This Passive Education System

It comes as no surprise when I hear about the high unemployment rate among Ghanaian graduates. In fact any critical observer of our education system will expect this to occur. It is disheartening that after over 56 years of independence our education system has not seen any significant change but rather we still use the old system where all the emphasis is on theory and classroom work rather than the practical aspect that will make students marketable after school. In fact upon short interviews with many students reveals that most students have no clear vision of what they want to do in future with the course they read at even the tertiary level. It seems even tertiary education has become just a trend and not a purpose driven action to improve upon one's knowledge base and equip him or her with the necessary skills he or she can independently survive.
I once went to withdraw money from the bank. As I stood in the queue in the banking hall, one young lady approached me asking for assistance to write a figure on her cheque. I quickly obliged and entered into a conversation with her. I realized she was a third year student in a reputable private university in our beloved country. I was shocked! I couldn't stop wondering what criteria of selection was used to admit someone who couldn't write such a simple figure. This reminds me of a popular adage : Don't blame the writer, blame the game. In deed the student is not the one to blame but rather the system. I remember taking an Integrated Science examination question paper from the just-ended B.E.C.E. and realized that almost 75% of the questions there quite analogous to what I wrote in 2009. I would not be surprised if in ten years time these same set of questions are given to candidates to answer. I will not even go on to talk about the W.A.S.S.C.E. ; In fact I will save it for another day.
But what does this all go to prove? The current education system trains students to be passive observers of their environment with no clear aims or visions to bring about any positive change. Ghanaian students from primary level to the tertiary stage are spoon-fed and thus are not able to function independently when they leave school. In fact science education now has no meaning in Ghana. Isn't it funny when a graduate holding a degree in civil engineering applies to work in bank? Clearly this individual had no clear understanding of the purpose for which he obtained that degree. It is a pity that all our major construction and engineering feats are achieved by expatriates. What meaning do we give to science education then? Business students are no different. It is rare to meet a business student who wishes to do something on his or her own after school. Everyone want to work at a bank, insurance company or some multimillion conglomerate. What happens to the spirit of entrepreneurship? Would there have been any Microsoft if Bill Gates thought this way? Most students are hit with a true picture of reality on the job market when it becomes too late; when they've completed school and have remained unemployed for year. Sadly, they attribute their plight of unemployment to spirits who know nothing about it.
Comparing our economy to more developed nations reveals that most of their production is done by their graduates; companies liaise with educational institutions to design courses that will be necessary for the job market. Can this be said about Ghana?where something as simple as toothpick is imported?Definitely no!
   Our education system clearly needs to undergo a serious radical change. Students should be taught to become more independent from even the primary level. Tertiary institutions should collaborate with companies to design courses that will be needed in the job market. The corruption factor should seriously be checked to ensure that only qualified students are admitted.
Let's take our education seriously because it can steer the future of our nation.

Let's Join Hands to Fight Narcotic Drugs

Narcotic drugs continue to remain a global problem that seem to worsen as the year go by. In deed it is now so common to hear stories of drugs trafficking that one even begins to wonder whether it has become a norm in our current times. Even our very leaders who are supposed to uphold the law and help fight against this menace seem to be involved in this ignominious trader.

In deed the grievousness of the drug menace to the society seems to be losing face as the years go by. However, we must realize that the drug menace and it's concomitant effects have become more serious in our current times that even in the past. Most people do not realize the indirect effects narcotic drug are imposing on their live;most are not aware of the dangers they've been placed in as a result of their usage. In the following paragraphs I will elucidate how narcotic drug usage indirectly affect the lives of non-users.

