TALKING DRUM: Our NSS has gone mad again!

A logo of the NSS

It was something that one of the world’s renowned scientists tried looking at. Yes, so I think. But he greatly failed finding answers. It’s elusive. In his own words, Isaac Newton opined that, “I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies but not the madness of people.”

Indeed, at the La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA) Annex, opposite the El-Wak Sports Stadium in the Greater Accra region, was an exhibition of madness by some security personnel― that which Isaac Newton certainly could never have calculated!

Reports had it that on Monday, July 24, 2017, some graduates had queued up for registration into the National Service Scheme’s (NSS) 2017/18 year of placement. Then, when there seemed to be some disorderliness among these prospective national service persons, some police and military officers were brought in to restore calm. 

The “Calm Restoration Brigade”, unfortunately, ended up flexing muscles at these prospective national service personnel who were only poised to serve their nation. 

On both radio and television, in newspapers and on social media, these security personnel and the NSS have been sternly criticized for their nauseatingly unprofessional conduct. Subsequently, the NSS has released a statement apologizing to those who suffered in the hands of the security personnel.

“Management wishes to state that the incidents are regrettable, therefore, wishes to apologize to all such national service personnel and the general public for the recorded incidents of congestion which led to the manhandling,” read portions of the NSS’ statement.

It added that, “Management has put in place measures to ease the congestion, therefore, wishes to appeal to all national service personnel to remain calm and go through the registration process smoothly.” 

Here we are again as a country talking about one particular problem that has been trumpeted an umpteen times. The problem is that the NSS is literally dead in terms of development. The hard truth is that it has been left behind by the world in terms of technology.

During my national service days, 2013/14, one had to go to wherever s/he was posted just to register in order to be considered for placement. This seeming cast-in-stone procedure has had many endure it the hard way. Some are even feared to have lost their lives to road accidents while on their way to register. 

So, why does the National Service Scheme still tell prospective personnel to go queue up at its offices for registration? Is there no way an online platform could be built where, at the comfort of one’s home, s/he by a click of a button registers than bustle and hustle in queues?

I am frankly shocked but not too surprised. In my country, Ghana, we major on minor issues and minor in the major. This is a country where things are done, mostly, upside down. 

In my own former school, the Ghana Institute of Journalism among many others, applying for admissions online means you go to the school’s website, download the form, print and submit it on the campus. The Passport Office’s so called online registration for passports is as well in this boat of shame. 

One is, therefore, not surprised that the National Service Scheme says it does not consider building a platform for its prospective service personnel to register online. There must be a scare crow on the internet appearing to devour the NSS. 

With all due respect, at times, I am tempted to ask “if everything is okay” with some of our institutions considering decisions they take.

In 2015, I wrote a commentary for a segment on Radio Ghana’s news called News Commentary. In that piece, I criticized the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for its decision to destroy certificates in its custody dating over 10 years.

My argument was simple. Though WAEC’s reason for decongesting their storage capacities was somewhat laudable, the situation was likely to repeat itself in the next decade. 

I, thus, suggested that the examination body stopped printing certificates and should only do so on demand by whoever wanted it. I recommended they get an online platform for such on-demand requests. 

Moreover, I saw the policy that compels one to go for his/her certificates in the region in which they wrote their examinations as sickening. Why can’t a person show up at any WAEC office, nationwide, and claim their requested certificates by showing their ID cards?

What happened at the LaDMA Annex on that fateful Monday is something very shameful and must not be repeated. The NSS must by now realize that the uproar by Ghanaians, home and abroad, over its crass incompetence sends a strong warning that a handshake that goes beyond the elbow ceases to be a friendly gesture. 

Sit up NSS… for the sleep that last from one market day to the other becomes death. Enough of your dry jokes!

The writer is a broadcast journalist with 3FM (92.7). Views expressed here solely remain his and do not, in anyway, reflect his organisation’s editorial policy.

Email: nehusthan4@yahoo.com

Twitter: @Aniwaba

TALKING DRUM: The simplest question I would have asked Prez Akufo Addo

President Akufo Addo

At the Flagstaff House [the seat of government], in the Greater Accra region, the President invited journalists to come listen to him tell Ghanaians what he has achieved so far after six months in office.

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at exactly 12:30pm, the President’s guests were seated; so was the larger populace, outside the Flagstaff House, either glued to their television or radio sets waiting to hear the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces speak.

