I haven’t really been catching up with the news in Ghana. It doesn’t take a clairvoyant to know that the only issues that are up are politics and dumsor. However, I did read some pieces today which gave me the inspiration for today’s entry.
The first one was a report on a teacher claimed that he had to buy sanitary pads for his students in order that they did not skip classes. Now, middle of last year there was a big announcement by our present government stating they were taking out a loan for, amongst other things, sanitary pads. Young girls especially in rural areas were missing classes for a period (excuse the pun) every month and so however many millions in dollars were being earmarked for exactly this purpose. So why, pray-tell, did this teacher not have access to the money to cater to his girl-child students. Show him the money. This wouldn’t have been a big deal if the government had not made it such a deal, but yet they have shown another example of their lack of responsibility or accountability. #justsaying
The second article I read was about a demonstration by a group of old ladies in Kumasi. The dumsor, apparently is affecting the ability of their family members to make money, hence are not able to look after them. I am not going to comment on that, what I will comment about is, after a couple of pictures of old ladies wailing, there was another line which read that the dumsor is responsible for an increase in teenage pregnancies.
Seriously!!!
I’m going to keep this short because for the first time in history, I am speechless. I understand as adults, with no light, there is nothing better to do than to go at it like rabbits, but at the age of 15, is that what is on the minds of the youth. I am sorry but in my humble opinion, the dumsor is not the reason for teenage pregnancies, it is a lack of education. Somebody buy these kids a book and a torch, they need to be stimulating their minds and not their nether regions. The old ladies, instead of demonstrating on the streets, grow some kontomire and cassava in your back yard, and spend more time with your children so they don’t feel the need to go off banging the locals. I have stayed in my village for a while; you don’t need much in terms of material wealth. That’s just my advice though, if anyone else out there has better advice, feel free to comment. Maybe I am wrong in my thoughts but dumsor can be blamed for a lot of things, they state of the economy, even mental health (it sent me crazy a few times). Teenagers humping, if the light off contributes to the male child not being able to see where to put his condom on, then you have made your point, if not please let me know how it has any bearing because I just don’t understand.
efiasworld 
Efia, I love what you write but if dumsor sent you crazy at times then there is validity to everyone elses claims also to saying that dumsor is the reason for thier unproductivity in one area or the other. Dumsor is a very bad thing and it has to end by any accusations that leads to ending it.
LikeLike
I agree there that dumsor enables productivity but blaming it for all of societies issues, especially ones that have been there even before Jesus was born…well come-on, we need to start educating on the bigger picture instead of on a micro level or?
LikeLike
Old ladies and the elderly in general tend to care about kids in a more caring way. I don’t think there was the intention of having this detailed intellectual view of them. They don’t care about specifics and just like a business you have a problem with, if something don’t feel right you give feedback.
Whatever is going on, it’s making kids make poor decisions. Maybe some of these pregnancies are from girls wanting to make money quick and easy with none of the education hurdles – like pads and the experiences associated with it. Dumsor is more than an electrical grid problem. Dumsor is a symbol, a theme or something. The government just hasn’t taken the idea that the peoples interest come first. You can go through the motions of taking care of people because it’s part of your job, but when their interests come ahead of yours now you become sensitive to things that affect them and you act upon it because you don’t want to see them affected in a negative way. You start to make decisions with them in mind. People sense when you’re working for them. So when they sense that, they’re willing to be patient and make plans in the midterm until you finish.
I like these demonstrations. They’re like governments roof with a constant drip. Sooner or later you’re going to have to do something about it. It also is education for the common Ghanaian. All the other types of media may not penetrate and get to that village person like a demonstration.
LikeLike
It all comes back to education….something which is lacking….that’s why I say as a short term solution, send these kids some books and torches…when the lights go out a good read from a story book should keep their minds stimulated…
LikeLike
Have you left Ghana for good?
LikeLike
No….just taking a time out
LikeLike
So after all your grief, you still prefer Ghana to U.K.?
LikeLike
What can I say. I find an easy life dull…lol
LikeLike