WOUNDS FROM THE PAST

All of us carry wounds from the past. We may or may not be conscious of them. Either way, they inhibit our ability to embrace life. If we want more of life's blessings, we need to heal our wounds -- our repressed emotions and old patterns and limiting beliefs.

How do we identify these wounds? We can dig deep into our memory banks in an effort to uncover the experiences that first brought us pain and trauma. Or we can address our pain when it surfaces in daily living.

The past makes itself known to us in the present. We get clues about subconscious issues when we become aware that we are uncomfortable, in distress or pain. Pain is there for a reason: to make us conscious of what is presently unconscious in us. If we become aware that we are tense, angry, resentful or afraid, for example, we know something is calling for our attention. Unhappy memories from the past are being triggered. We have the opportunity to heal the past by dealing with our discomfort in this moment.

We grow by moving into and through pain, not away from it. That's the only way we can learn from it. And so we grow by embracing those qualities we instinctively want to resist. Our aim is to embrace the 'bad' and the 'good' in wholeness. How do we do this? By bringing love into the situation and by using the power of imagination to see a bigger picture.

 History is a story told over time. It is a way of recreating the past so it can be studied in the present and re-interpreted for future generations. Since humans are the sole beneficiaries of history, it is important for us to know what the purpose of history is and how historians include their own perspective concerning historical events. The purpose and perspective of history is vital in order for individuals to realise how it would be almost impossible for us to live out our lives effectively if we had no knowledge of the past. Also, History puts human experience in context, and allows us to understand ourselves as a people and a culture. It gives us a frame of reference to consider the possible future(s) ahead of us. It helps us understand past triumphs and tragedies, and gives us the tools to try and succeed where others have failed. History is interesting; it’s a way to see how far our world has come.  Haven’t you ever heard the saying “if history isn’t remembered it will repeat itself?”.” If you want to know where we as, Ghanaians are going, ask us where we've been."

The Purpose of Our Past

The purpose of our past is to explain the present – to say why the world around us is the way it is. Our past tells is what is important in our world and how it came to be. It tells us why the things we value are the things we should value. And it tells us what is to be ignored or discarded. That is true power, profound power. The power to define a new society.  In order to gain a sound knowledge of the past, we have to understand the political, social and cultural aspects of the times we are studying.

In What is History, Alan Bullock believes that history is an attempt to explain the sequence and connections of events. He believes that "History is to explain why...it is not to explain why they had to follow, but why they did in fact follow." It is believed by Bullock that history is taken apart and is put together by an historian, so that it may yield new evidence that will teach us a lesson from the past in order to become more aware of the future. This connective account helps us "get inside the skin of this man or group of men."

Let me share with my readers how John Robson a renowned author and playwright uses the 4 E’s as a healing process for all human beings.

A Healing Process: The 4 E's

The 4 E's give a basic framework for working with any challenges that arise so we may more easily learn our lessons and let them go.

1. Experience your reality.

Be aware of how you are feeling and allow yourself to experience your reality. We cannot heal something we have not yet owned! So really feel what's happening in your body. Feel the emotions. Be aware of what you are thinking. Honor your experience by being present to it! What is it telling you?

2. Elevate and expand your perspectives.

Become an impartial but loving witness to your own personality's experience. The key here is detachment. Elevate your perspective so you can see what's going on without being swallowed up by it. As a witness to your own experience, do not judge, criticize, condemn or commiserate -- just watch with compassion. From this perspective, ask yourself, "What am I being invited to learn?" When we glimpse the answer to this question, we find purpose in our suffering.

3. Embrace the lower and higher qualities together in wholeness.

Identify the negative qualities that are challenging you, like fear, anger, doubt, jealousy, despair or grief. Then identify the opposite positive qualities. For example, the opposite of fear may be courage or love. The opposite of doubt may be faith. If this is a challenge for you, consider what you would prefer to be feeling. If you're feeling angry, you might prefer to feel peaceful.

Now use your imagination to sit with both qualities of the duality at the same time. (I imagine myself as a loving or courageous grandparent hugging the distressed part of me.) Recognize that both qualities are part of the same spectrum of experience. You cannot have one without the other. Together, they create wholeness. Also recognize that a part of you always has access to the higher energy. That's what we have to learn. Trust that this experience of wholeness heals.

4. Express to anchor your experience.

Anything you can do to reinforce the healing will strengthen the integration. For example, you might:
• write about your experience in your journal.
• meditate on your experience.
• share your insights with someone you trust.
• express forgiveness to yourself and/or others.

Any effort to affirm accepting the 'bad' and the 'good' in wholeness will support a shift in consciousness.

This simple process is powerful. Some degree of healing always occurs. It teaches us to acknowledge rather than resist our discomfort. It helps us abandon our need to be perfect and become authentic instead. It connects us to the higher qualities that are always available to us. It brings unconditional love to situations where love is typically absent. It helps us accept, forgive, and love ourselves. And this is the essential first step before we can accept, forgive, and love others.

Take time to learn the process by repeatedly doing the following exercise. Once you become familiar with the steps, you will be able to apply them on the spot, when you become aware that you are upset in some way. The more you explore and release the irritations and suffering that naturally arise daily, the more you will heal the past. Life will open up for you as your personality blossoms from your own unconditional love.

EXERCISE: Learn the 4 E's Healing Process

Find some quiet time where you won't be disturbed. Recall a recent experience that upset you. Close your eyes and use your memory to relive that scenario. When you're ready, begin to work through the first 3 steps: Experience, Elevate or expand your perspectives and Embrace. When the pain of the memory has eased, gently and slowly bring your consciousness to the present and then take some action to Express what you've learned.

Cultivating Your Self-Esteem

Your self-esteem is probably the most important part of your personality. It precedes and predicts your performance in almost everything you do. It is the energy source or the reactor core of your personality, and how much self-esteem you have determines your levels of vitality, enthusiasm and personal magnetism. People with high self-esteem are more positive, more likable and more effective in every part of their lives.

Everything that you do or say or think will affect your self-esteem. Your job, therefore, is to keep your self-esteem high and positive on a continuing basis.

Probably the best definition of self-esteem is this: the level to which you respect and value yourself as an important, worthwhile person. People with high self-esteem feel terrific about themselves and their lives. When you feel really good about yourself, you tend to be the very best person you can possibly be.

To perform at your best and to feel terrific about yourself, you should be in a perpetual state of self-esteem building and maintenance. Just as you take responsibility for your level of physical fitness, you need to take complete responsibility for the content and quality of your mind.

I have developed a simple formula that contains all the critical elements of self-esteem building, and you can use it on a regular basis to assure maximum performance.

This formula is comprised of six basic elements. They are: goals, standards, success experiences, comparison with others, recognition, and rewards. Let's take them one at a time.

How much you like and respect yourself is directly affected by your goals. The very act of setting big, challenging goals for yourself and making written plans of action to achieve them actually raises your self-esteem, which causes you to feel much better about yourself.

Self-esteem is a condition you experience when you are moving step-by-step toward the accomplishment of something that is important to you. For that reason, it's really important to have clear goals for each part of your life and to continually work toward achieving those goals. Each progressive step causes your self-esteem to go up and makes you feel more positive and effective in everything else you do.

The second element in self-esteem building is having clear standards and values to which you are committed. Men and women with high self-esteem are very clear about what they believe in. The higher your values and ideals are, and the more committed you are to living your life consistent with those values and ideals, the more you will like and respect yourself, and the higher your self-esteem will be.

Lasting self-esteem comes only when your goals and your values are congruent--that is, when they fit into each other like a hand into a glove. Much of the stress that people experience comes from believing one thing and trying to do another. But when your goals and values are in harmony with each other, you feel a wonderful surge of energy and well-being, and that's when you start to make real progress.

Many people tell me that they are unhappy with their job because they can't seem to achieve success no matter how hard they try. I always ask them if they are doing what they really care about and believe in. In many cases, people realize that they are not happy with their job because it is the wrong kind of work for them. Once they change jobs and start doing something that they really enjoy, something that is more consistent with their innermost convictions, they start to make real progress and get a lot of satisfaction out of their work.

The third element in self-esteem building involves having success experiences. Once you have set your goals and standards, it is important that you make them measurable so that you can keep score of your small and large successes along the way. The very act of setting up a goal, breaking it down into smaller parts, and then completing those parts makes you feel like a winner and causes your self-esteem to go up. But remember that you can't hit a target you can't see. You can't feel like a winner unless you clearly lay out the standards by which you are going to measure your success and then achieve those standards.

The fourth element of self-esteem is comparison with others. The more you know about how well the others in your field are doing, and the more favorably you compare with them, the more you will feel like a winner, and the higher your self-esteem will be.

Successful people continually compare themselves with other successful people. They think about them and read about them and study their performances, and then they work to surpass them one step at a time. Eventually, successful people reach the point where they compete only with themselves and with their past accomplishments. But this comes after they have moved to the top and left many of their competitors behind.

The next element for self-esteem is recognition of your accomplishments by people whom you respect. To feel really great about yourself, you need the recognition of people you look up to and admire, such as your boss, your coworkers, your spouse and people in your social circle. Whenever you are recognized and praised for any accomplishment by someone whose opinion you hold in high regard, your self-esteem goes up, along with your eagerness and enthusiasm to do even better on the job.

