OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

OUR YEAR IN REVIEW

This post is dedicated to each and every reader of mine, who helped to make the 2016 Changing the Status Quo journey a memorable one. Here is a recap of the memories we had together, and I hope you will be blessed by it.

The New Year begun with so much hope and excitement, coupled with the uncertainty of the unknown. There were many labels attached to the year, such as My Year of Glory, My Year of Influence, My Year of Restoration, among others. CTSQ always had a way of summing up each experience we had, and this year would not have been the same without people like you.

There were times when we felt like we were going through a DRY LAND where things were not going according to plan. However, we did not lose sight of the fact that we were still capable of creating a RIPPLE EFFECT wherever we found ourselves, whilst being a CARRIER of hope and love wherever we went.

Various events throughout the year also reminded us of our need to appreciate the fact that we are Ghanaians for a reason, as we heard in GHANA’S CRY. We were also blessed with family, friends and people who served as VALUABLE MIRRORS through which we learnt important everyday lessons. Though things were not always easy, the AUTHENTIC LOVE we share made our lives much warmer, renewing our hope that we have a FIELD OF PLAY on which we can achieve our hopes and dreams. In working towards our goals, our belief was renewed that through us, Ghana can become the STAR OF THE WEST she is destined to be. When circumstances even threatened to discourage us, we held on to the power we have to CREATE OUR WORLD with our words and the right attitude.

In being the best we could be, there were times when we needed to look BEYOND THE SHINE to what truly mattered…a genuine heart. The year was certainly a LONG HAUL, but our efforts eventually paid off. Along the line, we took some time off for some REFLECTIONS THROUGH THE RAIN, being reminded that even during the BUMPY RIDE of life, we still have one another and above all God; there were still some valuable lessons we went home with.

The ride was much easier because we constantly remembered to say a PRAYER; and as a result, the BLUES we sometimes felt as the GHANA MAN were much easier to handle.

There have been many blessings in disguise this year, like we saw in CAR TROUBLE…OR BLESSING? Including the ELECTIONS witnessed THROUGH MY EYES, which were a stark reminder of how blessed we are as Ghanaians. We ended on a warm note, through A LITTLE LESSON ON LOVE which reminded us that we can make others’ lives better with just a simple act of love.

We do not know what the year 2017 holds, but I do know that we are still alive for a purpose, and the world is waiting to be impacted upon by us. There is a song that encouraged me throughout the year, which basically says:

There’s a race I must run,

There are victories to be won

Give me power, every hour

To be true.

It is my prayer that in the coming year, we will remain true to our purpose, which includes being a shining light wherever we find ourselves.

Changing the Status Quo could never be half of what it is now without you, and for that I say a big thank you and God bless you! May whatever talents you have within make a difference in the lives of others far and near. I know we are going to have a great 2017 together, God willing!

Stay blessed and Happy New Year in advance!

P.S. What was your favorite post this year? To view all the posts mentioned in today’s post, just click on ghblessed.blogspot.com, and please don’t forget to like our Facebook page on https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

*photo credits: Google

A LITTLE LESSON ON LOVE

The Christmas season is here again, and I would like to share this heartwarming experience with you:

A LITTLE LESSON ON LOVE

After quite a busy day, I just decided to take a little break from everything and reflect on whatever was going on around me. I had momentarily forgotten that I was in the classroom of life and was bound to learn a lesson or two before my ‘break’ ended.

A young girl passed by happily holding a cone of ice- cream in one hand and some food in another, obviously a treat from her father, who was beside her. Not taking much notice, I looked elsewhere to see what next could catch my attention, when I realized that the little girl was walking back, her treat still in hand. She was walking back alone, with her father watching her from a distance. In a few seconds, I learnt something a thirty minute sermon may not have been able to teach me. Our little lady walked up to a young boy who had been sitting on the curb (and whom I had failed to notice) and handed her ice-cream to him. Though she did not look too pleased, she did not seem to hold any grudge with her young neighbor, and quickly went to join her dad, with just one hand occupied now.

Some questions popped up in my mind, which I would like to ask my fellow Status Quo Changers as well:

©      First of all, how often do we take time off everything to just reflect?

In our times especially, life seems to be getting busier and faster by the minute. We need to make a conscious effort to pause, revitalize and then advance. No doubt if I had not gone on that little break from everything, I may have missed out on a great lesson, no matter how little it seemed; a lesson that will stay with me for quite a while.

©      What do we as parents (or potential parents) teach the children around us?

This little girl most probably could not believe her ears when her dad asked her to hand over her ice cream to a total stranger; but the practicality of the teaching will definitely be imprinted on her young mind for quite some time.

Our present attitude is most of often shaped by the little things taught us by our parents. In return, the attitude of the children who also watch us will be influenced by what we say and do. At this point, I would like us to take a moment to just whisper a prayer of gratitude to God for our parents. They have in one way or another been channels of blessings, paving the way for us to also make an impact.

©      Give in order to receive

Before the girl gave out her ice-cream, both her hands were occupied. After her sacrifice though, she had one hand free, with which she could have received something else from her dad. Sometimes, we hold on to what we have so tightly that we end up missing out on our blessing. No matter how difficult it may be to give at times, there is always a blessing, be it direct or indirect, hidden or obvious. A step of sacrificial love could just be the key to that door of blessing you have been waiting for.

©      How sensitive are we to the needs of those around us?

