For How Long Must Ghana Allow ‘Galamsey’ To Decimate Her Environment To The Detriment Of Sustainable Development?

Asks Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath

Galamsey scene in Ghana

Do you know that our so-called illiterate ancestors, who some people had the temerity to characterize as ‘primitive’, had wisdom to admonish that: “If you rear a tiger puppy it may grow up to devour you?”

Ghana is Africa’s second largest gold producer after South Africa. But several research projects suggest that ‘galamsey’ (illegal gold mining) has affected the country’s environment and poses a great danger to our rural dwelling brothers and sisters.

 Last year this writer did content analysis of media coverage of galamsey using framing methods for his MA at the International Institute of Social Studies ISS of Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, The Netherlands. The findings were mind-boggling!

Security threat

On Monday, March 23, 2015, the Daily Graphic published an article headlined, ‘Galamsey’ destroying East Akyem” on its Regional Page 23 of that day’s issue No.19723. The opening paragraph of the story authored by Erasmus Solomon, Kyebi reads: “Ghana appears to be losing the fight against illegal mining, popularly referred to as ‘galamsey’, particularly in the Kyebi area in the East Akyem District in the Eastern Region.”

This story alone seems to have confirmed 47 articles I used for the content analysis of my thesis. Sources of data collection for my research were news archives and databases of online publications of six media outlets. They were made up of three local media including Graphic online, Chronicle online and Myjoyonline.

I also collected data from three foreign media namely BBC, The New York Times and the China Daily. I simply wanted to find out the extent ownership or form of media (state-owned or public, corporate or private) influence the way in which journalists frame galamsey problems for their audiences.
 

For example, in paragraph six of the Graphic story quoted above, the writer wrote: ‘According to residents in communities in the East Akyem District where illegal mining is rife, the activity poses a major security threat.” So, straight away, apart from posing environmental problems for the nation, this journalist frames galamsey as a ‘security’ issue to his audience or readership.

Anti-galamsey taskforce 

I think Erasmus Solomon merits national award for this article. The National Security must endeavour to contact him and possibly co-opt him to join hands with the Inter-Ministerial Committee against illegal small-scale gold mining dubbed Anti-Galamsey Taskforce. Why? When President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated the high-powered Anti-Galamsey Taskforce in May 2013, he stated among other things:

 […] “As you know, I have had occasion to speak publicly about the dangers ‘galamsey’ is posing to our nation in terms of forests being degraded, farmlands being destroyed, water bodies being polluted and the resultant health implications for the people.

“In the very recent past, we have all witnessed the devastation galamsey has caused to some of our water bodies and its effect on the production and supply of water to various communities. There has also been casualties and loss of lives arising from conflicts in some areas where illegal small-scale mining is taking place. Other negative consequences of this activity include the lawless and criminal behavior exhibited by Ghanaians and some non-Ghanaians involved in the illegal act. 

“We do clearly have a problem, and as government we have been working to prevent it from generating into a crisis. But it is clear that we need to strengthen, broaden and coordinate better our efforts in tackling the challenge of illegal mining…”

The question is, almost two years after the inauguration of the Anti-Galamsey Taskforce, has the galamsey problem generated into a ‘crisis’? If yes, then what are we doing about it as a country?   Or as the President has noted and rightly so, did we strengthen, broaden and coordinate our efforts in tackling the challenges of illegal mining as a nation?  The President is just an individual and if he initiates an action as expected of him as leader, little can be achieved if the people who are supposed to execute that action plan to go to bed.

Is it possible for the Anti-Galamsey Task-force to come out to inform, educate and allay the fears of Ghanaians that they are on course after two years of their inauguration? For all they know they may elicit some public support or even obtain some more creative ideas that will aid them in their herculean tasks. Constant communication and interaction with the public will win them more public sympathy if people are made aware of some of their challenges. 

It appears they are working very, very hard but nobody has an idea about their where about now. Are they still in existence?  Meanwhile galamsey is dealing deadly blows to the jaws of some communities as reported in the Graphic story under review.

The ‘Galamsey Pentagon’

Before embarking on my research project, my assumption was that galamsey problem was principally environmental in nature. Thus, I was amazed after reading all the selected 47 galamsey related stories published within the first 12 months of the inauguration of the Anti-Galamsey Task-force (May 2013 – May 2014).

And upon doing what is known as ‘coding sheet’ the result shows that there are five major galamsey problems confronting our beloved country. The problems include livelihood/economic, security/safety, socio-political/cultural, environmental degradation and environmental diplomacy.

The most shocking problem was the security/safety related one. That explains why the Graphic reporter deserves national award.

