open it; this project is taking 20 yrs, how many of our leaders think with 20 years from now in mind? Isn’t 4 years long-term here?
And when we do think and put thoughts into plans, how many times don’t these plans becomes what Andrew Ogutu, a trainer with Accenture, call SPOTS: strategic plans on top shelves? We need to accelerate the translation of thoughts and plans into action, for as James R Lowell said, “all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action”.
Our generation is the game-changing generation for our country and continent. We cannot join in the chant of our predecessors; we cannot think at the same level, we cannot go at the same pace. We are the generation with the greatest exposure to what better conditions can be like – let’s replicate it here. We know what it a country that takes action looks like – let’s cut the long talk. We know not just the potential but the actual position this nation can spring to – let’s get working.
In the words of John Legend, in the song ‘If you’re out there’:
I wish to thank both Damoah and Richardson families (and I want to acknowledge specially my Uncle Dada Appiagyei), Ms. Anna Bossman, our Chairperson for today, who surprised me when she turned up for my first book launch and has continued to give me amazing support; my friend Victor Adjei who provided money for the printing of the books; Ace Ankomah, my most enthusiastic cheerleader and mentor, pushing me to think more and do more, always raising the bar, Albert & Comfort Ocran of Combert – I continue to learn from you; Sam Dontoh, Stephen Larbi, Joseph Amuna, Mike Tyson and Ken Ansah – my consultants and guides on this project; Theo Yartey and the team at Business and Financial Times, Bernard Avle for your support and exposure, Francis Doku for the review and publication, Esther Eyra Doe of E-TV, my Ghanacoll seniors (Egbert Faibille. Jnr, George Sam Jnr., Harry Anane-Frimpong, Ebow Spio and the Beacon Books forum members; Henrietta Hammond and Akosua Steele-Dadzie (my Diasporan squad), the team that put this launch together (Egya Jallow, Mike Sowah, Joanna Micah, George Akanza, my sister-in-law Evelyn Dimado who did the nice wrapping of the books and decor, Colin Anno who provided the PA system free of charge, Papi Dadson who helped with the publicity, Ken the great musician has become a good friend), Executive, members and associates of Joyful Way and all the recipients of the Excursions series over the past six years (which is the bulk of you here) – this second book is a reality because of your support and input.
I thank you all for taking time off to celebrate with me. And I will covet your continuous support and prayer for the success of Through the Gates of Thought.
May the Good Lord preserve us and bless us all.
Nana Awere Damoah
Author, Through the Gates of Thought & Excursions in my mind www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
AUTHOR’S ADDRESS
5 NOVEMBER 2010: TEACHERS’ HALL COMPLEX, ACCRA, GHANA
Madam Chairperson - Ms. Anna Bossman (Deputy Commissioner, Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice), Sam Dontoh (HR Director, Unilever), Kobby Parker who authored Gate 10 in the book, special invited guests, my family, my Ghana National College seniors, my classmates from secondary school and University, Facebook friends I am meeting in flesh and blood for the first time, friends and loved ones, today is auspicious in many ways, but most importantly it is the birthday of my best friend, the person who took the risk to proceed on a journey with me, when all I had to my name was a promised first degree. Interestingly, this book is dedicated to her and our children. And this year’s birthday is a special one, considering that it was nearly postponed forever. Will you kindly help me say “Happy birthday” to my wife Vivian Damoah!
My first book was released in October 2008, and launched in Ghana on the 18th of December, and I set myself a target of releasing another one within two years. I was able to achieve it in one and a half years. I am thankful to God and many of you here for the encouragement and support in diverse ways.
My loving and faithful mum is here with us this evening, and I want to specially acknowledge her. It is fitting that she features in Gate 1, in which I recount one of the many lessons she taught us. Mama, medaase.