Surprisingly, I had not taken much notice of the young boy sitting on the curb. As such I did not fulfill any need the boy may have had. There are so many people on our streets these days, yes, who seem to be in need and it may sometimes seem so mundane that we no longer feel the need to reach out. But we still need to keep our eyes open to spot the particular people God has sent our way to be a blessing to them. Today you may be a blessing, but tomorrow someone may in turn be a blessing to you.

I forgot to add…the little boy in his surprise took the ice-cream, savored how it felt in his hand, and devoured it hungrily. Your gift to someone may not necessarily be an ice-cream, but it could certainly be a little act of love that would make our world a much warmer place!

Even as Christmas is here again, let us not forget the true reason for the season, JESUS CHRIST, Who is the ultimate Example of true sacrificial love. People may never see Jesus physically, but you could be a signpost of His never-ending, all-encompassing love.

©      A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU WITH LOVE!

*Please don’t forget to like and share our Facebook page on https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

ELECTIONS THROUGH MY EYES

ELECTIONS THROUGH MY EYES

The Election Day was finally here and I was determined to make it to my polling station as early as I could, so I would not have to spend the whole day queuing to vote. It turned out my ‘early’, which was 4.30am, was not as early as I thought, as I was welcomed with the sight of numbers of people who had obviously spent the night there. I wondered whether it was out of patriotism or out of convenience (like in my case). Before I could come up with an answer however, my thoughts were drowned out by the ruckus going on about how we should queue and where. The slight confusion was quickly settled, though not noiselessly, by a polling agent who finally gave us some direction as to what to do.

By the time I had found a comfortable place to sit in my zone’s queue (a poor cement block had now become my chair); the sun was already rising, making the clearly tired faces more visible to me. Despite the obvious anxiety to start voting, people were still willing to volunteer information to ‘newcomers’ as to which line they should join, or at least to give a smile to an occasional joke that was cracked to ease any tension that could be felt in the air.

By 7.00am, people had started yelling “Aban, 7 abo oh”, which indirectly means “it is 7.00am Electoral Commission. Let us vote.” That was of course after they had made it very clear to the polling agents that they wanted the booths to face us, so we could see everything going on. We needed every form of transparency we could possibly get at that time. Not too long after, the voting process began and went on smoothly due to the commitment of a self-appointed ‘queue monitor’, who took it upon himself to make sure the line moved smoothly with his constant “Hey, you are next.”

All the way over at the other side of the polling station, in another queue, I could hear loud exchanges which I later found out to be from irate people who did not understand why people were trying to jump the queue, or simply why they had been directed to join the wrong line because some people did not know the difference between the alphabets ‘G’ and ‘J’.

By 7.45am, I left my zone, a satisfied first time voter, now waiting till evening to hear the results trickle in, no doubt like every interested Ghanaian was. In waiting back home, I kept flipping through television channels to remain updated on what was going on in various parts of the country. One thing that struck me was the constant number of peace songs that kept being played to remind Ghanaians that “Peace is all we need”. This made me wonder: Should our peace or stability be tied only to elections every four years? Is our peace really a tradable item for political power?

Sadly however, some people are willing to give up their lives and the little they have, not for their country, but for the people they support. The reality is that the people we are sometimes willing to ‘lose our lives for’ have not even met us directly or been of much help to us. Yet all it takes is a clarion call, and people will gladly pour out onto the streets.

It is often said that ‘Experience is the best teacher’; but sometimes we need to learn from the mistakes of others. Wrongful or misplaced zeal has never helped any group of people or country, as seen in civil wars and other terrible prices paid. It is up to us as Ghanaians not to place the destiny and peace of our nation into the hands of just a few people. Ghana belongs to us all, and this is a truth we need to be aware of not only during the election period, but every moment of our lives. Better yet, our prayers for Ghana should not be tied to selective moments in the nation’s life, but should rather be the constant burden we carry for our country each and every day.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself why you are a Ghanaian and not a citizen of any other country? Your purpose could be as hidden as praying in your closet for the nation’s wellbeing, or as big as being the President of Ghana someday. Whatever our purpose may be, Ghana depends on us for posterity as much as we depend on her. Ghana could be much better because of you. May our interest in the country span beyond any number of elections we may ever have to witness.

GOD BLESS GHANA.

LONG LIVE GHANA.

CAR TROUBLE...OR BLESSING?

CAR TROUBLE ….OR BLESSING?

I needed to get to town for a meeting and thankfully had a car I could use to make my journey faster and more convenient. Of all the days however, this car chose not to start! I called a few friends of mine, since I did not know what exactly to do, and they were there in minutes to help out. The car eventually did start, and I thought I could pull a fast one, dash to town and get back before it pulled another stunt on me. Well the car, and let me say God, had other plans!

About fifteen minutes into the drive and after a short prayer, the car’s engine gave out once again! Even worse was where it stopped.....right in the middle of an outer lane at a busy traffic light. Dejected, I just stepped out, not knowing what to do once again. Little did I know that this was yet another opportunity to learn some valuable life lessons.

Some of the sellers nearby found their way to me, asking what had happened. This included one I had met and spoken to a few months ago, and who I had completely forgotten about. Almost every one of the sellers wanted to help in their own way, with one willing to leave his wares to go and find me a mechanic, whilst a few others offered to help push the car to a safer location, and others just standing around to keep me company.