The final element of self-esteem involves rewards that are consistent with your accomplishments. You may work in a field where you receive financial bonuses, status symbols--larger offices, bigger cars--or even plaques and trophies for superior achievement. All of those symbols can have an incredible impact on raising your self-esteem and causing you to feel terrific about yourself.

If, however, your existing situation does not offer the tangible or intangible rewards that are necessary for you to build and maintain your self-esteem, you must create rewards for yourself. One of the smartest things you can do is to design a system for giving yourself rewards for both small and large accomplishments as you move progressively toward your goals. For example, people who do telephone prospecting will often treat themselves to a cup of coffee after every 10 calls. After 25 calls, they will reward themselves with a walk around the building or the block. After 50 calls, they will go out to lunch. Each of those rewards serves as an incentive that motivates them to repeat the performance. The end result is success, enthusiasm, and high self-esteem.

Whether or not your current environment provides the six elements of self-esteem; building--goals, standards, success experiences, comparison with others, recognition, and rewards--you need to establish your own structure and take full responsibility for building yourself up on a regular basis.

The only real way for you to absolutely know that you are a valuable and worthwhile person is for you to make the effort, overcome the obstacles and pay the price to bring these elements into your life. When you have that foundation, you will experience a form of mental fitness and unshakable optimism that will sustain you through failure and propel you to success. A good food for thought, don’t you see?

By His Grace, I shall be back

TRIBUTE TO A PLAYWRIGHT

EFO KODJO MAWUGBE

Everlasting God’s creation with natural wisdom

Fighting for the weak and the downtrodden with the

Omnipresent gift of creative talent transcending human knowledge

King of the scribes, a canopy for great minds

Offering the masses food for thought, your

Dependable pen has really taught all and sundry the

Judgement of human theories and understanding

Official dramatist, your mouth can never be sealed

Mentor above description, evergreen leaf. Yes!

Attentive father, brother, and friend at all times

Winning souls through the stroke of the writing stick

Ultimately selected to appraise the Ghanaian identity

Giant in the arts, cultural ambassador of great quality

Bold in thought but sober in the eyes of beholders. I say

Efo never dies. God bless, none can curse- Amen

From: Daniel Appiah-Adjei (Graduate-mate- Class of 2000, University of Ghana, Legon)

THE PLACE OF DRAMA IN GHANAIAN CULTURE

BY

DANIEL APPIAH-ADJEI PART 1

The primary task in understanding drama is to develop an appreciation of our daily routine of life situations, not merely as a way of telling a story or as a vehicle for production, but as a special embodiment or an organic matter of the totality of our lives.

The basic premise of this paper is that, drama is a means to an end- the appropriate and expressive interpretation of the life of the Ghanaian with attention placed on the life cycle (Rite of passage) and various forms of traditional ceremonial presentations. The objective of this paper is to provide the reader with the tools of analysis which will give him/her insights into the total imaginative processes that make up place of drama in the Ghanaian cultural life.  

The Ghanaian heritage is intensely religious, hence the Ghanaian lives in a religious universe; all actions and thoughts have religious meaning and are inspired or influenced by religious point of view. From the ancient times, drama is noted to have emerged from religion; from the classical era, through the medieval period to the present times. As Charles Darwin, one of the greatest psychologists ever to emerge in this world stated that all humanity is from a common ancestry, let us discuss some of the countries and people who have lived and consider how drama came to being in their various cultural backgrounds

In the ancient times before Greek civilization, drama had been identified out of the dance of the ancient people, when instinctive rhythmic movements and desire to imitate evolved into pantomimes that showed or told or mimic something. There were initiation dances to teach the customs and cultural practices of the people to the boys and girls who had reached manhood and womanhood respectively. War dances to kindle bravery in the warriors; historical story dances to imitate events of the hunt or battle; and religious dances to appease the numerous unseen spirits believed to have the powers of rewards and punishment.

From these religious ceremonies brought together the chief representative of the gods, the medicine man, the witch doctor etc who will come dressed to suit the occasion with masks believe to have powerful magic and would pray through rituals to exorcise spirits and chant while other members of the community assisted or watched.

Out of these religious rituals, normally performed in circles in front of the temple, drama emerged with its speaking actor.

EGYPT

History has it that, the Egyptians were the first people to establish a type of drama, performing plays as early as 300 B.C. The Egyptian people were primarily concerned with life after death, and those who could afford it had huge pyramids built and splendidly furnished, for they intended to live in them in the afterworld. Their philosophy of life and death is exemplified in their drama.

There were five types of Egyptian plays, all of them serving more as religious ritual than as pure theatre, performed either in special tombs or in temples.

1.       The Pyramid plays were written on the tombs walls and included not only the plot and characters but basic stage directions. These religious dramas, enacted by priests, show the ascent of soul to become a star and symbolize the resurrection of the body.

2.       The Coronation Festival play was performed at the crowning of a new pharaoh

3.       The heb Sed or coronation Jubilee play celebrated the Pharaoh’s thirtieth year on the throne, enacting events of his reign.

4.       The Medicinal play evolved around magical healing. The plot concerned the goddess Isis, whose child is bitten by a scorpion. Isis heals her son by using artificial respiration and a magic cure.

5.       The Abydos Passion play also was developed around the resurrection theme. Set, the god of evil becomes jealous of his brother, Osiris. Tricking Osiris into a coffin, Set nails it, shut it and throws the coffin into river Nile. Isis, the wife of Osiris finds the coffin and buries her husband; but Set digs him up, dismembers the body and throws the pieces over the earth. Isis collects all the pieces and buries them again. Osiris is then resurrected and becomes King of the Dead, ruling over those mortals who ascend to heaven.

The annual production of this play, given as part of a religious festival, would last several days. It included a mock water battle on the Nile and funeral procession in which the audience participated. 

GREECE

With ancient Greek theatre, we have a drama so outstanding that it has never been surpassed. Only the Elizabethans came close to achieving such a degree. The Golden Age of Greece (500-400 B.C) brought us the greatest tragedies of all time, as well as outstanding creativity in such fields of architecture and government.

Greek theatre had its beginnings in the Dionysian rites that paid homage to Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. During these celebrations held around the stone altars at the foot of hilly vineyards, much dancing and singing of hymns or dithyrambs were performed to honour Dionysus. The presentations inspired the formation of choral groups which among other things organized vocal competitions. Out of the dithyrambic rituals developed tragedy, this literally means goat song (tragos ode).

ROMANS

With the Romans, since theatre was frowned upon by aristocratic Romans, audiences consisted mainly of the lower classes. Their desire was for entertainment. Scoffing at the aesthetic and intellectual, they demanded spectacle and vulgarity. Thus the imitated Greek theatre became decadent and hollow. Tragedies gradually degenerated and comedies slipped into vulgar slapsticks.

In 61 B.C., Pompey had a huge outdoor auditorium built but in order to make it legal, he had to erect a small statue of Venus at the top and called it a temple of worship. The “steps” of this temple, of course, served as seats for the theatre.

INDIA

The Hindu Theatre also saw dramatic form in ancient India dating back to 1500 B.C. when dialogue was used in the Vedic or religious hymns.

CHINA

The Chinese drama dates back to 2000 B.C., when interpretative dancing took a dramatic form, as ritualistic ancestor worship and military celebrations were staged. These early performances were however not presented as entertainment. The Chinese revered their ancestors; dramatic ritual was solely religious with only the emperor, the priests, and the court as participants and audience.

Later, the religious ritual developed into definite plays, but it was not until the 8^th and 9^th century  A.D. that Chinese drama blossomed, led by Emperor Ming Huang (713-756), who founded a school for actors in his pear tree garden. The school was so successful that Chinese actors are traditionally called “Children of the Pear Garden” Ming Huang continues as the patron saint of theatre, with actors burning incense to his statue before they go on stage.

The Drama of Ming Huang’s time was highly formal. It dealt primarily with three themes: Ancestor worship, military glory, and faithfulness to husband.

JAPAN

Early Japanese drama was probably based on the ritualistic dance of the Shinto religion, but in the fourteenth century the Japanese evolved the Noh Plays.

EUROPE

The Medieval period in the middle ages of Europe, was often called the dark ages because there was little or no cultural activity. For approximately 400 hundred tears, there was no theatre, except for the sparse folk festivals and a few wandering jugglers and minstrels, who managed to stir the theatrical cols that constantly being extinguished by the Church.

Yet, strange as it may seem, the Church that buried drama in the fifth century resurrected that same art sometime during the ninth century as it introduced the trope, short dramatized scenes into the mass.

From the entire discussion above, one can simply deduce that, drama is strictly embedded in religious activities. It is therefore very safe to conjecture that since the Ghanaian is a religious being all his activities within the cultural realm are highly dramatic.

DRAMA AND RITES OF PASSAGE

To the Ghanaian especially, the Akan, the life cycle or Rites of Passage has five main stages. They are from the birth of a child to his or her death. To mention them, they are :

Ø  Birth

Ø  Naming/Outdooring

Ø  Puberty/Initiation

Ø  Marriage

Ø  Death.

In administering any of these stations in the life of an Akan, special ritual or ceremonies are conducted in his or her honour. The ceremonies employ the elements of drama as the European knows them; a form of complete theatrical presentations. They include among other things;

·         performers,

·         audience,

·         properties (hand and stage)

·         stage

·         sound

·         lights

·         costume etc

COMMUNALISM

It must be noted that in the performance of all these stages, the whole community is involved. All activities are communal based and that all and sundry in one way or the other participates in the events. Even the sick and the old tries to be part of the celebration which seems to affect everybody within the community. The Akan proverb “wo yonko da ne woda” (what affects your friend also affects you) is very prominent in the deliberations these five stages of the Ghanaian life.