I always find it difficult deciding what to talk about on such important occasions – too much to say, so little time. My boss, Sammy Avaala, told me a story of a young village boy who had been in Accra working as a house help (let’s call him Kofi), missing all the good food he used to eat back in his hometown. One day, the mum of his madam visited and brought some good yams – pona. Knowing that Kofi likes yam, Grandma gave him a good portion, and Kofi took it to the veranda to do justice to it. He looks at the yams on the plate and the stew by it, and remarked: “Pona paa nie, a, nanso, abom no sua!”, to wit, “wonderful yams, but the stew is too small!”
My first book was Excursions in My Mind and this current one is Through the Gates of Thought. Why do I focus on the mind, on thoughts, on reflective thinking? That is my over-riding passion with my writing. I am motivated by my desire to make my impact on my society, with my thoughts. To share my experiences, with the hope that I may be able to change even one mind. If I can change one such mind, I would have contributed to the agenda of building our nation, our continent, our world.
I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday morning with a mentor of mine a couple of weeks ago. In our discussion about how we can step-change the pace of development in our country and continent, he told me the secret is in Romans 12:2:
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Yaw Nsarkoh, another mentor of mine, who is currently the Managing Director of Unilever East and Southern Africa, remarked to my team recently that “Africans have still not accepted that we can be as good as anyone else.”
In chapter four of my first book, I assert that many of us don’t spend quality time thinking, even though we worry. We are good at worrying about the present, the future, even about the past, which Agathon indicated even God cannot change. Is it because thinking is seen as hard work? Thomas Edison observed that “it is remarkable to what lengths people will go to avoid thought.” Thinking is an alien activity for most people, but if we are to be rich and prosperous, and not just in the value of your bank account but more holistically, the quality and quantity of your thoughts matter.
Each significant step change in the history of civilization has been brought about by thinkers, and of course, implementers of the thoughts. We usually quote this one definition of insanity: doing things the same way and expecting different results from what the same method has delivered – nothing! We talk of thinking out of the box, but we fail to ask whether we are even thinking within the box in the first place. You can only be able to walk on the moon if you can actually walk, whether under gravity or not.
The wealth of nations has been thought to reside under the earth or in the sea: gold, bauxite, diamond, crude oil; some of the wealth is grown on the earth: cocoa, coffee, corn. I aver that the best wealth of the globe resides in our minds, and the real capital is an idea, a stance which is collaborated by Harvey S. Firestone, who stated that ‘Thought, not money, is the real business capital’.
A year ago, I caused a flurry of comments on my Facebook page when I asked a question that was bugging me: “When will our media in Ghana stop discussing events and petty squabbles and start discussing ideas and thoughts?” As I write today, our airwaves are still replete with such talk. You all have countless examples. We make mountains out of mole holes and treat the actual mountains as if they were less than mole holes.
Or is it the case that we are proving Walter Lippman right, when he stated “Where all think alike, no one thinks very much?” I find that most Ghanaians behaving like untrained amateurs playing football – all follow the ball at the same time! What I choose to call ‘stomach direction’!
In Africa, we have had thinkers like Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba, people who are usually described as being ahead of their time. Today, we have Nelson Mandela, who is also unique in the sense that he is a legend in his lifetime.
Thinkers. Looking around today in leadership, do you see a lot of such thinkers shaping the African agenda? We are where are today as a continent because of our thoughts, and the extent to which we will go as a continent will depend on the quality of thoughts that drive leadership. James Allens captures it thus: “You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.”
Are we developing nations of thinkers? What would we rather give as a gift: a fish or a manual on fishing? Are we teaching our generation and the next, our youth, our children, the act of thinking? Of valuing ideas? During my time in Nottingham University, I had a flatmate, Mirza Cengic from Sarajevo, who was studying for his Masters in Critical thinking. I was intrigued by it, but that is what we need: the art of critical thinking.
We must write our thoughts and share them. We write wills and leave property, cash, etc for our children and benefactors. It is a sign of how we value thoughts and ideas that we don’t deem it fit to document these and leave for posterity.