Feeling a bit at ease, I tried to make a few calls before spotting a police officer heading towards me on a motorcycle. “I’m definitely in trouble”, I thought to myself. Stopping right where the car was, he got down to ask what the issue was. I later realized my fears were unfounded, as he proved to be very supportive and resourceful throughout the period of time I was stranded. Quite a number of truths hit me that I would like to share with you today.

·         Treat everybody right, for you never know when you will need them.

It was amazing how quickly my friends came around in the first instance of car trouble, and how willingly they did everything they could to help me out. It reminded me of how important each and every one is in their own way and of the truth that you never know when you will need someone, and in what circumstances their help may prove beneficial.

·         There are still helpful people out there.

Ranging from the sellers to the police officer to even a few concerned people who were in traffic, I had a refreshing reminder of the general helpful attitude of Ghanaians. It was good to know that this warm attitude is still dished out in huge doses. I never for a moment, during that period, felt alone or lost, thanks to the warm company I had.

·         You never know who remembers you or what impact you have made.

One of the sellers clearly remembered me, even though I could hardly recall where we had met. He reminded me of our brief encounter some weeks back, which had left him blessed. This was a humbling reminder of the truth that the little we do for others could go a long way to make someone’s life a bit better. Even more startling was the reminder that we need to be careful what we do…in this case, I was remembered for a good thing. But what if I had been rude or done something untoward? No doubt, it would not have been forgotten for a long time.

·         Be knowledgeable.

I was clueless about how to charge a car battery or even where a car’s alternator is located! Due to my lack of knowledge, I was absolutely helpless. Though this situation taught me a few more things about cars, I chided myself for not bothering to learn about these things that seemed so basic to my friends (who were guys). If you are a lady reading this, do not leave all the ‘handy’ stuff to the guys. You never know when you may need to change a car tyre or charge a car battery!

·         GOD orders our steps.

Above all, I learnt that when we commit our plans to the Lord, He has the last word, for our own good. I could not get to my destination after all, and even though I initially felt disappointed for ‘wasting’ most of my day, I realized that I had learnt some pretty great lessons I may not have been able to learn any other way. God always knows the best step for us to take, and we need to learn to fully trust Him.

Eventually, the car did get fixed, but not before I learnt a few things the hard way in the hot Ghanaian sun.

Let us learn to keep our eyes open. That seemingly uncomfortable situation could just be another opportunity to be blessed!

*A special dedication to my three special friends, who know themselves :-)

You are a blessing and may God continue to use you to be a blessing to others!

GHANA MAN BLUES 13

Esiaba and Fiifi, Dede, Nana Yaa, Lanre and Mrs. Jones Snr. all meet up at the hospital to support Nii and Naa in what seems to be a crisis. Missed out on Episode 12? Catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/11/ghana-man-blues-12.html?m=1

And now the curtains fall on Ghana Man Blues with Episode 13:

EPISODE 13

It had been three years since that night when Nii had almost lost his wife and beautiful daughter, who they had named Nhyira Jones, defying their Ga roots. That baby was just a miracle that had brought so much joy to the Jones household. Nii had decided to renew his marriage vows to his wife, and was waiting for her to walk towards him, through the pathway they had created in their lovely back garden. They had moved into a new home and had taken a firm decision to enjoy every single day they had together. That night at the hospital had put a lot of things in perspective for Nii, and he quickly brushed away a tear that was threatening to tarnish his manly image, before turning to see his beautiful wife walk towards him….

Naa could not believe how far she had come. She had almost given up that night when she was in labor with Nhyira, and wondered why God had allowed her to go through so much pain over the years. God had however come through for her in the end, and she knew that she and her daughter were a living testimony of His goodness. She looked around as she walked towards her husband, with her bubbly daughter ahead of her walking excitedly towards her father, in a white flowery dress. Naa felt so much warmth as she caught a glimpse of those who were present; all those she loved, including Dede, Nana Yaa and Lanre, Fiifi and Esiaba and Lanre’s adopted son, John the Great. She managed to give her mother-in-law, Mrs. Jones Snr. a smile as well, making a decision to leave what was in the past behind….

Nii and Naa’s renewal of vows just made Lanre think. He had finally allowed himself to admit the true reason why he did not take the job offer outside. He briefly glanced at Nana Yaa before realizing she had stolen a glance at him too. She boldly slipped her hand in his, ignoring John the Great who was making funny, teasing noises at Lanre and Nana Yaa from behind. Lanre suppressed a smile before squeezing Nana Yaa’s hand in silent response. He had finally made his decision….

New love for her daughter arose in Dede’s heart, as she watched Naa Aku walk towards Nii with their three year old daughter in the lead. She felt grateful to finally have her daughter Safoa with her, without any fear. The custody battle had ended abruptly when Something Different suddenly passed away from an illness he had apparently been battling with for years now. How he gathered the energy to have been attacking Dede so much, still beat her understanding. He apparently needed to gain custody of Safoa, so he could look like a responsible parent in order to get a decent job that could help him cater for his medical bills. All that was in the past now; Dede sighed as she realized that what mattered the most was that she could start her life afresh….

John the Great just looked around, overwhelmed by how it felt to be truly surrounded by family. He had never known that so many people who were born of different parents could be as close-knit as he had seen these people be.

