Category: Blog

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOUNG AND OLD

Privileged to attend AFF, AWID, and AWLI that happned back to back in the last quarter of last year, and being the die hard apostle of inclusion that I am, I could not help but note a somewhat disturbing trend in our programmes, discourses and presentations in these esteemed gatherings which to me shape and chart the directions taken by women’s movement both regionally and globally.

It is commendable that after feminists have shouted themselves hoarse on the matter, the movement is now accommodating young women. (We shall leave the debate on the cut off age for qualification as ‘young’ or ‘old’ for another day and another blog.) Anyway, the crux of the matter I am tabling (interneting ?) before you is that including young women seem to have happened at the opportunity cost of excluding the ‘not so young women. Yes, there are some of us who see ourselves as in between young and old by whatever yardstick of measurement young and old age are defined. For convenience and for the purpose of this protest I shall borrow the tail end of youngish and oldish and refer to us as the ‘Ish, Ish’, or the NTBC (Not There, But Close).

Anyway, the Ish Ish group are now complaining that Feminism has taken a new turn to include only the young and the old. Is this true? If yes, what are the implications, if no, why not. I look forward to your responses.

Roselynn

Facebook, Twitter, Blogging…the world of social media has grown exponentially in what appears to be a really short period of time? How does one keep up? How do you decide if it is an appropriate use of your time?

I have very recently started playing on twitter in a quest to figure it out. After all as a Communications professional I need to keep up to date with new media and today I discovered that @ in twitter enables you to respond to other people’s tweets. I only did @ to someone because I saw they had referred to me in that way and then I clicked on @ [my username on twitter] and realised I had loads of responses to previous updates I had given on twitter. The other rationale to at least play with social media is to keep up to date with new language. I have been seeing comments on FB (Facebook) which started with @ and now I know @ means reply to… I think I am beginning to understand why some people say they are addicted to twitter

By the way to follow AWDF on twitter visit http://twitter.com/awdf01

Are you on twitter? What value has it added to your organisation, life or business?

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

Last Friday I delivered a lecture to my alma mater on “The Changing Roles of African Women: 1800 to date”. Yes, that was a huge area to cover (but that was what I was requested to do). The audience was an International Baccalaureate History class and the lecture covered the:

Pre colonial era
Colonial era
Nationalist Struggles for Independence
Post Colonial era?
Opportunities for African women
Challenges for African women

It was fun to interact with the class but what was probably even more interesting to me was some of the random questions that some of the students posed to me:

“Do you think women and men are equal?”

My response: “It depends on how you define equal?”

“I think women and men are not equal. We are different…”

Suddenly several hands shot up in the air, “Its socialisation”.

Someone protested “…but they (the college authorities) ask the boys to pick up the tables and the girls to pick up the chairs after assembly”

“Its socialisation” some more voices insisted. One particular student pointed out how in previous eras such as the rule of the Songhai empire women had played roles in the military which is currently seen as a role for men…

My response to round up that particular question session was to talk about the difference in the concept of equality and diversity as well as to state my preference for the latter which acknowledges the importance of considering the different needs of individuals which may include a historical context of discrimination for e.g.

Another question from the students:

“What do you think of abortion?” Several students’ hands shot up in the air…

A student responded “I don’t think it’s fair that men do not have a choice about abortions, it is unfortunate for women…

“If it’s unfortunate for women then I should be the one to make that choice”, one student retorted.

I tell you I had no idea when I was heading into class that I would have such an enjoyable session. I was especially pleased that young people are already having conversations on abortion, gender equality and African women. What are your thoughts?

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

Dear Sisters,

I bring you tales of my trip to the field in the three Northern regions of Ghana. I have had some very unbelievable experiences, some frightening, some hilarious but all in all very educational and fulfilling.

Gifty and I set off on the morning of February 15, 2008 for a 17 day visit to AWDF’s grantees in the North of Ghana. It is a long ride you know, about 10 hours or more. We however took a thirty minute rest in Kumasi, the second biggest city in Ghana. Thereafter the ride was lonely; you rarely pass through major towns. You mostly see huts and perhaps what I will call communities.