The research findings lead me to develop what I term as  “the Galamsey Pentagon.”  The concept of ‘Galamsey Pentagon’ simply refers to the five major galamsey related problems. The concept can be used as an environmental communication model for public education purposes by individuals and institutions charged with the responsibility to finding solutions to galamsey problems facing Ghana. 
 

The research which was conducted under a the topic “Environmental Communication for Sustainable Development: A Content Analysis of Media Coverage of ‘Galamsey’ (Illegal Gold Mining in Ghana – 2013-2014”establishes the following as some of the consequences of galamsey operation in the country: That any time there is an incident like the collapsing of galamsey pits, most of the operators including women and children end up being buried alive just like that. So precious human lives are lost on regular basis out of galamsey operations. But in Ghana who cares double hoot about human life?

That the galamsey operators engage in violent crime by killing themselves over the sharing of the booty. They also terrorize innocent citizens in communities where galamsey activities take place. Is there any thing that can pose more security threat to a nation more than galamsey? 
 

The result also shows that the media constantly express concern that galamsey activities are destroying farmlands including food and cash crops. The media sees this problem as rendering poor farmers even poorer. One of the most shocking findings reported in the media is the fact that some cocoa farmers are selling their lands to galamsey operators for quick money.

Meanwhile government is making efforts and encouraging the youth to go in agriculture and cocoa farming in particular. What a contradiction!
 

Furthermore the result shows that the media report that most of the contaminated rivers and water bodies tend to be the only source of drinking water for most rural communities. Thus galamsey problems are making life even more difficult for rural women. Some of our ever suffering rural mothers, wives, aunties and sisters, with their babies dangling at their backs had to trek long distances in search of fire woods and potable water all day long.

Other consequences of the galamsey problems are health hazards confronting the rural poor because of dangerous chemicals like mercury being used in processing gold nuggets by galamsey operators.

Sustainable Development

So galamsey which is also known as Artisanal Gold Mining (AGM) and was traditionally done with basic implements like hoes, pick axes, shovels and so on are today being operated with sophisticated earth-moving machines, some of which are technologically designed to be planted right in the middle of a river to scoop up gold nuggets from the belly of the earth.

By so doing rivers are polluted beyond treatment for human consumption. Is it the case of Ghana rearing a tiger puppy that has grown up to devour it? 
 

And if Sustainable Development, according to Brundtland Commission’s report of 1987 is defined as the   development that guarantees the ability of the present generation to meet their needs without risking the chances of future generations to cater for their own needs, then for how long can mother Ghana stand and stare for the notorious galamsey to hold the sustainable development of our nation to ransom?  Oh, noble men and women of Anti-Galamsey Taskforce of our generation! Where are you?

The Author works with Information Services Department ISD in Accra.

 Email: abissath@gmail.com

Nobel Prize for Honourable Members of Ghana’s Parliament

By Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath

Ghana's honorable members of Parliament attentively listening to their President

The wisdom of our African ancestors is reflected in this proverb that says: “What cat saw and quietly closed its eyes, dog did not see even its shadow before it started barking ‘hooo’-‘hooo’-hooo’!”

Since Ghana embarked on its democratic dispensation of the 1992 Republican Constitution I have been monitoring, observing and watching the attitude, behavior and comportment of Honourable members of Ghana’s Parliament.

Thanks to the Daily Graphic for its opinion column where everybody is free to give his or her views I also want to express my opinion at this moment free of comment. As I was saying, the first term of Parliament under the 1992 Constitution, which took off on 7th  January 1993, there was not opposition in the House.  Why, the then leading opposition NPP boycotted the parliamentary election after the presidential one and wrote a book entitled ‘The Stolen Verdict’.

Consequently, the opposition outside parliament christened the first term of NDC1 (1993-1996) Parliament under the ‘speakership’ of the Right Honourable Mr. Justice D.F. Annan as ‘rubber stamp parliament’. Period! At that time it was the Ghanaian media that took the mantle of opposition to check government in power. In fat, the then Ghanaian media both public and private did a yeoman’s job. They were fair and balanced in their   reportage. They were analytical  and critical in their criticisms but not abusive and insulting or unprofessional as is the order of the day with some media institutions today.

In 2000 when NPP won the Presidential and Parliamentary elections and NDC became opposition in Parliament (2001-2008) the attitude, behavior and comportment of some minority members in the House became questionable. Sometimes, when President John Agyekum Kufuor went to deliver the State of  the Nation Address in Parliament he was booed and jeered. The then minority in Parliament did not accord due respect to the President of the Republic. Thus, their attitude towards President Kufuor was condemned by all fair-minded people of society both home and abroad.

But then in 2008 when the NDC won general elections and President John Evans Atta Mills of blessed memory became President the opposition NPP in Parliament hit below the democratic belt. For three-and-half years or so ((January 2009- July 2012) when President Mills ruled the country, majority of the minority NPP members in Parliament demonstrated little decorum towards the learned Professor.