Touching on almost all sectors of the economy, President Akufo Addo touted his government’s achievements. He noted he has restored the teachers and nursing trainees’ allowances which will take effect at the beginning of the 2017/18 academic year. 

One thing that got me admiring His Excellency was his frankness on issues. Questions posed to him that were beyond his wits, he directed to his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and others.

On security, the President was spot on as he admitted that incidents of the Delta Forces and Invisible Forces (vigilante groups within the New Patriotic Party) have brought the government into disrepute.

Social media was flooded with score cards on who asked the most intelligent question as journalists took turns to do so.

Bernard Avle of Citi FM asking a question

For instance, Citi FM’s Bernard Avle, Joy FM’s Evans Mensah and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation’s Abdul Hayi Momeen were highly praised. On the flip side, Abusua FM’s Kwame Adinkra was not spared the rod of ridicule. Social media commentators have described his question to the President on road infrastructure in Kumasi (Ashanti region) as that of a typical serial caller on radio.

Personally, I think Kwame Adinkra was too bias in his question. He implicitly implied that the former President, John Dramani Mahama’s administration did nothing for Kumasi. 

As if his politically bias question wasn’t enough, he went about needlessly praising the President on how nice the African print he wore was. For Heaven’s sake, this is the president of the nation and no one expects him wear tattered shirts!!!

I was not present at President Akufo Addo’s media encounter so I did not get the opportunity to ask my question. However, if I did, I know by now social media would have still been discussing me. Yes! 

The writer, Solomon Mensah

I would have been the talk of town. I would have, however, pardoned whoever would call me stupid or insane. Why? This is because I would have asked the simplest of questions. 

“Hello Mr. President. My name is Solomon Mensah and I work with Media General (specifically 3FM and TV3). Could you please tell us the last time you passed through the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange, Kaneshie, Lapaz, Madina and other suburbs of the capital city?” 

Having asked this, I would add, “If you have had a pass through these suburbs of Accra since coming into office, did you [with all due respect] see the filth engulfing the city of Accra? Would you say the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources you created has been of help so far? Thank you.”

Until recently that All Nations University students in the Eastern region launched a satellite into space, what pertains beyond the clouds has not really been our concern. One of our major concerns, however, has been how to battle filth. 

Sadly, all the measures the Mahama administration put in place to deal with this canker did not work because they were themselves problems. Talk of the National Sanitation Day where we are indirectly told to fill the gutters with rubbish and go back to clean it at the beginning of every new month. Sickening!

When President Akufo Addo created the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, I thought our problems were going to be dealt with. Six months on, I will score the ministry a lousy 1 out of 10. They have basically done nothing substantial to improve upon our sanitation!

The biggest mistake past and present governments have made is to entrust the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to spearhead the agenda of cleaning Accra. I have said on many occasions that the AMA is more incompetent than the word itself. In fact, I strongly believe that apart from the responsibility of drivers at the AMA, almost all the other roles could be played by class one pupils.

Recently, the AMA issued a statement threatening to exhume dead bodies buried illegally. Even inmates of Pantang Hospital will not consider this as the best solution to curb illegal burial in Accra. 

Perhaps, officials of the AMA must be sent to Sunyani, the capital of the Brong Ahafo region, on a study tour to learn how effective and efficient things are done there. To the best of my knowledge there is no way one can bury their dead at any cemetery in Sunyani without approval from authorities. Why? There are security men at the gates of the cemeteries!

Mr. President, my colleagues asked about the number of jobs you have created and whether you have been tamed. They were all good questions. I am much concerned about the basic things that require no certificate but common sense to handle― sanitation. If you really have your promise of seeing Accra become a clean city at heart, please, let the AMA stay away from this.

The traders, for instance, who were recently ejected from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange are happily back to their business there. Circle, despite the facelift, has become dirtier than before. 

Mr. President, can you enforce a by-law that will get people who litter indiscriminately pay a fine? Can you let people be responsible for their irresponsible behaviour?

Mr. President, in this 21^st century, it is a total shame that malaria is still among the topmost diseases tormenting Ghanaians. It is a shame we still battle cholera and other filth-related diseases.