What is the overriding thought or idea driving the agenda for Ghana and Africa for the next decade for instance? My wish for my nation and my continent and for all reading this piece is that we follow Blaise Pascal’s advice: “All of our dignity consists in thought. Let us endeavour then to think well; this is the principle of morality.”
As my friend Quophy Obirikorang puts it, “we need a rude awakening from our mediocrity and self pity.” Nkrumah declared that there was a new African, but frankly isn’t that African old now, as we are not thinking ahead of the game that much anymore?
Recently, the drilling of the world's longest transport tunnel was completed, which connects Switzerland to Italy under the Alps. The 57km (35 mile) rail tunnel has taken 14 years to build and is not likely to open before the end of 2016. [The distance from Tema Oil refinery to Nsawam via the Motorway and Achimota is 56.3 km] It is expected to revolutionise transport across Europe, providing a high-speed link between the north and south of the continent. Eventually, trains will travel through it at speeds of up to 250km/h (155mph), slashing journey times between Zurich and Milan by as much as one-and-a-half hours.
It has taken 14 yrs to get to this point and will take 6 yrs to open it; this project is taking 20 yrs, how many of our leaders think with 20 years from now in mind? Isn’t 4 years long-term here?
And when we do think and put thoughts into plans, how many times don’t these plans becomes what Andrew Ogutu, a trainer with Accenture, call SPOTS: strategic plans on top shelves? We need to accelerate the translation of thoughts and plans into action, for as James R Lowell said, “all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action”.
Our generation is the game-changing generation for our country and continent. We cannot join in the chant of our predecessors; we cannot think at the same level, we cannot go at the same pace. We are the generation with the greatest exposure to what better conditions can be like – let’s replicate it here. We know what it a country that takes action looks like – let’s cut the long talk. We know not just the potential but the actual position this nation can spring to – let’s get working.
In the words of John Legend, in the song ‘If you’re out there’:
If you hear this message, wherever you stand
I’m calling every woman, calling every man
We’re the generation
We can’t afford to wait
The future started yesterday and we’re already late
I wish to thank both Damoah and Richardson families (and I want to acknowledge specially my Uncle Dada Appiagyei), Ms. Anna Bossman, our Chairperson for today, who surprised me when she turned up for my first book launch and has continued to give me amazing support; my friend Victor Adjei who provided money for the printing of the books; Ace Ankomah, my most enthusiastic cheerleader and mentor, pushing me to think more and do more, always raising the bar, Albert & Comfort Ocran of Combert – I continue to learn from you; Sam Dontoh, Stephen Larbi, Joseph Amuna, Mike Tyson and Ken Ansah – my consultants and guides on this project; Theo Yartey and the team at Business and Financial Times, Bernard Avle for your support and exposure, Francis Doku for the review and publication, Esther Eyra Doe of E-TV, my Ghanacoll seniors (Egbert Faibille. Jnr, George Sam Jnr., Harry Anane-Frimpong, Ebow Spio and the Beacon Books forum members; Henrietta Hammond and Akosua Steele-Dadzie (my Diasporan squad), the team that put this launch together (Egya Jallow, Mike Sowah, Joanna Micah, George Akanza, my sister-in-law Evelyn Dimado who did the nice wrapping of the books and decor, Colin Anno who provided the PA system free of charge, Papi Dadson who helped with the publicity, Ken the great musician has become a good friend), Executive, members and associates of Joyful Way and all the recipients of the Excursions series over the past six years (which is the bulk of you here) – this second book is a reality because of your support and input.
I thank you all for taking time off to celebrate with me. And I will covet your continuous support and prayer for the success of Through the Gates of Thought.
May the Good Lord preserve us and bless us all.
Nana Awere Damoah
Author, Through the Gates of Thought & Excursions in my mind www.nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
Oct 29, 2010
Book launch! Book launch! Book launch!