Article : Examination Malpractices

DANIEL APPIAH-ADJEI

Examination malpractice: an ugly social virus

The concern for quality and goal-oriented education in Ghana has necessitated the Oral Village Ideas to talk about Examination malpractices in our country. How would you as a parent, take it if you find your son’s or your daughter’s name and picture in the Newspaper having been expelled from school due to examination malpractices? Too bad isn’t it? But we witness a lot of them in this country. I have always maintained that a nation is driven by the quality of education provided for her citizens. However, education in Ghana today can truly be said to be bedeviled by numerous problems one of which is examination malpractice.

 Examination malpractice is a situation where students go into the examination hall with various items to cheat. These include the use of already answered question papers, answers written as texts on phones, copying neighbor’s work, using key point’s notes etc.

A form of corruption

The problem of examination malpractices in Ghana seems to be as old as the introduction of formal system of Education. Examination malpractice as a form of corruption and corrupt practices has crept into the fabrics of all levels of the educational enterprise in the country. There has been major incidence of Examinations malpractices in this country, which has led to the arrest and imprisonment of offenders. It is evidenced that stringent measures put in place still do not deter people from engaging in examination malpractices.

Investigations conducted in my attempt to use drama as a means to curb the practice has revealed how some teachers help Students to engage in examination malpractices by coaching them just before examination and the changing of incorrect answers afterwards. This trend is being used by the schools involved to improve their position in the performance tables, which have become a key indicator for parents choosing a school for their children. Let’s pray that my Drama Script is ready for performance.

In view of the adverse effects that examination malpractices have on the educational system, it becomes necessary to critically examine it. At what stage do examination malpractices occur, what are their impacts on the students themselves and on educational standards?

Wonderful Methods

It is very interesting to note how Examination malpractices could be seen as by product of existing societal ills. A number of different forms are employed by students to carry out this nefarious act. Some of these forms are unimaginable to the extent that it can beat the most vigilant invigilator during the conduct of examination. Some of the various methods have been cast into this play production as allegorical characters. They boastfully come on stage and declare their stance in the business. (As the curtain goes up, the first character appears on stage)

CHARACTER ONE: (Clearing the throat)

My name is Micro-chips. I am also known by students as “apor’’, reminder, ammunitions etc”. I am the most common or popular form employed by students to engage in examination misconduct. I am simply a method whereby the student copies/summarizes relevant aspects of the recommended textbook by the lecturer in very tiny manner on pieces of papers, table, chair, walls/blackboards of venues of the examination, in sensitive parts of their bodies like breasts, thighs, identity cards etc. in the course of the examination, these micro-chips that may be hidden in their pockets, socks, shoes, bags, calculator, braziers by the female students, etc are used if found relevant..I have so many other brothers and sisters. (Calls) my sister it is your turn to display your efficacious methodology.

CHARACTER TWO

They call me Giraffe, the most beautiful and a very tall African living thing with an extremely long neck, legs and a small head. As my name implies, giraffing is the process in which the student stretches his/her neck so as to spy or have a glance at other students’ answers and reproduce same as his/her answer. I am the safest, simplest and most common among students.

CHARACTER THREE

Sorting is my name. I happen to be a system whereby students negotiate with willing /teachers/lecturers for undeserved scores by rewarding the latter in cash or in kind. I am a twin brother to … (Stretches the arm) my brother, speak

CHARACTER FOUR

Thank you brother! Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen hear my voice. My name is ECOMOG a.k.a ECOWAS a.k.a OAU: As the name and knick names suggest, I am an alliance between and among school mates who are mutually compatible. My creative art is executed in three ways: via coded language, using the fingers or in whispers or through a question paper on which inscriptions have been made and then exchanged. The third device is through a clever male student or a female student and a weak female or male sitting close to each other while the paper is written for weaker student by the male/female counterpart.

Dear reader, as the drama enfolds, the stage manager breaks protocol and decides to narrate the rest of the story himself.

STAGE MANAGER:

Dear audience let me at this juncture introduce the rest of my cast to you. The one I am going to call onto the stage right now is Computer: It is a device used to store information in coded language. It is used effectively and cleverly. Unsuspecting invigilators are easily hoodwinked since they may bypass such a device for a calculator. The next is…

The Contractor organism: It involves three actors. The attendant, who exchanges a question paper with an already prepared answer script, written for the “contractor” student by a “mercenary” student, at a designated point, this contract is successfully executed through the attendant who co-serves as the middle man.(walks slowly to the other character standing quietly by the wall. He points at him)

The Super-print Method. This wryly scheme represents an umbrella term that embraces any manner of inscriptions on clothes, caps, white handkerchief, phones etc. My last but not least is the almighty…

Impersonation: This is a situation whereby a supposedly bright student or an outsider clever student is hired to write for the student he is impersonating. The system thrives where students do not necessarily have to go in with their identity cards. Even when ID cards are required, it is not a problem. A student can gain entrance into the examination hall with a defaced identity card. We should therefore be very vigilant.

At this point, one may question. What are some of the causes of Examination malpractices? A head teacher of one of the Senior High schools, name withheld had this to say…

Causes of Examination Malpractice

“It is an established fact that examination unprofessional conduct which has assumed all distressing proportion is mainly caused by a number of variables/factors. An attempt shall be made to highlight some of these factors, as follows”:

1.      The Student: In the school set up, examination is administered primarily on students.  Some students these days are generally lethargic and languid. They are not prepared to labor. They hardly study and get ready for exams. They judge wrongly that money can do everything for them. Instead of studying/reading to pass an examination, they are very busy planning how to cheat. The level of performance of students these days appears to be determined by how best they can bamboozle in examinations.

More importantly, the feeling of inferiority complex to which any student that fails exam is subjected in the school, at home and in the society at large would make the student go to any length to pass examination.

In fact, majority of students today prefer disco, parties, watching films and other trivialities to any serious academic engagement. Many female students are practicing prostitution. They “sell” their precious womanhood for marks or high grades.

2.      Teachers: It is common knowledge that some teachers help students in their own departments to cheat in examinations. Some take it to the ridiculous extent of showing, or simply “selling” the questions in their own courses to their close friends – often female students. Again, such dubious students with the involvement of equally dubious teachers graduate with the class of degree/grade/certificate they do not merit. They often graduate with better grades than their mates that burn the midnight oil. The head teacher lamented “What a shame?”

In summary, he said, it is a known fact that some lecturers are being “blocked” either in cash or in kind for high grades. This is as a result of lack of responsibility, dedication and devotion to duty.

3.      Strikes/Closure of Institutions: Frequent strike actions and indiscriminate closure of institutions aid examination malpractice. When institutions are closed, semester and course work are condensed and students becomes panicky and start to explore “the best means” to pass their examination.

4. Influence of Negative Culture: The school is expected to teach the culture of the larger society to its members of which the students are a part. It is also expected to prepare the students to have good character as to relate positively with society; and effectively give students cognitive point of reference for development of themselves and the society. Looking at the goals that schools are expected to achieve, one then wonders how examination mismanagement in our institutions of learning has polluted the culture the school is supposed to uphold vis-à-vis the culture the students are supposed to preserve. The general urge to obtain certificate that one cannot defend has become the order of the day.

5. Society’s expectation/orientation: It is the general notion of the entire populace in Ghana that once you have gone to school; you must graduate with a good certificate. Anything short of that presents you as a failure or drop out, your honour and reputation are at bet. In this respect, certificate is valued as a means to an end. Thus, all possible means, whether straight or crooked, are employed to achieve this objective.

6. Socio-Economic Status of Parents: It is a truism that academic aspiration of the school child is positively related to the socio-economic status of his parents. This is so because children always imitate their parents and many of them would wish to be like their parents and so aspire to be as highly educated or even better than their parents. Some parents want their children to take up their profession at all cost. Consequently, we see a situation where some parents go to the extent of buying examination papers for their wards and also lavishing invigilators and supervisors with gifts to influence them for better grades for their wards.

7. Admission Requirements: In any institution of learning, there are specific admission policies requirements. For instance, from secondary school to university level, prospective applicants are expected to possess some minimum qualification(s) before being considered for admission. In an attempt to satisfy these requirements, students know that they must possess the relevant subjects for the course of study. Therefore, some of them feel that something must be done to avoid failure in their examination so as to guarantee the achievement of their career goals.

8. Employment Requirements: Qualifications are the major parameters to be used for employment or to fill vacancies in enterprises in the labour market. Therefore, getting the certificate is the most important goal to any prospective applicant. Once the connection is there in addition to obtaining the certificate, the job is secured. The effect of this is that securing a good job in Ghana depends on a good certificate, hence students who are in pursuit of such good jobs but are weak academically resort to all sorts of means including cheating in examination.

9.      General Economic Ailment/level of income: In a nation like ours where there is a high inflationary trend due to the already battered economy, people seize every available opportunity to make both ends meet. People believe that without money, they cannot make it. The officials of examination bodies are no exception. For instance, some of them use their position to make money by selling life examination question papers e.g. leakage of English, Mathematics, and Geography, Economics etc.

