Connect with us

News

How it feels like to loose a business; the current state of Western Region. Part I

Published

on

Spread the love

Thursday, June 13 2024. A day that goes straight into my diary of how I lost an important business doing in Western Region, Tarkwa. There has been many occurrences shared on social media about how this Western Regional minister has been very lame when it comes to national issues and I must be frank, my experience on June 13th was nothing to take my mind off of the various post I have seen on the media space.

Western Region in retrospective

The Western Region is located in south Ghana,[4]spreads from the Ivory Coast (Comoé District) in the west to the Central region in the east, includes the capital and large twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi on the coast, coastal Axim, and a hilly inland area including Elubo. It includes Ghana’s southernmost location, Cape Three Points, where crude oil was discovered in commercial quantities in June 2007. The region covers an area of 13,842 km2, and had a population of 2,060,585 at the 2021 Census.[2]

The Western Region enjoys a long coastline that stretches from South Ghana’s border with Ivory Coast to the Western region’s boundary with the Central Region on the east.

The Western Region has the highest rainfall in Ghana, lush green hills, and fertile soils. There are numerous small and large-scale gold mines along with offshore oil platforms dominate the Western Region economy.

The culture is dominated by the Akans; the main languages are Akan, French and English.

The largest rivers are the Ankobra River, the Bia River, and the Pra River in the east, with the Tano River partly forming the western national border. The area is known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the village of Nzulezo built entirely on stilts and platforms over water[5] and the Ankasa Protected Area. There is a series of imposing Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Brandenburgian forts along the coast, built from 1512 on.

The Dialect/Ethnic group popularly known in the Western Region is Nzema, the beaches of Nzema have become a getaway/vacation/resort destination for a lot of tourists (local and foreign) to experience true Nzema Hospitality. Amongst the top resorts along the coast of Nzema are Venice View Beach Resort, Located in a small town called Baku (also sometimes known as Beku) about 8 minutes drive from Eikwe. Along these beaches are other destinations such as the Fort Apollonia located at Beyin.

Also there is a beach tourist attraction village called Busua, with the biggest tourist resort in the region which has a beach suitable for surfing. On the east there is a small fishing village called Butre with a beach, a lagoon and several tourist resorts. The old language in these parts is Ahanta, most people speak Fanti.[citation needed] (Wikipedia)

One carefully reading through the above from Wikipedia.com would definitely have a great impression about the region and without a shred of doubt would even find ways and means to have an experience, adding up to revenue generated from the region, that is, a visit to this vast rich tourist sites can be a contributing factor to Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP)

(A graphical representation of Western Region)

With special attention to the contribution of Western Region to gross domestic product (GDP) as at 2015, per capita of $2,500. Fast forward 2024, in my quest to find out the current contribution to national GDP I asked google, since it’s everyone’s friend. “Western Region’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product” even google gave me a tough result, probed and probed but nothing of what I actually wanted. I resorted to A.I, no result as it only provided that of Ghana.

The contribution of Western Region to Ghana’s GDP which I know of, is almost close to 60% considering the gold mining, bauxite, manganese, oil drilling, and so forth coming from Western Region, yet it is the most deprived in terms of infrastructures and development. In a publication on https://yen.com.gh/politics/238168-kennedy-agyapong-blasts-ghanaian-politicans-god-lash-them/ with headline “Kennedy Agyapong Blasts Ghanaian Politicians During Campaign, Says God Must Lash All Of Them”

Going by what Hon. Kennedy Agyapong said in the above, with proper look into Western Region, the regional minister really needs a lashing and to add to; a dirty slap.

A look back in history, Wednesday 24th Ocotober, 2023, a witness to it and a publication on “traffic chaos on poor Takoradi-Agona-Nkwanta road due to heavy vehicle breakdown” https://beachfmonline.com/2023/10/26/traffic-chaos-on-poor-takoradi-agona-nkwanta-road-due-to-heavy-vehicle-breakdown/

(traffic chaos on poor-takoradi-agona-nkwanta road due to heavy vehicle breakdown)

Ladies and gentlemen, we are in 2024 and this same problem from 2023 hasn’t been solved. You’d ask all the big questions. Are there leadership in the region? Does the regional minister know what is happening on that road? As a leader does he have any vision at all? Do they care about the people that commute that road for their daily activities? And so forth.

14th June 2024, same problem persist on Takoradi-Agona-Nkwanta road

The current state of Western Region doesn’t look good, the only national sports stadium we can boast of, Essipong Stadium has been left to deteriorate, center for national culture, the interchange promised us is now a tourist attraction or better put a statue that will soon be named after the Regional Minister I guess. And when He’s granted to speak it’s always trash.

To end with:

“But until you’re affected, you’ll never know the cry of the innocent Ghanaian” ~ Anonymous

 

“Countrymen, the task ahead is great indeed, and heavy is the responsibility; and yet it is a noble and glorious challenge – a challenge which calls for the courage to dream, the courage to believe, the courage to dare, the courage to do, the courage to envision, the courage to fight, the courage to work, the courage to achieve – to achieve the highest excellencies and the fullest greatness of man. Dare we ask for more in life?” ~ Kwame Nkrumah

 

 

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

California’s Vote Count Lags Behind India’s Efficiency

Published

on

Spread the love

California’s vote counting process has often been criticized for its duration compared to other regions, including India, which is known for its efficiency in handling large-scale elections:  In recent elections, California has taken significantly longer to count votes compared to the immediate results seen in some other states. 