But two nasty incidents happened on the highway all of which could have been fatal and both involved toddlers. One toddler was about two years old and the other three years. As we drove on the highway past Sunyani at a speed of about 120 km per hour all we saw was a 2 year old toddler crossing the road. This was not in the middle of a town or near settlements. Apparently there were some people walking on both sides of the road (not a lot of people to make you notice them easily). I am sure they were either going to visit people in the next settlement or returning from a visit. This toddler I believe was walking with the mother on one side of the road and I am sure slipped off without the mother noticing to join a couple walking on the other side of the road. It simply was the hand of God at work because it was only a miracle that we could stop right in front of the child. The child was frightened out of her skin and as for us we were too shocked to move on. We actually had to stop for a few minutes before we continued. However that taught us a lesson, to look out for the unexpected on this lonely road. We did not need to wait long to put the lesson we had learnt minutes earlier to be put to use. A second incident, happened about an hour later replaying the same scenario this time an elderly man crossed the road a safe distance before our vehicle got there and once again I believe the child left the mother unawares and run across the road to the father or a relative on the other side of the road, meanwhile the vehicle was approaching at a good speed. The man on the other side of the road saw the scenario and quickly run across the road and swept the child off the road, oh my gosh what a thrashing the child received from the man, I am sure it will forever be etched in the child’s memory.

In fact as we drove on the highway and the alleys and valleys of the field a variety of things dangerously crossed our path apart from humans. Among those things that crossed our vehicles during the trip to the North were children, bicycle riders with what I will call passengers, motor riders, a lamb in a bow tie, a donkey drawing a cow, a man with a cow tied around his back riding a bicycle, a man with a calf on its shoulders, birds of all kinds including pigeons, doves, and guinea pigs, a snake, pigs, donkeys, goats, sheep, cow and dogs. There were some clear obstructions as well as herds of cattle taking over a main road and for minutes we had to coax this herd of cattle to make way for us. In fact for the first time I did witness a whole family of the Fulani tribe in transit following their herd which means both the boy and girl children are most unlikely to have any education. The Fulani’s are nomads.

I also did make some observations, mothers riding motor bikes with their children some as young as two years, not tied, behind them; two boys falling off a truck (not as in a vehicle but the truck for carting goods) in the middle of a busy highway; a regular scene was passengers on top of buses sometimes without carriers; huts without windows, dried rivers I (I hear cars actually drive on them at this time of the year), the man made dams for storing water, the rice and tomato fields are a sight to behold, the dry baobab and shea butter trees…

When I see you I will personally tell you of the walks through the vast sandy hot patchy lands, the drives on the foot paths, the drive through the busy market, the expert children bicycle riders, the bee keeping adventure, the donkey drawing the cow, the man with the cow tied around his back riding a bicycle, the puncture on the lonely route to the village of Nyogbare; the welcome dance and songs of the appreciative women, the harsh weather conditions, the trip to the village of Trikpaa in the Savelungu Nanton District and meeting the family of our very own brother, Matthew (the office assistant) and the many tales of going to the field. It is going to be an all day affair.

See you soon

Yours truly
Beatrice

Hello Sisters,

This is your sister writing to you from Bolga the Capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Please remember us in your solemn moments; it is hot and dry, scorching hot. Thank God for air conditioned cars and rooms otherwise I do not think I would have been capable of writing to say I am fine and enjoying myself, yes, enjoyment at its peak. Do you not know that it is a luxury to be on the field and have a half day free to do as you wish? Yes a huge luxury and today the 20th of February I decided to make use of that opportunity for it comes only once in a decade on the field.