Dear friends,
You are warmly invited to the launch of my second book 'Through the Gates of Thought'.
Kindly note that it will now be held on 5 November, 2010. Venue is Teachers' Hall Conference Room, Accra; time: 6.30pm.
I will be honoured by your presence.
God bless!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many blessings,
Nana Awere Damoah
Author, Through the Gates of Thought (http://www.athenapress.com/book.php?ID=2997) / Excursions In My Mind (www.athenapress.com/book.php?ID=2693)
Contributing author, African Roar (anthology of short stories, StoryTime, June 2010)
http://nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com/
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nana-Awere-Damoah/38014968940
P O Box AN 11708, Accra, Ghana
Tel No: +233 26 4339066
Email: ndamoah@yahoo.co.uk, nana.damoah@gmail.com
You are warmly invited to the launch of my second book 'Through the Gates of Thought'.
Kindly note that it will now be held on 5 November, 2010. Venue is Teachers' Hall Conference Room, Accra; time: 6.30pm.
I will be honoured by your presence.
God bless!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many blessings,
Nana Awere Damoah
Author, Through the Gates of Thought (http://www.athenapress.com/book.php?ID=2997) / Excursions In My Mind (www.athenapress.com/book.php?ID=2693)
Contributing author, African Roar (anthology of short stories, StoryTime, June 2010)
http://nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com/
www.excursionsinmymind.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nana-Awere-Damoah/38014968940
P O Box AN 11708, Accra, Ghana
Tel No: +233 26 4339066
Email: ndamoah@yahoo.co.uk, nana.damoah@gmail.com
Sep 21, 2010
Conversations with Writers - Interview by Ambrose Musiyiwa
Nana Awere Damoah is a Ghanaian Chevening alumnus who studied in Ghana and in the United Kingdom. He keeps a blog of his articles at Excursions in My Mind.
So far, he has written and published two books, Through the Gates of Thought (Athena Press, 2010) and Excursions in my Mind (Athena Press, 2008).
His short stories have been featured in Ghanaian newspapers and magazines that include The Mirror and The Spectator as well as in the anthology, African Roar (Lion Press Ltd, 2010).
In this interview, Nana Awere Damoah talks about his writing:
When did you start writing?
My very first article, published in Through the Gates of Thought, was written in 1993 -- so I trace my writing life to that year. I was 18 years old then. But my appreciation of the literary form and my involvement in things literary actually started much earlier, in preparatory school, in the early 1980s when each class had to perform a play a day before the vacation day ... Small beginnings, appreciation of the arts, learning the rudiments of prose and poetry.
I remember being taught, in preparation for the Common Entrance in preparatory school, to answer the question: "Write a story ending with ‘… and the boy learnt a lesson for life, that obedience is better than sacrifice" ... Small beginnings of creative writing.
Then in Form One, in 1986, I wrote what I consider my first creative work, in (you won’t believe this) my history class: “A Day in Carthage”. It was purely fictional, and I loved it!
In the sixth form, we wanted to form a Literary Club and that was what led me to write that first article published in Through the Gates of Thought.
My first break as a writer came in 1995 when I submitted a short story, ‘The Showdown’, to the popular weekly newspaper, The Mirror -- and it was published! Seeing my name in print, knowing that this newspaper was the best selling paper in Ghana and circulated all over the country, gave me immense confidence and encouragement.
My skills were further honed when I joined the Literary Wing of the Christian fellowship during University.
In my early days, and this hasn’t changed much, I wrote a lot during the day, in my study notebooks, on sheets of paper, whenever and wherever inspiration hit. I continued to submit stories to The Mirror, The Spectator (which published one story), magazines on the University campus and shared my writings with the Literary club and also posted them on notice boards in the Department and my hall of residence, Katanga Hall. Some of them were published, some were rejected!
I also did a lot of reading in the secondary school and University, to learn about various writing styles.