John had started an NGO that helped to make sure those on the streets got at least two warm meals every day, as well as an opportunity to learn a vocation. He could not have done it without Lanre, who had been of tremendous help over the past few years. John had decided to put his political desires on hold for now, and was about to congratulate Nii and Naa, when Esiaba and Fiifi caught his attention. These Danquahs were something else, with Esiaba always giving Fiifi one reason or another to laugh.

“Love indeed makes the world a better place.” John chuckled to himself….

Nii and Naa, Dede, Lanre and Nana Yaa, Fiifi and Esiaba, as well as John the Great held hands in a circle, reminiscing on good times, whilst Safoa and Nhyira were in a world of their own in the center of the circle. Esiaba volunteered to round everything off with a prayer:

“Thank You Lord for how far You’ve brought us, through the good and bad times, and for the fact that You have brought us here for a reason. Thank You for reminding us that it’s great to be Ghanaian, and that no matter the Blues that the Ghanaian man goes through, You’ll be there through it all….”

Everyone shouted a big AMEN in response, before Nhyira caught their attention by repeatedly saying “Ghana Man Bluueeeeesssss”, amidst laughter.

THE END

*What are the lessons we have learnt over all from this series in the past thirteen weeks?

*What does Nii and Naa’s new attitude towards life teach us?

*What do we finally learn about not forgetting to give thanks to God when all is said and done?

A heartfelt thank you just cannot sum up the gratitude I feel for all those who have supported me in diverse ways, no matter how big or small. Thank you for everything, and for your role in making Ghana Man Blues a success. Together, we can indeed Change the Status Quo and make Ghana a better place. Please help me spread the word, and also like our Facebook page on  https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

Thank you and God richly bless you!

GHANA MAN BLUES 12

Mrs. Jones Snr. tries to make amends with her son; Something Different seems to be in some trouble, and so does Naa Jones. Missed out on Episode 11? Catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com2016/10/ghana-man-blues-11.html?m=1
With just one more Episode to go, what happens next?

EPISODE 12
Nii was frantic and blindly rushed to his room when he heard Naa scream. Something was very wrong and he had to act fast. Naa had grown pale and was sweating even more profusely than she was a few moments ago.
“Nii, please do something!” she said desperately.
He said nothing in response, but instead grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and lifted his wife up before locating his slippers and car keys. He had to get his wife of almost six years to the hospital as soon as possible. He just could not afford to lose her.


“Hello”, Esiaba responded sleepily, before sitting up and shaking Fiifi awake. She handed the phone to him and quickly got out of bed.
“Hello?” Fiifi said, confused.
“Fiifi, I need you and Esiaba right now. Something is wrong with Naa.”
Fiifi rubbed his eyes in an attempt to be alert, before responding “We’ll be there as soon we can.”
He had never heard his friend Nii sound so afraid before.
“Wait, what hospital again?” Fiifi quickly asked before realizing Nii had hung up….


“Dede!”  Nana Yaa said, barging into Dede’s room. “Please get dressed; we need to get to the hospital now.”
“Oh what is it Nana Yaa, that can’t wait till morning?” Dede replied sleepily.
“It’s Naa. It seems she’s in some kind of trouble. Nii couldn’t really give details.”
The name Naa was enough wakeup call for Dede. This woman had been a priceless friend to her, and Dede wanted to do anything she could to help her out, even if it meant just being there.
“I guess I have to postpone my visit to Safoa”, she said to herself, a bit disappointed as she joined Nana Yaa outside a few minutes later, to head to the hospital.


Dede did not know whether to be shocked or sorrowful. Not long after they had reached the hospital, she had seen a man being rushed to the emergency ward. She had looked closely only to see none other but Something Different looking terribly ill and almost shriveled up. Naa being her main concern right now, she made a mental note to go and pay S.D. a visit later when his condition stabilized, to find out what exactly was going on.


Nii felt calmer after all those he cared the most about made it to the hospital in record time. Fiifi and Esiaba were there, and Nana Yaa had managed to get Dede and even Lanre (who was almost always busy) to come along as well. Even his mother had managed to make it, obviously trying to make amends for her previously cruel attitude towards Naa.
After the tension of trying to get proper medical attention for his wife, Nii just could not sit or eat anything. Naa was losing a lot of blood and he could not stand the sight any longer. The doctors were doing everything they could to save her and her baby, but they had been in the labor ward for close to three hours now. He desperately whispered a prayer to God for His intervention, before the doctor stepped out and said,
“Mr. Jones…” with an expressionless face……


*Today’s episode draws a little attention to our medical systems in Ghana. How efficient are our emergency and response services, and what can be done to improve them?
*Everyone that was most important to Nii was present, helping him to be at ease. How promptly are we there for our loved ones when they need us the most?
*Despite S.D.’s cruel treatment of Dede over the past years, she still made a decision to later check on him. Also, Mrs. Jones Snr. had managed to make it to the hospital when Nii needed her the most. What do these two instances tell us about forgiveness?

With just one more Episode to go, how has Ghana Man Blues made an impact on our lives so far? And how far have we come in putting the lessons into practice?
Thank you for your support and for sharing it with others as well. Let’s keep the Status Quo Train moving, and be the difference together!

GHANA MAN BLUES 11

Nii is finally in on Naa’s pregnancy secret, Dede’s custody battle with her ex-husband is getting worse, and Lanre keeps postponing the commencement of his new job outside. Missed Episode 10? Here’s some catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghana-man-blues-10.html?m=1.

