THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE TO NATION BUILDING AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY AND STABILITY OF AFRICA

2nd PRICE WINNER OF DAFI STUDENT ASSOCIATION, GHANA ESSAY COMPETITION:

Proverbs asserts, “The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks” African nations have no right to create uproar and imminent chaos for ourselves by ignoring the solid importance of Peace! A great transition of Africa’s suffering is linked to Africans inabilities to recognize the significance of Peace to Nation Building and Economic Sustainability and Stability. As a young Liberian youth residing on the Buduburam Settlement, my eyes and ears have fetched the awful distress of violent conflicts, political instability, or unjust policies and practices overlooking ‘Peace,’ the final source of Africa’s liberation. I am convinced that all Africans, especially 21^st Century youths must take an oath of speaking Peace and permanently stick to our word. As my grandfather would affirm, “A word uttered cannot be taken back!”

An African ancestor once declared, “Peace is costly but it is worth the expense.” The term "peace-building" came into widespread use after 1992 when Boutros Boutros-Ghali, then United Nations Secretary-General, announced his Agenda for Peace (Boutros-Ghali, 1992). Since then, "peace-building" has become a broadly used but often ill-defined term connoting activities that go beyond crisis intervention such as longer-term development, and building of governance structures and institutions. African leaders must value peace because it creates love in the hearts of citizens to patronize, prioritize and protect their culture as they walk towards the progress of an ‘African success.’

Why Africa lags behind in Nation Building, Economic Sustainability and Stability is the subject of endless debates. I will not dwell on them at length here. My contention runs as follows: The peace development strategies in Africa that we must employ to produce the desired growth-related objectives must be identify.  In fact, the ability on the part of policy/decision makers to establish a meaningful "economic plan" to enhance stability for the good of the society (the common good) must be considered and implemented. Robert Fulghum wisely wrote, “Peace is not something you wish for; it's something you make, something you do, something you are, something you give away.”

Firstly, Nation-building refers to the process of constructing or structuring a national identity using the power of the state. In Africa, this process is important because it aims at the unification of the people or peoples within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable in the long run. On this note, the presence of peace enables Nation-building to involve the use of populace for major infrastructural development to foster social harmony and economic growth.

Consider what Rob Blagogevich remarked, “A successful economic development strategy must focus on improving the skills of the area's workforce, reducing the cost of doing business and making available the resources business needs to compete and thrive in today's global economy.” Eventually, peace multiplies Africa’s Economic Sustainability by creating an environment where the available resources can profit every African nation. Years back in my JSS class, I was asked: ‘Johnson, how can peace sustain Liberia’s economy?’ Obviously, my simple reply   was: ‘I think, when the hearts of all Liberians are fill with the spirit of love and desire for peace, it will stop the war so that, business people can invest to promote our economy.’ Presently, I believe that my rejoinder for tranquility is a necessary tool for all African nations.

Previously, I have learned that the emphasis of the United Nations has been on structural transformation, with a primary focus on institutional reform. I believe this strategy will promote the importance to the image of Nation Building and Economic Sustainability and the Stability of Africa. The value of peace to Africa is so good that the ancestors of our past struggle to posses it. My father would say, ‘Where there is peace there is hope. And where there is hope life gives birth to love. Love indeed gives birth to development.’

Secondly, African will never be stable without peace. The peace we seek from other foreign nations and great organizations are right in the hearts of every African. Peace can fix walls of all disadvantaged hearts across Africa. The foundation of all forms of development of Africa has its DNA in peace. Africa can and should not do away without it for the future of Africa highly depends on it.

Evidently, I have read that ‘Sustainable development’ is a pattern of resourceful mechanism   that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for future generations. The importance of Peace to Economic sustainability and stability of Africa is necessary to meet the need of the present generation, coupled with the positive actions of African leaders towards our future generations. Peace will tie the Economic Sustainability and stability together with a natural system of the development of Africa

Thirdly, Only peaceful hearts and peaceful minds enjoy freedom. I like what Rollo May said, “Freedom is man's capacity to take a hand in his own development. It is our capacity to mold ourselves.” A Ghanaian mother who struggle in Gomoa central market under a hot sun to sustain her eight kids, has more energy, courage and great determination to work if peace reign in her nation and among her fellow sisters and brothers.

