The Lady Who Walked In

She walked towards the bar with brute force. Her hair laid long on her back and her perfume filled the little shop. There were dim lights up in the corners of the shop but her presence brought a whole new color to the place. Her walks were forceful but well timed. She wore a bright smile and look really excited. Two guys who have been sitting at a table near the entrance cut short their laughter to imbibe her force and aura. Their eyes looked like they were piercing her skin. What was an angel like her doing in their quiet little shop? They wondered.

There was nothing but a small sized television set locked in a cage at the right corner from the entrance. If anyone walked in, it was the first light to greet them. The shelves below the TV were empty and the refrigerator wallowing besides it made little cracking noises. The only exciting place in the shop looked like the bar. A couple of chairs stood close to the tender. The stranger walked straight to the him. The bartender was an old man. He looked surprised seeing the young lady but did well to show his widening tooth gap in his smile. His teeth complimented the brown napkin around his neck.

‘What can I do for you my lady?’
The old man asked gently.
‘Oh just give me something strong.. I really want something strong ha!’ she replied as she throws her bottom down one of the chairs. She swiftly turned to look behind her and strangely felt comfortable. The old man had rushed to pick a bottle and just started pouring out a drink into a little cup.
‘This is the strongest we got here, my lady’.

‘Well thank you Sir. This is a quiet place’ she added.
‘Yes, the boys usually come around on Friday nights. Last night was a whole different experience’.
He looked closely at her as though he is trying to figure out something about her. The young lady quickly galloped her drink and placed the cup back on the bar loudly.
‘That was strong’. She let’s out a cringy laughter.
‘Is there another one stronger ‘.
‘Are you sure?’. She nods.
‘If you insist’. He turns back to the shelf behind him. He is still confused. Nothing on the lady’s face is giving out anything about her and what she wants from the shop.

The temptation seemed far strong for him to keep mute. He decides to ask the lady who has been dead silent behind him.
‘So what is a young beautiful woman like you doing here.. if I may ask?’ He stumbles on an empty can while stretching to reach for a bottle at the top of the shelf. She remained silent. Regret befalls his face. Now he is undecided whether he did the right thing or not. Behind the young lady, the two men had just closed the door behind them. A couple of notes have been left on the table they sat. The old man heard their steps.
‘See you again lads’, he retorted.

Finally he reaches the bottle and turns with broad grin. The lady had opened the top of her dress and left bare her cleavage. The old man looked surprised. He looks away and places the drink in front of her.
‘I bet this will hit you’..he laughed.

As he turns to put back the bottle, he notices that the lady had been silent for a while now in addition to looking oddly messy. Just then, he heard a huge thud on the floor. The young lady had fallen from the chair. He rans around to her and sees blood flowing. She had cut herself. A fresh razor blade lay in her right hand. Streams of blood streamed from her other hand. The old man looks shocked. He tries to hold her up and covered her cut with his napkin. She tries to speak but could only let out a stangled coughs.
‘What did you just do, young lady?’
‘What are you saying?’ The old man is still trembling as he tries to hear her minced words. His hands are still firm on the cut and the bleeding seems to be slowing.
‘I killed him’. The lady manages to let out.
‘What? Who? You killed who?’ ..
‘My husband..I killed my husband.’ She breathes heavily.

A dawn of horror filled the man’s face. A shadow of darkness had consumed the little corner lights. It was as though night had already come. The young lady is struggling for breath and slowly loses consciousness. The old bartender is terrified and let’s put a sharp cry.

To be continued..

Author :

Lansah Lawrence

Youth Development : The Truth and Reality, NDC and NPP Testimonies.

Youth development is arguably one of the most important aspects and requirements for any country’s progress. If we can predict the future, then our divination cards would be the state of the youth today. The future of our country depends on the state of the youth today.

The young people’s position

The actors of both parties have demonstrated propriety of this profound knowledge. This has been significant to all players of politics and power especially in Africa. Young people have also been the most complex group to make provisions for by power brokers. The strategic position young people hold – unfortunately, a position most of them are oblivious of – forces politicians to devise all means necessary to earn the sympathy this group. Politicians in Ghana have accepted this fate since the dawn of our independence.

The acknowledgment

Fast forward to the Fourth Republic, the NDC and the NPP have demonstrated outmost dedication to capitalize on the teeming numbers of the youth. History recounts several instances where folks of both parties have robustly challenged the other to establish any evidence, if any, of their contributions to youth development in Ghana.

Over the years both political parties have positioned themselves to be the best alternative, not only in good governance and economic development, but in respect to providing the best opportunities for young people to advance their potentials. Heated debates have always ensued between the two on their respective policies and programs.

What am I saying?

This article does not seek to compare the arguments or policies of both parties but peruse the claims and projections of either against the state of the youth in the country.

Another time has come

Election 2020, the eighth general elections in the Fourth Republic, is fast approaching. Tensions have heightened with the voter registration exercise. The lines have been drawn as both parties have their tickets ready, but most importantly, the focus of this article is the season of testimonies and promises which has beckoned.