California has a high percentage of mail-in ballots, which require additional steps for verification, including signature checking, which delays the counting process. Ballots can be counted if postmarked by Election Day and received up to a week later, extending the counting period. Efforts to increase voter accessibility, like same-day registration and provisional ballots, add to the complexity and time needed for vote tallying. There are set deadlines for when results must be certified, which can extend past the day of the election, contributing to the perception of slow counting.

In contrast, India manages to count votes for its massive electorate with notable speed, India’s election process for its 640 million voters (in some elections) is completed in a single day for the counting phase, thanks to a highly organized system with extensive manpower and technology, despite the logistical challenges posed by its size and diversity.

The use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) since the early 2000s has significantly sped up the counting process. These machines are counted manually but at a rapid pace because of the sheer number of counters involved. There’s a growing frustration among the public and political figures in California regarding the slow pace of vote counting. Some have suggested adopting technologies or systems similar to those used in India to streamline the process, although this would require significant changes in election laws and infrastructure.

The extended vote count in California has been linked to increased distrust among some voters, as the delay in final results can lead to speculation and conspiracy theories about the integrity of the election process. Efforts are underway to possibly speed up the process through legal changes, like earlier processing of mail-in ballots and better voter education on timely ballot submission. This comparison highlights a contrast in election management philosophies; California prioritizes voter accessibility and security, which inherently slows down the counting, whereas India’s system is geared towards rapid, large-scale execution with a different approach to technology and human resources.

Continue Reading

News

The Tribal Supremacy and Tribal Bigotry Happening in Ghana

Published

on

Spread the love

In the wake of the supposed tribal supremacy and tribal bigotry happening in Ghana, i take you to the colonial and post colonial dichotomies of it.

The Akan group believed to have been the first people of the present day Ghana constitute over 47%. The functions amongst the Akan began to fight themselves for supremacy, others continued to migrates to other parts. Popular battles fought were the Denkyiras and Asantes, Fantse and Asantes, Fantses and Nzemas etc. The Fantse as a result of their involvement with the Brits joined forces with them to fight the Asantes (noted as one of the fearsome tribes).

The Fight For Independence

The Asantes had fought the British for their independence and had won in most of the battles until the Sagrenti war where the Asantes attempted to conquere the British and seize the Cape Coast Castle (seat of the British rule). Together with the Fantse, Mende (Sierra Leone) and Igbo military forces and the British, the Asantes were conquered along the coast.

Diplomatic Independence 

The talks for Independence had since started amongst the Asantes and the British in 1935/1936.

The other Akan diplomats led by J.B Danquah had met the Fantse chiefs and other dignitaries in Saltpond to agree on the road map for the fight for independence. Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who insisted on “Independence now or never”, moved ahead to convince the Asantes (who were near independence in 1936), the northern tribes and the Togoland (Ewes) to join forces to push for a joint independence. There were certain conditions to met before all parties joined in. The Asantes opted to still be recognized as it state with homage paid to it King. The Northern tribes were promised developments and education (to be inline with the southern tribes).

Post Independence Rule and Tribal Bigotry

Kwame Nkrumah focused on Free Formal Education in the North to be at pair with the south. Military power capture fueled by selfishness ignited a lot of tribal bigotry as tribesmen wanted to be in charge of government. Democratic governments played on the cards of tribalism to win favour and propagate their agenda.

Conclusion

Power struggle has always been a powered struggle with tribal bigotry playing a key role. In the Rwandan genocide, it was the majority Hutus who called the Tutsis “ cockroaches” and as such be “killed”. Naturally tribes feel supirior over other tribes these natural instincts fuel the hatred. Generally, marriages with certain tribes are frowns upon. Well! Maybe thats how it was supposed to be “stay in your lane and don’t mingle with outsiders”. Who brought us together?. Just like religion, these man-made decision breeds divisions

Continue Reading

News

Kumasi’s Toy Gun Trend: Playful or Perilous?

Published

on

Spread the love

The trend of using toy guns in Kumasi has sparked a mix of reactions, reflecting broader discussions on the implications of such play.

Toy guns have traditionally been a part of children’s play worldwide, often seen as a means to encourage imaginative play, creativity, and even role-playing scenarios that can teach about morality, teamwork, and decision-making. In Kumasi, as in many places, toy guns might be viewed by some as harmless fun, providing entertainment and a sense of camaraderie among children and sometimes even adults during leisure activities. There is a significant concern that this trend could be perilous due to several reasons; The confusion between toy and real firearms could lead to dangerous situations.

In Ghana, where real gun violence has been an issue, toy guns might contribute to a culture that trivializes the seriousness of firearms. There’s a fear that toy guns could be misused or misunderstood, potentially leading to accidents or confrontations. The lack of clear regulations on toy guns might exacerbate this risk.  The trend could complicate law enforcement efforts if toy guns are mistaken for real ones, potentially leading to unnecessary escalations in tense situations.

Some individuals and social commentators on platforms like X have expressed worry, pointing out that this trend could normalize gun culture among the youth, potentially desensitizing them to the real-life consequences of gun violence. They argue for oversight or regulations to ensure that these toys are used safely and do not contribute to a broader societal issue.

Conversely, others might argue that with proper education about the difference between toys and real weapons, such activities can remain within the realm of safe, supervised play. There seems to be a growing call for intervention by authorities or community leaders in Kumasi to address this trend.

This might involve setting guidelines on how toy guns should be manufactured (e.g., with distinctive colors or designs to differentiate them from real firearms), sold, and used, perhaps similar to what has been implemented in other countries. The situation in Kumasi reflects a global debate on the role of toy guns in society, weighing the benefits of imaginative play against the potential for real-world confusion and danger.

The trend underscores the need for a balanced approach where the playful nature of toy guns is preserved while ensuring that safety and societal values are not compromised.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 KobbySmiles.