Consequences of Examination Malpractice

The increasing rate of examination malpractice in educational institutions has become a serious national embarrassment which educationists, all stakeholders in the education sector and our leaders can only ignore at great peril. It should be noted that one of the functions of examinations is to determine student’s grades and class of result. However, frequent reports of examination malpractice have not helped the credibility of the certificates awarded by institutions and examination bodies.

Again, students/candidates involved in examination malpractice are subject to expulsion, suspension for about a year or two or have their results seized or cancelled. Teachers/lecturers, Heads/staff of schools or examination bodies could be jailed, dismissed or have their appointment terminated. For instance, some workers of WAEC were removed from office because of exam “expo” in the 90’s. In recent times, many students had been expelled and rusticated by the Academic Board of the University of Ghana, Legon, KNUST and other Universities.

Thematic recommendations

·         Our Educational institutions should stop the practice of indiscriminate admission of students without reference to their past moral life. This is very dangerous. Being in possession of an entering qualification is not enough. The institutions need to conduct interview for new students. As the students’ credentials are checked and scrutinized, their behaviour should also be checked and scrutinized. Lecturers/teachers should diligently rededicate themselves to their noble profession. This could serve as a potent moral situation, capable of boosting the confidence of students and dissuading them from engaging in examination malpractice.

·         Students should be helped to cultivate a high reading culture/good study habits instead of contemplating on how to engage in examination malpractice. They should imbibe self-confidence to be achievers in life not depending on others or cheating.

·         Parents should not aid and abet, directly or indirectly, examination malpractice. Rather, they should motivate their children by providing them with the needed school materials, not setting too high standard or ambition for them

·         To stimulate and facilitate effective learning, institutions should be provided with, at least, minimum teaching/learning facilities. The present high cost of education should be reviewed.

·         There should be massive campaign against examination malpractice. The fight against examination malpractice should be a collective one, involving everybody in the nation if success is to be recorded; and, \

·         There has to be the immediate strengthening and enforcement of the Examination Malpractice PNDC Law 255 Act. This law should prescribe penalties ranging from fines and jail terms for offenders upon conviction.

Examination malpractice, no doubt is an ugly social virus that is speedily creating social, moral and educational epidemic in Ghana

By His Grace, I shall be back

THE FOOLS PARADISE

WRITTEN BY

DANIEL APPIAH-ADJEI

SEPTEMBER, 2011

DRAMATIST PERSONAE

1. Mr. Adomako

2.Mrs Adomako

3. Mr. Sarpong

4. Mrs. Sarpong

5. Adomako Junior

6. Karikari – Cousin of Mr. Sarpong

7.  Policemen

The play opens in the apartment owned by Mr. Adomako and Mr. Sarpong (these are very good friends who share almost everything together) the hall is furnished to suit a modern man of average status. The door up-centre leads to the bed-rooms of the men. There are two stair-cases indicating the various entrances to the inner-bedrooms. At the main bed-room doors hang two beautiful wedding pictures of Mr. and Mrs Adomako as well as Mr. and Mrs Sarpong. The door down-right leads to town while the door down-left leads to the kitchen. The dinning-table is placed centre left of the stage and the settee and other arm-chairs are well arranged in the middle of the hall.it is evening, Mrs Adomako and Mrs Sarpong are preparing the table for their husbands. Both of them are seriously pregnant, waiting to be wheeled to the hospital sooner or later. It looks like they got pregnant at the same time in the same month. When they finish setting up the table amidst conversation, they begin to decorate the hall with white hangings. You can guess what that means.

Mrs Adomako:          (Placing food on the table) Hm! At long last, God has listened to our prayers. The witches and wizards are ashamed.

Mrs Sarpong:             As if they planned together. I mean the witches in your family and those in my family.

Mrs Adomako:          Ei haven’t you heard from any source that they have some kind of telepathic symbols on their foreheads and they easily recognize one another when they meet?

Mrs Sarpong:             You are telling me.

Mrs Adomako:          Hm, you are a child. They say they have the power to fly to any country they choose to.

Mrs Sarpong:            No wonder they travelled to America to frustrate Paulina Osei when she was in labour. God will punish them paa!

Mrs Adomako:          Ah! Have you forgotten so soon when the child of Nyamekye died at birth?

Mrs Sarpong:             But that was the fault of the wicked nurse who refused to attend properly to her.

Mrs Adomako:          Part of the problem is bestowed on Nyamekye’s wicked mother who insulted the nurse at the hospital.

Mrs Sarpong:             But that nurse deserved insults. How can you, a nurse I mean a professional nurse trained at the nursing school be impatient with a patient? Her lackadaisical attitude toward the pregnant woman was appalling.

Mrs Adomako:          I heard that uncalled for attitude of hers caused the break of her relations with Nyamekye’s brother.

Mrs Sarpong:             But Nyamekye’s brother also contributed to the nurse’s foolish behaviour that fateful day.

Mrs Adomako:          How?

Mrs Sarpong:             How?

Mrs Adomako:          Yes, I mean how. I don’t understand.

Mrs Sarpong:             The fact of the matter is that the nurse was confused that morning before going to work when she found another woman in Nyamekye’s brother’s car.

Mrs Adomako:          Ei men... men. One does not satisfy them...ehe?

Mrs Sarpong:             Then she wanted to stop the car and ...

Mrs Adomako:          Whimm, the car was gone...

Mrs Sarpong:             Oh, As if you were right there. The dust, I mean the dust from the road coupled with the smoke  from the engine nearly pushed the nurse down.

Mrs Adomako:          No wonder... Ah so it was not the nurse’s fault after all. She had a good reason.

Mrs Sarpong:             A good reason she had but it is unprofessional to go to work with your sentiments from home. Especially if your job is as sensitive as that of a nurse, or a teacher.

Mrs Adomako:          But that is what they do. Take Teacher Peters for instance. Remember when he had a quarrel with his wife. He went to school and punished one of his pupils severely when the pupil used a piece of chalk to write his name on his table. The poor boy was admitted at the hospital. Infact if those we are carrying come into the world, teachers should be warned. Now Dear, tell me, did the nurse know that the boyfriend was Nyamekye’s brother?

Mrs Sarpong:             That is the saddest part of the story. The gentleman had promised to send the nurse to be introduced to his parents for the first time on that fateful day.

Mrs Adomako:          What a coincidence? And what happened?

Mrs Sarpong:             After the child had died at the hospital, the poor Nyamekye and her mother went home. Apparently, in the evening Nyamekye’s brother went to the nurse’s house to apologise to her, and re-affirmed the formal introduction.

Mrs Adomako:          Hei ... Fireworks.

Mrs Sarpong:             Dear, be quiet and listen. The nurse bought all the beautiful dresses in the world, posh shoes, you name them and asked one of her friends to accompany her to the house of the parents of the boyfriend. On reaching, they met the boy’s father who received them nicely. After sometime the father cleared his throat. “Mansa, Mansa” and the mother responded from within “yes Kwaku, I will be with you in a jiffy” then the father again ...”your in-law is here... I mean Donkor’s fiancee and the mother... “that is very good I am coming right away... “Portia, Portia...get ready and come out your sister-in-law to-be has arrived. And Portia within ... yes mother, I will be with you in a moment... Then the father told the nurse and the friend to exercise patience as they waited patiently for the other members of the family.

Mrs Adomako:          And where was Donkor the boy in question?

Mrs Sarpong:            He came in just as the father spoke and hugged the nurse and kissed her... hm... just after that, Dear, Mansa the boy’s mother emerged from her room and discovered the nurse. The nurse also recognised her and suddenly rose up. Tension galore.

Mrs Adomako:          Ei, and what happened?

Mrs Sarpong:             She called her daughter and she came out to discover the nurse standing. Infact, what happened, you need to be told. You should have been there yourself. When the boy heard about the story, they drove the nurse away like a dog.

Mrs Adomako:           Oh ... It was the day the nurse will never forget. Infact the unforgetable day in the life of a nurse. It is a big lesson to all nurses.

(The telephone rings) Dear, pick the phone.

Mrs Sarpong:             (Picking the receiver) Yes, (laughs) it is ready ... why not. She is right here. Putting things right for the final show. Buying things two, two for the children? Aren’t you darlings. Dear, he wants to talk to you (Mrs Adomako takes over the receiver).

Mrs Adomako:          Yes, Dee. We have done the deed. Hoping that you come home quickly... Yes sir... (hangs up) Oh I forgot, I should have told him to buy beverages, we are almost running short of them.

Mrs Sarpong:             As if you don’t know your husbands. Let us bet they will come home with those items.

Mrs Adomako:          You and your absolute trust for your husbands.

Mrs Sarpong:             They are all our joy and happiness.

Mrs Adomako:          Are they not bothered about us not working at all?

Mrs Sarpong:             No, I don’t think so. We are happy here and so they are. Ah! That day when they will come to the hospital in one car, pay the nurses and you will be behind Adomako while he drives and I behind Sarpong as he sits on Adomako’s right-hand side and our babies on our laps smiling at our faces. How happy the day, (sings)

                                    O happy day, O happy day, the day that we will have babies, we will sing and be happy more, and our children will smile at us (both of them) happy day, happy day, the day that our children shall come. A A A meen! (they laugh).

