It is interesting Mbaku and Kimenyi cite good governance as solution to corruption. Even more interesting are their their six point plan to generate confidence in our international business transaction which will encourage b ... read full comment
It is interesting Mbaku and Kimenyi cite good governance as solution to corruption. Even more interesting are their their six point plan to generate confidence in our international business transaction which will encourage business promotion. Although it sounds like a typical capitalist prescription the world has come to accept it and you either go along with it or damage your national investment program.
Adam Smith stated that one of the sacred laws of justice was to guard a person's property and possessions. The capitalist have the investment and can only invest if the climate is good and also when the security of their investment is secured. As we learn under Nkrumah's negotiation for the Akosombo dam. The only reason why Kaiser did not use Ghana's bauxite was to protect their investment so it is understandable.
I even wonder whether we have much say in the contract terms since big capital prefer the Hull formula to the Calvo doctrine which seeks to give developing economies a bit more leverage. There is the need to start from some where though because the third face of the coin the youth must take up the mantle of progressive leadership. That must mean war on corruption and good leadership.
I am talking as if the the fight against curuption is presently lost and trying to shift the burden to the next generation. I hope not. Let see what will loom in Francis third side of the coin.
Francis Kwarteng 10 years ago
Mr. Nii Ashitey,
Good day to you.
I am enjoying your creative contributions to our discussions.
You always render constructive critiques as far as our articles are concerned. I think that is the way to go.
We ha ... read full comment
Mr. Nii Ashitey,
Good day to you.
I am enjoying your creative contributions to our discussions.
You always render constructive critiques as far as our articles are concerned. I think that is the way to go.
We have taken note of your current suggestions and might pick them up in one of our later write-ups in the future.
Please do continue to share your wisdom with us.
Truly grateful.
Thanks
princewilly@ymail.com 10 years ago
The officer looked down at the monkey and said "I wish you could talk." The monkey looked up at the officer and shook his head up and down.
"You can understand what I'm saying?" asked the officer. Again, the monkey shook ... read full comment
The officer looked down at the monkey and said "I wish you could talk." The monkey looked up at the officer and shook his head up and down.
"You can understand what I'm saying?" asked the officer. Again, the monkey shook his head up and down.
"Well, did you see this?"
"Yes," motioned the monkey.
"What happened?"
The monkey pretended to have a can in his hand and turned it up by his mouth.
"They were drinking?" asked the officer.
"Yes," nodded the Monkey.
"What else?" asked the officer.
The monkey pinched his fingers together and held them to his mouth, sucking inward quickly.
"They were smoking marijuana too?" said the officer.
"Yes," nodded the Monkey.
"What else?" queried the officer.
The monkey motioned with his fingers...
"Having sex!. They were having sex, too!?" asked the astounded officer.
"Yes," nodded the monkey.
"Now wait, you're saying your owners were drinking, smoking and having sex before they wrecked?"
"Yes," the Monkey nodded.
"What were you doing during all this?" asked the Officer.
"Driving," motioned the monkey.
Ekuma 10 years ago
What ndoum u want to imply ? Nonsense or Common sense . Nonsense
What ndoum u want to imply ? Nonsense or Common sense . Nonsense
Charles 10 years ago
Well said very nice article, if we tackle corruption very well it lead to provisio of better employment in the country..
Well said very nice article, if we tackle corruption very well it lead to provisio of better employment in the country..
Nyansasem 10 years ago
Just as everyone know about the two sides of a coin and forget about the remaining side, I think Africa have come to know the 2 sides of the political coin while forgetting or refusing to accept the 3rd side. Your symbolism m ... read full comment
Just as everyone know about the two sides of a coin and forget about the remaining side, I think Africa have come to know the 2 sides of the political coin while forgetting or refusing to accept the 3rd side. Your symbolism might have come out from the Pan-Africanists who always want to find excuse to put the blame on the west, yet find it necessary to collide and collude with the educated African elites to oppress their own people through corruption. So permit me to change the symbolism of your Africa political coin sides for this debate. Will you?