I started my writing journey with essays, but moved swiftly into short stories. In 1997, I entered and won a national competition for true short stories. I got into poetry in the University, during my undergraduate years, and used to recite my poems in church. I started writing these essays which form the material for both books, in Oct 2004 and circulated to my friends via email. When I was in the UK for my masters, I started updating them on my first blog, Excursions in My Mind.
After a while, friends who received my Empower series started encouraging me to publish a compilation for a wider audience. That was around 2005 whilst I was studying for my Masters in the UK.
I did a compilation and seriously started looking for options, whilst still writing the articles and sharing them online. On my way to Ghana, after a business meeting in Israel, I saw an advert in the Economist by my publisher and I decided to submit my manuscript.
That was in November 2007.
My first book was published in October 2008.
How would you describe your writing?
I write fiction, non-fiction, and poems.
I like to refer to my non-fiction as reflective, rather than motivational. The analogy in the differentiation is this: a motivational book may provoke you, positively, to start running, in whatever direction -- that is speed. A reflective book, which is more than (yet inclusive of) motivational, will cause you to run, in a direction, knowing where and why you are running -- that is velocity. Because it matters not how hard you row the boat if you are headed in the wrong direction.
Read the rest of the interview at: Conversations with Writers.
About the Interviewer:
Ambrose Musiyiwa is a freelance writer, based in Leicester, East Midlands, United Kingdom. He keeps a blog of his interviews and conversations with writers at: http://conversationswithwriters.blogspot.com/.
So far, he has written and published two books, Through the Gates of Thought (Athena Press, 2010) and Excursions in my Mind (Athena Press, 2008).
His short stories have been featured in Ghanaian newspapers and magazines that include The Mirror and The Spectator as well as in the anthology, African Roar (Lion Press Ltd, 2010).
In this interview, Nana Awere Damoah talks about his writing:
When did you start writing?
My very first article, published in Through the Gates of Thought, was written in 1993 -- so I trace my writing life to that year. I was 18 years old then. But my appreciation of the literary form and my involvement in things literary actually started much earlier, in preparatory school, in the early 1980s when each class had to perform a play a day before the vacation day ... Small beginnings, appreciation of the arts, learning the rudiments of prose and poetry.
I remember being taught, in preparation for the Common Entrance in preparatory school, to answer the question: "Write a story ending with ‘… and the boy learnt a lesson for life, that obedience is better than sacrifice" ... Small beginnings of creative writing.
Then in Form One, in 1986, I wrote what I consider my first creative work, in (you won’t believe this) my history class: “A Day in Carthage”. It was purely fictional, and I loved it!
In the sixth form, we wanted to form a Literary Club and that was what led me to write that first article published in Through the Gates of Thought.
My first break as a writer came in 1995 when I submitted a short story, ‘The Showdown’, to the popular weekly newspaper, The Mirror -- and it was published! Seeing my name in print, knowing that this newspaper was the best selling paper in Ghana and circulated all over the country, gave me immense confidence and encouragement.
My skills were further honed when I joined the Literary Wing of the Christian fellowship during University.
In my early days, and this hasn’t changed much, I wrote a lot during the day, in my study notebooks, on sheets of paper, whenever and wherever inspiration hit. I continued to submit stories to The Mirror, The Spectator (which published one story), magazines on the University campus and shared my writings with the Literary club and also posted them on notice boards in the Department and my hall of residence, Katanga Hall. Some of them were published, some were rejected!
I also did a lot of reading in the secondary school and University, to learn about various writing styles.
I started my writing journey with essays, but moved swiftly into short stories. In 1997, I entered and won a national competition for true short stories. I got into poetry in the University, during my undergraduate years, and used to recite my poems in church. I started writing these essays which form the material for both books, in Oct 2004 and circulated to my friends via email. When I was in the UK for my masters, I started updating them on my first blog, Excursions in My Mind.