The blues continue with Episode 11:

EPISODE 11

It had already been 7 months since Nii found out his wife was pregnant, and those months had been some of the happiest they had ever witnessed together as a couple. Mrs. Jones Snr. had eventually become a silent party in their marriage and Nii felt grateful that he had had the fortitude to stand by Naa. He was nervous and excited at the same time, and virtually did not allow Naa to lift a finger. His friends, Fiifi and Esiaba Danquah had been of great help, as they had two kids of their own. He chuckled to himself when he remembered how stubborn and inquisitive Esiaba could be, and how firmly Fiifi handled her. Nii’s phone vibrated, breaking his train of thought. He put his phone away when he realized who it was…

Mrs. Jones Snr. had been feeling terrible over the past few months about how she had treated her daughter-in-law, Naa Aku. She was so ashamed and had been trying to reach Nii every day, but she understood why her son never picked or returned her calls. She wondered desperately what she could do to get her son back, but could not think of anything to make up for lost time. She decided to pay them a visit, whether she was welcome or not…..

The custody battle had had a draining effect on Dede, and she had lost weight drastically, not having enough time for herself or her daughter. She had not seen Safoa for quite some time now and was missing her terribly. Nana Yaa was briefing her on the progress of the case so far, but Dede had zoned out, making a mental note to go and see her daughter at the Danquahs the next day. She knew Safoa was safer there, at least till she was sure she had her for good.

“Dede….Dede!! Have you heard a single word I’ve said?” Nana Yaa asked, irritated.

Dede snapped back into reality, not by Nana Yaa’s question, but by the constant vibration of her phone.

“What does he want?” Dede grumbled, rolling her eyes when she realized how many times S.D. had called her.

Nana Yaa grabbed the phone and was about to snap at Kojo when she noticed how feeble he sounded. Alarmed, she asked, “Kojo, what’s wrong?”

“I’m…..I need help” he responded, sounding desperate…

It had been a long night for Naa, and Nii noticed she had grown extremely quiet over the past few days. She had tossed and turned so many times during the night, getting Nii worried. He thought of calling Esiaba for help, but decided against it, wondering whether he should call his mother instead. Naa had broken out into a sweat, causing Nii to dash to the bathroom for a towel and some cold water, before he heard his wife scream in agony.

“Niiiii! Nii, please help me!......”

*Do you think Nii is being too harsh on his mother? Did Mrs. Jones Snr. have a point in treating Naa the way she did?

*Kojo seems to be in some trouble. Do you think Nana Yaa and Dede should pay any attention to him?

*Are there any lessons on forgiveness we learn from today’s episode?

Thank you for your support so far in diverse ways. Let’s join hands to Change the Status Quo and spread the word by sharing with others as well. Please like our Facebook page on https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo.  

Thank you and till next week, stay blessed!

Ghana Man Blues 10

Nana Yaa confronts her brother Kojo, Kofi Wilson’s time at N.E.A.S. is finally over, John pays his friends a visit, and Naa Aku is finally pregnant. Missed out on the action in Episode 9? Here’s a trip down memory lane on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghana-man-blues-9.html?m=1

And now the blues go on with Episode 10:

EPISODE 10

Nii had decided to give Naa a day off, and was taking the trash out when something fell out. ‘Auntie Mary’s Pregnancy Test Kit’ was written on the box. Confused, he quickly got rid of the trash and went back in to question his wife.

“Naa is there something I need to know?” he asked curious.

“Oh why? What’s up?” she responded innocently.

“Lady, go straight to the point.” Nii said, growing impatient.

“Well….It’s nothing really. Just that I’m pregnant” Naa said, relaxed.

“You’re what?” Nii stammered in response. “And you hid this from me because?” Nii continued, walking towards her.

Naa was hesitant, wondering how Nii was going to react. Before she could respond, Nii lifted her up and whirled her around, elated.

“Oh Nii, put me down over there!” she shrieked, delighted…..

Safoa was staying with the Danquahs, and had not seen her mother Dede for some time.

“Auntie Esiaba, please tell me what is going on. Where is Mummy?” she asked for the umpteenth time.

“Oh my dear, it is nothing to worry about. Mummy is fine okay?” Esiaba assured her, trying to sound convincing.

They had not heard from Dede for close to three weeks, but had decided not to worry because they knew where she was. She had not had much of an option anyway than to go into hiding…

Dede had moved in with Nana Yaa for a few weeks, after Kojo had threatened her one more time. She had frantically sought refuge at Esiaba’s home, but had to change location when she realized Kojo knew where she was. Nana Yaa had suggested she hide out at her residence for a few weeks, but thought it better to leave Safoa behind with the Danquahs. It had been three weeks already and Dede had not had this much peace of mind in a long while. Her case against Something Different was gradually building, and she knew it would take at least a year before this custody battle was over. But she was willing to fight….

Lanre was increasingly seeing more of himself in John. It had been almost a year since he had stopped selling on the streets, but John had remained as humble as ever. He had already joined his school’s debating class and had started nursing political ambitions. Though Lanre was not too happy about it initially, he had decided to let the young man choose his own path, only deciding to interfere if he felt it was absolutely necessary.

