Ghana Decides Elections 08--The Flip Side

Ok so 2008 was a big year, I use was because unfortunately the year is coming to an end. Well the end of the year had Ghanaians going to the polls to vote for the next president of Ghana. So there were 7 political parties contesting and one independent candidate. This year had fierce campaigning. Frankly speaking I felt the race was between the ruling party, the largest opposition and a third party that had really rebranded itself. I have to confess I enjoyed the campaign period. Man from funny ADs, interesting billboards, creative party slogans and hand signs, every one became political or had a comment about the politics of the day. The jokes were endless. There was even talk of another party called the 'noko fio party’ loosely translated it means something small. After all are we not all looking for something small day after day? Come on you can admit it or you are looking for something big?

Well the atmosphere became charged as Election Day drew closer. We were scared that the peace that Ghanaians enjoy would be marred by political violence. We had just seen political violence in Kenya and Zimbabwe.
The media started a peace campaign. Churches and religious groups got together to pray. I was proud as to how people were ready to guard the peace of the nation. Even the political leaders preached peace. We did have some incidents up north but the security officials were vigilant to curb any escalation of violence. We also had quite some drama with the registration exercise. There were long queues and accusations of minors and illegal residents registering. So personally I was like if I go and vote and there are any long queues I will leave. I was not even sure I wanted to vote.

All that changed a few weeks to the election. We had presidential debates with Nana Akuffo Addo for the NPP, Professor Atta Mills for the NDC, Paa Kwesi Nduom for the CPP and Edward Mahama from the PNP. I enjoyed the debates immensely. This was the first time such debates were being held in Ghana. What I found interesting was that some people were not being objective as they listened to the debates. Strong party supporters felt that their presidential candidates did better than the others. I was objective of course and found merits and demerits in each presentation. One presidential aspirant promised chicken a day for each school going child. Now at that point I began to wonder if that candidate had a personal grudge against chickens or was just thinking outside the box and into the bush as my class mate used to say. Well we shall see how the candidate performs.

So on December 7th Ghanaians went to vote. I was excited and ready to vote. I believed that Ghanaians would keep the peace but just to be sure I decided to go and vote early. So I got to the polling station at 6:50. Voting was supposed to start at 7. If you think that was early some people got to the polling station at 10:30 pm the previous day. Ok so the plan was vote early go to church and then home. At 9:00 the ballot boxes were still not in. I had been in the queue for 2 hours. That did not bother me because I am a diehard voter. I really wanted to vote. So I went home got a chair, and some food and then went back to join the queue. The whole neighborhood turned up to vote. I saw people I had never seen in the neighborhood and I saw my neighbors. At this point I knew it was going to be a peaceful voting session in Ring way Estate. After all when we assembled we started to greet each other and Ring way is known for having quiet elections. Last 4 years when I went to vote there was no one there.

This year voter turnout at Ring way was big. After all it was time to decide if we should move forward or we should change. I would have loved to report that my voting session was without incidence but unfortunately that was not the case. Ok I can`t give an accurate report since I did not dare leave my place in the queue to form part of the spectators. So I stood in the queue hoping and praying this little incidence would be resolved. Well God answered my prayers because before I could say "Jack Rabbit”, a car containing police commandos, the army and the police appeared on the scene and the perpetuators whisked into the car and once again peace and calm was restored. So finally the moment I had waited 3 hours arrived. I got to the polling booth and the official dipped my full little finger into the indelible ink. I was like there goes my manicure. But I did not care if an indelible marked little finger was my ticket to vote then so be it. I voted for the individual I believed would be a great leader. After performing my civic duty I felt a sense of pride. My whole family had also voted. So we went home to listen to news of the voting experience at different polling stations. I am proud to announce that Ghanaians did it again!

We showed the world that we have matured in our democratic dispensation we went to the polls to vote without any major incidence. Kudos my fellow Ghanaians you did good. Now the first hurdle had been crossed. The next one was counting the votes.
Hmm that section saw some mathematical gymnastics and James Bond movements. I have to say that power is sweet ooh since some people are willing to do anything for it. Ok so elections are serious business but it is not a do or die affair. So now I am going to talk about the flip side. If you can` take any election joke then please stop reading, if not then come with me to the rumour mill.