After a while, friends who received my Empower series started encouraging me to publish a compilation for a wider audience. That was around 2005 whilst I was studying for my Masters in the UK.
I did a compilation and seriously started looking for options, whilst still writing the articles and sharing them online. On my way to Ghana, after a business meeting in Israel, I saw an advert in the Economist by my publisher and I decided to submit my manuscript.
That was in November 2007.
My first book was published in October 2008.
How would you describe your writing?
I write fiction, non-fiction, and poems.
I like to refer to my non-fiction as reflective, rather than motivational. The analogy in the differentiation is this: a motivational book may provoke you, positively, to start running, in whatever direction -- that is speed. A reflective book, which is more than (yet inclusive of) motivational, will cause you to run, in a direction, knowing where and why you are running -- that is velocity. Because it matters not how hard you row the boat if you are headed in the wrong direction.
Read the rest of the interview at: Conversations with Writers.
About the Interviewer:
Ambrose Musiyiwa is a freelance writer, based in Leicester, East Midlands, United Kingdom. He keeps a blog of his interviews and conversations with writers at: http://conversationswithwriters.blogspot.com/.
Aug 21, 2010
"Through the Gates of Thought" available at Accra Mall!
Hi folks,
You can now get my second book "Through the Gates of Thought", already garnering rave reviews, from the Silverbird Lifestyle shop at the Accra Mall. It is directly opposite the stairway leading to the Silverbird cinema.
Grab your copy now, it will engage your thoughts, trigger dormant ideas and instigate some pertinent actions in your life! Get one and get another for friend you love - it is a perfect gift.
Read six reviews here: http://nanaaweredamoah.wordpress.com/message-board/
Happy reading.
Nana Damoah,
Author, Excursions in My Mind
ndamoah@yahoo.co.uk
Aug 7, 2010
Review: Through the Gates of Thought - by Sylva Nze Ifedigbo
Through the Gates of Thought
Author: Nana Awere Damoah
Publisher: Athena Press UK, 2010.
Pages: 134
Non-fiction books, especially those intended to motivate are often over-rated, sometimes drab and filled with too good to be true tales and experiences an ordinary reader might not relate with. But when such a book comes garnished with true stories, live experiences, memoirs, history, poems and dozens of quotations, it becomes an entirely different experience.
It is this special experience that Nana Awere Damoah offers readers in Through the Gates of Thought, the second in the author’s ‘Empower’ series which he began writing in 2004 as an effort to record his life experiences and lessons learnt for the unborn generation.
Presented in chapters which are aptly titled ‘Gates’, the author brings the reader into his thought on various issues and by implication strikes up a thought process in the reader culminating in Action Exercises which seek to task the reader to re-examine his or her current disposition in relation to the particular issues thrown up by the ‘Gates’.
Like balanced diet, the reflections cover a wide range of issues ranging from proper parenting to treatment of strangers, issues of nationality and of Africa’s integration. The topics are randomly selected, each bearing imprints of the author’s life experiences, that of those he knows and others from existing literature. Two of the ‘Gates’ are however entries by friends of the author which, much like those written by the author, touch on a principal human condition or life experience which should provoke some thought in the mind of the reader.
The language is simple. Its simplicity makes the heavy message in every chapter easy to swallow and understand. The story-telling prowess of the author comes to bear beautifully on each page, but it is the way he effortlessly combines many otherwise opposing genres that is even more admirable. The author weaves his thoughts exceptionally well, employing an array of images and illustrations to provide the reader with seamless understanding. For every issues examined, there are a set of carefully selected and well researched quotations which like a glass of water after a meal, aid the digestion of the message.
On many occasions, the author draws analogies from his life as a postgraduate student in the UK and of his early life in Ghana. He shares with us memoirs both of his successes and his goofs.