Now that Kofi Wilson had left N.E.A.S., Lanre’s workload had increased but it at least took his mind off his disappointment in Kofi as well as his pending trip outside to start a new job. He had kept postponing it and was even thinking of rejecting the offer. He had tried to deny it, but knew the underlying reason why he did not want to leave….

*Things finally seem to be falling in place for Nii and Naa. What does this tell us about holding on just a bit longer and not giving up on our loved ones as well as our hopes?

*What are some of the things that hold us back from taking the next stepping stone in life’s journey, like in Lanre’s case?

 *John the Great seems to be making the most of the opportunities that have come his way. How can we apply this to our own attitude towards various doors that open for us?

Our effort to Change the Status Quo can only be more pronounced when we do it together. Please help me spread the word by sharing it with others, and please don’t forget to like our Facebook page on https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo as well.

Thank you, stay blessed and see you next week!

GHANA MAN BLUES 9

John’s helper turns out to be Lanre, Dede has reached her limit at the hands of her ex-husband, and she finds out he is Nana Yaa’s brother. Missed out on Episode 8? Your flashback is just a click away on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/10/ghana-man-blues-8.html?m=1

The Blues go on with Episode 9

EPISODE 9

After much convincing, Dede had agreed to let Nana Yaa help her out with her case. Three weeks later Nana Yaa had found out why Kojo was insisting on gaining custody of Safoa. She decided to go and pay Kojo a visit.

“What do you want?” Kojo asked sullenly, trying to hide his surprise.

“What on earth is wrong with you?” Nana Yaa responded angrily. “I haven’t heard from you in years, and when I finally do, you’re at your stupid tricks again.”

“You watch your mouth Nana Yaa Afriyie.”, Kojo said, straightening up.

“You want to hit me too? Go ahead! You’re such a coward!” Nana Yaa countered, facing him squarely.

Kojo took a step towards her, before clenching his fist in restraint…

Kofi Wilson tidied up his desk, trying to stifle his disappointment. He had spent the past few hours trying to beg Lanre for forgiveness but things had not gone well. Lanre Adesodzi was a good man, but this time around, Kofi had gone too far. The same people who had framed Lanre were now demanding their monies back from Kofi, but he had put the money into a deal that had not worked out, and was completely broke.

“I’ve messed up big time”, Kofi lamented.

Lanre had given him up to an hour to pack all his stuff and leave the office. His time at N.E.A.S. was over…

Naa Aku could barely hide her excitement. She had missed her period for a few months now and had taken a pregnancy test., which had come back positive. She stared at herself in the mirror, contemplating whether to tell Nii or not.

“What if I miscarry again? It has been three whole years since...”

She was still trying to figure out what to do when she heard Nii’s car pull into the driveway. She quickly got rid of the test and went out to meet him…..

John the Great decided to pass by the street where he used to sell. Though he was enjoying his new life, he missed his friends and took the day off to go and see them. He had been schooling alongside running some errands for Lanre, who had become like a father to him. Through these errands, he had met some ‘big people’ and realized he was interested in politics. He quickly shelved his thoughts as he got to his destination.

“Eiiii Johnnie, Johnnieeee!” one of the sellers shrieked in disbelief.

“It’s me, call me John the Great!” John responded as he hugged most of the sellers who had huddled around him, momentarily forgetting their wares.

“Ei, John, how are things going, chale?” his longtime credit seller friend asked him.

“Small small o, God dey!” John responded.

“Look at his too-known!” another of the sellers teased, as they scrutinized John.

After some time with his friends, John headed back home, but not before he had given each of the sellers one little gift or the other. He had learnt so much about giving from the little time he had spent with Lanre. John vowed never to forget his roots, and decided to wear the ‘happy socks’ he used to sell every single day, to remind him of where he came from….

*From Kofi Wilson’s predicament, do you think Lanre was too harsh or Kofi deserved what he got? What does this tell us about bearing the consequences of our decisions?

*Naa is finally pregnant, but decides to hide it from her husband out of fear and disbelief. Does this remind us of any uncertainties we have faced in our own lives?

*What does John the Great’s visit to his friends tell us about remembering who we are and where we come from?

Thank you for helping me Change the Status Quo so far. You have been amazing, and for that, I say thank you and God richly bless you.

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Stay blessed and see you next week!

GHANA MAN BLUES 8

Dede’s daughter is not missing after all; Lanre has been betrayed by Kofi Wilson, and John the Great finally decides to explore new opportunities. Missed out on Episode 7? Here’s some catch up on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/09/ghana-man-blues-7.html?m=1. With just a few more episodes to go, what happens next on the Blues?

EPISODE 8

John had tried to reach the number he had received from his mysterious visitor for some time now, but it just was not going through.

“Maybe God doesn’t want me to stop this socks thing,” he said to himself dejectedly.

“Let me try one more time,” he said, hoping this time it will go through.

The phone rang about three times before a man answered.

“Thank God O!” John quickly said before responding, “Hello Sir! Please it’s me John. You stopped me a few months ago when…”

“Hello young man! I know who you are. I thought you’d never call……”

Lanre ended the call with John the Great. He had almost forgotten about his promise to see the young man through school, as he had been occupied with what had taken place a few weeks ago. He was considering leaving N.E.A.S even sooner than he had planned. He had received a job offer outside the country, but felt he had not finished with Ghana just yet, even more so now that John had called him back.

