Turn the Heat Up- Climate Change is Happening Now !!!

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"Climate change is not happening at all". "You can't prove that the world is getting warmer".

Well this is where big oil and big coal organisation love these myths but that exactly what they are myth.

The Climate Reality Project plans to destroy myths like these once and for all. These and many reasons why the Climate Watch Ghana team and I are supporting this campaign. Therefore The Climate Reality Project needs your help to do it and take the heat up. Climate Watch Ghana is joining hands in turning the heat up on anti-Science deniers in the fossil fuel industry and beyond with the Put the Heat on Denial Campaign.

As they are starting by debunking the myth that climate change is not happening just to benefit and enrich their co-operations.

As a matter of fact, Temperatures keep rising around the world and there's no denying it. But these big oil and coal set ups are doing their best, spending big money to spread the big doubt about Climate change.

Please follow Climate Watch Ghana as we will be joining such campaigns to bring to bare for all to be aware of the current situations at hand. Hence join Reality Drop and debunk the "It's Not Happening" myth. You can also use the special application to create more real facts from the myths.

Your voice is so important to spread the truth and put the heat on denial.

Climate change is happening now. Debunk the myth that it's not happening. Act Up Now and save the future.

Bitter Sweet Experience - My morning with Brown Gold Cocoa Bevarage

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I have always been accused of skipping my breakfast several times.

I have had my siblings, parents and a few friends I have lived with hit me hard on that behaviour. I always and still don't feel it's an issue anyway. I am just not an early eater if I may put it that way.

I remember an auntie who is a retired nurse once visited our home, and recognized this behaviour of mine. I didn't know I had it coming I would have prepared to face her or better still avoid her completely so she doesn't get me to the court room of breakfast eating hence my charges laid to my face amidst scholding and warnings.

One morning I went to the kitchen to pick up a fruit which I do often instead of having breakfast as they all recommend, there and behold was my auntie standing right there boiling water for bathing, the weather was pretty cold. She waited for me to finish washing my fruit then BAM, lectures begun on breakfast and my repeated habit of skipping. Apparently, my mum had told her about my poor and unstructured eating habit. I guess that was where my breakfast issue came up for discussion. Well I guess you know how the conversation will go and end.

Fast forward to my plot for this post. It was on a motive to have breakfast and decided to for the first time try the brown Gold cocoa powder beverage product. I had seen my paps earlier taking it so I decided then let me try this for the first time.

Well I had my hot water ready, then I took my teaspoon for my first scoop of the beverage. All along I had no idea of the taste of this raw cocoa product for which I had heard over and over again that it was a good product, good for one's heart hence healthy for the human body. I then went in for my second scoop, and added a third into my cup. Then I poured my milk into the cup for my mixture to be ready to receive the hot water.

At this point hot water had been added to my mixture and it was time to taste if my beverage was ready to be downed alongside my bread. And for the experience after tasting my mixture is left for you to try and have your own experience........ Gosh!! It was as bitter as the word bitter, I had over scooped the cocoa beverage bit too much that the milk incorporated wasn't even relevant at any level of sweetness. I tried adding more milk, tweaa, the bitterness level was still killing, then I decided to add sugar which I often don't do with my beverages, but still my cup won't respond from being bitter to sweet.

I then went to my paps to ask how and why was it that bitter, and the first question I was asked was, how many scoops of the teaspoon did you take and I told him, three , immediately he burst out laughing at me. He even continued to tell me a story about his cousin who came to visit him one day and thought that was milo therefore scooping a lot of it and could not tackle it. He told me because of its bitterness, the maximum I should have scooped was one and a half. Funny enough he picked a phone and called my mum to join in the hooting session, soon my mum was on loud speaker and they were both like seriously laughing at me paa.

I then went back to the kitchen to do some damage control and soon I was having my breakfast as they all wanted and expected me to do every morning. Aside all that it was a great morning and the day followed suit. An experience that was well gained. But I promise you I will get my paps and mums, when their time comes where I happen to be on the laughing side I am sure going to blog about it and the cause of it.

As always thanks for stopping by to be a part of my blog. Have the best of your day and week as a whole. Never give up the fight because you can't stop fighting if your opponent hasn't given up fighting back at you.

Courtesy of: http://www.blogactionday.org

My First Book Launch Attendance

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I have always liked reading and as we all know, knowledge is power.
I was invited by my good friend Bright to attend a program. It was a book launch event. I accepted the request and bookmarked the date so it didn't pass me by.
The day of the event came and I was there to observe. I was a little late.
The program was very precise and straight to the point. The chairman for the event was Dr. Michael Agyekum Addo.
His chairmanship response was so on point and that showcased his passion and zeal for entreprenuership to thrive on our economy and country as a whole.