Mrs Adomako:          Dee ... today, let us hatch a plan and at least listen to the conversation that ensues between these two “love – Animals” when they are alone.

Mrs Sarpong:             Yes, yes ... God has a way of uniting people. To think that these two friends have lived for not less than twenty years, going to school together, doing everything together and planting the seeds in their fertile lands on the same day may be the same time. Wonders will never cease. What is their secret at all? Mrs Adomako: That is what we have to find out. (the door bell rings). They are here...

Mrs Sarpong:             Exactly, (goes to open the door). Noble looking young men of 36 years. Mr Adomako embraces Mrs Sarpong while Mr Sarpong embraces Mrs Adomako.

Mrs Adomako & Mrs Sarpong:       Welcome home, sweet home...

Mr Adomako & Mr Sarpong:         (Responding) No where sweet than home. (They all laugh) Our food!

Mrs Adomako:          Ever ready!

Mrs Sarpong:            On the sweet table.

(The women remove the shirts of their husbands and they start their meals)

Mrs Adomako:          I shall be in the bed room waiting for you. Don’t forget sooner or later you cannot taste my sweet lips again...

Mrs Sarpong:             And I shall be right on top of the loving – table opening branches of smooth touchable ingredients (they laugh) Right?

Mr Adomako:            Even after that, I will sacrilegiously plant my well shaped moustache on your nose.

Mr Sarpong:              And I will fuse myself right in the middle of the hot ocean. No mistake, (the ladies laugh and move to the main entrance of the bed room and part at the stair-case)

Mr Sarpong:              It is great to have friends when one is young but indeed it is still more so when you are getting old. When we are young, friends are like everything else, a matter of course. In the old days we know what it means to have them. I have really been enjoying our friendship. (the women are seen behind)

Mr Adomako:            A friend should be one in whose understanding and virtue we can equally confide and whose opinion we can value at once for its justness and its sincerity.

Mr Sarpong:              I have made the acquisation of a judicious and sympathizing friend, I have doubled my mental resources.

Mr Adomako:            Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our greif.

Mr Sarpong:              My father used to say “let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man”. We were laughing at him but now I have realized that better are the blows of friends than the kisses of an enemy and old friends are the best. King James used to call for his old shoes, they were easiest to his feet.

Mr Sarpong:              Our beautiful wives allowed their friendship to creep gently to the top. They now are closely knitted together that sometimes I feel they have too many things in common, than the two of us, possess.

Mr Adomako:            You’ve said it. They decided to carry our babies at the same time. Isn’t that wonderful. I will not be surprised when one day, they give birth together.

Mr Sarpong:              I think they have the same  plans. I wish at the end of the day they deliver a baby boy and a baby girl. We will surely bring them up together and get them married to each other instantly.

Mr Adomako:            That would be God’s own plan. The plan of the millenium.

Mr Sarpong:              Everything that looks to the future elevate human nature; for life is never so low or so little as when occupied with the present. It is only the thought of the future that makes us great.

Mr Adomako:            The golden age is not in the past but in the future, not in the origin of human experience but in its consumate flower. Not opening in Eden but out of Gethsemane.

Mr Sarpong:              The best preparation for the future is the present well seen to and the last duty well done. The future is our goal and the last is the only method for the first. (Enter Mrs Adomako and Mrs Sarpong).

Mrs Sarpong:            Ei, philosophers at their best.

Mr Sarpong:              Darlings come and feel comfortable here. We have really enjoyed the meals.

Mr Adomako:            Exactly. Straight to the point. I thank the night worker who moulded you for me.

Mrs Adomako:          And I also feel blessed for having such a caring husband and his extra-caring friend. Godbless none can curse.

Mr Sarpong:              Dee, I am feeling drowsy, my legs are becoming weak... Ah...

Mr. Sarpong:             Why is the thing dropping.

Mr. Sarpong:             Oh... Hold me don’t leave me, I will fall ashhh...

Mr Adomako:            What is the matter? ( Moves to them. Mrs Adomako shouts) And you too? Mrs Adomako: Yes, our time is up quick... quick... Let.us be quick to the Hospital. (The men hold them and go out to the hospital). Lights off.

SCENE II ( SAME SET)

WHEN THE LIGHTS COME UP, MR. ADOMAKO AND MR SARPONG ARE IN THE FUNERAL CLOTH SEATED IN THE SETTEE. THE ATMOSHERE IS TENSED WITH SOUNDS OF CALAMITY IN THE HOUSEHOLD. A SONG IS HEARD FROM A DISTANCE.

SONG:                        WHEN SHE IS DEAD

                                    WHEN SHE IS DEAD

                                    AND ALL THINGS HAVE SUBSIDED

MR. SARPONG PICKED THE PORTRAIT FROM ITS HANGING PLACE AND LOOKS AT IT.

Mr Sarpong:              So. Akosua at last you have left us alone. The lonely birds without a nest. You should have told me before this. Ah! Who will lend me a pair of powerful wings to fly to my dear wife’s funeral. I envy the birds that fly in the skies. They have no transport difficulties. The world is nothing to me without my beloved wife. Can any physical stab be more painful than this?

Mr Adomako:            May be that is how God has designed it. Sarpong please weep not.

Mr Sarpong:              There is no such thing as a natural death, every death is an accident.

Mr Adomako:            Death will come as it will. Don’t forget you are blessed with a son. What about me?

Mr Sarpong:              Without a wife, who is going to look after the child?

Mr Adomako:            Sarpong, that day which you fear as being the end of all things is the birthday of your eternity. Mrs Sarpong is dead. My wife has lost her child at birth. There are two great losses in this house but do we have to weep all the time? Though lovers be lost love shall not, and death shall have no dominion.

Mr Sarpong:              Well what can I say? What can I do but to take what has happened as a man. I therefore name my baby boy after you. He will be called ADOMAKO JNR.

Mr Adomako:            Then have I been immortalised. Do you not think we can allow my wife to breastfeed the child before you marry agin.

Mr Sarpong:              I have almost forgotten the desire for marriage. My child is now my world. Please, call Mrs Adomako and inform her about our plans.

Mr Adomako:            Victory for us all. Akua, Akua... please come out...

(Mrs Adomako enters). We have agreed that since you have the unspoilt breastmilk, you start feeding the child until Mr. Sarpong gets a new wife. And the best of all the news is that Mr Sarpong has named his son after me. You have now a new husband called Adomako junior.

Mrs Adomako:          That is a nice idea. I shall take proper care of the child.

Mr Sarpong:              I have decided to employ a maidservant to come and help Mrs Adomako in the upbringing of the child. You know ...

Mrs Adomako:          No, I can manage it. These days you know how the maid servants behave. They snatch people’s husbands with ease.

Mr Adomako:            In order to bring equality and sanity in the house, I want to suggest that from this day until the baby is weaned from breastmilk, I shall sleep in the same room with Sarpong, while Mrs Adomako sleeps alone with the baby.

Mr Sarpong:              That will be too much for her. At least she will need your affection and comfort.

Mr Adomako:            The baby is ours. I don’t think that would be difficult for Akua, besides she doesn’t want to taunt you in any way. Akua what do you say to that?

Mrs Adomako:          That is okay for me. All what I demand from you is attention and care.

Mr Sarpong:              That, I assure you.

Mr Adomako:            Yesterday’s beauty never fades it only changes to reflect our inner radiance, lets’s forget about what has chanced. Life must go on.

Mr Sarpong:              When you have only two choices “yes” or “no”, it is possible that “may be” would be the better decision. Maybe I can forget about my beloved wife if I get a new one like her.

Mrs Adomako:          Someone could always replace her but that is no reson to hurry it. Hm! Mr. Sarpong, have you already found the key to another door?

Mr Sarpong:              Please, never ask the question for which you cannot accomodate the answer.

Mr. Adomako:           There is little cause to worry about losing a lover. You may be lucky and time will tell.

Mrs. Adomako:         The most complicated problems are often best solved in bits. Do not waste sympathy on yourself. (THE CRY OF A BABY IS HEARD). Let me go in and feed the baby. (exits)

Mr. Adomako:           That’s good of you. Sarpong, let’s go out and find a new shelter elsewhere. For it has been well said that “man shall be held to account for all the permitted pleasures he failed to enjoy”. (They laugh). You are never a loser if you succeed the second time. There is little chance you can change yesterday but what is done today organises tomorrow’s success.

Mr. Sarpong:             Your kindness will always find welcome time in my heart.

Mr. Adomako:           Retire today’s worry until tomorrow and it may oversleep.

Mr. Sarpong:             Thank you very much. You have really demonstrated the kind of love the Maker wants us to offer. But my problem is how to contract another kind of marriage.

Mr. Adomako:           That is really simple.

Mr. Sarpong:             How simple is that. Apart from the societal disaproval that another and another woman will die when they marry me, the tedious nature of engagement and wedding is a problem to admit.

Mr. Adomako:           These days are different. Don’t forget that even as people file around your dead wife laid-in-state, the women will be winking at you. They will seriously be proposing to you.

Mr. Sarpong:             So you think. They only do that to make you a victim to their ploys. Look at what happened when we were engaging our wives. I thought it was going to be once in a life’s time.

Mr. Adomako:           Twice is better than once so they say.

Mr. Sarpong:             I wish I could stay without any woman in my life again. These days after spending so much money on the girl and reserving some for the parents on the D- day, they dramatise the whole ceremony to extort more money from you, the prospective husband.