When he was young, his education had been put on hold for a while when his father lost his job. He had had to sell spare car parts for some time till things stabilized at home. He had almost gotten into trouble once with a fellow seller, who had cheated him of some money, and had a scar on his left arm to show for it. His father had eventually gotten another job, enabling Lanre and his siblings to go back to school, but Lanre was always a few years older than his mates due to this delay. Out of his experience, he had vowed to help at least three boys and two girls to complete their education before he attained the age of 45. So far he was on course, and saw something extraordinary in the socks guy, John. They had scheduled a meeting for the next day, and Lanre was about to tidy up his desk and leave to meet Nana Yaa when Kofi entered without knocking.

“Mr. Adesodzi. Please, I need your help……”

Esiaba quickly sat up after she and Fiifi had been woken up by loud knocks on their door.

“Who could that be at 12am?” Esiaba said, a little alarmed and irritated at the same time.

“Let me go and check,” Fiifi said, barely awake.

“I think I should go.” Esiaba responded.

“Ah. How? When there’s a man in the house, you want to go where? No way.” Fiifi sat up, wondering where his wife got her stubbornness from at times.

“Oh Fiifi, I’m sure it’s nothing serious,” Esiaba said adamantly.

“At 12am? Woman, please. You can follow me if you want to, but you’re definitely not going alone. Ah.”

“You it’s okay, let’s go,” Esiaba conceded. “This person will wake the kids up if we waste any more time.”

They descended the stairs together, Fiifi in the lead with Esiaba behind him.

“Please help me…” Dede said immediately Fiifi opened the door, and collapsed before Fiifi or Esiaba could respond…..

“That’s enough Dede. You have to take this man back to court.” Nana Yaa said, obviously furious.

“Calm down Nana, let’s deal with this rationally,” Naa Aku said.

“I think the rationality ship sunk a long time ago,” Esiaba said, siding with Nana Yaa.

They were at Esiaba’s home, as they had decided to meet up after work to discuss Dede’s issue. Dede had tried to mask her bruises with makeup, but had not succeeded. Her left eye was almost swollen shut from the brutal beating Something Different had subjected her to two nights ago. She had come back from looking for Safoa before realizing she had not locked her door. S.D. had made himself comfortable, and what she thought was going to be a brief visit had turned into a horrible nightmare.

“Do we have something like a restraining order in Ghana?” Naa Aku asked, looking at Nana Yaa.

“Hmm, we do o but how effective will it be?” Nana Yaa responded. “But Kojo deserves more than that. If I had my own way, he’d be behind bars,” Nana Yaa continued, angry all over again.

“Ei, but isn’t this your brother we’re talking about Nana?” Naa asked before Esiaba could signal her to keep quiet.

“Kojo Afriyie is your brother?” Dede asked, her one eye growing wide in disbelief.

“I had planned to tell you Dede…..”

*John could have decided to give up in his attempt to reach Lanre. He however decided against it. What does this teach us about hope and determination?

*From Lanre’s decision in this Episode, what do we learn about remembering where we come from and giving back to society?

*From the women’s meeting at Esiaba’s home, what do we learn about availing ourselves to show support to our neighbors, friends and loved ones when they need it?

Ghana Man Blues cannot make the difference it is intended to make, if others do not hear about it. Thank you for sharing with others so far and please don’t forget to help spread the word and to like our Facebook page on https//:m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

Changing The Status Quo can only be successful with you.

Thank you and stay blessed.

See you next week!

GHANA MAN BLUES 7

Dede’s daughter is missing and Nii and Naa are still struggling with child birth. Missed out on Episode 6? Here’s a reminder on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/09/ghana-man-blues-6.html?m=1. And now the blues go on with Episode 7.

EPISODE 7

Dede drove home, relieved and angry at the same time. Safoa’s school authorities had called her phone a countless number of times but Dede had not picked, forgetting that she had turned her phone to silent mode. They had asked Safoa if she knew any other number, and she had mentioned an Auntie Esiaba. Thankfully, Esiaba left work to pick her up and she was safely with the Danquahs. Relieved that ‘Something Different’ had not gotten hold of their daughter, Dede was angry with herself for being so absent-minded these days.

“I have to get myself together.” She muttered to herself and almost did not see the man who had stepped on the road to cross right in front of Dede’s car…..

“Ei, I could have died today o”, John the Great said to himself after a narrow escape from being knocked down. He had so much on his mind and was in a hurry to get to the driver who had just called him that he had barely seen the car that was moving at top speed. The woman had just rolled down her window and yelled “What is wrong with you?” before driving off, obviously incensed.

“Ei these days Ghanaians are always angry”, John said to the seller passing by.

“But you also didn’t try”, the seller responded.

John sat down on the curb, contemplating his decision. He had decided to stop selling and take up his mysterious visitor’s offer. He dug deep into his pocket, took the piece of paper with the number on it, and walked to a nearby ‘Space to Space’ desk…

Kofi Wilson had not been able to sleep for the past few days. His boss Lanre had been released just a day after being arrested, after the police admitted they had no substantial evidence against him. They were just obeying an order to have him arrested. Of course, Kofi knew what was going on, but knew that Nana Yaa was on to him and was getting too close for comfort.

“What kind of man have I become?” he lamented to himself. He planned to resign before what he had done was exposed, but at N.E.A.S you had to give at least three months’ notice before you could leave. He turned on his bed once more, adjusting his pillow when the silence of the night was interrupted with a loud knock on his door.