The "head" of the African coin has always been the educated elite men. We have tried and tested them and no one can convince us that any good will come out from the selfish, wicked and heartless educated African elites. The "tail" of the coin is the youth or the foot-soldiers that always fight for the educated elites with the hope of receiving the crumbs that fall under the table of their masters. The 3rd side of the coin (the edge), is the WOMEN that we have neglected and failed to use them. I have reason why I came out with this hypothesis.
What youth? In Africa, Faure Gnassingbé was 39 or so when he became the leader of his country but what have we seen? Joseph Kabila was 30 years old when he took office and what has he done for DRCongo? In all his failures, Mills did a wonderful job of surrounding himself with the youth- Ablakwa, Nii, Kobby Acheampong, Segbefia, Koku, Fiifi, but what did we see? Mahama has continued with the trend but what exactly have these people done except bringing insults insults into our body polity. This is not happening in the NDC alone but also in NPP- Asabee, Sir John, Awuku and all those young people in the leadership position of their party have done nothing to show that they are ready to take the mantle from their masters. As a matter of fact, they are even worse than the "old men" or their political mentors. So how could these people who keep on lying for their masters have the moral compass to challenge corruption? Do you think anyone would believe Ablakwa who is known as minister of mis-information? I don't think so. I seriously think the youth have no morals to challenge the ocrruption. Just think of what happened recently to the NUGS? And so, the 3rd side may not be the youth, but rather the women of Africa.
The women in Africa have been neglected but I am beginning to believe, they may be the HOPE of Africa. So far, we have had the chance to see the performance of 2 women in Africa. Even though, the President of Liberia, Sirleaf had not done much, her performance could be matched or compared to any of the big men in Africa. From where she took off, many men would have failed. At least we know that she did suspend most of her ministers last year, including her own son when they refused to declare their assets. What did Mills and Mahama do to those who refused to do that? What did Mills do to his ministers who refused to listen to his orders not to pay the judgement debt? Did Kufuor not re-instate Anane after his scandal? But wait, the one that brings much hope and joy to Africa in our fight against corruption is President Joyce Banda. Yes, the lady that decided to sell the Presidential Jet and decide to use ordinary plane to bring the cost down. The lady that decided to reduce her salary. And yes, just yesterday, she has fired or dissolved her Cabinet because of corruption. Have you heard any Man doing that? And do you think our NDC sycophant youth will even support a demonstration against Mahama and his ministers, let alone support him to fire their friends and family members in the cabinet?
So Francis, forget about what the big men in Afrocentrism have told you about the 3 sides of Africa political coin and let us reason. After all these years, our problems are not about colonialism or the West, it is about lack of leadership from within. The MEN(head) and YOUTH (tail)have been tried and tested and they have failed. It is now the turn of the WOMEN (edge). Let's support them and see if the wind of change will start blowing on our continent because of their leadership
Here is the story about Joyce Banda
---
Joyce Banda sacks Cabinet after corruption scandal
Malawi President Joyce Banda dissolved the Cabinet on Thursday after police arrested several junior officials in her government in recent weeks on suspicion of stealing state funds.
The presidency of the southern African state said in a statement that Banda, who came to office in April 2012, "will announce a new Cabinet in due course." It did not elaborate.
The presidency had said on Wednesday that Banda would meet her Cabinet the following day to discuss the financial scandal and who was responsible.
It did not disclose details of Thursday's meeting, but a senior government official, who asked not to be named, said Banda told the Cabinet that she had "lost faith" in them.
The scandal, known locally as "cashgate", forced the government to shut down its payment system last week so that it could investigate over $4-million that went missing, delaying the payment of salaries to teachers, nurses and doctors.
Banda, who faces an election next year, has won acclaim in the West for austerity measures and moves to bolster the economy of the aid-dependent, impoverished country.
But steps such as an IMF-backed devaluation of the kwacha currency have stoked inflation, raised the price of food for the rural poor and eroded Banda's domestic support.
The police said that about 10 junior government officials had been arrested so far for suspected graft, and that they had recovered tens of thousands of dollars in cash from their car boots and homes.