The International Youth Day presented the right platform for both parties to project their prowess and records of promoting youth development. But the question remains that to what extent do these tantrums and self-appraisal of the NDC and the NPP satisfy the reality and parameters of the requirements for a condition of youth that affords politicians that luxury to boast of any achievements.

A major regression

A very important criteria for any assessment of the state of the youth in the country should foremost consider the level of participation in the decision making processes in Ghana. The winner-takes-all system that is run in the country not only excludes the recognized minority from policy making but extends to the level at which young people are considered in any decision making. This is more relevant with policies that affect them directly. For example, the reforms with SHS education in the country, basic education curricula designs, and tertiary education programme designs, at no point have the population these decisions directly affect been involved in the making. COVID-19 pandemic revealed the lapses and the consequences of such a system.

However, a focus on education represents a minute appreciation of youth participation in decision making. It is important to pay recourse to the system of government and the conventions surrounding it. These are what need to be reviewed. The levels of governments lack any significant representation of young people. Young people do not have access to the table at all levels of government – national and local levels.

Even though a number of reasons can be explained to this phenomenon but it’s necessary to skip them so we can place focus on how to address and make amends. There should be a meaningful quota of young people at all levels of government. Young people should be seen at the table of decision making. For all the years that the NDC and the NPP have determined political direction and policies in the country, what have either done to improve the situation?

Figures and Programs

Back to 2020. The contention centers on which political party has done more in terms of providing employment and economic opportunities for the youth. The parties have projected their achievements and records as well as promises for the ensuing future. Programs have been highlighted and more programs have been promised. Figures have been highlighted and more figures have been promised. This whole situation recycle- the sole cause for worry.

How much of these figures reflect the reality of the state of young people in the country? Why does each political party undermine the effort of the other in promoting youth development? It is right to explain that for political points but we may be privy to a more worrisome truth if adequate introspection is carried out by citizens on the reality of the variety of youth programs and policies initiated and implemented by respective governments of the NDC and the NPP.

A befitting benchmark to measure the essence of the abundance of programs and figures projected by the two parties for youth development should be effectiveness but more importantly, sustainability.

What happened with LESDEP, SADA/GYEEDA, FASDEP II or more recently DSIP, YES that the NDC boasts of? Where will Planting for Food and Jobs, NABCO and NEIP be should power changes hands come January, 2021 ?

The questions may seem trivial but that is the reality of the programs directed for youth development in this country – a lack of sustainability. Does this grant any justification to hold the opinion that most of the projects the NDC and the NPP implement are only targeted at suppressing the agitations and demands of the youth by creating short-sighted relief programs?

State of the youth

As a young man who just completed the university, my work life is full of uncertainties – one example in thousands of graduates across the country. Young men and women who are just ending their national service are in more precarious dilemma and frustration. I wish there were the exact figures to project the anxiety and uncertainty of a majority of young people in this country.

Across the country, less privileged children lack access to any form of quality education. Less privileged young people who are unemployed and have no hope of securing any meaningful jobs.

Teeming numbers of young people whose potentials have been left to rot because the school system does not recognize and support them. Young men and women who lack any form of necessary support to pursue any individual economic endeavors. On top of it, a political design that tickles their expectations with unsustainable projects.

In reality, the figures of the NDC and the NPP may represent the truth of their office reports, but the state of the youth in Ghana is far blurring for any of the parties to tag itself as one that addresses the challenges of the youth.

Recommendations

Young people should be able to scrutinize the the policies and programs of the NDC and the NPP that are aimed directly at developing their potential. This will equip them with necessary information to hold political parties accountable for the promises and decisions they make.

Post 2020 and the new world presents opportunity for countries to make structural adjustments to national systems. Ghanaian leaders should take the bold step to review government systems to create space for young people to take part in policy and decision making especially in matters that affect them directly.

The NDC and the NPP will control GHANA’S direction as it has done so far in the Fourth Republic, as such both parties should endeavor to create youth development programs that are sustainable and compliment one another. This will ensure effectiveness in efforts to promote youth development.

The hope

There be shift from the conversation of figures to the action of the effective implementation of visionary programs that will stand the test of times and regimes. But most importantly, an appreciation of the strategic position of the youth by young people themselves, and a common genuine determination to make progress by focusing on satisfying the aspirations of the youth.

Writer :
Harruna Lansah Lawrence
Movement for Youth Development (Co-Founder)

What Makes A Better Day?

What makes a better day?

Is it one with all smiles
And no pain
No work and just pay
Are better days
Days we get to be free
Free off the trials of life
Life that surely pass

Or those
We count the stars at night
Get to smile with family
And friends then remember
those who passed?

What makes a better day
When the sun shines bright
And the moon rides glamorous
When lovers mate
And none remembers the hate
Or when we conceal truths
Behind smiles so fake?
Days with no heavy rains
Or those with showers
Of blessings!

What makes a better day?
Is it one with all smiles
Or are they days
We pretend to not frown

 [Lansah Lawrence]
      August, 2020.

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