Mr. Adomako:           How?

Mr. Sarpong:             Before the main girl will come to you, they call some people “flower girls” who are brought by the brothers of your wife to be unveilled. You can unveil about 5 flower girls and none of them is your wife. On each occassion too, you will have to give money to the “driver” who brings the “flower”.

Mr. Adomako:           Oh! But that is the normal thing to create enjoyable atmosphere at the   

                                    occassion.

Mr. Sarpong:             One day, the suitor will pick one of the “flower girls” as the one he is going to marry and they will learn their lessons.

Mr. Adomako:           Interesting. Let us get moving old-boy. There are a lot outside there. (SHOUTS) Mrs. Adomako we are out to town, okay?

(EXIT, MRS ADOMAKO COMES OUT WITH THE BABY IN HER HANDS COVERED WITH WHITE CALICO)

Mrs. Adomako:         There were ninety and nine that safely lay shouting the infants shout in the  shelter of the Baby’s cults. But mine was out on the hills away far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare. Away on the mountains wild and bare. Away from the tender sheperd’s care. But here is another smiling at my face. Come o you traveller unknown, whom I still hold but cannot possess and I am left alone with you. With you all night and day I mean to stay.

                                    And my reward? (pauses) Where lies my reward. My shrinking flesh demands my reward after feeding you for all these number of days, weeks, months or years? Tell me, I beseech you tell me now. (TO THE AUDIENCE) The secret of my love unflods and do I sit comfortably in this house for another woman to come and claim ownership? I  will rise superior to my pain. I will make assurance doubly sure and take a bond of fate, the unspeakable now I decern and I shall not make a mistake.

 (TURNS SHARPLY INTO THE BED ROOM. THE BABY CRIES).

LIGHTS OFF.

SCENE 3

THE SAME SET.

IT IS EARLY DAWN AND LIGHT OFF IN THE VICINITY.

ALL IS QUIET.

MRS. ADOMAKO IS SEEN WITH A LANTERN.

SHE SHAKES HER HEAD AND DROPS HERSELF IN THE SETTEE.

MR. ADOMAKO COMES OUT OF THE ROOM TO JOIN HER.

Mr. Adomako:           You said, my dear, that you want to speak to me on an important issue. Here. I am all body and soul to listen to you.

Mrs. Adomako:         Is he sleeping, I mean Sarpong. He should not hear what we are going to discuss.

Mr. Adomako:           When you told me about our meeting, I made sure he sleeps deeply so yesteday in the evening. I made him take a lot of liquor.

Mrs. Adomako:         But why has he taken to drinks like that? He was a nice man.

Mr. Adomako:           He still is But you can imagine how he feels about his dead wife. He needs another woman now.

Mrs. Adomako:         Darling, I am not happy at all. My worthless heart needs to gain                                                  something. Something precious, but I am not going to get it I know.

Mr. Adomako:          What is it that I cannot provide?

Mrs. Adomako:         Everything but one thing.

Mr. Adomako:           What thing? Tell me and I shall make sure.

Mrs. Adomako:         Oh. When shall my wandering soul return again to its eternal rest? My husband. Make me a happy woman till life’s short journey ends. In all my helplessness, all weaknesses, on you alone I alone depend for strength. My main target as a woman has eluded me. I cannot have what I want because you are too loving.

Mr. Adomako:           You make my heart bleed if you speak like that. I have promised already to rescue you from woes and troubles. Remember “for better or for worse”.

Mrs. Adomako:         “FOR BETTER FOR WORSE”, that is the biggest problem. What about childlessness? You know our society, the child is more important thatn the ring. The child is the symbol of union.

Mr. Adomako:           Don’t worry, Akua, another seed will be planted very soon.

Mrs. Adomako:         How soon? How soon as I continue to look after somebody’s son... look at his picture, how handsome he looks. I wish I had my own baby like that ... But I can’t, oh!, husband, I can’t.

Mr. Adomako:           Why can’t you. Your womb is not receded. You are as fertile as the loamy soil. Well I shall inform Sarpong to find someone to marry and relieve you off all the burdens.

Mrs. Adomako:         And that is where my trouble begins.. with all truth and grace, I must admit that I have developed the greatest love ever for the small boy. I cannot part with him.

Mr. Adomako:           But the child belongs to Mr. Sarpong... and whoever he marries. Akua, don’t forget that we agreed that you look after the child untill Mr. Sarpong re-marries.

Mrs. Adomako:         So we agreed upon. I know. But now that I am in need of a child and having tasted how sweet motherhood is I am not going to allow that to happen.

Mr. Adomako:           You talk like this? As if I am not a man ... not a strong man that you’ve known. What is coming over you, my wife?

Mrs. Adomako:         We are in a desperate state if you don’t know. The secret, when it comes out will strike a hammer on the victim.

Mr. Adomako:           And who is the victim?

Mrs. Adomako:         You and I. We are the victims. We are going to be the talk of the town. We are going to be the objects of ridicule...

Mr. Adomako:           What do you mean? Please, tear the envelop and feed my ears with the news.

Mrs. Adomako:         We have no child and we are not going to have one. Please sprinkle your blood upon my heart and melt it by your dying love for me. This rebellious heart of mine will subdue and be made soft if that small boy in this house would be mine forever and ever.

Mr. Adomako:           We have every right to acquire our own babies. It is just a matter of time. Excersice restraints my love... I...

Mrs. Adomako:         You don’t understand, my husband. I am afraid another child and another will die at birth.

Mr. Adomako:           Eat back your words immediately! Walls have ears. Evil spirits are hovering around. The tongue that eat pepper and salt should not say words full of curses. I say eat them back.

Mrs. Adomako:         No. I have the feeling that no child born by us will survive.

Mr. Adomako:           You make me feel weak and prone to carbonic acid. I am a strong man. No witch or wizard can be killing my children like that. If you have a curse on your head why did you not tell me?

Mrs. Adomako:         It is now too late. For better or for worse.

Mr. Adomako:           Then we have to pray.

Mrs. Adomako:         Prayers will not do. The issue is simple. That child should be mine. (GOES TO THE DINING TABLE AND PICKS A FORM AND HANDS IT OVER TO MR. ADOMAKO). Read it and you will understand me. This is from the medical doctor. In fact, your medical doctor...

Mr. Adomako:           (READING) Weak sperms? That, I cannot give birth? How... I say how? Why did he not tell me when I had the test? That doctor be cursed.........

Mrs. Adomako:         Don’t shout. You will invite attention ...people...........

Mr. Adomako:           My trembling body demands that I shout. I cannot give birth, the cheek of it. How come?

Mrs. Adomako:         That, you can answer. Our past joins us in the present and projects us into the future....

Mr. Adomako:           You are right ...(Thinking) that may be the cause. But I blame the same doctors who did not cure my sickness during my youthful days.

Mrs. Adomako:         So when you behaved like an angel who had not tasted good and bad in the church and won me to your side you were carrying such a dreadful veneral disease. Men, men... they waste their time on different women and then share their suffering with innocent wives.

Mr. Adomako:           I am sorry. My wife, but I thought it had been cured forever at least, I was made to believe that by the doctor.

Mrs. Adomako:         Now, you understand why I say I cannot give birth again? Mr. Adomako, tell me, tell me why you hid that from me.

Mr. Adomako:           It is too late now. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE.

Mrs. Adomako:         In my redeemer’s name I pray you give me a child. A child nothing more, nothing less.

Mr. Adomako:           Where do you want me to get a child for you? I am incapable, there wouldn’t be any remedy. That is our lot.

Mrs. Adomako:         I am not so gospelled to live without a child especially as I am the only daughter of my parents who are dead. You are my only brother, friend and husband. We must live with a child and a handsome one like Adomako Junior.

Mr. Adomako:           I know you have developed an insatiable love for the boy but don’t forget that he is not our legitimate child. The father of the child will marry again and take the child away.

Mrs. Adomako:         Oh! The foolish raiser of children. The one who prepares the food and doesn’t taste it. Sarpong is going to marry a new wife and take the child away. That will be over my dead body.

Mr. Adomako:           Then, what do you want me to do?

Mrs. Adomako:         I suggest we see the priest of our church and discuss this with him.

Mr. Adomako:           Discuss what? Our inability to have children?

Mrs. Adomako:         Yes.

Mr. Adomako:           For him to broadcast it to the whole world. Their duty if you don’t know, is to spread the news  and it is not only the Good news but the Bad news as well. (THE BABY CRIES, MRS. ADOMAKO GOES TO ATTEND TO HIM)

mR. adomako:          (ALONE) Days of darkness still come over me. sorrows and misery are my lot. Now, what can I do? But I must confirm my heart’s desire to possess a child. I cannot have babies. Should I allow her to sleep with Sarpong? No, Sarpong will brand me insane. How can he do that? Should I suggest to her to go out at odd times? No ... She would be mad. As Shakespeare said Mark Anthony’s was by Caesar. Yes... I have a plan.

(ENTER MRS. ADOMAKO WITH THE BABY. MR. ADOMAKO GOES TO HER AND LOOKS AT THE BABY)

He bears my name. Hm! Adomako Junior. Then, he is my son. My son... Is he? Hm. Darling I have a plan. (LOOKS AROUND) Let us stop the breathing tunnel of ..er ..er.. Sarpong and this beautiful child who bears my name will be ours for good? After all, none of his relatives knows the child. And none of them even knows where Sarpong lives. I bind unto myself today the strong name “Adomako” to unite us both after his death.