Mr. Johnson left home with his family on New Year's day to visit his mother in Gomoa Feteh. He being a teetotallar and a non-drug user, set out sober with high spirits for the day ahead. Mid-way through the journey he saw an on-coming articulated truck moving at top-speed leaving its side of the road and moving towards his(Mr Johnson) side of the road. He attempted to dodge it but due to the proximity failed and was crushed together with his family. The driver of the truck when asked about the accident reported having seen four roads ahead of him and thus became confused. Upon blood test, he tested positive for cocaine and methamphethamine. Akosua Mansah, an 8-year old primary three pupil closed from school and set for home. On her way, as she passed by an uncompleted building(which she did everyday), Kofi Anoma, a recently completed J.H.S. graduate quickly rushed out with a club and bludgeoned her to death. When asked the reasons for his actions, Kofi claimed he had no memories of the event. A quick search of Kofi by investigators revealed left-overs of weed he had used. The victims of these two events are all non-users of narcotic drugs yet they suffered the effects of its usage. What are we to learn from this?

Jael Strauss: From top model to meth addict

We must realize that the combat against the usage of narcotic drugs should be everybody's business and not only for the security agencies. This is because the usage of these drugs lead people to commit so many horrendous crimes that affect mainly we the non-users. Many road accidents that are reported daily are as a result of drug usage. Consider a road accident involving a 'trotro' bus and an articulated truck in which all the people on-board perish and the drivers survive; most probably the drivers were under the influence of these drugs which led to the death of these noble men and women. Another case where armed robbers, in need of money to fuel their drug expenses, attack and rob people of their hard-earned belongings and may even go as far as rape and murder. All these point to the fact that sitting on the fence during this war on narcotic drug usage is definitely not the best choice to take.
What must we do then as individuals? We must make it a matter of urgency to report to our security agencies people in our neighbourhood who exhibit suspicious behaviour and exhibit queer character: they will be placed under observation  and if confirmed true will be appropriately dealt with.Parents must also make sure to observe the kind of people their children move about with to ensure they are under positive influence. Passengers of public transport who realize their driver is under the influence of any drug should immediately stop the car and report the driver to the nearest police station to protect their lives.
Let's all stand hand in hand against this drug menace to protect ourselves and our families.
 

Unity in our diversity

Although Ghana has enjoyed a long time of political stability with Ghanaians remaining one of the few nations in Africa that seem to really understand the practice of democracy,Ghana still remains a country divided heavily by partisan politics. This has eaten into every fibre of activity in our country that one begins to wonder whether our unity as a nation is really sustainable. It seems every sector of our nation is immersed in partisan politics to the point where declaring one's stand could make him or her a possible victim of discrimination.
However, one begins to wonder whether these stalwarts of these political parties who see others of different political dispensation as 'enemies' really take time to observe how politicians treat each other whenever they meet up. It is always beautiful to see our politicians and dear leaders at peace with each other whenever they meet at various public functions and gatherings. They seem not to be the very people who were tearing at each other's throat the previous night on the radio station.

President Mahama with Nana Akuffo Addo

But what are we to learn from this? Clearly Ghanians must begin to realize that the relationship portrayed by the politicians on our various media outlets whenever they are called to speak for their parties should not be a reason for us to start discriminating against one another on grounds of political party support.In fact, their demeanor on various television and radio stations should simply be taken as a mere act to defend the various policies proposed by their various political parties ultimately with the aim of developing our nation. However most people tend to misconstrue these actions and take it as justified reasons to stigmatize and bear pathological hatred for people belonging to different political divide.In deed we all realize during after-sessions of the on-going court case how leaders of the N.P.P. and N.D.C. laugh heartily with each other even though they are contesting each other in court. Does it not dawn on us that these politicians are merely actors and actresses on stage and friends off-stage and thus should not cause us to hate each other?

Sir John and Genera Mosquito

In fact it is disheartening when one begins to hear stories about married couples who are at loggerheads with each other due to different political dispensations. Do they not realize that it is this diversity that strengthens us as a nation? Or that it is this diversity that helps to make any government accountable? Ghanaians open your eyes! This is merely hatred developed from a movie show played by these politicians!
In deed for our nation to develop all hands must be on deck. We should ignore these propaganda and work hand in hand trusting one another to move our great nation forward.