In fact, if in 50 years the audio/visual documentary of the attitude, behavior and comportment of NPP Parliamentarians towards President Mills are played back to their grand children they would drop their jaws like a yam in disbelief. To the extent that the very last Sate of the Nation Address presented by President Mills before his transition, he noted” I knew I would be heckled, but I did not know it would so gargantuan.”  But some other things that the minority members of parliament did towards President John Mahama when he took over from the late President Mills could not be reprinted in an article of this nature. Just to mention that ‘dressing in red and black funeral cloths with some mind-boggling inscriptions, as well as flashing red cards in the face of a President in Parliament’ and so on were un-parliamentary to say the least.

Even in our own traditional customs and norms, which some so-called civilized people may prefer to describe as primitive, no village chief let alone a paramount chief from North to South or East to West would be subjected to such democratic humiliation in Parliament of all places.  Of course, some other politicians elsewhere may throw blows or smash their heads with chairs and tables in their legislature. But we in Ghana have our cultural values that do not permit us to look our elders in the face and spit into their eyes, no matter their offences against us.

Commendation

It is against that backdrop that I wish to add my feeble voice to that of many meaningful Ghanaians to commend, praise and salute our honourable members of Parliament. The attitude, behavior and comportment they put up on Thursday, 26 February 2015 when President Mahama presented this year’s State of the Nation Address to the august House.

As the President used the analogy of the Ghana Black Stars to illustrate the resilience of the Ghanaian, our honourable members of Parliament especially the minority in opposition have proved beyond doubt that a Ghanaian is a Ghanaian! Their resolve to show respect to the Head of State and Commander –in- Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Ghana was outstanding despite our collective karma of  ‘dum-sor-dum-sor syndrome!’

Our noble Parliamentarians have proved that they are the symbol of national role models to the youth of Ghana. If I were to be somebody, but I am nobody now, I would have recommended that the entire Parliament of Ghana 2015 should be awarded en-block a Nobel Prize in Attitudinal and Behavioral Change of the 21^st Century!

The writer works with the Information Services Department in Accra. <abissath@gmail.com> 

500 DAYS IN THE KINGDOM OF WISDOM

(Personal Experiences of Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath  @ ISS - 2013-2014)

        

This is the magical bouquet of flowers presented to me by AES/AFES Professors
and fellow MA students at MCH Hospital in The Hague

A Ghanaian proverb says: ‘A person who travels sees far more things than a person who climbs a tall tree.’

 To obtain admission to study at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, The Netherlands, is one thing. But to spend 15.5 months almost 500 days to actually undertake an MA course in Development Studies at this magnificent academic Kingdom of Knowledge is a different rugby game altogether.

 In this essay I intend to share some of my personal experiences with my fellow ISS MA students especially my classmates of our Major Agrarian and Environmental Studies (AES/AFES 2013-2014). Most of them may have some ideas about some of the things I went through while we were there especially during my hospitalization. But they may not be privy to some details being related in this write-up.

 After all are we not in the 21^st century - a century of knowledge economy and experience sharing? The object of this piece is not to massage my own ego or for self-aggrandizement. Rather, to alert the present and yet to taste salt generations that life cannot and must not be taken for granted!  

With that unsolicited philosophical piece of advice, any dreamer who may ever dream to study within the four walls of this enigmatic building should be informed that professors here have no time to laugh.  Their smiling faces are eternally glued to computer screens from January to December. At first sight, the ISS building itself looks like a monumental museum - ancient outside but modern inside. And if in your own volition you dare to apply to study at ISS, and you are offered admission, then stop laughing and start reading with critical and analytical mind any communications that may transpire between you and the school administrators.  Start that psychological preparation with the admission letter itself. And if you are not clear in your mind about the connotations and denotations of any word, or sentence, or paragraph of that letter, please write back to the school to explain things to you. I can vouch that the school authorities have the patience of a tortoise. They will take their time and clarify everything for you. Never set off from your home country to The Netherlands if you yourself are not too sure what you are about. Do I make myself clear? Ok! Shall we move on?

For the benefit of those who may not have an iota of idea about an ‘animal’ called ISS, here you go:

[…] It is a graduate institute of policy-oriented critical social science, founded in 1952 and able to draw on (over) sixty years of experience. ISS is a highly diverse international community of scholars and students from the global south and the north, which brings together people, ideas and insights in a multi-disciplinary setting, which nurtures, fosters and promotes critical thinking and conducts innovative research into fundamental social problems. Key to the ISS philosophy and practice is the wish to make a contribution to achieving social justice and equity on a global level. Source: http://www.iss.nl/about_iss/iss_in_a_nutshell/

Accessed 16 November 2014.