Let me start with my all time favorite. Ok so I heard one aspiring MP pulled what I call a classic James Bond move. So instead of counting the ballot papers at the polling station the ballot boxes were moved to another location. Now while this precious cargo was being transported suddenly the vehicle broke down and low and behold a tuck appeared on the scene to save the day. So the ballot boxes were moved into the truck which was said to have some ballot boxes already in it. Then before anyone could blink the car was now working and all the ballot boxes were moved from the truck in to the car. One polling agent started to complain that there were some illegal ballot boxes among the valid boxes. He was asked to identify the illegal ballot boxes. All he could say was ahem… ahem… This was because all the ballot boxes looked the same. Can you imagine this is a real James bond move.

Needless to say the MP in question won for that constituency. Charlie there are some senior politicians out there. Whoever said politicians are not creative. I don`t condone such behavior . I believe that the voice of the people should be heard through free and fair elections.

My other favorite was the theory of the five count victory. Ok pens and papers out . So you have a box with a finite set of red and blue balls. Your goal is to determine the number of red balls and the number of blue balls in the box. But the result has to be that the red balls are more than the blue balls. So you must work towards that result. So tell me how do you get more red balls than blue balls when there are perhaps more blue balls. Are you scratching your heads? Well the answer is simple count five times .If you don`t believe me ask one of the MP`s who won after 5 counts. No names oooh. And I need to say his information is from the rumor mill. So please don`t quote me.
Ok now I have to retire but on a serious note. I have the results of the presidential elections. These are the actual results announced by the head of the electoral commission.

Total valid votes-8,465,834
Total rejected votes-205,438
Total votes cast—8,671,272
Total registered votesrs-12,472,758
Total % turnout-69.52%
Total % rejectedvotes-2.4%
Nana Akuffo Addo --49.13%
Professor Atta Mills --47.92%
Paa Kwesi Nduom --1.34%
Edward Mahama---0.83
Emmanuel Antwi---0.33%
Kwabena Adjei--0.08%
Kwesi Amoafo Yeboah--- 0.23%
T.N. Ward-Brew-0.01%

Unfortunately no candidate was able to get a 50 plus one majority. So we are going to the polls again. So watch out for the sequel to this blog and Ghanaians vote wisely and peacefully.

Random Notes

So normally before I blog about anything, I find a topic, do some reasearch andd then start to blog. But today I decided to freestyle a bit. So this month has been hectic for me. I got a call from somewhere ( i will let you all know where soon) with a chance to do something that would not only change my life but also impact my country and the world as a whole. Unfortunately I have to keep this project under wraps. When the time is right, you will be the first to know.
So I have been busy.

Ok I have this new craze and that is listening to podcasts. Well not just any podcast but BUZZ OUT LOUD. I love the show!!!!! Buzz Out Loud, "CNET's podcast of indeterminate length," is a daily podcast about technology, produced by CNET. The show is hosted by CNET editors Tom Merritt, Molly Wood, and Jason Howell. I love Molly Wod, I think she is cool, smart and funny. When she does a Molly Rant she says it like it is. I am thinking about doing a podcast. So watch out for it. It will be about how technology is evolving in Africa.

Speaking about technology in Africa, there is a big problem in Ghana. Well I think the number of software developers is dwindling. I mean I was trying to get back on the software train after being on Apprentice Africa and found out that there is no active community. That just sucks. Ok so you know I am all about the actions andd not about the words. So I am starting a community of software developers in Ghana. If you are seasoned developer or just a beginner or even just interested in technology drop me an email at regirock@hotmail.com and join the Ghana Developer community.

Ok I Have to run now. oooh yes another cool social networking website is twitter. Check it out!

Maybe Baby

Its 10:09 on a Sunday evening. Surprisingly I can`t seem to sleep even though I had a very exciting day.

Today I took my mother, sisters and boyfriend on a weekend getaway. We went to lovely resort to relax and unwind. It was really exciting.

I just finished watching a British movie titled maybe baby. Normally I find British movies to be quite stiff and boring. But this one was phenomenal. I laughed and cried just by watching the movie. I love watching movies. To me it is an escape from my reality just for an hour.

I like realistic drama`s where i can identify with the character. It doesn’t matter what the film is about. To see the world in somebodies eye can be exciting and scary. In this movie I felt the woman`s pain. The movie was about a normal couple who just couldn`t have children. So this woman does everything possible. From having sex at scheduled times when she is ovulating to having sex under a mythical figure of fertility in open field. She also had to stick needles in her and lie in a certain position to give the sperms that had just entered her a swimming chance. She was ready to have alternative treatments and visit several hospitals to have doctors play around her most private area. What struck me most about the character was that in her moments of distress she never gave up and even could find a joke to lighten a hopeless situation.