Budget director
A small group of protesters marched in the capital Lilongwe on Thursday and delivered a petition calling for the sacking of top officials, including Finance Minister Ken Lipenga, over the scandal. Lipenga has denied any wrongdoing. He was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.
Last week, envoys from eight Western donor nations, whose aid traditionally has accounted for about 40% of the state budget, asked Banda to deal with the alleged corruption at the treasury and investigate an attack on the budget director.
"These are worrying developments that potentially risk Malawi's stability, rule of law and reputation," the envoys said in a statement.
Budget director Paul Mphwiyo was shot last month, but survived the attack.
After the shooting, the government's Anticorruption Bureau and police launched an investigation into the budget director and unnamed ministers over suspected graft, indicating the scandal extended beyond just a few junior officials.
"People have lost confidence in [Banda's] leadership and the best thing she can do is to order the arrest of senior officials involved and ask her finance minister to resign," Lazarus Chakwera, leader of the opposition MCP, said at a public rally over the weekend.
Malawi's troubled economy has shown signs of improvement in the past few months with inflation that was once running over 30% easing slightly, while earnings from its main export tobacco are expected to double this year from 2012. – Reuters
Abrewanana 10 years ago
Who constitute the YOUTH - a gender different the 2 genders we know (Male & Female)? So when you talk of WOMEN as the third side of the coin, will that include Young Women, who I suppose do not belong the YOUTH group? This cl ... read full comment
Who constitute the YOUTH - a gender different the 2 genders we know (Male & Female)? So when you talk of WOMEN as the third side of the coin, will that include Young Women, who I suppose do not belong the YOUTH group? This classification of leadership groups into: MEN, YOUTH and WOMEN is simply porous!
Nyansasem 10 years ago
Although, Mr. Francis has not finished with series, I decided to write about the 3rd side of the coin because I might not be here when the his 3rd side comes in. So this is for argument purpose by using the 3 sides of the coi ... read full comment
Although, Mr. Francis has not finished with series, I decided to write about the 3rd side of the coin because I might not be here when the his 3rd side comes in. So this is for argument purpose by using the 3 sides of the coin. And I chose MEN, YOUTH and WOMEN.
In the youth, the fact that I did not mention any lady does not mean they are not included. I could have mentioned the numerous useless deputies in this NDC goverment- Hannah Bisiw, Victoriah Hammah, Benita Dua..etc. The fact is, the youth are not ready for a prime time. Those that get involved in politics do so for their bellies and not as agitators for change. And that was the message.
And just because I said the women are the 3rd side of the coin does not mean any WOMAN. We want women of great character like Joyce Bamba.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nyansasem,
I just read Abrewanana's comment. You see your problem?
You don't even know what "youth" is?
Listen to Abrewanana!
Nyansasem,
I just read Abrewanana's comment. You see your problem?
You don't even know what "youth" is?
Listen to Abrewanana!
Nyansasem 10 years ago
Get a grip on yourself. You are too old for this nitpicking and idiocy!
Get a grip on yourself. You are too old for this nitpicking and idiocy!
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nyasasem,
I don't know if "Get a grip on yourself, old man" was in reference to me. Do you know how old I am?
Well, I am not as old as you think. You'll be shocked if I tell you my age.
Many people take my vast kno ... read full comment
Nyasasem,
I don't know if "Get a grip on yourself, old man" was in reference to me. Do you know how old I am?
Well, I am not as old as you think. You'll be shocked if I tell you my age.
Many people take my vast knowledge to be coming from someone who is mature (chronology-wise; of course, I am not a teenager) until they see me in person.
The other problem is that mathematics, engineering, accounting, and the natural sciences are my real fields.
Interestingly,I write for pleasure. That's not what I do for a living. I take breaks from social pressure(in American) to write. It gives me great joy to write. Maybe we should be talking about engineering and the natural sciences (and you will know more about my real expertise!)
Talk to some of America's leading scholars (Afrocentrists)whom I quote in my work and they will tell you how old I am. None of them is my equal (age-wise). In fact, all of them refer to me as "my son."
