INSIDE LIFE

Often have we been told of small beginnings. Stories abound of how worldwide top business brands started. The Papa Ye’s KFC’s, McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Burger King had a struggling if not a tough beginning. The stunted thought of growth could easily have broken their backs but they persisted.

“Small things done with great love will change the world”
        - Mother Theresa -

Kenneth & Edmund

  

The story of Kenneth Asante, a student of Pope John Senior high school and seminary and Edmund Ananful, an SHS graduate and a part time worker with Ghana Water is no different yet inspiring. With bold strides, they approach prospective clients. 

Armed with a skill in a female dominated field, a drive and pertinacity to build a good life for themselves, held together with an ambitious desire to become Ghana’s best savoury’s chain, they have started off hawking meat pie and hibiscus cocktail drink-”sobolo”. A ready and healthy choice for many Ghanaians  as it's  benefits are enormous.

Driven by an unbridled passion to succeed, they have thrown shyness and mockery to the gallows.

There are lots of opportunities. when you grab one, run with it. And just like Nike says, “ Just do It”.

THE BROWNS

A fireman at an accident scene

Our elders say “fire is a good servant yet a terrible master”. It comes or pays you a visit unannounced sometimes and leaves a footprint of devastation.  But on certain occasions, it comes bearing gifts. Gifts that make you smile at a bowl of perfectly boiled rice, a bucket of warm water for your baths on cold nights and what have you. Such a good servant.

However, when it ravages properties and destroys our very existence, many would often point accusing fingers at the MEN IN BROWN- The Fire Service. They are vilified and often sentenced without trial in the court of public opinion.

But take a closer not a cursory look at the activities of the fire service in Ghana and you will be filled with nothing less than utmost admiration for them.

In the event of a fire outbreak, regardless of how small, many run for the safety of their lives. Yet these men and women throw caution to the wind and run towards danger at the expense of their lives. Many beautiful lives have been lost, just so others may have it. If this is not bravery, what other word(s) can best describe such acts of selflessness an dedication to duty. Don’t say they are paid. Every life matters.

So, when next you see or hear the siren of the fire appliance bulldoze its way or weave through traffic to a scene of distress, say a prayer for them. 

GREEN GREEN GRASSES

I had not the faintest idea what laughter meant until I sat with them though my Christian name means laughter. These were a group of gentlemen, some I knew fondly, the others by acquaintance at the baby christening of one.

Like the sudden outburst of a broken heart-ed lover, they started laughing. The  kind solicited from deep within. It was raw, uninhibited laughter at a silly joke. I conformed by laughing as well. But I looked stupid, like a school boy who couldn’t answer a simple arithmetic in a class with his crush.

Sooner than later, bottles of cold beer went round for whoever felt the need to satisfy their cravings on a warm Sunday mid-morning. Surprisingly, the carton went back as it came. Untouched. It was quite intriguing as these were not people not to partake in a feast without the crispy, sharp, golden bubbled beer.

In my quest to find answers, I discovered the secret. A pale green aqueous substance was to be held responsible for such cheerful outlook.

For those who had had it several times before, the experience varies. The story changes with the first timers.

“ I felt like someone was riding a bicycle on my back”

“my guy, the way this thing make I chop ‘eeeeerrr’, my wife happy rough” one guy said.

“chale, the first time nu, around 2am, I sneaked into the fridge and ate everything including my daughter’s baby food”… another chipped in.

“ there is never a dull moment when I take it. I could watch GTV all day…everything looks and sounds funny to me…”  commented one guy who barely spoke. 

“I thought I had lost a leg. Meanwhile, it was propped up against a wall. This was insane… he said amid laughter”.

“Hmmm!, I recall my mind saying cake! Cake! Cake!. I had to dash out to buy 10 cedis worth of it. Having finished it, I felt for Fanta. It makes you wanna eat though you feel full. Your taste buds are seriously active…

Whatever the pale green aqueous substance, which was passed from one interested person to the other gleefully, I am sure it has some mystical properties. Anyway, when I am old enough, I would want to try it and “laugh like killer”.