First we started on a 32 km journey from my lodging place to Paga, a 45 minutes ride, I am sure you have already guessed my mission in Paga, to visit the much talked about crocodile pond. The first sight of the place does not make an impression. All you see is a pond with some cows grazing by, undeveloped land and nothing to catch your attention but, wait a minute, there are these young men cooling off under a summer hut. They quickly approached our vehicle and welcomed us in the friendliest voice you can hear away from home “you are welcome madam” I quickly respond “thank you young men, how are you doing?” “We are fine thank you madam” then they froze (about 4 of them) as if lost in words and thoughts, so I quickly picked up the conversation and told them we were there to see the famous crocodiles of Paga. Their faces quickly brightened up and assumed a kind of business look. “You are welcome once again” said the eldest who appeared to be the leader of the group. “You need to buy fowls and pay a gate fee”. My beloved sisters there is no gate, no fence, wall, nothing, it is a no woman’s land. Well, I thought, I will not argue and spoil my afternoon, remember this is a life time opportunity. A tourist will board a plane all the way from far far away just to come and see these crocodiles and if God has brought me into the vicinity I need to play it wise.

So I asked for the admission fee and the cost of a fowl. I was shown what looked more like chicks and told that those were the preference of the crocodiles. I was also told that I had to buy two fowls. Remember these are no mere crocodiles, not the type you come across in rivers such as the Nile and Mississippi. Once all business transactions were undertaken to the letter the young men picked up the fowls and asked us to follow them to the edge of the pond. Just when we got to the edge of the pond a much older guy comes running holding a fowl, says something in their local dialect and then one of the young men returns with the fowl he was holding (I guess this is called divide and share).Anyway that is none of my business I went to see crocodiles and not to meddle in the politics of the crocodile pond.

Just when we got to a safe distance from the edge of the pond I could see the crocodiles, there were at least three of them coming out of the water. Apparently they are attracted by the cry of the fowls. They came ashore and kept coming nearer and nearer till the distance started getting unsafe. (Remember crocodiles are amphibians). So the chief tour guide as we will call him hit the fowl on the ground and the crocodile lay as calm and docile as a baby. I was asked to hold the tail of the crocodile which I did reluctantly and unmajestically after mustering tons of courage. However I never was able to mount up courage to sit on its back as I was beckoned to do.

After watching the crocodiles grab the fowls and consumingr them in seconds I got a history lesson on why the crocodiles in the Paga pond do not harm the citizens and why the citizens do not hunt or eat the meat of the crocodile. I also got to know that sometimes the crocodiles could crawl as far as to the nearby homes unharmed and undisturbed. The crocodiles are always buried like human beings when they die. I was also informed that crocodiles are territorial animals and that they protect their territories and do not meddle in others territories, therefore to see different crocodiles at the pond you need to call them from different sections of the pond. It is believed that there are about a hundred crocodiles in the Paga crocodile pond and that the oldest is about 80 years.

After bidding my new friends bye we set off on our return journey and on the way we noticed something we had not bargained and planned for. Yes on that T junction is a sign post that read Pikworo Slave Camp. I would not miss the opportunity for anything, I had nothing else to do that afternoon and besides it is just 2 km from the pond, barely five minutes ride. What did I have to loose? Read about my adventure climbing and descending rocks in the village of Nania in my next blog. By the way, Nania is the village of the famous Ghanaian footballer Abedi Pele and in fact his family home is a stone throw from the slave camp of Nania.

I trust you are all well. See you soon.

With all my love

Beatrice in Bolgatanga, the capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana

I read on the blog Black looks (see http://www.blacklooks.org/)of the trial of Eudy Simelane.

Eudy Simelane was a lesbian activist who was found murdered last year. Her murder comes in the wake of the murders of other members of the LGBTI community in South Africa and many other parts of Africa.

My thoughts are with all those who suffer needlessly from bigotry, hatred and injustice.

May your souls rest in eternal peace.

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

We recently benefited from a training day on Communication & Presentation Skills facilitated by AWDF’s Executive Director. Personally, my favourite part of the day was when we got to practice our presentation skills in a fun ‘Great Debate’. The motion was “Marriage is a waste of time for women”. I was on the team that was for the motion and judging by the reaction of the audience (AWDF staff); I think it’s fair to say we were the more popular side.