The problem is that what we discuss on Ghanaweb is a tip of the iceberg.
I don't want to say more lest I sound like I am boasting. Talk to the scolars I quote to tell you how young I am relative to them.
And "Francis Kwarteng" is not a pseudonym.Mention that to them.
Thanks.
Are in America? You may want to see me to find out how old I am. Kwame Okoampah-Ahoofe and the others may be my fathers!
Thanks!
Nyansasem 10 years ago
Don't throw stones when you live in glass house.
You know how to give but don't know how to take, right?
Don't throw stones when you live in glass house.
You know how to give but don't know how to take, right?
Francis Kwarteng 10 years ago
Nyansasem,
I don't know where your conclusions are coming from.
You don't seem to understand my writings.I can't understand why you are bringing in elements that were/are not part of my thinking as I wrote this piece.
... read full comment
Nyansasem,
I don't know where your conclusions are coming from.
You don't seem to understand my writings.I can't understand why you are bringing in elements that were/are not part of my thinking as I wrote this piece.
Please learn to ask questions rather than reading materials out of their contexts.
I don't even have a clue waht you are talking about as regards my essay.
Media Mogul and Nii Ashitey seem to have a grasp of my arguments than you do.
Learn to ask questions and don't misintepret others' works.
Obviously, you did not understand most of the things I wrote. What I wrote have nothing to do with the Weste, Afrocentrists, or Pan-Africanists. It has everything to do with realities on the ground.
Finally, I know about everything you have written here and more. But they are not the focus of my essay.
Read in context!
Francis Kwarteng 10 years ago
What I wrote have (should have been been "has") nothing....
What I wrote have (should have been been "has") nothing....
Nyansasem 10 years ago
"You don't seem to understand my writings."- Francis
Wow, how many of your articles that I have responded to that makes you draw conclusion that I don't understand your article(s)? Could you please answer that question for ... read full comment
"You don't seem to understand my writings."- Francis
Wow, how many of your articles that I have responded to that makes you draw conclusion that I don't understand your article(s)? Could you please answer that question for me
"Finally, I know about everything you have written here and more. But they are not the focus of my essay."- Francis
Thank you for revealing the reason why you are "angry" with my response. It seems you are always reading about my responses here and don't like them and not because of what I wrote. What a great scholar walking along with a chip on your shoulder. Some of you NDC bloggers behave like children.
Listen, old chap, I sought not to misinterpret your article and that was why in the first paragraph, I specifically asked you to PERMIT me to change your "symbolism" and use my own symbolism to view your article through a different prism about governance and corruption in Africa and how probably there is still hope for Africa at last? Did you read that?
Unfortunately, because of hatred towards me here, you refused to take my opinion on the article, even though I did not condemn you or criticize your on your opinion. That is what is a debate or reasoning together on a topic. It should not necessary be, everyone should fall in line. I come here to debate on articles, I could careless whoever wrote it. As long as I find it worthy. I may have disagreed with you before on a topic but hardly do I leave this forum thinking that I have an enemy as you submitted here. This is the sort of thinking I have been complaining about here; most writers or bloggers here want the responders to come and swallow everything hook, line and sinker. It is the same mentality that is ruining our country and yet, we come here writing articles upon articles.
Damn!
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nyansasem,
You have every write to interpret the article anyhow it suits your understanding. You don't necessarily have to agree with everything I write. That's what we need for growth. My problem is when readers say or im ... read full comment
Nyansasem,
You have every write to interpret the article anyhow it suits your understanding. You don't necessarily have to agree with everything I write. That's what we need for growth. My problem is when readers say or imply things I have not said.
Didn't I criticize President Mahama and others in the the article? So why can't I be criticized?
But you may realize that I do my criticisms "openended" because I don't have all the details regarding the contexts of those I criticize. That's responsible criticism.
A reader doesn't inject false and misguided opinions into what others write about. I have personally reviewed books for some of the most powerful intellectuals in America and Africa.