I wondered if I were her what I would do. The answer is I don`t know. My greatest desire is to bring forth and have a lovely family. For my husband to come together with me in love to produce a piece of both of us that will continue in this world when are no more is my greatest desire. If I was unable to bear children I wonder if I would have the strength to keep trying and faith to trust and wait upon the Lord. The answer is I would have to!

The simplest way to live life is to always give up. In fact to lie in bed all day and do nothing. When that happens u cease to be considered living, you can be compared to a corpse. So it goes without saying that life is not easy. To really make it all there you will always have to give your best no matter the odds.

Ok I will end the blog here with keep on keeping on no matter the odds and watch maybe baby. Oooh watch sex and the city too. I have to say it is a chick flick so guys give it a try. You just might like it.

Woman oooh Woman!!!

Ok I am doing a little emotional blog. Call it spur of the moment of let me clear my throat. Man I am so pissed off today. This women are our own enemies thing is so annoying. Come on my sisters we need to do better than that. Ok so what am I going on about. Ok so I work in the IT department at my current emplyment and I am the only woman in the department. Now the unit is under staffed. So the few workers there are working harder than normal. So when there are issues anyone who is around will try and handle it to the best of their capability.


Personally I am a software developer and that is my special skill so I prefer developing. However no matter what I am team player. So if I have to do networking, trouble shooting computer issues, or climbing a mast, man I will do it. So you can imagine here I am trying to bend over to please internal customers I mean fellow colleagues, and some of the women are so bitchy. Man it is so annoying. If a guy handles their issues they are calm and nice. As soon as they deal with a another woman then they are so bitchy, rude and have an attitude problem. They guys are different so professional no matter how stressed or frustrated they are. They are not rude!


So I just have to say this. How are women going to progress and help each other if as soon as you see your fellow woman you start hating on her. Please I am making an appeal to women this has to stop. Rise above that. Your success, beauty and fineesse should not depend on your being perceived as better than the next woman. Seek to constantly improve yourself for you. Not for anyone else but for yourself.

Ok I have cool down now so I will end my blog here.

I love my fellow ladies so please try and work together with other women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hi I have to say I got this idea from Deox`s website www.tibeingana.com. I thought it was a real cool way of answering questions that I am frequently asked. So now here are the answers for some questions you ever wanted to ask me
Ok let me start with the all time most popular

Question: - Why did you always look down in the boardroom.

Ans: - Ok if there was one thing I could change it would have been that. I did that because I was camera shy. I am a shy and reserved person and it was difficult adjusting to the fact there are camera`s filming you all the time. I didn`t come on apprentice to be popular. I came to learn and I was willing to do so with or without camera`s.

Question: - Why were you so quiet on the show

Ans: - When people ask me that question I am quite surprised. I was not quiet on the show. Probably the edited version of the show showed more of me in my listening state. I have to be honest I don`t just talk to talk. I listen, contribute and then produce results. A lot of the show was edited and maybe since I was not confrontational the editors of show decided to project more of me as a quiet non contributing member. I contributed lot when need be and always produced results.

Question:-Where you involved with any of the guys in the apprentice house

Ans: - That question has a simple answer. I respected most of the guys in the apprentice house. However I am in a very serious relationship with my boyfriend and fingers crossed we should be engaged soon.

Question: - Who did you really bond with in the Apprentice House

Ans: - Hmm the one person I got to know to some extent was Blessing my bedside neighbor. She taught me quite a lot. I think I also got to see a side of her that many people in the house did not get see.

Question: - Why did you cry so much when Eddy left

Ans: - I felt that Eddy did not deserve to go at the stage at which he went. He was a great competitor and a fun player. There was never dull moment when he was around. He also took a bullet for Nancy and I thought that was so honorable. What can I say I am a romantic?

Question:-Where you acting

Ans: - Well I can only speak for myself. I was never acting. I used to act in kindergarten plays and that was the last time I acted. I was myself from day one to the last day.

Question:-So whats an IT woman doing on a business reality show

Ans: - Simple! To prove to myself and to everyone that you should never limit yourself. The sky is the limit. You can do anything once you put your mind to it.