Some of the reasons my team gave in defence of the motion included:

1. Traditional expectations of ‘wives’
2. Loss of identity
3. Housework aka ‘wife work’
4. Sacrificing of personal/professional goals

Traditional expectations of wives included meeting expectations of ‘in laws’ – one of our colleagues will never forget having to make a spinach and seafood sauce for her visiting Father in law when she really had a pressing deadline to meet for her Master’s degree.

Our team also felt marriage often comes with a loss of identity. We (tongue in cheek) asked the audience what happens if you get married 5 times. Do you change your name 5 times?

Housework was one of our major points of contention. We all know its called house work but it might as well be renamed ‘wife work’. It’s usually the “wife” or female partner who has to ensure this work happens.

Sacrificing one’s personal/professional goals we felt could also be a consequence of marriage especially where women bear the main responsibility for child rearing.

On the other hand our opposing team spoke about the companionship and love within marriage advocating for a marriage which is more of a partnership where you get to share financial and other responsibilities. What are your thoughts? Is marriage a waste of time for women?

Nana Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

I have been the Finance Manager of the African Women’s Development Fund since August 2007 and despite all the challenges that come with this job, I have enjoyed every day with this organisation. I started my accounting profession working for an audit firm and I had the opportunity of learning at first hand what all the business sectors in Ghana have to offer. It was during this period that I decided that I would like to work with an NGO that is engaged in community service. Of course I was also certain that I would only work with an NGO with a vision and mission that meets my own career aspirations and AWDF is just the right organisation.

Over the years I have developed a keen interest in the issue of corruption in Africa. Our governments continue to promise zero tolerance for corruption in their various manifestos and campaign messages but are unable to translate this into a reality. I was expecting the NPP government in Ghana for instance to have done far more to fight the corruption in Ghana than they did in their eight year term in office.

There are various types of corruption but the one I want to dwell on is where individuals inflate prices on contracts and get huge “kick backs” or payments are made to beneficiaries who have not rendered any service to the state. This has led to situations where the state has lost huge sums of money. Money which could other wise have been used to develop the education and health sector; the key areas of importance in any developing country. Experts have linked the poverty levels in the country to the extent of corruption within both the state and the private sector.

The role of an accountant is very critical in ensuring good governance and accountability in any organisation. The accountant is the one whose primary responsibility is to ensure that the scenarios as I have indicated above do not materilaise or even if they do, their impact is insignificant.

The accountancy profession is based on a code of conduct that all members are expected to comply with. The fundamental principles of the profession include but are not limited to integrity, objectivity, confidentiality, professional behaviour, professional competence and due care.

I know through my years of experience that professionals who exhibit the principles above will not condone malpractices that will lead to the state or private sector losing huge sums of money. However in cases where these principles are lacking, the organisation is bound to lose because there will be no accountability.

I will entreat my colleagues in the profession to continue to uphold the values of the profession. Let us be seen as the once who will tell the truth at all times. Ghana will never get to the middle income status if people in responsible positions continue to waste resources at the expense of the tax payer.

Gertrude Bibi Annoh-Quarshie
Finance Manager

The retirement package for the last ex President of Ghana has rightly caused upset in many quarters. According to Joy FM, one of the leading radio stations in Ghana, ex President J.A. Kuffour’s retirement package will include 6 cars, two private residences befitting a former head of state and US$ 1 million dollars to set up a foundation. Personally, I just feel disappointed that a committee and parliament will approve such extravagances for ex Presidents. It’s not like Ghana is the richest countries in the world.

One of my pet subjects is that of leadership and having been a leadership trainer and also a recipient of various leadership styles I wish to provide a few tips for African politicians.

My top tips for African politicians are:

1. Question your motives for becoming a politician. If you wish to become rich then it is better to become an entrepreneur. Your money will be hard earned and yours to do with as you wish.

2. Okay, so you have made the decision that you wish to serve your people. Remember that you are a public servant and that your authority has been bestowed to you by the people. Ask yourself whether your actions meet the needs of your people.