One very interesting story stood out from the pack. The author had led the protest against the new school policy which provided that sixth formers who hitherto wore trousers (an experience the author had looked forward to) were now to wear shorts. Enraged, he had written a letter to the Head Master, a letter that nearly got him expelled but which ironically gave him a story to tell, one which he excellently chronicled to win the first prize in the Step Magazine National story writing competition years after.
The many bible quotations and overt references to the author’s strong Christian upbringing take more than they give to the book. Perhaps the author should have paid a little more attention on his non-Christian readers who might find it a bit discomfiting. These references make the book seem like something that should be found only in Christian bookshops when in truth it is a beautiful all-encompassing work of literature.
And perhaps to show how generous he is with knowledge, the author shares with readers, reviews of Excursion in My Mind, the first in the ‘Empower’ series. The reviews provide a snippets into what he had earlier served and convinces the readers to go in search of it, for both books in the series provides a full dose that is sure to empower the open mind.
Sylva Nze Ifedigbo an award winning fiction writer and essayist reside in Abuja, Nigeria.
Author: Nana Awere Damoah
Publisher: Athena Press UK, 2010.
Pages: 134
Non-fiction books, especially those intended to motivate are often over-rated, sometimes drab and filled with too good to be true tales and experiences an ordinary reader might not relate with. But when such a book comes garnished with true stories, live experiences, memoirs, history, poems and dozens of quotations, it becomes an entirely different experience.
It is this special experience that Nana Awere Damoah offers readers in Through the Gates of Thought, the second in the author’s ‘Empower’ series which he began writing in 2004 as an effort to record his life experiences and lessons learnt for the unborn generation.
Presented in chapters which are aptly titled ‘Gates’, the author brings the reader into his thought on various issues and by implication strikes up a thought process in the reader culminating in Action Exercises which seek to task the reader to re-examine his or her current disposition in relation to the particular issues thrown up by the ‘Gates’.
Like balanced diet, the reflections cover a wide range of issues ranging from proper parenting to treatment of strangers, issues of nationality and of Africa’s integration. The topics are randomly selected, each bearing imprints of the author’s life experiences, that of those he knows and others from existing literature. Two of the ‘Gates’ are however entries by friends of the author which, much like those written by the author, touch on a principal human condition or life experience which should provoke some thought in the mind of the reader.
The language is simple. Its simplicity makes the heavy message in every chapter easy to swallow and understand. The story-telling prowess of the author comes to bear beautifully on each page, but it is the way he effortlessly combines many otherwise opposing genres that is even more admirable. The author weaves his thoughts exceptionally well, employing an array of images and illustrations to provide the reader with seamless understanding. For every issues examined, there are a set of carefully selected and well researched quotations which like a glass of water after a meal, aid the digestion of the message.
On many occasions, the author draws analogies from his life as a postgraduate student in the UK and of his early life in Ghana. He shares with us memoirs both of his successes and his goofs.
One very interesting story stood out from the pack. The author had led the protest against the new school policy which provided that sixth formers who hitherto wore trousers (an experience the author had looked forward to) were now to wear shorts. Enraged, he had written a letter to the Head Master, a letter that nearly got him expelled but which ironically gave him a story to tell, one which he excellently chronicled to win the first prize in the Step Magazine National story writing competition years after.
The many bible quotations and overt references to the author’s strong Christian upbringing take more than they give to the book. Perhaps the author should have paid a little more attention on his non-Christian readers who might find it a bit discomfiting. These references make the book seem like something that should be found only in Christian bookshops when in truth it is a beautiful all-encompassing work of literature.
And perhaps to show how generous he is with knowledge, the author shares with readers, reviews of Excursion in My Mind, the first in the ‘Empower’ series. The reviews provide a snippets into what he had earlier served and convinces the readers to go in search of it, for both books in the series provides a full dose that is sure to empower the open mind.
Sylva Nze Ifedigbo an award winning fiction writer and essayist reside in Abuja, Nigeria.
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