I send every piece of article I post on Ghanaweb to some of the leaders in the academy (here in America) for critique. Most of the critiques done here on Ghanaweb is mere child play.Sound scholarship comes into play, something lacking on Ghanaweb.
My concern was your bringing Afrocentrists and Pan-Africaninists(not that I care; I am both).
The issue was that I never had them in mind when I wrote this piece.Plus, not only Pan-Africanists and Afrocentrists have all the answers.
Therefore, reading them into the article limited the scope of my intentions for this particular article.You gave me the impression you didn't fundamentally understand my article.
For instance, my brother used to write for Ghanaweb under a pseudonym but stopped because of shameful ignorance on Ghanaweb. He's a fabulously good writer.
Please ask questions and don't inject questionable contexts into my articles.
I don't mind my being criticized constructively. The comments by Nii Ashitey, for instance,coincide with the mindset I used for this particular piece. Follow his example.
Thanks
Nyansasem 10 years ago
As writer who wants a debate, you shouldn't be the first to attack your responders and then complain about their hostility towards you. Why do you have to attack me when I had not done so? Did you not write this?
"You don' ... read full comment
As writer who wants a debate, you shouldn't be the first to attack your responders and then complain about their hostility towards you. Why do you have to attack me when I had not done so? Did you not write this?
"You don't seem to understand my writings"
"Media Mogul and Nii Ashitey seem to have a grasp of my arguments than you do."
"You don't even know what "youth" is?"
Again, if you didn't care about my opinion from a different angle, why those attacks?
You wrote: "My concern was your bringing Afrocentrists and Pan-Africaninists(not that I care; I am both). "
But just look at what I wrote in my first paragraph- and see why I chose my words carefully. This is what I wrote,
"your symbolism MIGHT HAVE come out from the Pan-Africanists."
Do you understand that sentence? What is your understanding of "MIGHT HAVE" in that sentence? So, basically it is about your misunderstanding of that sentence that led you to believe that I have "injected" something into your article, while I just expressed a mere possibility.
But then again, you did not tell me how many articles you believe you have written here that I don't seem to comprehend. You told me to read Media Mogul's take on your topic, but I realize that he was dealing with another article that he thought you unnecessary "bashed" Kwame Appiah. You refused to respond to that but dwell on his advice. So what exactly do you want me to learn from him about this particular article? Francis, you know why you responded in such uncouth and unprofessional manner. To you, it was personal.
To follow bloggers' example here to tow the line like a zombie? Thanks, I was born a leader and not a follower. I had a mind of my own and therefore think I. When I am on social forum like this, I use my mind and that was why I could think on my feet and finger tips to give you ANOTHER VIEW of the sides of Africa political coin without quoting anyone.
Thanks, I have better things to do with my time, you will not see me again under your article if that would satisfy your bloated ego. But I promise to respond to any attacks on Ghanaian Professionals that you seem to dislike because they are not members of NDC, just like what you did to Prof Asare.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nyansasem,
I will not bother to read your latest comments.I don't have the time.
I have other important things that have occupied me now. I shall respond to them when I have the time.
As of this writing, I am reviewi ... read full comment
Nyansasem,
I will not bother to read your latest comments.I don't have the time.
I have other important things that have occupied me now. I shall respond to them when I have the time.
As of this writing, I am reviewing a 740-page novel I have written.It took me the whole of last year (2012) to finish it and to begin editing it this year (nearly ten months gone already).
Usually, I take time off to write the my Ghanaweb articles when readers privately ask me to explain or comment on one or two things.
What you're doing doesn't help me. I am even getting tired with social issues (on Ghanaweb). Let's talk about the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, accounting, etc.
Anyway, the working title of my novel is "The Fox and Identity Crisis: A Biographical Autobiography."
Check it out.
Thanks.
Nii Ashitey 10 years ago
It is irritating hearing that I have a grasp of nyanensem's argument than Francis when to me we are certainly not on the same wavelength.May i refer him to Nii Lanteys's article yesterday when i had to tell him off for his m ... read full comment
It is irritating hearing that I have a grasp of nyanensem's argument than Francis when to me we are certainly not on the same wavelength.May i refer him to Nii Lanteys's article yesterday when i had to tell him off for his meddlesome stupidity.I wouldn’t mind if he is objective and sound in argument but nyasensem comes across to me as a sad man who perhaps old age might might have taken a premature toll over his sense of judgement.