Mrs. Adomako:         I give my heart to you my wonderful husband who can read in between lines and propose the appropriate solution for an impossible situation. Thank you for your plan.

Mr. Adomako:           It is the only plan that would make us happy. You know, I cannot leave you for another woman and so you also cannot leave me for any other man. “FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART”.

Mrs. Adomako:         Amen. When do we effect the activity? Mechanically or chemically?

Mr. Adomako:           Anytime you propose my darling. (THE CHILD CRIES) Our glorious sun’s life-giving object. Do not cry, you are our source of hapiness and hope.

Mrs. Adomako:         And our source of long-life afar beyond the stars. (SINGS) Baby little boy don’t cry. I love you, you love me, baby little boy don’t cry... (SHOUT FROM WITHIN BY MR. SARPONG) What is wrong Mr. Sarpong? (HE RUSHES OUT) What is the matter with you?

Mr. Sarpong:             Oh you are here. I dreamt, I dreamt that some people wanted to take my child away and they wanted to kill me. Bad dreams....

Mr. Adomako:           Fever, malaria causes that. Adomako Junior is in safe hands. (MRS. ADOMAKO LEAVES FOR THE BED-ROOM) Don’t worry our Lord is in control.

Mr. Sarpong:                         Amen..

LIGHTS OFF

SCENE FOUR

SAME SET

MR SARPONG IS SEEN STANDING BY THE PICTURE OF HIS SON ON THE WALL. HE MOVES TO THE WEDDING PORTRAIT AND STANDS BY IT FOR A BRIEF MOMENT THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

Mr. Sarpong:             Yes come in. (ENTER MR. KARIKARI). K.K. what do you want here? Who  showed you our house? Come, come and embrace me (THEY EMBRACE EACH OTHER).

Karikari                     My brother, it is a very long time ago. For years I haven’t seen you. I thought I should search for you and I saw in a photo studio your picture which has been displayed I asked the photographer who directed me to this house.

Mr. Sarpong:                         How is home and everybody?

Karikari:                    Infact, I do not know what has been hapenning back home. I also left just as mother died. I have been working in the city for sometime now. I am glad that God has brought us together again. (SEEING THE PICTURES) are you married? And this child looks like you. Your son?

Mr. Sarpong:             Hm! I married but ... I have lost my wife. I lost her when she was delivering this child.

Karikari:                    And where is the child? Who is looking after him? You see when I drink you people say I shouldn’t. The world is a sad place to live. Look I will continue to drink till thy kingdom come. Give me some hot stuff before we continue.

Mr. Sarpong:             You will drink but,  please let me introduce you to my other co-tenants. (CALLING) old boy... old boy and Mrs. Please come. (THEY ENTER) K.K. meet my best friend in this universe Mr. Adomako and his lovely wife Mrs. Adomako. (TO MR. AND MRS ADOMAKO). This is my senior brother, Mr. Karikari who I have not seen for more than 15 years now.

Mr. Adomako:           You are welcome to this place. And how did you get the direction to this place?

Karikari:                    By the Almighty God and the ancestors. It is through some miracle that transcends my understanding.

Mr. Adomako:           Well... welcome once again. Mrs. Adomako, some drinks for our august visitor (MRS. ADOMAKO SERVES THEM). How about the family back home?

Karikari:                    They are also missing from my memory because like Sarpong, I have also been away from home for a very long time.

Mrs. Adomako:         Your brother has been a good friend all these years. He loves us and we love him too.

Mr. Sarpong:             Your love for me and my child beats the common understanding of man. You have been a sweet mother for the child and on this note I would ask my brother to congratulate you for me.

Mrs. Adomako:         There is no need to thank me. It is my duty to cater for our child. Our only hope and aspiration.

Karikari:        Oh! This woman is caring for the baby? How excellent (A BIT DRUNK), beautiful... beautiful. Well... well... in order to relieve some of the load, we have to find you another wife preferably from our hometown for you. And it should be very soon.

Mr. Adomako:           You have spoken well. We thank you. Mr. Sarpong is not ready for a wife now.

Mr. Sarpong:             But I am. I was about to inform you of my intention of getting a new wife before the close of the year.

Mr. Adomako:           Oh! That is the best decision. You can make. I think Akua will be happy with that (MRS. ADOMAKO LEAVES)  are you going to spend some days with us?

Karikari:                    No, no, I shall go back very soon. I don’t know this area but I hope to call again. I have enjoyed my visit to you. Sarpong don’t worry, you will be okay.

Mr. Sarpong:             I know. If you are ready to go tell me so that I can drop you at the station.

Karikari:                     Alright. And where is the lady of the house? Madam I should be leaving now. I have to join my other colleagues at our usual spot.

Mr. Sarpong:                         Let me drop you.

Karikari:                    Don’t worry, I brought my own car.

Mr. Adomako:           We are grateful to you Mr. Karikari... Goodbye...

Mr. Sarpong:                         Let me see you off (THEY EXEUNT)

Mr. Adomako:            (MAKING SURE THEY ARE GONE) Akua, Akua... (MRS ADOMAKO ENTER’S FROM BED-ROOM). What do we do now? Who the devil directed this drunkard to this house. Now, someone from the family knows here. Our plans are in jeopardy... Well, we still will have to proceed. Nothing can hold us back and we vacate the house, with the child the next minute. Tonight should be the night no two ways. We will use the chemical method?

Mrs. Adomako:         As you wish.

Mr. Adomako:           If that is the plan then I shall go to town and buy some dead- powder to be used . (EXITS)

Mrs. Adomako:         When the child is taken away, what becomes of me? I would rather prefer death to life. (RE-ENTER MR. SARPONG) Erm Mr. Sarpong your brother is nice.

Mr. Sarpong:             Where is the old boy? I wanted to discuss the marital issue with both of you.

Mrs. Adomako:         He says he is going to buy some medicines for one of his staffs. But I guess we can discuss it before he comes.

Mr. Sarpong:             That’s nice with me. Sit down please. Mrs. Adomako, you will agree with me that after the death of my wife, you have been very helpful to me...

Mrs. Adomako:         Go on.

Mr. Sarpong:             I have sought the treasure of your love and closely at hand it lies. I mean your tender love, care and affection rises above all contemporaries.

Mrs. Adomako:         I know ...

Mr. Sarpong:              I have always thought of relieving you from the strenuous duties in this house. Catering for the baby as well as two strong – men in this house. You need some rest.

Mrs. Adomako:         And so?

Mr. Sarpong:            I have decided to marry a certain lady by name Doris at my work place.

Mrs. Adomako:         What about me?

Mr. Sarpong:             What about you?

Mrs. Adomako:         Yes. What about me?

Mr. Sarpong:             I don’t understand.

Mrs. Sarpong:            You won’t understand. I know you won’t but I always thought you were very considerate.

Mr. Sarpong:             I have been very considerate but... you want me to marry you?

Mrs. Adomako:         Yes and it is an emphatic yes.

Mr. Sarpong:             What about your husband?

Mrs. Adomako:         That is his own business.

Mr. Sarpong:             What is coming over you Mrs. Adomako?

Mrs. Adomako:         I am mad. Stark raving mad.

Mr. Sarpong:             Excuse me, madam. What abominable talk is that? How can I snatch you from a faithful friend like Adomako?

Mrs. Adomako:         Just as you snatched Akosua from him.

Mr. Sarpong:             That is blasphemy. I cannot do any such thing. Mrs. Adomako are you serious about what you are saying?

Mrs. Adomako:         Certainly. I want you to marry me.

Mr. Sarpong:             Now, tell me. Why do you want me to marry you?

Mrs. Adomako:         To have more children like Adomako junior.

Mr. Sarpong:             But your husband is not impotent. He looks stronger than myself.

Mrs. Adomako:         Appearances are sometimes deceptive.

Mr. Sarpong:             And even that. I cannot stab at the back of a friend like that.

Mrs. Adomako:         Mr. Sarpong, please, listen to me. My fainting soul revolves around the love I have developed for your son, Adomako junior. I cannot simply part with him.

Mr. Sarpong:             If that is your only problem, forget it. I will always allow the boy to stay with you.

Mrs. Adomako:         I know but I want to have babies apart from him. I also need a baby of my own.

Mr. Sarpong:             Mr. Adomako, your husband can help you.

Mrs. Adomako:         No. It is you I need. My love for your son has moved me into loving you the more. That boy is a symbol of union for me and you.

Mr. Sarpong:             But not when you husband still lives. We are very good friends and ...

Mrs. Adomako:         Hold my hand and feel the perfect love, perfect wisdom which is working within me.

Mr. Sarpong:             I cannot do that, it is somebody’s bonafide and precious thing. To touch it, I dare not.

Mrs. Adomako:         Please, don’t shut your doors and darken your room. Remember I have loved you and your boy. I continue to love you. I cannot simply rescind my decision.

Mr. Sarpong:             Loneliness is dangerous. It’s bad for me to be alone. You have your husband, please, concentrate on him and he will give you nice children.

Mrs. Adomako:         If you insist, I will tell you. My husband cannot give birth to children. He suffers from the third thing. I mean the the “third leg”

Mr. Sarpong:             What?