“Kofi Wilson!”……

Nana Yaa had had enough of that weasel Kofi Wilson. He had been nothing but trouble for Lanre, but Lanre had refused to see it with his “ever-patient” attitude. She admired him for that, but it got on her nerves at times. She did not even know how to tell him what she had found out. Kofi had become a recipient of every bribe Lanre refused, and had agreed to incriminate Lanre for an amount of money. A disgruntled contractor had been bitter from Lanre’s refusal and had threatened to make Lanre pay dearly for it. Fortunately, Lanre had kept his reputation intact, making it a bit easy to get him out of custody. What angered Nana Yaa the most was the role Kofi had played in the whole situation. He had leaked information on Lanre’s every move, facilitating his arrest and had even gone further to forge Lanre’s signature on one or two documents. Nana Yaa vowed to make sure Kofi got what he deserved.

In the meantime however, she was becoming more concerned about Dede’s custody battle. She had not been involved in the case because that man was her own brother she had lost touch with over the years. For him to resurface this way was just despicable and she had decided to do something about it. She picked up her phone and dialed Dede’s number…..

*How does our desire to make it in life sometimes cause us to compromise on our integrity?

*Lanre did not have much of a problem getting released from custody, due to his reputation. What does this tell us about a good name?

*If we were in Nana Yaa’s shoes, having to correct a loved one for his wrongdoing, will we live up to the task?

Thank you for your support in diverse ways so far. Let’s keep the Blues going with our feedback and shares with others.

The Blues continue next week God willing with Episode 8.

Till then, stay blessed and please don’t forget to like our Facebook Page on https://m.facebook.com/ChangingTheStatusQuo

GHANA MAN BLUES 6

Kofi Wilson is growing increasingly nervous at N.E.A.S. and John is contemplating his next move to make.  What else are our GMB characters up to? Catch up with the past blues on ghblessed.blogspot.com/2016/09/ghana-man-blues-5.html?m=1

The Blues go on with Episode 6:

EPISODE 6

Esiaba had just put her daughter to bed and was about to check on her son when she heard her phone ring. She glanced quickly at the time.

“Who would be calling so late?” she thought out loud.

She doubled her steps just before the phone stopped ringing. Realizing who had called, she was about to return the call when the phone rang again.

“Hello…”

“Esiaba…” Nana Yaa said obviously upset about something.

“Yes Nana, what is it?”

“Lanre…” Nana Yaa responded brokenly, sobbing all over again.

“What is going on?” Esiaba asked, her heart skipping a beat.

“Lanre has been arrested...” Nana Yaa managed to say.

“What?”……

Lanre felt confused, but was trying his best not to show it. He had been whisked away just when he got to his gate, and had no idea what was going on. He knew he had not done anything wrong, and jumped at the opportunity to call Nana Yaa when he was given the chance to make just one phone call. Something was very wrong at his secretariat and he had figured out that someone wanted him silenced. Shifting towards the corner as another man was shoved into the cell he was in, Lanre tried to figure out how he was going to spend the night…

Dede had so much to write about these days. Her ex-husband had found new ways of tormenting her, and she had drowned all her frustrations into publishing more blog posts. She had put church on hold even though her new found friend Esiaba had tried so hard to get her to go to church again.

“What’s the use anyway?” she muttered, feeling that God had forgotten her completely.

She heard some kids passing by, chattering loudly.

“Kids have no care in the world. These kids…..Ei, Safoa!”  Dede exclaimed, leaping off her couch. She had forgotten to pick her daughter up from school.

“5 o’clock! My poor baby will be all alone!”  she said, getting frantic. This had never happened before. She grabbed her car keys and sped off, forgetting to lock the front door…”

Nii and Naa left the consulting room, holding hands. It was almost another two years since Naa’s miscarriage and things were still not working out. Naa had tried to build her defenses, afraid Nii would eventually leave her for someone else. He had proved her wrong however, and stood by her every minute. He had had another argument with his mother last week, over how badly she had humiliated Naa at their family reunion. He had threatened to cut off ties with her completely, but had softened in his resolve when Naa reminded him about the need to honor his parents no matter what.

“You’re awfully quiet Naa”, Nii said suddenly, glancing at her. Naa smiled weakly in response.

“Come on, let’s go and watch a movie, then I’ll take you somewhere special afterwards…” Nii said, trying to cheer his wife up.

“Okay Nii,” she responded, lighting up a bit as they walked out of the hospital doors.

Dede was almost frantic now. She had reached Safoa’s school in record time, but her daughter was nowhere to be found. She had been to the classroom, playground and even the kids’ washroom, but there was no sign of her daughter.

“I don’t need this right now,” she said almost in tears.

‘Something Different’ was on the verge of slapping Dede with a nasty custody battle, and this situation would not help at all.

“God, where is Safoa?” she cried, placing her head on her steering wheel in frustration. Just then an unfamiliar face knocked on her window.

“Ms. Quanson…is it your daughter you’re looking for?”

Dede quickly rolled down her window in desperation…

*Are there some dangers we face in our society when we make the decision to always do what is right?

*How strong is our support system for people going through situations, like Naa and Dede?

*Do the problems we face in our daily lives give us enough reasons to forget our responsibilities?

Let’s make GMB more practical by sharing our views right here on this page, and sharing it with others as well. Looking forward to your comments and feedback.

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See you next week! Stay blessed!