Features and Opinions

1. Media Freedom MUST be respected in every democracy. But this is not licentious for Media Tyranny. The unintended consequences of the liberalization of our airwaves and the proscription of laws that gagged the media, following the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, has been the belief that journalists must be tin-gods, who must not be touched, regardless of what they do, and can arrogate to themselves the right to do anything, including turning a man into a woman.

If Caleb Kudah, the Citi journalist was slapped, kicked and/or manhandled by National Security officials, it is wrong, wrong, wrong. The number of vehicles, uniformed officials and amount of firepower that went to the offices of Citi FM to arrest another journalist was over the top and in my book, was meant to intimidate.

Institutions of higher education worldwide are undergoing unprecedented change because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Universities and colleges have been forced to switch to online teaching and learning. Many were unprepared for this move to what is termed emergency remote teaching and learning.

Introduction

Democracies thrive on divergent opinions and tolerance for opposing views. In cases where people disagree, they do so whilst respecting the rights of people to hold opposing views. The cardinal organ of society that vents out these opposing views for the purposes of holding Gov’t accountable is the media and media practitioners engaged including individual commentators, bloggers, among others. It is for this reason that the Constitution guarantees media independence and freedoms in Article 161 and 162.

A journalist is released from security custody after 5 hours. He proceeds to his workplace after his release and is instructed to go home by his superiors and return to work the next day.

For more than 15 hours since news broke of the arrest of Citi FM’s Caleb Kudah, I restrained myself from passing any comment or opinion. But I knew there was something his media house was not doing right when I read the first report on their website. And I guessed what might have put Caleb in trouble.

I do not know what the arrangements are in Achimota school today. But when I was a student there in the 1970s, Muslim students were allowed to fast If They Chose to do so.

I am no longer a paid-up member of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA). I suspect, therefore, that I might not qualify to be called a journalist these days.

When your personal interest happens to coincide with the general interests of the community, it is very easy to do the right thing.

On an auspicious occasion such as my birthday, I should be relaxing and reflecting on the journey of my life so far. 

1. In the first 100 days of the first term of President Akufo Addo’s government, there was zeal. There were palpable initiatives that could tangibly be reported and determination to govern. However, the same cannot be said about the current first 100 days.

Marriage is not as simple as saying “I do,” it requires effort, time and commitment. The need for rushing into marriage before one’s educational career is completed will only lead to an inevitable downfall and heartbreak.

Celebrities, properly called, have such influence especially on the youth.

More companies have discovered the importance of “Working From Home” as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As we pour out tributes in solidarity with the family of Ishmael Mensah and many other families who have been in such a situation, we should not forget to pray for them to heal and have the courage to move on.

“I’m done with football, and I don’t want to have anything to do with the sport,” a grim looking Ransford Osei says, with his head down.

The incident happened on Thursday 19th March 2021 when two boys in dreadlocks were asked to cut down their hairs before joining their colleagues in school.

Recent power outages across the country have created considerable alarm amongst the general public; especially the incident on Sunday, March 7th, 2021, which led to a total power system shutdown (a similar incident occurred in May 2017).

Listening to the Budget today, I felt very ashamed and disappointed as a Ghanaian who had high hopes for the future. A National Budget in a pandemic must offer hope and inspiration. This budget does not inspire confidence for the future of the Ghanaian youth.

Dear Daniel Yaw Domelevo,

I am touched to write your tribute at a time you’re still part of the audience. I must, however, confess that I write this tribute in shame. It is a shame born out of the fact that that I was part of the crowd that helplessly watched your crucifixion.

The first time Boss used the term ‘Africangitis,’ I thought it was a Latin or legal jargon because of his background.

Dear Kojo Oppong Nkrumah,

I heard you stress at the vetting last week that I had never said I went to South Africa because my life had been threatened. You said it was only Prof. Kwame Karikari who made that claim at a public lecture. You said something to the effect that I went there for a holiday.

My father is illiterate. He cannot read or write. And his knowledge of the English language is limited to pidgin.

The loop wishes to crave your indulgence to join the ongoing debate on the happenings in Accra Hearts of Oak to help rescue the oak tree from being uprooted by visionless and faceless individuals.

When Lionel Messi told his family last summer of his intention to leave Barcelona to play abroad, everyone involved in the conversation was in tears.

In a momentous week, America confronts a new reckoning with the negligent, destructive legacy of Donald Trump.

He might be known as the "Pep Guardiola" of African football, but Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane's mantra is one coined by the iconic Nelson Mandela.

Joshua is a year 6, Pupil of North Hills International School

I have been struggling for a word for the events in Parliament on January 6 and 7. It was not merely a lack of leadership; it was a display of leaderlessness. The former is failure of leaders to show leadership; the latter is absence of leaders. I didn’t see leaders in Parliament.

Fraternal greetings from our Ancestors Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hailey Sellassie and the many others who have lost their lives in the resistance struggle.