WiTH LOVE FROM ANLOGA JUNCTION

Like a good bottle of wine, he gets better over time. He has created an enviable and incontestable position in the music industry.

Barely a week after releasing the fifteen track album, there has been  countless downloads and many more shares among friends and music lovers as they nod or sing along the Suits and Tie hit maker’s latest album christened Anloga Junction. This album is touted to be the second most streamed album.

One can confidently say this has been one of many proud Ghanaian ingenuity as the album takes off with an all Ewe song ‘Le Gba Gbe’.which to wit means ‘its been bad and its has become better, lets me enjoy my life whilst I still have it’

It takes you through a barrage of soothing tunes which will make your head nod in unison to its carefully crafted pulsating tune having landed perfected on the fifteenth with ‘Strength and Hope’

The star studded album is a cocktail of high-life, mixed with a thick syrup of the dance-hall genre. Stirred lightly with a twist of afro-beat gives music enthusiast nothing but a complete experience characteristic of any beautifully created album set on repeat.

As to what is at Anloga Junction, it will forever remain a mystery to be unraveled by a genius of Livingstone Etse Satakla-Stonebwoy

UNSUNG.

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how…”

The ilk of Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey and lately Isaac Dogbe will be readily mentioned when anyone on the streets of Accra is a asked about boxing. These are men who have over the years hoisted high the flag of Ghana in an impressive show of gracefulness and strength in the ring fighting to retain or claim one world title or the other. However, there are many others who may not readily be mentioned.  

One such Ghanaian sportsman stirring the waves in boxing is Richard Nii Lartey Harrison . A quiet, unassuming young man otherwise known as “Chisaano” or "Son of the Eagle".A heavyweight division boxer with an impressive record of sixteen fights, fourteen wins by either a KO (Knock Out) or TKO ( Technical Knock Out) with two loses   .

Having battled it out at the amateur level with many wins, he lost his chance to be called into the national Olympic team-black bombers. Richard Harrison like many Ghanaian youth took to other opportunities to make a living but the nudge to be a fighter became so strong he couldn’t resist but drop all other things to fully concentrate on the sport.

Currently enjoying a quiet life, Richard Harrison Nii Lartey hopes to become a world wide boxing sensation as he currently holds the WBO HEAVYWEIGHT AFRICAN DIVISION CHAMPION.

 

THE TALKATIVE: KOTOKA'S JUNGLE

THE TALKATIVE: KOTOKA'S JUNGLE: Tourist sleeping in the wild Have you ever thought of spending the night, a weekend or perhaps a day out of the comfort of your cozy be...

KOTOKA'S JUNGLE

Tourist sleeping in the wild

Have you ever thought of spending the night, a weekend or perhaps a day out of the comfort of your cozy bed? I am not referring to a night hangout with colleagues, partners or friends in the streets of Osu or Labone or any of the famous fancy pubs in the capital. I am referring to spending the night in the open in tents, on mats and sleeping bags in the plains of the Eastern region or high up on a mountain in the Volta Region. Such a relish it will be.

What comes to mind for most Ghanaians at the mention of tourism is a day’s trip to the beach, a visit to the famous castles in Cape Coast and Elmina but mostly the Kakum National Park where often there is little or no repeat visit after a long drive from Accra.

There are quite a number of tour agencies in Ghana but one of them stands out as it seeks to change the narrative on active domestic participation. there are many breath taking   

 exploring brings on new experiences coupled with the satisfaction of having part-taken in an activity which ordinarily you wouldn't have lives on forever in your memory. so when next you think of  having fun, try an adventure with the captain of the wild for that riveting life time experience. Ghana is beautiful. explore it.

Captain of the wild- Delali Kotoka

Delali Kotoka is the brain behind Touch Effects Ghana. The bespoke tourism company unlike any other. He specializes in taking you to the extreme.braving the odds and facing your fears. Mountaineering, river hikes, hiking, city tours, basic skills survival in the wild and what have you. His navigation through the jungle is fascinating. driven by the passion to conquer,he stops at nothing to make your experience worthwhile.

visit  www.toucheffectsglobal.org for more.