Dear Old African People👴👵

Our “culture”, says during a disagreement between an adult and a child, the adult is always right. I hope the flaw in this reasoning is realized whenever you boast about it – boast because that is the go-to phrase in an effort to pull rank.

The past generation is a lot different from the present so when references are made to how things were done, I can’t relate. Keep in mind that life is dynamic and change is inevitable. The most dangerous phrase in the language is, “We’ve always done it this way.” Now, that was said by Grace Hopper, who is from generations before you.

I have heard many elders go on and on about how children of this generation are disrespectful. Do you know the meaning of disrespect? Do you really? Disrespect:- IMPOLITE, OFFENSIVE, INSULTING. My father taught me all about respect but he also taught me to stand up for myself. He didn’t raise me to be timid. On the contrary, he raised me to be assertive. Assertiveness never equates rudeness. Oh! I failed to mention, he is from your generation. I have grown to learn that respect is earned, not demanded. I choose to live by this knowledge while realising that respect is a 2-way street.

So, with all due respect, the next time you reference the child-adult boundary, remember: technically, I am the child of my biological parents only. Legally, I have been an adult for a number of years. Granted, the Bible admonishes us, “Honour your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise)” – Ephesians 6:2. The same chapter goes on to say in verse 4, “Fathers, do not provoke/anger/exasperate/irritate your children, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Since we are still on  “child-adult” relationships, let me conclude with these final words of wisdom about temptation and the bearers of such: “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble” – Luke 17:2.

Queen’s Young Leader: Highly Commended Runner-up

So today,  8th December, 2015, it has been confirmed that I am a Queen’s Young Leader highly commended runner-up. I am very grateful to God for this opportunity to get some support in my quest to help my community be better.

As a highly commended runner-up, I will gain access to some mentors and have access to the bespoke online leadership course developed by the University of Cambridge; Leading Change. Most importantly, I get to belong to a whole network of Queen’s Young Leaders. I don’t get to meet and shake hands with the Queen of England 😣😣 but I am excited for what is to come in the next year💃💃. As a Queens Young Leader,  it is expected of me to continue the work I am already doing in my community. I look forward to starting my foundation and getting you all involved to help make Ghana a better country for ourselves and posterity.

Now, to my dearest friend and adopted sister 😂😂😂😂 Eboni Hooper, who encouraged me to apply,  thank you so much.  Although,  I had seen the ad about this program on Facebook, I didn’t deem myself worthy enough or qualified enough to apply but your determination,  belief in me and your commitment in helping me finish my application is the reason I am a Queen’s Young Leader runner-up. Like I have already said,  this victory is ours because you played a very important role in getting me here and so congratulations to you too my babe ❤❤❤.

At some point growing up, I was a “tomboy”. Thank God I wasn’t raised in a society where I will be influenced into believing I was transgender. All these stages are ephemeral. Today, I am certain that I am female. Of course I have a few male instincts( females have some testosterone in them). Yes, I admire some women but that does not make me lesbian/bisexual either. Society and circumstances make us choose to divert from nature’s course. No one is born queer. #justsaying

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‘WETNESDAY'(Why should flood even be part of our problems as a nation along the coast?? )

As usual,  I was lying in bed with my dad, chatting about our day and having random discussions. A few times we will both receive calls and return to our chit-chat.  I had a wonderful day and I was really excited. Although I passed through rain,  I was excited that it was raining because I love a cool weather. Our lights hardly go off but that morning before I left for work,  it went off and still wasn’t on when I returned. It was just a rly cool dark night.
I didn’t check the time but sometime during the night,  probably around 9ish, my dad’s brother called his phone to tell him the water level was rising in our house. I have never seen a flood so when my dad got up,  I also did(of course I would love to witness). We were standing in the door way watching as the water was rising. It looked like a tank that was filling with water,  then it reached a few inches to our door way. My dad won’t listen to me when I was proposing that we start taking precaution incase the water flows in. The water was rising fast and less than 2 mins later, it started flowing into the room. I saved what I could from getting wet or even washed away by the water. Of course some things got destroyed but nothing that is irreplaceable.
Now,  we are standing in the water and just watching as it kept rising almost to knee level, then it kinda slowed down or stopped,  I am not rly sure but it was just there,  stagnant. Then I started calling my friends I knew lived in places that always reported floods when it rained,  thankfully no one was affected, except for that friend who decided not to go home but to roam in town 😂😂😂😂I’m sure it was quite the experience having to drive in the flood. Talk about a swimming car lol…
It was around midnight that the water starting flowing out by itself. So I opened the doors and  let it take its course. I started sweeping the water out when it reached a level when it couldn’t flow out,  I disinfected my body and had a goodnight sleep knowing that I will have to do a lot of cleaning and laundry over the next few days 😧😧😧.  I hated the thought but not enough to let it deprive me of my well deserved sleep.
On Thursday morning,  everyone was cleaning and washing.  I was getting calls from a few friends to find out how I’m doing,  I didn’t know I was this loved. People who didn’t even know I was affected just called to be sure I was fine. I love all of you too ❤ <3.  I did what I could and left to work in the afternoon. At work too,  there was a lot of cleaning going on since it got flooded there. I was going about my work as usual but I was dreading the weekend.
Finally,  Saturday got here and after work, I switched to ‘washing machine’ mode. I went to get my suitcase from my brother’s room that got soaked and moved to my cousin’s house.  I had 2 days to psyche myself up and build some determination. For the first time in my life,  I wish I didn’t have too many clothes, I washed nonstop till Sunday and I was still not done. By Saturday evening,  my fingers were already swollen with a few blisters (those who wash clothes for a living and those mothers who have younger kids and are forced to wash everyday,  much respect to you). I hate washing but now I was faced with this task and on Monday I was finally done at around 5pm.
I decided not to wash my bedsheets and bed covers(I’m not really using them anyways plus they are just too heavy) and one particular dress  I foresee will be annoying to wash.  Those I am willing to go dump at the laundry. My fingers will thank me. I am just really glad  it’s all done  now. My dad and brothers are taking care of cleaning the house, I’ll help when I get back home.
When I think about it now,  it was a good thing our lights were out that night. Electricity and water don’t fraternize. When I was standing in the water, I was just thinking about how my life is a disaster but then after seeing the news,  I am really grateful all I had to deal with was a lot of cleaning and laundry. It can never be compared to those who lost their lives, their homes and all of their property. My  heart goes out to all those people and I believe something good will definitely come out of it all. Does it not always??? 🙂 🙂 🙂