His arguments sound senile like a nosey pokey imbecile.I am sorry to be harsh with him but its true. Please always remember that that we can not be on the same wavelenth.I will suggest to him to keep off from enlightened contributors like Francis Kwarteng.With all my masters degree in international law I must confess that he is a breath of fresh air intellectually on this forum and i believe on any platform for that matter.I am happy to share knowledge with him for our mutual interests.
Nyasensem please keep off more enlightened contributors to the forum.I may be intemperate with you next time round.I don't understand those who don't make sense.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Nii Ashitey,
For you, I will leave the review of my book to comment on your intellectual defense of my work.
Please you're obviously not on the same wavelength with Nyansasem (i don't even know what "nyansasem" is supp ... read full comment
Nii Ashitey,
For you, I will leave the review of my book to comment on your intellectual defense of my work.
Please you're obviously not on the same wavelength with Nyansasem (i don't even know what "nyansasem" is supposed to mean!)
Nii, I have been follwing your critical reviews of others' works posted on Ghanaweb. You make so much sense to me.
Your ideas are refreshing and within the modernity of today's scholarship. Yours is excpetional on Ghanaweb.
I am not implying that your reviews of my work has been necessarily always positive.
The point is, you have a way of expressiong divergence of views without insulting anyone. You just state the facts, not less, not more. And you do it within context. This is what we need on Ghanaweb.
Many have insulted me only to apologize to me after reading an article's sequels.
For instance, you gave me the benefit of the doubt after reading the first piece.This tells me you're an intellectual, not just any intellectual.
I am not saying I am above reproach or criticism, far from it, in fact, what I have been saying is for readers to criticize my works within their contextual framework.
Finally, I have noted that you critically understand the ideological thrust of my writings than Nyansasem.
To make matters worse, readers use all kinds of monikers to do "evil" things
on Ghanaweb.
I am happy that others, unlike Nyansasem, critically like and understand my work.
That's all that matters to me. Let me get back to the review.
Thanks.
Nyansasem 10 years ago
If you want to keep it personal, go ahead and continue to bring my "moniker" into all you postings. You can even write an article about that Nyansasem.
I am here trying to respect you, but it seems you don't want any part ... read full comment
If you want to keep it personal, go ahead and continue to bring my "moniker" into all you postings. You can even write an article about that Nyansasem.
I am here trying to respect you, but it seems you don't want any part of it, because of my earlier exchanges with you about your article deriding Kwaku Azar. You can choose to go ahead, but like I promise you. I will respond.
I do not want to see you using my moniker again in any of your post. Period.
Nyansasem 10 years ago
You sound bitter because a young guy like me challenged you in your supposedly profession. Master Degree in International Law? Is that the reason why you are upset because you think you should be right at all and should kowto ... read full comment
You sound bitter because a young guy like me challenged you in your supposedly profession. Master Degree in International Law? Is that the reason why you are upset because you think you should be right at all and should kowtow to you or tow the line and swallow your arguments here hook, line and sinker? Hell NO.
Well, I don't think you will be able to read and comprehend one line from my journals. That should tell you something about Nyansasem. My work is not for the likes of you. Those who know me off Ghanaweb can tell you more about me. So butt off. I am proud that at age of 42, I have achieved all my dreams and planning to move back to Ghana. Will you join me?
Enlightened? You? LOL...some of you take yourself too serious in this forum. Again, enlightened? From where...
Media Mogul 10 years ago
Is it by chance that you left out Kwame Appiah or you don't think he really belongs there? First I thought you were mentioning only the departed ones but then there are many alive too. Well...
See what I was saying the oth ... read full comment
Is it by chance that you left out Kwame Appiah or you don't think he really belongs there? First I thought you were mentioning only the departed ones but then there are many alive too. Well...