Having experienced academic life at ISS, without bragging, I can hit my chest and confirm that it is no fluke that ISS is one of the best if not the best Development Studies institutions in Europe. Perhaps the most serious academic center of teaching and learning on this planet of knowledge and skills acquisition. For the past 64 years or so, the school has carved a niche for itself as a globally acclaimed researched-led and teaching-based center of academic excellence. All manner of persons with varied cultural backgrounds from archeology to zoology do journey from the four cardinal points of the globe and converge at ISS to study. Our African ancestors say something to this effect that: ‘If a baby crocodile emerges from under water to tell you that his father and mother are at each other’s throat, you better believe him.

Since the best place to begin any subject is right from the beginning itself, it is logical that I start this episode from the beginning.  It was in 2010 that I first applied to undertake a post-graduate study program in Development Studies at ISS. Having satisfied all requirements, the school offered me what was described as ‘unconditional’ admission for two years. That was in 2011. But there was some condition somehow anyway. And that was ‘subject’ to my obtaining sponsorship or funding support to finance the course. I am sure like all other applicants, the institute then linked me to some websites of possible sources of financial aids including The Netherlands Fellowships Programme (NFP) www.nuffic.nl. I was to start the program in 2012. Unfortunately, I could not take the opportunity because I was not successful at obtaining the necessary funding support that year. Thus, with my naked eyes, I saw 2012-2013 academic years going, going, going, and gone. That year busted and evaporated in my face like a vapor or bubble.  

However, in 2013, by the grace of the Divine Intelligence, the government of Ghana, my employer, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund), decided to grant me scholarship to participate in 2013-2014 program. And I had this opportunity as a middle-aged man in my 50s. But as a journalist by training, I had a bag full of professional experiences, hanging on my shoulders.  As a public servant, I have been serving my country for almost 30 years. Upon submitting my application for sponsorship, I was requested to write a statement of motivation and justify why I should be considered for funding support to do the course? It was only upon complying with this request and other requirements peculiar to GETFund that my application was considered. This was besides my academic qualification - BA in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism/University of Ghana, Legon. The point being hammered home here is that the sponsorship from the GETFund did not fall like manna from heaven. Thus, apart from recommendations from some authorities including a senior lecturer from my University to testify that I could undertake a post-graduate degree program me, one has to satisfy all other  necessary sponsorship requirements as well. It was tough, though! But it was worth the while and I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to upgrade myself in order to render further and better services to my country.

But then, due to prevailing economic circumstances, the ministry of finance delayed a bit in releasing funds to GETFund for the payment of my tuition fees and living allowances into ISS’s account as a condition before I was allowed to depart my country to the Netherlands. The result was that when the 2013-2014 academic years took off in September 2013, I could not be present for orientation programmes  for new participants. In fact, I landed in The Netherlands on Thursday, 17^th October 2013. Contrary to the norm, no soul was at the Amsterdam airport to meet me as was done for all new students who arrived a month or two earlier. The French have a saying that ‘latecomers are always guilty.’ But the institute communicated with online as to what to do if there was nobody at the airport to welcome me. Those who know The Hague would appreciate this point better. From the Schiphol Airport, I took a train to The Hague Central Station. Then I had to take a taxi to ISS campus just opposite the Royal Palace, Kortenearkade12. Later I got to know that the taxi driver cheated me. Instead of taking about 12 Euros as a fare, he snatched 20 Euros form me. That was my first baptism of fire. It seems to me that taxi drivers the world over have the same mother. Even when there is a meter in the car, when they realize that you are a ‘Johnny-just-come’, especially from Africa and you are not too familiar with their currency, or the system, they will take advantage of you and prove to you that they are not ‘Father Christmas’. Some times the western media creates the impression that it is only in Africa that corruption is endemic. But experience has shown that  unscrupulous taxi drivers abound on all continents. My first similar experiences were in France in 2002. Then in Singapore, 2004; in China, 2009; and now in The Netherlands, 2013. This simply implies that human beings are the same everywhere. They are selfish by nature and possess a corrupt spirit. If they have the chance they will always take advantage of the ignoramus and the system itself.  

Eventually, I set foot on ISS soil for the first time on that fateful day of 17 October 2013 about 11:15 AM. Then I got to know that the first term examination had started already. It meant that I had lost one term of 2013 academic year. There was no way I could have written  exams for courses I did not study. Those courses are known as Foundation Courses. Thus, I was told that I would have to wait until the following academic years 2014-2015 to do those courses with a new batch of students starting in September 2014. The implication was that, in September 2014, when the old batch would be busy writing their Research Paper (RP) in preparation towards graduation, I would be compelled to be writing the RP and at the same time attending classes in order to write the Foundation Courses exams simultaneously. And that was exactly what I did. Otherwise, I would not have graduated with my colleagues  at the end of December 2014. It is not a pleasant experience at all, reader!