Question: - So was there any love brewing the apprentice Africa pot for any contestant

Ans: - This question is a top secret question. So you have to send me mail for that one and bribe me with a crate of coke. I am a coke addict. I am appealing to coca cola for some help. I am past recovery so Coca Cola hook a sister up with some constant coca cola flow.

Question: - What are your interests

Ans:-I love watching movies and coding. I like poetry but I have to confess I have been active in that field for a while now.

Question: -What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about your fellow contestants

Hannah—fun chick
Michelle –Cool
Anthony – Crazy(in a good way ofcourse)
Omar—undiscovered
Akatu—mysterious
Joyce-deep
Bekeme—Bold
Oscar—Jovial
Eddy – Intriguing
Nancy— Helpful
Nnamdi-- Boisterous
Kathleen—Match Maker
Tunde--- Driven
Deox--- Passionate
Blessing--Smart
Eunice-- focused
Issac -- Gentleman (apprentice)

Question: - So what’s next for you

Ans: - That will be a little surprise to be unveiled soon

Tribute to Guido Sohne

When I was a kid, I thought death robbed the old. People who had lived a full blissful life and were ready to meet their maker. Finding out the truth was a really painful experience. Death is no respecter of persons. It can rob kings, royals, politicians, geniuses, drug addict, thieves and children. Now death has struck again this time robbing the content of one of its great mind. A great software developer and pioneer is gone.

Unfortunately I never meet Guido. But I had heard about him. Any software developer who hangs out at developer forums knows about Guido. I wish I could write about him as a person but like I said I never met him. I would have loved to meet or possibly work with him. As you know great minds think alike. I am sure there would be a lot to learn from him.

I just want to say I think Guido was a great man. He challenged himself to be more than what he could be. He wanted to influence change. He believed in what I believe in. We can use Information Technology to change Africa’s destiny. He rose above all odds and refused to just enjoy the spoils of a good life as a developer in a developed country but stay in the motherland and make something of himself.

When I was spending sleepless nights trying to debug difficult piece of code. there where times I wanted to throw in the towel. But I would think about people like Guido who were self taught and preserved. I would then try harder. Now I am a great software developer and I owe it in part to having such a role model.

To Guido, I want to say even in death you still inspire me. I have decided to challenge myself more and do as much as I can. Life is so precious an there are so many hurdles to cross. I also subscribe to the idea of Free Open source software. It is time developers had a united front. It is not easy being a developer but if we work together we can as one effect change. Goodbye Guido,I pray God grants you a place in the pearly gates. Your life was not in vain. Your legacy will forever live on.

Challenging the Status Quo

The first time I heard the word status quo, I was so intrigued because it was not a typical english word. I found that it was a Latin word which meant "the condition or state of affairs that currently exists". Simply put "the state in which". So now I would start to understand the status quo. As a kid I learnt that it is not the status quo for girls to play with catapults or cars, climb trees or walls without being labeled tom boy or some other title.

My first challenge got me the title tomboy. So I readjusted my personality. I started to read. I filled my head with all sorts of information. I even read the encyclopedia for fun. I used to collect prizes at speech and prize giving day. Next title a nerd. So I had challenged the next status quo. Back in my day girls were not expected to take education seriously. You were lucky to even go to school and when you did you were not expected to be the Einstein in the class. I readjusted again but this time in a different fashion. I would start to act like how it was expected of me, but there was this passion in me and I just could not accept the status quo.

So I realized that I am different. I did not have to be what society had set out for my gender. The sky was truly my limit. I could be anything I wanted to be. My next challenge was when I feel in love with the computer. I would enter a male dominated world and try and tiptoe around the huge male ego. I did that and realized that the men thought I was weak and incapable. So I decided to challenge the status quo and prove that I was equal to my male counterparts. Then I realized there was no need to compete or prove myself but find the right group where I was embraced as a coequal and a team player.

My next challenge was to lead in this environment where I was outnumbered. That challenge was very difficult .But I led by example and treated every individual with respect. As a leader I am only as strong as the weakest link. So I lead with integrity. My Girlfriend would always ask why you must challenge the status quo, why rock the boat. The answer I give is why not. Great leaders challenge the status quo and effect change that lives on after them.

We have our whole lives to be ordinary, so if you can just for a moment try to be extraordinary. Challenge the status quo!