He interlaced his speech with the seasons and centurion times with its accompanying state of development. The age and it's entrepreneurship ventures at the time, using Kwame Nkrumah's era of vision and ideologies.

He is one entrepreneur I really respect and admire because he has the VIM vibe and desire to see a lot of people decide and be entrepreneurs.

Then came the main speaker for the event. She was in the person of Mrs. Hannah Armo Haimson who is the HR Director of NBSSI. Her speech was spot on and she shared more light on the ventures that the NBSSI were into. She later delved into the reason and motive for the book as well as some excepts  of the book. She later made a great assertion that, " When the last entrepreneur dies, the last man dies" taking a cue from "When the last tree dies, the last man dies".

Comments were made from the chairman where he conducted a few illustrations of us as a people using our left side imaginative brain of thinking than we using the right to help us reach higher heights. He mentioned situations where he made various interventions to push entrepreneurship dreams by exposing them to the general public but to no avail. He conducted many of those that some of the audience had wrong hence confirming his sentiments.

Another observation i encountered was that of the invited guest not showing up after confirming and promising to be there. One of those was the minister of Youth & Sports, Elvis Ankrah, Dr. Gifty Anti and a few more for which some funny reasons were given therefore not worthy of me putting up in this post.

The book launch proper started and the procedure was an open bid then. People made very meaningful bids and raised a very respectable contribution to the young writer. In as much as this was going on, we we enjoying some sweet melodies from a pianist brought to spice up things in the hall. It was such soothing especially as these melodies were from home. This made a lot of people in the hall got acquainted to that as well.

It was an experience and I enjoyed every session of it. I made a few new friends, networking and acquaintances during the refreshment session.

The next thing was to find my way home to call it a day.

Book Tittle : THE STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR

Author :        Mary Ayisi

Copies can be attained in all the major bookshops in the country. Grab a copy and trust me the book is full of knowledge worth attaining and sharing.

The African Vibe -My Playlist

Music they say is the food for the soul. Well for me it's a refreshing lifestyle which soothes the mind and whole mental framework.

I woke up this morning feeling all music loving, but this time the craving was a little different from the usual, Hip hop, Christian Rock, or even listening to my favorite sports shows.

Over the years I have always loved music from all over the world but not so much from my continent because it was in a way not very much accessible. Thanks to the internet super higher, things seems to have become a little easier now in terms of accessibility.

Over these few weeks I have had a few favorites from the continent no doubt I woke up this feeling all songy songy (If there's a word like that LOL).

Immediately my laptop was on, I started my picking one track to the other and guess what, all the songs that made up the playlist were from my continent of Africa. No doubt this is the playlist for the week.

 I therefore decided to share it and if you have even good tunes from any corner from the continent, share it so we also enjoy your music also.

As I mostly say, don't blame me if I love music more than you do. I live by and with it.

My Afro Playlist start now!! The list below is in no particular order or preference anyway. I can mix them up any time in as much as you find all the tunes in the list.

1. Mafikizolo featuring Uhuru - Khona

2. Lira - Feel Good

3. Zahara - Loliwe

4. Efya - Cigarette

5. Camp Mulla - Party Don't Stop

6. Cwesi Oteng - I Win

7. Tiwa Savage featuring Leo Wonder - Ife Wa Gbona

8. Becca featuring M.I. - No Away

9. Asa - Bibanke

10. Blitz The Ambassador - Dear Africa

11. Mensa - Fanti Love Song

12. Darey - Bani Ki Di

13. LiquiDeep - Come Aboard
14. Cleo Ice Queen featuring JK- Big Dreams
15. Cynthia Morgan - High High High ( Kuche Kuche)

Well some of us don't care if the Grammy's, BET's won't respect our music and acts to really give us the needed platform to excel, we the people of Africa will enjoy our good great music to the fullest and we'll reward ourselves by sticking what we have. When they realize it's so big here and they wanna have a price by sampling our hits, then the industry players will tell them their piece of mind some.

Well I don't know how your playlist for this week is or will be, so hey if you don't mind you can share yours and maybe I'll like a tune from yours to enjoy also.

Have the very best of this week as August really breaks out, I wish each and every one the best in all endeavours as well as aspirations. 

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Climate Issues My Views, Reality and Thoughts

The phrases CLIMATE CHANGE and GLOBAL WARMING and more recently GLOBAL COOLING are now part of our lives and rarely does a day go by without a mention in the press or on the radio of the possible causes of climate change and its consequences.

Climate change has come upon us in a relatively short space of time and is accelerating with alarming speed. It is perhaps the most serious problem that the civilized world has had to face.

"We are moving towards a technological and economic tipping point" that could reshape energy use and drastically reduce emissions.

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The longer we delay decreasing emissions, the more we are going to have to spend on adaptation. Many countries are addressing climate change out of their own need and national interest.
When we think about Copenhagen we need to think about "what did we learn and what is different now.