If the war on galamsey is yielding results, can we launch a similar war on sanitation in this country? A healthy nation is wealthy nation. Everything starts with good health. When we have good health, we can effectively talk about all other issues, I believe.

The writer, Solomon Mensah, is a broadcast journalist with 3FM 92.7. Views expressed here solely remain his and do not, in anyway, reflect his organisation’s editorial policy.

Email: nehusthan4@yahoo.com

Twitter: @Aniwaba

Instagram: @Aniwaba

TALKING DRUM: 3FM’s ‘Jollof War’― Let there be no cease fire!

The Jollof dish

“So, which aspect of journalism do you consider majoring someday?” friends, family and well-wishers have asked me times without number.

Oftentimes, I give them an answer that makes them turn to suggest to me that, perhaps, I must see the curer of sick heads.

“My ultimate aim is to be a war reporter [preferably with Aljazeera].” 

“War reporter? And you consider marrying to raise a family? Solomon, please stop having this dream. You are too young for this,” a classmate back in Ghana Institute of Journalism once told me. 

I fantasize at war reporters wearing their bulletproof vests and helmets giving live reports with the sound of gunshots in the background. It is no wonder at all that not long ago I contacted one of the world’s best journalists, Sharon Schmickle, for mentoring. Sharon has reported from the war front in Iraq, Afghanistan and other war-torn countries.

So, when I heard that one of Media General’s outlets, 3FM, was preparing grounds for war among Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal, one thing popped up in mind― a perfect opportunity to try my hands on war reporting! 

The promo: Alfred Ocansey, anchor of News 360-Tv3

Dubbed the 3FM Jollof War, the event slated for July 1, 2017, will have representatives of three countries cooking Jollof (a delicacy made from rice) to suit their home style― Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. 

If you have followed discussions for some time now between Ghana and Nigeria, on social media, the food at the center of the impending war has been a bone of contention. Whether Ghana or Nigeria’s Jollof tastes better has been overly debated with musicians even singing on. 

As though the war on whose Jollof tastes better is not enough, there’s yet another raging debate as to who really owns the ‘birthright’ of the famed Jollof?

Indeed, finding answers to these questions have been tricky as the changing colour of the chameleon. Historically, the origin of Jollof as one of West Africa’s most prominent cuisines has become another war on its own. 

If what food and agriculture historian, James C. McCann, asserts is anything to go by, both Ghana and Nigeria stand the chance of losing the birthright of Jollof to the then Senegambia. 

According to him, Senegambia was ruled by the Jolof Empire [also referred to as the Wollof Empire]. This empire could be credited with Jollof for its dominance in rice at the Upper Niger River. The name Jollof is said to have been derived from the Jolof/Wollof people.

However, I strongly believe that even if Professor Adu Boahen should come back to life and say we should heed to James C. McCann’s claim, Nigeria and Ghana will still contest this origin.

So, what does the present day Senegal make of this whole touting of “my Jollof is the best” by Ghana and Nigeria? Well, I do not know the plans Senegal has in stock ahead of July 1^st. However, I hope it has, like North Korea, piled up some intercontinental ballistic missiles of aromatic ingredients to win the tongues of the distinguished judges for the event.

The promo: Johnnie Hughes, Host of New Day, TV3

I must join the numerous Ghanaians, Nigerians and Senegalese out there who have expressed interest in 3FM’s Jollof War in thanking the organizers. Indeed, this day will truly vindicate the best cook among these three countries. Off to their country they would go bragging for a year only to return to face the likes of Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon and Mali next year.

Lest I forget, on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, I celebrated my birthday and again was the question posed to me; “Where is the birthday party?” Well, I humbly invite you to the forecourt of TV3, Adesa We, Kanda in the Greater Accra region, to come wine and dine at the 3FM Jollof War event.

You do not require any ticket for entry. The event is ‘gate free.’ Should you come and yearn for more Jollof, just mention my name to the organizers that the birthday boy says, “MORE Jollof!”

Trying to call my cell phone might not be successful. I will be at the battle front rehearsing my dream of war reporting with two spoons in my hands scooping Jollof from all corners of Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. Yes! Do not call for cease fire in this war.

Long live 3FM. Long live the cultural and culinary diversity of Africa.

The writer is a broadcast journalist with 3FM 92.7. Views expressed here are solely his and does not reflect the editorial policy of his organisation.

Email: nehusthan4@yahoo.com