Little did I know that academic experience of reporting late for studies and having to write all exams in carried-forward style wasn’t a child’s play at all. But then the real experience of life and death was yet awaiting me. Before I relate this life and death experiences  I went through, let me give this piece of advice to prospective students of ISS. The school has a very, very progressive and fruitful process within the framework of health care system in The Netherlands. All  international students no matter which continent they came from must first undergo some tuberculosis tests on arrival in The Hague. This test is so crucial that any foreign student who fails to comply  do so at their own peril. Thus, whether you are the Son of God or   the Holy Ghost or God the Father or God the Mother,  so long as you have incarnated in human flesh, it is in your own interest to undergo that test when in The Hague to study at ISS. The school authorities facilitate these processes for all students without discrimination. And this is very, very commendable indeed. Once you have paid some specified insurance premium, which is part of your tuition fees, you are entitled to enjoy some of these health care facilities at no extra cost to you. So, prospective student must take note of this medical diagnostic process on arrival for purposes of studies.  

Now, back to my life and death experiences. When I arrived in The Hague I went for that preliminary medical check-up mentioned above. Then a few weeks later, I received a letter from the medical  authorities  asking me to go back for a further check-up. When I went with the appointment letter, the doctor was so nice to me beyond my expectation. He invited me to his computer screen where the result of my x-ray was documented in their database. Then he took his time and explained every detail and suggested that I should do the test again because some of the first pictures were not too clear for him to do proper diagnosis. I was surprised at the way the doctor went about the whole episode. If I compare this approach with what pertains in my own country, it was like some angels were attending to me. It was amazing! It is important to give praise when praise is due and condemn when the need arises. After the second test, I was given an appointment to go for the result again. And when I went back the doctor said everything was all right and he was satisfied. Then I raised my hands towards the heavens and praised Jehovah.

However, around February 2013, I started  experiencing some unusual disorder with my urinal system and reported to our school doctor. The school doctor then referred me to see a specialist at the Municipal Centrum Hospital (MCH). A test was conducted and the doctor told me that I was development some prostate problem or so. The doctor is a lady physician. She said to me that she wanted to be sure so a series of tests were done. Eventually, it was confirmed I was developing a prostrate cancer.  The doctor then advised that even though it was just the beginning of the cancer, it would be better to do a surgery rather than to use medication. So, for the first time in my life in April 2014 I had no choice but to undergo a surgical operation. The operation itself was successfully performed at the Rotterdam Hospital based on my doctor’s advice.  However, some complications ensued later on and I had to be admitted at the MCH hospital for about three weeks.  

It was during my hospitalization period that AESers demonstrated sincere love and fellow feeling towards me.  Led by our then Convener, Professor Jun Borras and the current Convener Professor Mindi Schneider as well as other lecturers like Dr. Oane Visser presented a special bouquet of flowers to me in the hospital. Then I was told that the very first day the entire AES villagers mobilized themselves and came to visit me at the MCH they were frustrated by the hospital security. They were not allowed to see me at all. When they came again for the second time or so, they were permitted to see me on condition that all of them must wait at the reception and only two or three persons would be allowed into my ward at a time. They could not spend more than five minutes or so per group. The hospital workers created the impression as if I were some ‘Arabian King’ on admission whom ordinary mortals should not see. These were my lecturers and professors.   Even then they were asked  not to speak with me while on my bedside.   Yet, they insisted and came up all the way on the 10^th floor only to be told that I was sent to the theatre for some treatment. Thus, they could not see me personally on that Friday, 17 April 2014. This situation heightened tension, which made my Professors and colleagues to doubt if I was going to survive at all. I must apologize for the inconveniences the hospital staff subjected these top academics and fellow students to. I sincerely apologise for this unnecessary medical protocol?  Some of the health workers have the tendency to overdramatize issues. But the doctors and nurses deserve commendation anyway.  I wish to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to fellow students, lecturers and Programme Administrators who visited me in hospital. Even the Christian Bible stresses the importance of visiting sick people in hospital.  It is practically impossible to mention names of individuals who visited and presented gifts to me while on admission.

Some Zimbabwean students turned themselves into prayer-warriors. That, for the entire period that I was on admission they made sure they came to the hospital every evening around 5:00PM each day to pray for my quick recovery. So, I started calling them the ‘three musketeers.’ And their prayers worked like magic because I believed in prayers. Another Zambian female colleague automatically became my resident Pastor. She has a knack for preaching and praying for me at all times. There was one particular classmate of mine called Sergio who would always go to the open market and buy me some fruits. I remember the first time he brought the fruits I could not sit up  let alone peal an orange. So, he had to peal off some of the oranges for me. As I was eating the fruits I was also crying like a baby simultaneously.  It was not funny then  at all. 