Winston Churchill mused, “If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.” We should understand that the importance of peace to Nation Building and Economic Sustainability and Stability of Africa involves a full range of approaches, processes, and stages needed for transformation toward more sustainable, peaceful relationships and governance modes and structures. This can be done by building legal and human rights institutions as well as fair and effective governance and dispute resolution processes and systems. To be in effective peace-building activities requires careful and participatory planning; coordination among various efforts, and sustained commitments by both external and internal partners who want to see a developed Africa.

Over the past years as a youth, nothing bothers me so mush as knowing fully well that my host country – Ghana has the peace my nation Liberia seeks. And knowing this, it troubles me greatly to be thrown back by war. This is a worried and painful experience. The increase of civil wars and trans-boarder wars has turned Africa into a hotbed of ignominious strife. A friends said, ‘The last decade has witnessed the collapse of the nation-state in Somalia, Liberia, Rwanda and Congo, and the general failure of national development plans throughout the continent.’

Without peace, Africa cannot lock itself out from poverty, ignorance and diseases and must where necessary, respond to the competitive forces in Nation Building and Economic Sustainability and Stability. However, the blind pursuit of the dictates of the market will not engender the peace, stability and security that Africa needs. We must ask ourselves, ‘What does Peace mean for development?’ The American president, John F. Kennedy gently said, “Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”

To summarize the Importance of Peace to Nation Building and Economic Sustainability and Stability of Africa, let’s consider the recommendation of Mother Teresa, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Let it be noted that, the importance of Peace in this Essay is ‘an advance study for fundamental change, a mental appeal of young Africans as a means to foster stability, construct economic sustainability, and move forward with nation building.

Conclusively, the challenge of attaining sustained economic development, stability and building nations in Africa include both the removal of constraints and our ability to ask God for peace.  The gateway to peace is righteousness. It calls for partnership and collaboration between donor agencies, national governments, church institutions and local communities. Above all, African development must be built on values, which are at once social, economic, moral and religious. Bible declares, “If my people who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.” Genuine lasting peace comes from God through Jesus Christ, because Jesus is the Peace of this world.

Peace Promotes Nation Building

Peace Creates Economic Sustainability

Peace Procures Stability

God Bless AFRICA 

Youth Power! Conference 2010 on Joeforlove Birthday!!!

“Birthdays are nice to have, and spending it acquiring knowledge is worth a great moment.” 

- Johnson M D Johnson

On his birthday, Joseph M D Johnson is attending the Youth Power Conference 2010. The conference will be held at the KAMA CONFEFRENCE CENTRE, at 8 AM – 1 PM in Accra – Ghana. This year conference will focus on being agents of Spiritual ('C') change and change in our communities and workplaces ('G'). Eg.Becoming an Agent for Spiritual Change in Ghana by Nana Yaw Offei Awuku (Scripture Union) or Dr. Leslie Quarcoopome (Korle-Bu).

As a young agent of change, Johnson is enthusiastic about attending this conference because it will help develop his leadership abilities and enhanced his drive to pursue his purpose. He declares that, ‘our ability as young people to CONTROL and INFLUENCE must be developed on a regular basis.

Expected speakers shall include: Nana Yaw Awuku, Scripture Union; Dr. Esi Ansah, Ashesi University and Kingsley Kwayisi, HuD Group.

The focus this year (and indeed over the next three years) will not be so much the individual's benefit but the impact he/she can make in the following areas of C.H.A.N.G.E. :

C - C hurch

H - H ome

A - A irwaves (and media generally)

N - N ation

G - G hetto (communities and workplaces)

E - E ducational institution (schools, universities, colleges)

These are six (6) areas that describe all the fundamental facets of human endeavour. In numerology, six (6) is the number of MAN.

In 2009, Johnson was opportune to attend the Youth Power conference, he acquire great knowledge to focus on being agents of change in  Homes ('H') as well as being agents of Intellectual/Educational ('E') change. Eg. Becoming an Intellectual Powerhouse of Change in Ghana by Dr. Esi Ansah (Lecturer, Asheshi University ).

YouthPower! Conference is all about Young People inspiring other Young People!

Youth Power! is the eighth publication of The HuD Group, authored by Dr. Yaw Perbi. Essentially, Youth Power! is a guide for Young People on how to harness and unleash their God-given potential and live purposeful and fulfilling lives. In this book, several principles have been discussed which transcend issues that the youth tend to struggle with. Our primary objective in beginning this Youth Impacting Youth programme in 2005 called YouthPower! Conference was to get Young People to show other Young People that it is possible to achieve remarkable successes; age notwithstanding, once their energies and resources are focused and applied.