See what I was saying the other day about the tendency of us Africans to "overpraise" our fellow "achievers?" I don't think Mahama's book is all that Chinua Achebe and Ngugi think it is. Perhaps they were paid by publishers who want their positive words to adorn the jacket to increase the sales figures. To be sure, Mahama's book is not bad (there have been a few reviews on ghanaweb last year) but it seems one can find anything at all one wants to find in any book. As for Yale or Harvard or whatever, they need something from Africa and will take whatever is available.
Thanks for the piece but it is a bit on the longish side for ghanaweb. A shorter piece would have gotten more readers. And to think that this is just part 1 and some more parts are coming. Please, don't forget that most ghanaweb readers don't like lengthy articles and they hate articles in multi-parts even more. Just give it all to us in one dollop and make it a short one. This article didn't need so many long quotations for the main points to be carried across.
Let's see what the other part has in store for us.
Francis Kwarteng 10 years ago
Hello Media Mogul,
Thanks for your constructive criticism.
However, it seems Ghanaweb readers (not you) have a problem with whatever one writes.I write for other websites as well.
I have as many as 800 readers who ... read full comment
Hello Media Mogul,
Thanks for your constructive criticism.
However, it seems Ghanaweb readers (not you) have a problem with whatever one writes.I write for other websites as well.
I have as many as 800 readers who read one of my many articles on other websites.
I may have 5 readers (going by comments alone) on Ghanaweb. But the same article attracts more than 400 readers on other websites.
And the critics there (non-Ghanaweb) turn to be more disciplined, well-read,and constructive (with their criticisms than Ghanaweb's).
In fact, when I write, I don't consider the number of people who read them. If just one person reads my work and takes something positive out of it, I'm happy. That's the essence of scholarship.
Ocassinally, I have seen more than 100 readers comment (98% of these comments are insults) on a Ghanaweb article. What is the point if 100 individuals read your piece and 98 insult you?
I agree with you (but I think I have to follow my own path).
You'd be surprised how many readers privately write me to tell me the exact opposite of what you've just told me.
Thanks.
Media Mogul 10 years ago
I understand you and, in fact, I agree with you when you say that it is better if only one person reads your work and takes something positive out of it (than a hundred others who just come with insults probably because they ... read full comment
I understand you and, in fact, I agree with you when you say that it is better if only one person reads your work and takes something positive out of it (than a hundred others who just come with insults probably because they don't understand what you are driving at).
I still think that if you write for ghanaweb, you should take the readership into consideration. You have something important and relevant to say to them and you will do everything to drive your message home. That is why you don't have to regard the ghanaweb readership in the same manner as you do those on the other sites where your articles attract 400 readers with decent comments. This will mean that you will have to re-write those same articles just for ghanaweb readers. Then you can get more of them to read them. After all, you want the message to reach your fellow Ghanaians, even those who don't have long degrees by their names. And that's many of the ghanaweb folk.
So think again about following your own path "at all costs" when it comes to ghanaweb. This present piece is great for another site but not for ghanaweb. I am talking from more than 15 years of being here. Some of us will always read your pieces but we want many others too to do the same. You raise the level of scholarship here and we want many more who come here to also partake of it. Too many good writers have left ghanaweb. Some of us don't want you, too, to do the same.
Oh, btw, thanks for coming down here to take part in the discussion of your own articles. That is very important. There are others who send articles but don't take part in the discussions perhaps because of the insults. But they continue sending articles! Please, don't follow them.
Thanks.
francis kwarteng 10 years ago
Dear Media Mogul,
Well said.
I'll take your strong opinions under advisement.
I don't have enough words to express how I feel about your constructive views.
Like, I said, I shall take them into consideration when ... read full comment
Dear Media Mogul,
Well said.
I'll take your strong opinions under advisement.
I don't have enough words to express how I feel about your constructive views.
Like, I said, I shall take them into consideration when I write next time.
It is interesting Mbaku and Kimenyi cite good governance as solution to corruption. Even more interesting are their their six point plan to generate confidence in our international business transaction which will encourage b ...