Mrs. Adomako:         Therefore, I have decided to have you and avoid him so that we can keep the boy and add one or two to him. I cannot go in for any other man. I have known you. You have also known me. We have always shared secret love from all over the place. Please, think about the child and our precious future.

Mr. Sarpong:             I know no one in any time who has succeeded in loving every man he meets...

Mrs. Adomako:         You are not every one. You are you, the Special Sarpong of my heart (ABOUT TO KISS HIM).

Mr. Sarpong :            (MOVES AWAY) Mrs. Adomako, don’t forget that love can do all things but not to kill. You will be killing your husband.

Mrs. Adomako:         Don’t worry yourself about him. I can tell you things but ... hm.

Mr. Sarpong:             You can give me all you like on earth. I can also give you everything but this decision is dangerous, suicidal. I cannot succumb to that.

Mrs. Adomako:         Are you saying you cannot stay with me?

Mr. Sarpong:                         Yes.

Mrs. Adomako:         And that you will marry another woman and give your child to her?

Mr. Sarpong:             Not exactly but... yes.

Mrs. Adomako:         Oh I now understand how foolish I have been. The blood of sweetness which your son has sucked from me has been a waste. How can I allow the boy to leave my hands for another woman.

Mr. Sarpong:             It is unfortunate...

Mrs. Adomako:         One more question and I will be out of the scene. Assuming my husband and your wife died together, would you have married me to cater for your child?

Mr. Sarpong:             That is a different issue.

Mrs. Adomako:         The question is very simple, would you keep me to yourself to look after your child?

Mr. Sarpong:             Yes and No.

Mrs. Adomako:         Alright... I thank you very much for throwing away my love for you. Right in my face...

Mr. Sarpong:             Friendship are fragile things which need care to handle. Mr. Adomako has been my friend for a long time. I can eat his food when he is absent but not when he is alive and present.

Mrs. Adomako:         No need to brood over this. TIME WILL TELL. But before we part forever and ever, let me embrace you. (THEY EMBRACE EACH OTHER, MR. ADOMAKO OPENS THE DOOR, HE SEES THEM AND COMES CLOSER TO THEM).

Mr. Adomako:           What is this?

Mrs. Adomako:         To say the last bye-bye to Mr. Sarpong. Do likewise my friend. (HE DOES) Did you get some of the medicine?

Mr. Adomako:           Yes, and very potent and powerful.

Mr. Sarpong:             Old boy, I have discussed everything with Mrs. Adomako. My marital arrangements with Doris. It wouldn’t be too long a time. We shall discuss the programme later into details.

Mr. Adomako:           (SARCASTICALLY) Alright we shall see... (THE TELEPHONE RINGS, MRS ADOMAKO PICKS IT)

Mrs. Adomako:         (STERNLY) Who are you? Doris ... From... I see, he is not in... Aha? ... He is around. Mr. Adomako, your call.

Mr. Adoamko:           I see (RUSHES TOWARDS THE PHONE)

LIGHTS OFF

SCENE FIVE

THE SAME SET. MRS. ADOMAKO IS SEEN ARRANGING AND DECORATING THE ROOM. IT IS THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY FOR ADOMAKO JUNIOR. PAT THOMAS’ SONG “Odo MENE W’ATENA AKYE MENHU ADEE A MEDE AYE WO W’AYI ME ASI AMA ATANFO ANYAME” IS HEARD IN THE BACKGROUND. MRS. ADOMAKO GOES TO THE PORTRAIT OF ADOMAKO JUNIOR, LOOKS AT IT. GOES TO THE TABLE FOR A GLASS OF WINE AND SIPS. FOR A MOMENT, MR ADOMAKO COMES IN.

Mrs. Adomako:         During the party, you will sit on my left here (indicating the arm chair on her left) And he will sit on my right.

Mr. Adomako:           What about Junior?

Mrs. Adomako:         With me, he sits. It is settled... yesterday in the night, I nearly did it for him, but any time I made the move, junior screams... (sobs) Oh! Junior...

Mr. Adomako:           Don’t do that. All will be finalised today. Cheer up. Wise people would suspect you of evil intentions. You should be a happy woman...

Mrs. Adomako:         How can I? He loves you and I love him.

Mr. Adomako:           I know. He is bent on introducing his new wife to us tomorrow and in two weeks the wedding follows. The preparation is superb.

Mrs. Adomako:         I see. No wonder he is showering on me with gifts as a form of compensation. Tomorrow... a wife for Sarpong and a new mother for Junior. This small birth-day party is the answer. (LEAVES FOR THE BED-ROOM, ENTERS MR. SARPONG)

Mr. Sarpong:             Old boy (Embraces him) today is the birthday of our son and I have made all preparations towards our outing after this small party.

Mr. Adomako:           Akua, is ever ready for the outing. But tell me, how do you find your new wife?

Mr. Sarpong:             Well, not to the standards of Mrs. Adomako but we will still manage with her. From the look of things I guess she is quite beautiful and and...

Mr. Adomako:           Serciveable. That is the most important aspect of it.

Mr. Sarpong:             Exactly. Mrs. Adomako, we are ready... Ever ready for the last supper.

Mr. Adomako:           Amen. (ENTER MRS. ADOMAKO CROSSING TO THE KITCHEN).  Do we still wait for you, my dear?

Mr. Sarpong:             Yes of course.

Mr. Adomako:           Old boy let us drink. Let us drink. How I wish your senior brother, Karikari were here.

Mr. Sarpong:             We will see him tomorrow.

Mrs. Adomako:         (PLACING THE MEALS ON THE COFFEE TABLES) He is a character.

Mr. Adoamko:           Are we not going to eat on the dining table?

Mr. Adomako:           No, we want to break the constitution today.

Mr. Sarpong:             That is great. (SITS ON THE LEFT ARM-CHAIR) Here, will I sit to enjoy my meals.

Mrs. Adomako:         No, please, I will sit in the middle with Adomako Junior on my right side and the big teddy-bear on my left side. Adomako Junior, will be between you and me. And the teddy-bear will be between Mr. Adomako and me. Therefore change positions at once. It is my command. (THEY ALL LAUGH AND OBLIGE). Please, eat, eat the food prepared with my own hands...

Mr. Sarpong:             Before we eat, I have something to say.

Mrs. Adomako:         Meals first. Abinkyi before pleasure.

Mr. Sarpong:             Please, let me talk first.

Mr. Adomako:           Let us give him the chance to talk infact the last chance.

Mr. Sarpong:             Thank you, old boy. If we cast our minds back we can feel within our hearts how how happy we have been. God has blessed us with a handsome boy. Today is his 1st anniversary. I therefore declare him a hero and to have an endowment fund of ten million cedis accounts to be opened for him. I have finished that with the Bank of SEWAGE AND PROTECTION.

Mr. Adomako:          Very Good, good one there.

Mrs Adomako:          Well done.

Mr. Sarpong:             And to you Mrs. Adomako, you have been a loving mother to junior. I hand this envelop to you as a sign of my appreciation. I cannot thank you. The Lord will do that. There is this song I want to sing before we settle to eat.

 (MENSI DEN MENKAMFO WO ME NYAME

MENSI DEN MENKAMFO... NYAME W’AYE BI AMMA MEOO

MENSI DEN MEKANFO, NYAME W’AYE BI AMMA ME OO

MESI DEN MENKA FO WO)

(PICKS ADOMAKO JUNIOR AND DANCES WITH HIM. HE THEN SETTLES DOWN TO EAT) The best of meals I have taken all my life.

Mr. Adomakoh:         By the best cook in the world (They laugh) Ah, ugh, My tommy, hold me...

Agyei... I am dizzy... poison... I am dying... Why, Akua was it a mistake? Ooo I am suffering.

Mrs. Adomako:         No, it was intentional. You are a block in my life. I cannot kill Sarpong for your sake. I love him and I want to live with him forever and ever.

Mr. Sarpong:             What is the meaning of this?

Mrs. Adomako:         It is for the love I have for you and Adomako Junior.

Mr. Adomako:           Old boy hold my hand... I have wronged you. Forgive me... Hooold me... (dies)

Mr. Sarpong:             Oh, old boy... how... old boy come back to me...

Mrs. Adomako:         Come my love.. I did that to protect you... He wanted to kill you.

Mr. Sarpong:            Me?

Mrs. Adomako:         Oh yes!. You, because of Junior.

Mr. Sarpong:             I have now realised how powerful your love for me is. Let me call the ambulance for his body to be deposited at the mortuary. (GOES TO THE PHONE). Yes, come here immediately, it is serious, yes, no 277280 Nyankwa street... thanks. (HANGS UP) What did you use in doing the act?

Mrs. Adomako:         He bought it from town and he said it is potent and very powerful. (SIREN IS HEARD) Hold me my dear (HOLDS HER TIGHT)

ENTER 2 POLICEMEN IN UNIFORM. MR. SARPONG THROWS MRS. ADOMAKO TO THEM. SHE IS HAND-CUFFED.

Mr. Sarpong:             Please, take her away. She is a murderer. She deserves to be in prison custody for a good work done.

Mrs. Adomako:         My love has killed me. The love I have for You, Sarpong and Adomako Junior. Junior bye... bye it is because of you. “THE SYMBOL OF UNION”

(THEY ALL FREEZE)

THE END

Dedicated to Mr. & Mrs. Asante (Shiefield, U.K)