What is different is governments have agreed to come to an agreement and many more extreme weather events have hit many countries. But in all this, there are others that are adamant of the real and occurring current facts of the issue with climate science.

It has become evident that disaster, climate risks are becoming impediments to poverty reduction. Some might disagree but there are research findings that prove this. To support this statement here is a link for your reading attention : VIDEO:‬ Climate Change in ‪‎Africa‬ Will Hit the ‪Poor‬ the Hardest.

In spite of all the publicity and coverage and indeed in the face of real evidence, there are many dissenting voices who either do not accept that climate change is taking place or that anthropogenic gases and compounds, such as carbon dioxide, are responsible for the major effect.

Well I can also add another link to buttress my case of climate risk impeding poverty reduction. In a situation where governments need to channel resources into providing the basic amenities for the poor, there will be the pressing need to tackle the high risks of Climate change. Read this World Bank report : The climate crisis will lock millions into poverty according to a new World Bank report .


I am not done yet with this post. I will surely add more to this post. I might edit this or do another post.

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The Sky is not the Limit- Reach For The Stars !!

This post comes in a way of me beefing up myself and dusting off the mishaps that has hit me all week.

This week begun with uncertainty, and followed with some string of disappointments from all angles which was really unexpected hence taking me a bit backwards.

Later in the day yesterday Thursday , 11th July, I felt so down in a way that I needed some hard music to blast out my state of being at that moment. I decided on a Will.i.am album and immediately his #willpower album came to mind as it hard some heavy beats that could really blast out of my surround sound speakers.

I know a few of my Christian friends will go like, where was your Bible, or why not a gospel music? Well I will understand you all but the fact of the matter is, at that particular moment, that was the album (music) that came to mind right away because I remembered that album had a song that really spoke some real LIFE talk issue. It was very motivating the first time I listened to it when I laid hands on that album.

FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON

Fellow Christians no need to worry, our faith hasn't been lost yet. The Lord God is with me and I can also confidently say that there are much more circular artist who sing very good songs that motivates, encourages, appreciates life and every good thing that can be comparable to tagged gospel music and their artists. I am hoping this issue won't be dragged because I won't argue with anyone about this on any day for any reason. We all know the world in which we live in as well as various reason people have for choosing a genre or trade in order to either impact on the life of people or for material gains.

Back to my main plot for this blog.

Listening through the hard bumping beats, I felt a bit relieved as it seemed to have calmed my mind and was at the moment not thinking of all that had gone through my life the past week(s). Then the tune that really spoke to me on the very first time I listened to the album came on - "REACH FOR STARS" is the track. I won't talk much about the track because the lyrics in the tune should send you the message itself. This track really gave me some sudden hope and belief to immediately get out of my bed and be back to myself. I had it on replay for about 12 times. Every time it repeated, I felt I heard a new thing or line that was telling me to be strong and focused and push further.

I am sure you remember my previous post "Thank You Stars " . 

I am sure as they say, everything work together for good and the Almighty knows it all so I am not worried about these things now. I will always meet them disappointments as well as the folks that administer them.

Just have a look at the lyrics of this tune I am talking about and tell me, if the tune won't be worth a listen as well as applying it to your life. Here we go;

Why they say the sky is the limit
When i've seen the footprints on the moon
Why they say the sky is the limit
When i've seen the footprints on the moon
And I know the sky might be high
But baby it ain't really that high
And I know that mars might be far
But baby it ain't really that far
Let's reach for the stars

Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars
Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars
Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars

(let me see your hands up)

Can't nobody hold us back
They can't hold us down
They can't keep us back
Tiers to the ground
Told your people that we don't mess around
When we're trying out
Please don't turn this down
We will turn it up
Louder than it was before
Like the lion at the jungle, you can hear us roar
When I lie hear, it's like a sonic blaster
Flying just like nasa, out of space master

Hands up, reach for the stars
Hands up, get 'em up high
Hands up, if you really feel alive
Live it up, live it up

Why they say the sky is the limit
When i've seen the footprints on the moon
Why they say the sky is the limit
When i've seen the footprints on the moon
And I know the sky might be high
But baby it ain't really that high
And I know that mars might be far
But baby it ain't really that far
Let's reach for the stars

Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars
Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars
Reach for the stars
Let's reach for the stars

I believe that you will now understand why I seem to love this tune from a circular artist. This time reading the lyrics should obviously cut across all walks of life and make you want to take your life a step higher. Well life they say is what you make of it, so if you think there is no need to get up, dust yourself up and take that VIM bold step in Reaching for the Stars, sorry because I want to. In a way this blog post is to motivate a fellow friend, colleague, acquaintance, dad, mum and all who might find themselves in one situation or the other which in effect has dampened their spirits and about to give up. It's not time to give up yet. The sky has always been the limit, that's what we have been told all these years but from the tune and lyrics above, there are footprints on the moon, so let's reach for higher things like reaching the moon, or the stars.