As for my fellow Ghanaian students they were always there for me. Even after I was discharged from the hospital they had been cooking for me sometimes. They were very, very supportive. But ISS academic activities made no provision for any breathing space. So sometimes, for weeks there would be no news from my compatriots. Either they were on some study trips outside The Hague or were bogged down by multiple 4000-word essay  assignments for various courses. Most often the time for the submission of these assignments  may  clash. There is something called moodle. This ubiquitous moodle is the online system through which all academic works and communications transpire between school administrators, lecturers and students alike. If you forget to check on the moodle for one hour, thousands of urgent mails may be awaiting your responses.  But my fellow Ghanaian angels demonstrated that unique Ghanaian proverbial hospitality towards me. Incidentally, out of five students from Ghana for 2013/14, four of them were charming ladies and I was the only old man among them. All of  them  could pass as my own daughters. And they would be teasing me and calling me ‘akorkra’ meaning an old man. And I enjoyed the accolade. I am a ‘colonial man’ and they are post-independent computer babies. So, they are techy savvy. Thus, when I did not  know something especially anything concerning numeracy or mathematics   I would not hesitate to consult  some of them for  assistance. These days some of these computer babies’ mothers were dated online. Some of them might have been  conceived online, delivered online, breastfed online, educated online and I suspect when they die they will be buried online as well?   But even though I have no head for figures, I was endowed with creative spirit. And I could compose poems at will. There was a particular poem titled ‘Swimming among the beauties’ composed over 20 years ago. My angel compatriots love this poem so much that any time we met together they   would be pestering me to recite it for their enjoyment free of comment. In fact, my young beautiful spinsters have placed an advance request that I should recite a special poem “If I were the bridegroom” for them when the time comes for their magnificent weeding ceremony soon after graduation. I am waiting for their invitations with a lion’s appetite. This is by the by. 

But one student who actually saved my life was Antoine of Rwanda. It was he who prompted the school authorities by calling the school’s Welfare Officer Martin when I was seriously ill after the operation. Martin then alerted the school’s home doctor Dr. Ramdi. He assessed the situation and called for an ambulance service to rush me to the MCH hospital on that fateful Tuesday, 15 April 2014. It is a date that would enter the Akashic records of my life in this incarnation. Little did I know that I would be on admission till Wednesday, 7 May 2014. Even some of the doctors themselves expressed surprise that I was able to survive. Because the original operation was done at the Rotterdam Hospital upon the recommendation of my doctor at the MCH. But when the complications set in after the surgery, Urologist specialists decided to admit me at the MCH for medical attention. So, they referred to me as their special patient. These doctors were creative and did very well. I am grateful to them all. God grants them patience to be patient with patients. 

Eventually, I had to spend the entire month of April and first week of May 2014 in hospital. Thus, apart from missing the First Term (September-October 2013) classes, I had also missed out Third Term (April –May 2014) classes again. The implications were that I had virtually missed about  four months out of the 15.5months for my MA Programme. In terms of academic calendar this was a big loss and one has to be a genius (which I am not) to cope with and successfully complete the course with the 2013- 2014 batch. It was really tough to say the least. But it is said that ‘when the going gets tough, the tough ones get going!’ This explains why most of our year group MA graduates for 2013-2014 could not believe their eyes and ears when about 17 students could not graduate for various reasons, I was able to make it with our batch.  Some requested for extension for their RP, other deferred their courses while other for personal reasons,  I graduated together with our batch on 12 December 2014.  It was like a miracle. Even when I failed in one Foundation course “An Overview of Economic Thoughts” the Board of Examiners (BoE) readily upheld the appeal by the AES/AFES Convener on my behalf and they themselves quickly arranged for a PhD student Eri, to serve as my tutor   to prepare me for a re-sit so that if I passed then I could participate in the graduation ceremony. I did the re-sit on 9 December 2014. According to that course leader, I did fantastically well! Thus, I was among the Flying Scholars of the 21^st century MA Graduates of ISS. Another Akashic record of my life in this incarnation. And it came to pass that what is written is written!

For the ISS BoE, I can vouch for their integrity, honesty, objectivity and sincerity. Of course, they are human beings. But they endeavour to apply the rules and regulations of ECTS credits in accordance with Dutch laws.  And if you have a genuine problem and you appeal to them they would assist you to sail through. That is, when you prove to them that you are serious, studious, determined, self-motivated and full of zeal and perseverance to succeed.  Conversely, if your attitude betrays your character that you are  some one who came to Europe to cool off, you would go back to your country without MA Degree in Development Studies from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Period!

Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath (MA Development Studies ISS/Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Hague, The Netherlands, Dec.12, 2014)

ISS GRADUATION 2014: AND IT CAME TO PASS

by Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath

ISS Rector (middle) poses with Ghanaian MA Graduates for 2014

Traditional African wisdom is reflected in this Ghanaian proverb that says: “If you have not been to the war front, you may have the luxury to accuse others that they did not fight hard enough.”

It was a rainy-winter Friday, December 12, 2014 in The Hague, The Netherlands – land of learners! Even though the temperature outside was chilly, heat was evaporating inside grandaunts’ heart!   Anxiety + excitement + tension = uncertainty were mixed together like a chemical solution for an experiment in a psychological lab. No one was cocksure about the outcome. Then Professor Dr. Freek Schiphorts |Deputy Rector, Education at ISS, emerged like a chemistry master to direct affairs. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Rector, Chair, BoE, members of the diplomatic corps here represented ‘bla-bla-bla…’ I hereby welcome you to the 62th graduation ceremony of ISS of the Erasmus University Rotterdam… (Please note that what I have just said is ‘paraphrasing and not citation that requires referencing in order not to be grabbed by the long arm of plagiarism).

The occasion was the graduation ceremony of the 2013-2014 batch of Master of Arts (MA) in Development Studies. The ISS largest auditorium Aula B was full to the brim. All manner of visitors and observers who thronged the hall to witness the enviable event were more than the over 100 graduants themselves. These were made up academic staff, administrators and other supporting staff of the school. Representatives of members of the diplomatic corps from all corners of the globe whose students were graduating were at hand to cheer the brand new graduates of their respective countries. But the most curious eyes were the new batch of 2014-2015 students. They were curious not only because they wanted to see how MA graduants receive the precious certificates from the golden hands of the Rector but to imagine how they themselves would be grabbing their own certificates in approximately 450 days.

Welcome address

Welcoming distinguished guests to the solemn but sparklingly grandiose occasion, Dr. Schiphorts placed it on record that this year’s event was unique in the true sense of the word. For example, he observed that this was first time in the over 60 years history of the Institute where graduating MA students had their images popping up on an electronic screen as their names were mentioned to collect their golden  certificates. It was just fantastic!  The whole show was like Hollywood Grammy awards ceremonies in America. with short messages by the graduates themselves. This creative and innovative touch was credited to the ingenuity of one of the youngest ISS administrators in the person of Ank van Berg. Paradoxically, though, Ank the youngest would be retiring at the end of this academic year. She has lived to see how ISS metamorphosed from a crawling larva to a gigantic academic dinosaur it is today. Apart from the school as an organization recognizing the good and selfless dedicated service of Ank over the years, this author has a personal homage to pay to her.  Ank is an angel of high education who appended her signature on his admission letter as far back as 2011. She is such a humble soul. And I wish to add my voice to that of ISS to say: ‘May the Divine Intelligence guide, protect and grant her perfect health to enjoy the fruit of her pension to the full.’

After the welcome address, the Rector, Professor Dr. Leo de Haan delivered his keynote address. As a man of few words he went straight to the point to say what he had to say. He also corroborated the Deputy Rector for Education Affairs that, indeed, this year’s was the most spectacular he had ever witnessed since assuming the directorship of ISS since 2010. He was particularly overjoyed the SCHOLAS and the entire student body for 2013-2014 batches have been able to produce the Best Student Essay book. The official title of the book is PERSPECTIVES IN DEVELOPMENT An Exercise in Working. The Rector noted that he had been travelling all over the world and the collection of the Institute’s Best Essay Book is what he has been taking along for  distribution to deserving recipients. He lamented that for the past two consecutive academic years students had not been able to produce the book. This explains his ecstasy and felicitations to 2013/14 SCHOLAS. In fact, the SCHOLAS president Yenutien Kombian presented the very first copy of the magnificent book to the Rector. Copies were also presented to members of Board of Examiners (BoE) and all graduants received a copy each.

Presentation of Certificates

When the ‘talking session’ was over, the real business of the day took off. The presentation of certificates to deserving MA graduates. Alphabetically, graduates whose  Major is Agrarian and Environmental  Studies (AES/AFES)  are  destined to be the  first to taste the sweetness of collecting certificates from the magnetic hands of the Rector. This ritual will continue till thy kingdom come because AES/AFES students are the hands that feed the mouths of other Majors.  The truism is that ‘an hungry man is an angry man’ and ‘an army marches on its stomach.’ So, therefore, no graduates of other Majors can survive let alone to study, write and pass their exams if they have no food to eat. And who are the producers of food and protectors of the environment in Development Studies at ISS? Thus, the first to present certificates for the day was no other person than the Convener of AES/AFES. She was in the person of the dynamic, energetic and eloquent youthful Professor Mindi Schneider. Amazingly, in order not to hold anxious graduants and guests in suspense with another long lecture, she went straight to point to present certificates to her graduates. But before she did that she surprised the alert audience with a perfect rendition of a poem she announced was written by one of their own students of  AES/AFES. She pointed out that she found the poem, which was titled Flying among Scholars to be relevant for the occasion. It reads:

FLYING AMONG

THE SCHOLARS

Soaring like Phoenix

The wizard bird

Of Greek mythology

Surging like Eagle

The wonder bird

Of African folklore

The son of man

Rose from the abyss

Of academic obscurity

And landed on the star

Of the bright blue sky

In an academic style

That’s flying among

The scholars!

By Yours truly

M.K.A

Having paved the way for others to follow, other Conveners supported by their Programme Administrators judiciously presented certificates to their respective MA graduants via the Rector. Analogically, the Rector may be likened to be the way, the truth and the light of ISS. No one smells the scent of one’s certificate except through him. And the Rector performed  this singular duty of handing over certificates to over 100 graduates with happiness and joy. He always smiles as the official ISS photographer points the nose of a camera at him as if  to shoot him dead. Yet, both the smiling Rector and the jubilant graduate enjoy cheers from the  audience.  It was  an inspiring scene to behold! Eventually, all other graduates in other Majors including Economics of Development (ECD), Governance, Policy and Political Economy (GPPE), Human Rights, Gender and Conflict Studies: Social Justice Perspectives (SJP) as well as Social Policy for Development (SPD) received their enviable certificates with jubilation.

Most ‘something’ Teacher Awards

 President of SCHOLAS, Yenutien Kombian delivered a very simple but analytical and logical speech of the 21^st century. She touched on almost every aspect of academic life at ISS that took place during the period under review. She mentioned the orientation programme at the start of the year and to the graduation ceremony that closed  2013/14 academic years. She then crowned her presidential assignment with the decoration of three teachers in the following categories: Most Effective, Most Innovative and Most Inspirational Teacher Awards. It is an axiom that there can no graduate without a teacher. It is the considered opinion of this author that the three awards were too limited to the numerous teachers who mold students into MA graduates at ISS. I therefore, suggest that the future SCHOLAS executives should consider raising the number of teach awards from the current three to at least eight (8). In other words, in addition to the general three awards mentioned above, every Major should institute specific awards. For example, there should be at least one annual Most Innovative AFES Teacher Award, another one for ECD and so on to cover all the five Majors of the Institute. Even though lecturers are self-motivated already, the Major Awards will inspire most of them if not all to give off their  best. And this will inure to the benefit of students themselves.  If I were pushed to the wall I would vouch that all teachers of ISS deserve tones of tones of awards.  I call on those international Research Institutions and other organizations that institute cash prize  awards  for MA students should consider doing same for ISS teachers too. After all, is what is good for the gander not magnificent for the goose?

Like the Thankful Leper in the Christian Bible, (Luke 17: 11-19) even the Master Jesus placed premium on the value of appreciation. That was why it was reported that when he healed ten lepers, only one of them went back to show himself to Jesus. Then Jesus asked: 'Where are the others?'  I cannot conclude this personal report on the 2013-2014 Graduation event without saluting all those who in diverse ways assisted, counseled, directed, guided, helped, inspired, monitored, supervised supported and tutored me to be counted among this year’s graduates. Thus, Flying among Scholars poem. And it came to pass. For, what is written, is written and no eraser can clean it from the Akashic records. Some colleagues confessed to me that they were surprised that I, Mawu, could graduate together with them despite my excruciating experiences during our years at ISS. To God be the the glory!

However, stay  tuned for another story about my personal experiences as MA student from the day I landed in the Netherlands- the land of learners to the  day I departed  ISS of the Erasmus University Rotterdam will be chronicled chronologically. For the benefit of those who do not know where ISS is located in the Netherlands:  The campus in nested in a royal enclave in The Hague, global City of Peace, The Netherlands- land of global justice. The address is International Institute of Social Studies 
Kortenearnkade 12, 2518 AX The Hague, The Netherlands. 

Congratulations to all who graduated. They indeed granulated their brains into grains and drained their brains to obtain the gains of their dreams. Congrats! Congrats!! Congrats!!!

Story and photographs by Mawutodzi Kodzo Abissath

Ghanaian graduates with the Rector Prof. Dr Leo de Haas

Across Section of ISS Teachers at the ceremony. On the
left i with face slightly turned away from camera is Dr. Mind
Schneider, Convener of AES/AFES

Some lovely hard working ISS Lecturers who deserve awards

Presentation of Certificate in progress