Posted in Uncategorized on May 1, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Saturday 28 April
5:30am (Nig Time, GMT+1): At the ABC Transport yard already, at Amuwo Odofin. Today is Sanitation Saturday inLagosStateand no one is supposed to be out of his home between 7 am and 10 am, the time is to be used to clean homes and surroundings. It happens every last Saturday of the month. To beat this restriction, I had to leave the house at 4.40am.
Posted in Uncategorized on March 13, 2012 | 5 Comments »
I woke up this morning, with lots of thought on my mind. Thinking about how to get money to settle a few personal issues, thinking about career moves, reflecting on life so far, projecting on what to do today. And tomorrow. And the day after. As my mentor Ace Ankomah would say, a serious perambulation in my mind.
For about two weeks, Kwame Sefa Kayi of Peace FM has been running a fund-raising campaign for the kidney centre at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Last week, he interviewed two siblings – a brother and sister. The sister had donated one of her kidneys to her brother, and it was so emotional hearing their testimonies.
Just this morning, Kwame interviewed Abigail, a lady who has issues with both her kidneys and in her words, is at Stage 4 (the worst is Stage 5). She has been living with this condition since 2007. Both kidneys are almost non-functional. She spoke about how her boyfriend deserted her, and when after two years he came looking for her, he asked her “What if you die after I have married you?” and left again. She spoke about the dreams she had growing up – wanting to marry at 28, have kids by 30, be a bubbly-happy girl. She spoke about her pain when she logs onto Facebook and sees her friends displaying their children. She cried throughout their interview.
She was not the only one who cried.
On the morning of 6 March 2012, I woke up to the news of the passing of one of the actors and film directors I admired so much – Godwin Kotey. He died of cancer. He was studying for his PhD in the United States of America and probably just returned home, to do the transition to the land of his ancestors in the midst of family.
On 12 March 2012, I logged on to Facebook, to the page of my friend Maximus Ametorgoh, and read the disturbing news of the demise of David Blake, a former presenter at Sunny FM in Accra. I had met David at the studios of Sunny FM in December 2011 when I went to speak about my books and writing in general, with host Eugene Arthur-Sam. I had heard Blake’s name and voice on radio but never met him. He walked into the studio, and I found him to be very warm. We got to chatting about books and he told me about a book review program he was planning to start. I autographed a copy of Tales from Different Tails for him and got the priviledge of taking a picture with him and Eugene. We connected on Facebook soon after. David Blake died of kidney complications, I understand.
Life is a gift. And listening to Abigail, I reflected on the perspectives of life again. We have a lot to be thankful for. And to be humble. And to appreciate that we are but grass. And to be close to our God. And to help others.
Rest in peace, Godwin and David. Abigail had an offer from an anonymous caller to Kwame to take her to India for a kidney transplant, all expenses paid. I will be rooting and praying for you, Abigail. May God give you a new lease of life and get your dreams back on track.
Posted in Uncategorized on February 19, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
When Whitney Houston died this past weekend, I was shocked by the amount of grief and the wave of emotions I experienced. In disbelief, I watched myself undergo the five stages of grief for someone I had never met and did not know intimately. You see, I am not the type who feels personally invested in celebrities. In fact, I abhor our increasingly celebrity obsessed culture and often wish that we would lay off the blind adulation just a tidbit.
Posted in Uncategorized on February 7, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
When I was in either Form 1 or 2 (can’t remember for sure) in Ghana National College, one of the fearsome seniors we had was Senior Vandyke, a tall lanky guy who was suspected to sample some herbal delights. Snr Vandyke used to make us write down what we would bring to him for the next term. This contract/promise was signed off at the end of the preceding term.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 17, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
World Cup history – Uruguay 1930
Only 13 nations took part in the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay, with a majority of seven coming from south America, but it proved a huge success.
The referee blew the final whistle six minutes early, realised his mistake and then had to call the players, some of whom were already in the bath, back to finish the game.
Of the last eight, Spain and Italy required a replay to separate them after drawing 2-2 at the end of extra-time.
They played again the next day, with Italy’s Guiseppe Meazza scoring the only goal of the game.
On Sunday 10 June, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini called the nation to a standstill in anticipation of a glorious triumph for Italy. Mussolini saw the competition as a chance to spread fascist propaganda, something that cast a shadow over the tournament.
World Cup history – France 1938
Brazil and Czechoslovakia’s first match ended in an all-out brawl, with three players sent off and two taken to hospital.
Dr Ottorino Barassi, the Italian Fifa vice-president, kept the trophy safe in a shoe-box under his bed throughout the Second World War.
World Cup history – Brazil 1950
India pulled out because Fifa would not let them play in bare feet.
Defeat was too much for the Brazilian officials and they forgot to present the trophy to the winners, leaving Jules Rimet himself to seek out the Uruguayan captain and belatedly do the honours.
World Cup history – Switzerland 1954
There were some incredible scorelines, with 26 matches producing 140 goals at an average of 5.38 goals per game.
As expected, Hungary bulldozed their way through their group, beating Korea 9-0 and an under-strength West Germany 8-3, before knocking out Brazil 4-2 in the last eight.
The game ended in an all-out brawl in the dressing room after three players were sent off.