I am also climbing the ladder of self belief and self actualisation, so if you see me laughing all through, it might not seem that all is well with me, but I have decided not to brood over my inabilities, but to smile through them because obviously, I see succes, and light at the end of the tunnel.

As I always say #POSITIVITYRULES. Have the best of life and thanks for sharing your day with me by stopping by on this blog to read this piece. I appreciate this very much and hope this at least taught you something this day.

Salute!!

Credits:

Album Art : Will I Am

Lyrics : Will.i.am
Download Album - itunes :  #willpower Album

When Actions of Officials Can Turn People Away- My experience with a GRA Officer.

It was a fine patchy weather day as I decided to go get some documentation for a few clients of mine.

I entered the Registrars' General's Department around 1 pm and headed straight to the Ghana Revenue Authority section of the building. After going through the filled forms, I was directed to go to the vetting section where, your forms filled to gain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) is assessed.

TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

When I entered the vetting room there were a few applicant there so I had to wait in the queue till it was my turn to be vetted.

There were three desks in that office and three ladies if I may refer to them as such. During the time of vetting, one of them excused herself to go and have her lunch hence the number of official dropping to just two. We were quite a number in the office but the vetting process wasn't much of a serious task in my opinion as I tried to know what the vetting was about in stretching my neck and trying to make myself comfortable by moving around in that small space.

GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY

And within a speck of the moment or what my very good friend, Abena Adobea would say, a twinkle of an eye, one of the female official had begun firing applicants with an unacceptable tone. The reason, the applicant didn't fill the forms well. This lady official flurred up and was ranting as if this young guy had caused financial loss to the state in making a simple mistake of not getting what was tagged a landmark of his place of residence. This official who was having lunch I guess in the office was wild on the the applicant's forms, ranting, cancelling just anyhow anywhere she found a mistake on the form and at the same time eating here roasted pona (Yam).

Well soon it was my turn, I thought that was very unfortunate for an official to treat someone who had volunteered to come register for such a state directive. We all know that in this country of ours people don't do such things normally unless there is an ultimatum of a sort and even that one, it has to be the last minute syndrome act of responsibility.

PAY YOUR TAX

With experience from the previous applicant and that lady official, I prepared my mind to face this woman boot for boot if she attempted anything of that on me. Then BOOM, she spotted something and started talking, mine was a mother's maiden name issue. She began her usual rant of you people should read, everything is on the form and so on and so forth. I initially didn't want to give her an ear and decided to play cool with her but she won't just stop talking, so I also raised my voice and asked her, what she meant by that. I also told her I was born to know my mother by the name I had written, so what was her justification of she trying to ridicule me in front of the other people. She hesitated a bit and kept quite. So i turned my head and another lady officer who was also in the same room conducting such service or vetting gave me an eye indicating I keep quite.

So I took the forms and left the office to call my mum to find out what name she had used before my father came to her parents to pay for her (ntri nsa) dowry. I returned and there was this woman heckling another applicant about the forms. This time she was vetting two forms from two students from the University of Ghana who told me later in chat that, they came there voluntarily to get their TIN so that they don't come there again in the situation where they had a job immediately after school. My other colleague who was with me experiencing the behaviour left angry after telling this official his piece of mind. Those two university guys also left without returning the forms again to be ridiculed by that lady officer.

But in all this, there were some nice official there in the same office who, welcomed and smiled to you and would direct you and ask you the needed question to guide and help you fill the forms correctly. After getting the details from my mum I was really waiting to meet this first lady officer again and really tell her some 'paa'. I am sure this second lady saw how puffed up i was, called me cooled me down and asked me if I wanted her to look at my forms and vet it.  I agreed and she was such a sweet young lady. She went through it thoroughly and asked the needed questions in a respectful way that I even regretted having that thought of going to react rudely to the other official.

Well I simply told myself that, if all the personnel here were like this young lady and the other third lady official in the department, I am sure, things would have been very much appreciated and all those who voluntarily came to pick up these Tax Identification Numbers, will come there and leave happy and not be rudely and bullishly embarrassed. Who knows the number of people who might have walked away due to this official's attitude of rudeness?

I am sure this sort of behaviour might have been experienced by you reading this post in one set up or the other whether it being a government institution especially or a private one. The authorities who head such organisations should really check some of these little things that might rip the country of revenue - this with reference to governmental agencies and departments.

DOMESTIC TAX

If we get our acts right, this country will reach the heights that we all yearn for. God Bless our Homeland Ghana!!!

Photo Credit : Ghana Revenue Authority - GRA Logo
Photo Credit : Google

Useful Links :
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Ghana Revenue Authority
Bank of Ghana