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Mr. Nii Ashitey,
Good day to you.
I am enjoying your creative contributions to our discussions.
You always render constructive critiques as far as our articles are concerned. I think that is the way to go.
We ha ...
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The officer looked down at the monkey and said "I wish you could talk." The monkey looked up at the officer and shook his head up and down.
"You can understand what I'm saying?" asked the officer. Again, the monkey shook ...
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What ndoum u want to imply ? Nonsense or Common sense . Nonsense
Well said very nice article, if we tackle corruption very well it lead to provisio of better employment in the country..
Just as everyone know about the two sides of a coin and forget about the remaining side, I think Africa have come to know the 2 sides of the political coin while forgetting or refusing to accept the 3rd side. Your symbolism m ...
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Who constitute the YOUTH - a gender different the 2 genders we know (Male & Female)? So when you talk of WOMEN as the third side of the coin, will that include Young Women, who I suppose do not belong the YOUTH group? This cl ...
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Although, Mr. Francis has not finished with series, I decided to write about the 3rd side of the coin because I might not be here when the his 3rd side comes in. So this is for argument purpose by using the 3 sides of the coi ...
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Nyansasem,
I just read Abrewanana's comment. You see your problem?
You don't even know what "youth" is?
Listen to Abrewanana!
Get a grip on yourself. You are too old for this nitpicking and idiocy!
Nyasasem,
I don't know if "Get a grip on yourself, old man" was in reference to me. Do you know how old I am?
Well, I am not as old as you think. You'll be shocked if I tell you my age.
Many people take my vast kno ...
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Don't throw stones when you live in glass house.
You know how to give but don't know how to take, right?
Nyansasem,
I don't know where your conclusions are coming from.
You don't seem to understand my writings.I can't understand why you are bringing in elements that were/are not part of my thinking as I wrote this piece.
...
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What I wrote have (should have been been "has") nothing....
"You don't seem to understand my writings."- Francis
Wow, how many of your articles that I have responded to that makes you draw conclusion that I don't understand your article(s)? Could you please answer that question for ...
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Nyansasem,
You have every write to interpret the article anyhow it suits your understanding. You don't necessarily have to agree with everything I write. That's what we need for growth. My problem is when readers say or im ...
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As writer who wants a debate, you shouldn't be the first to attack your responders and then complain about their hostility towards you. Why do you have to attack me when I had not done so? Did you not write this?
"You don' ...
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Nyansasem,
I will not bother to read your latest comments.I don't have the time.
I have other important things that have occupied me now. I shall respond to them when I have the time.
As of this writing, I am reviewi ...
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It is irritating hearing that I have a grasp of nyanensem's argument than Francis when to me we are certainly not on the same wavelength.May i refer him to Nii Lanteys's article yesterday when i had to tell him off for his m ...
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Nii Ashitey,
For you, I will leave the review of my book to comment on your intellectual defense of my work.
Please you're obviously not on the same wavelength with Nyansasem (i don't even know what "nyansasem" is supp ...
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If you want to keep it personal, go ahead and continue to bring my "moniker" into all you postings. You can even write an article about that Nyansasem.
I am here trying to respect you, but it seems you don't want any part ...
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You sound bitter because a young guy like me challenged you in your supposedly profession. Master Degree in International Law? Is that the reason why you are upset because you think you should be right at all and should kowto ...
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Is it by chance that you left out Kwame Appiah or you don't think he really belongs there? First I thought you were mentioning only the departed ones but then there are many alive too. Well...
See what I was saying the oth ...
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Hello Media Mogul,
Thanks for your constructive criticism.
However, it seems Ghanaweb readers (not you) have a problem with whatever one writes.I write for other websites as well.
I have as many as 800 readers who ...
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I understand you and, in fact, I agree with you when you say that it is better if only one person reads your work and takes something positive out of it (than a hundred others who just come with insults probably because they ...
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Dear Media Mogul,
Well said.
I'll take your strong opinions under advisement.
I don't have enough words to express how I feel about your constructive views.
Like, I said, I shall take them into consideration when ...
read full comment