Despite going 3-0 up, the Swiss were beaten 7-5 by Alpine rivals Austria in the quarter-finals, a World Cup record for the number of goals in a game.
West Germany defeated Yugoslavia in the last eight and demolished Austria 6-1 in the semis to set up a rematch against Hungary in the final.
World Cup history – Sweden 1958
Brazil won their first World Cup in a finals that marked the arrival on the world stage of the incomparable Pele.
Before the final, Brazil had the Swedish cheerleaders banned from the pitch because they were worried they would give the hosts an added advantage. But, when Brazil won, the entire nation showed the world just how to celebrate.
World Cup history – Chile 1962
A fan threw a bottle at Brazilian Garrincha, hitting him on the head, after he was sent off during the semi-final against Chile. He replied by parading the Chilean flag after Brazil won the final, but there was plenty of violence involving the teams as well.
It started in the opening round, with the worst trouble occurring in the game between Italy and hosts Chile, which became known as the “Battle of Santiago”.
Italy’s Ferrini was sent off and had to be dragged from the pitch by police when he refused to walk.
Team-mate Mario David was also ordered off when he retaliated to a punch in the face by kicking his opponent’s neck.
World Cup history – England 1966
A dispute over qualification meant 16 African nations refused to take part, but Portugal was among those who did so for the first time.
England beat the South Americans 1-0 but the match was played in a bad spirit. It was held up for 10 minutes when Argentina’s captain, Antonio Rattin, was sent off and refused to go, before he was finally dragged away.
The final match was not without controversy, as a Russian linesman awarded England their third goal after the ball hit the bar and bounced onto the ground.
TV replays failed to prove if the ball had crossed the line, and 40 years after the event it remains a major talking point.
World Cup history – Mexico 1970
Brazil took the Jules Rimet trophy home for good after a wonderful display of attacking football helped beat Italy.
Holders England had a difficult build-up to the tournament. They were labelled “thieves and drunks” by the Mexican press and defensive lynchpin Bobby Morre was arrested on trumped-up shoplifting charges in Colombia. He was bailed to play in the tournament.
West Germany came up against Italy in the last four, with Franz Beckenbauer forced to play with his arm in a sling. His courage went unrewarded and the Italians ran out 3-2 winners in extra-time to earn their first final appearance for 32 years.
World Cup history – West Germany 1974
Off the pitch there was little harmony among the West Germans and their players were constantly at loggerheads with the authorities over player bonuses.
Bad feeling remained after the final and the team’s victory celebrations were spoiled when several players walked out of the banquet after officials barred their wives.
World Cup history – Argentina 1978
Argentina won their first World Cup – 48 years after reaching their first final – but the event was shrouded in controversy both on and off the pitch. There was huge opposition to Argentina hosting the event as the country was run by a military dictatorship.
There had been threats of a major boycott in protest at General Videla’s totalitarian regime. But many of the top footballing nations – and first-timers such as Iran and Tunisia – ended up going. However, when a leading tournament official was assassinated en route to his first press conference doubts about Argentina’s suitability to host the event intensified.
World Cup history – Spain 1982
The most bizarre incident came when Kuwait walked off the pitch in their game against France in Valladolid after a row over whether the referee had blown his whistle to stop play. They were ordered back on by Prince Fahid and France eventually won the match 4-1.
World Cup history – Mexico 1986
The Mexico World Cup was dominated by one man – Argentina’s Diego Maradona. He proved beyond doubt that he was the best player of his generation as he helped his country to their second World Cup with a win over West Germany.
But as well as moments of genius he plumbed the depths with his notorious “Hand of God” goal against England.
Colombia was scheduled to host the tournament but had to give up that right for financial reasons.
World Cup history – Italy 1990
A tournament dominated by negative, defensive football proved memorable for England’s showing – their best in football’s showpiece event since 1966.
England lost on penalties in the semi-finals to West Germany who went on to win probably the worst final in history for their third title.
They beat Argentina 1-0 courtesy of a dubious Andreas Brehme penalty.
England’s semi-final in Turin produced one of the most vivid images of the tournament as Paul Gascoigne burst into tears after a booking which meant he would miss the final if his side went through. They did not.
World Cup history – USA 1994
There was a shocking postscript to the USA group match against highly-fancied Colombia when Andres Escobar was murdered on his return to the troubled South American country. Escobar had conceded an own goal in a surprise 2-1 defeat.
And controversy followed Argentina’s Diego Maradona who was banned mid-tournament after taking illegal, performance-enhancing drugs.
World Cup history – France 1998
Brazil had required penalties to get past Holland in their semi-final and the game had taken its toll.
And on the day of the final mystery surrounded the “convulsion” Ronaldo suffered the night before the game.
The striker was first left off the team-sheet and then reinstated after rushing to the Stade de France when a hospital check-up gave him the all clear.
World Cup history – Japan & South Korea 2002
French boss Roger Lemerre was sacked after the reigning champions and Euro 2000 winners went out without scoring following shock losses to Senegal and Denmark.
More than three million people took to the streets of Korean capital Seoul to celebrate the defeat of Italy.
Posted in Uncategorized on January 1, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 5,600 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 5 trips to carry that many people.
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