3. Develop formal and informal communication channels in order to receive regular and trustworthy feedback about your performance. How else would you know you are doing a good job? Or a bad job for that matter?

4. If you find you have sycophants in your inner circle, remove them immediately. Sycophants have led to the downfall of many a president.

5. Surround yourself with skilled, knowledgeable people who are committed to developing your country. Do not give people jobs because they contributed to your political campaigns.

6. Take on board constructive criticism and change accordingly.

7. Take personal responsibility when things go wrong.

8. Read widely and learn from some of the greatest public servants of all time. I think a lot can be learnt from the many works of Martin Luther King and Barack Obama’s ‘The Audacity of Hope’.

9. Ensure you meet the needs of all your constituents, especially the most disenfranchised, women, the poor, the disabled, and people living in rural areas.

10. Aim for proportional representation of ethnicities and genders in your cabinet and ministries. This will go some way to allay fears people may have about tribalism and is a good thing in its own right

I could go on and on but I think this is enough to start on. African people deserve better leadership than we currently have

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

‘Asante women, I pity you‘. I made this statement in 1900 when the British captured me after a long hard struggle to defeat the British who had insolently demanded the Golden Stool to sit on. To sit on indeed! What insolence, but I digress, we are in a new world now and we are no longer fighting the British, at least not in the warfare of old. The warfare today is about trade, globalisation, a new world order…all these new terms that I had hardly understand. What does this all mean? It appears to me that it means the British, the Americans and all our former (and probably current) colonial masters are still in control. The new currency is no longer slaves but trade agreements. But I digress still, you have to forgive me, I am an old spirit. My body died in 1921 but my spirit has lived on. Its a good thing to be a spirt, some people are scared of spirits, they call them ‘ghosts’ and think they will come and ‘catch’ you in the night. What ever for? No, spirits like myself travel the world. All the things we could not do when encumbered with a physical body we are free to do now…I went to the white man’s lands…England, America, Canada and observed the struggles of the women there. I went to the East, to India, Malaysia and Bangladesh and observed the struggles of the women there. And of course I have always watched over the women of Ghana. Please note that I said the women of Ghana and not the women of Asante. Of course I have a special place in my heart for the Asante women, I am a proud Asante woman but I watched the land that used to be the ‘Gold Coast’ evolve into ‘Ghana’ and so allow me to address the Ghanaian woman of today. Traditionally our people have always had a lot of respect for ‘the old woman’ of the house so I hope you will have the same respect for ‘the old spirit’ and listen to my words.

Women of Ghana:

* Do not allow people to decieve you about your culture and tell you that your culture is one that subjugates women. That is a plain lie. Ghanaian women of old were strong women who were well known for their abilities in farming and trading. Ghanaian women of today can also take inspirtaion from our ancestors and not only be farmers and traders but economists and heads of corporations.

* Polygamy is passe. Seriously, it may have had some value in the past. I have to admit for a lot of my women friends it was rather convenient to see your husband once every three months. You did not have to worry about cooking for him but in this day and age with HIV/AIDS I will not advice anyone to enter a polygamous marriage

* Get involved in Poliics. I know many of you think it is a dirty game but really it is only as dirty as the people involved…do not sit back and let ‘a few men’ decide your fate.

I have so much I want to say but perhaps you will stop listening so let me stop here. Oh one final thing, there are many more Ghanaian women heroines than myself, everytime someone wants an example of a Ghanaian heroine you trot out myself. To be honest, I am getting a bit bored of ‘Yaa Asantewaa this, Yaa Asantewaa that’…you need to start researching the lives of African women and documenting their stories.

Stay well my children

Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah (inspired by the spirit of Yaa Asantewaa)
Programme Officer
Fundraising & Communications

P.S: I attended a meeting of Ghanaian bloggers last month and the group decided to blog from the perspective of a historical figure on the 15th of January, ‘If she could blog…’. This is my contribution