Johnson affiliates with the HuD Group and have always involve himself in organized events. At the Manifestation Youth Camp in 2006, he was opportune to sit under a motivational section of the founder, Dr. Yaw Perbi. And since his enchanter with Dr. Perbi, Johnson has always find it great sitting under his teachings and reading his life changes books including the ‘Six Sense, The Sex Sense.’

According to Johnson, it will be a deliberate waste not investing his birthday time into this conference. He says that, “I believe is the success of future! And the future of the HuD Group is bright. Such a great future comes from an angle of determined vision. And the Youth Power! Conference futures remarked: ‘We want to strategically raise about 1,000 identifiable youth who are inspired and empowered to be real agents of change in Ghana over the next 3 years . These will form not only a socio-economic base but a spiritual powerhouse as well as anintellectual think tank for the nation and ultimately, for the African continent.’”

YouthPower! Conference has always had the following three-fold purpose:

1. To bring together young people from all walks of life to share personal experiences of living emulatory lives.
2. To unearth talents and promote young entrepreneurs.
3. To encourage and inspire Young People to discover their God-given purpose and to live out their fullest potential.

Birthdays are nice to have, and spending it acquiring knowledge is worth a great moment. As a young leaders aspiring to become a great inspirational and motivational speaker, Johnson said, I recorded what Dr. Perbi last said, “Young People have immense potential locked up in the recesses of their being. Yet according to research by the Brain Institute at Stanford University , for example, the average person uses about 2% of his potential! Even Albert Einstein estimates he used about 15% of his!” http://www.youthpowerconference.com/ypc08.php

Pan-African Leadership Conference 2010

A young Liberian, DAFI Scholar and youth Advocate, Joseph M D Johnson, along with 150 Delegates cut across African, will be attending the Pan-African Leadership Conference. The Conference is being organized in Ghana on 2^nd & 6^th November 2010, under the theme: “Leading The Young Generation Of African Leaders On The Path Of Africa Development,” scheduled to be held at the J.H Nketia Conference Room, Kwame Nkrumah Complex, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra - Ghana.

Johnson as an African youth worker and a General Assembly member of the GIMPA Student Representative Council (GIMPA SRC) is working closely with the organizing committee of the conference to ensure an effective participation of youth across Africa. He have engaged and is ensuring that the Youth Empowerment for Progress (YEP www.myyep.blogspot.com) and other youth bodies fully partake in the conferences.

The guest of honour is Hon. Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Information. Other speakers shall include, Prof. Kofi Anyidoho, Chair of Dr. Nkrumah Stool, Institute of African Studies; Dr. Doris Dartey, Communication Consultant, Prof. Margaret Amoakohene, Director School of Communication Studies, University of Ghana; Ben Akumba, Country Director Amicus Onlus Ghana; Dr. Bossman E. Asare, Lecturer, Political Science Department, University of Ghana; Resource persons from Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and W.E.B. Du Bois Center.

On the 2^nd, delegates will be visiting 15 selected Embassies and High Commissions of African Countries in Ghana. The Embassies and High Commissions of African Countries shall orient the delegates on the developmental trend: Political, Social, Cultural and Economic dynamics of their home countries; and their way forward to future progress and development.

After the visit to the Embassies and High Commissions, delegates shall write speeches on the topic: “The Development Of Africa Whose Responsibility.” Among the written speeches, five will be selected and presented at the Conference (6^th), after which there shall be an open debate on the topic.

To contribute to Africa’s progress and development, Johnson has urge all young leaders who have aspired as a Young Pan-Africanist to commit themselves to the success of their nation and Africa at large. A special package at the conference shall include: Awards for Best Speech Presentation, Free Financial Coaching and Counseling, Certificate of Participation, Networking with Resource persons and becoming a pioneering member of the Pan-African Youth Parliament.

Goodbye F'Acid

It might not have been as it was said, ‘A man never knows how to say goodbye; a woman never knows when to say it.’ Kindly allow me to write it by saying…

It seems to me that you’ve made your choice

Like a butterfly smiling at a sun flower

Never know when the day will end

But it has self-confidence and determination

When the storm sets in on a new day

And I would have loved to make you smile

To know you better  ¾ to perfect your happiness

But I was just a skilled Joe

Not quick to make a decision

But I was too transparent

¾That you pictured the destinies of my sight

But I was a distance away

The butterfly’s beauty has changed long before¾

Your heart made a choice

Between the sun flower and your smiles,

There are 60 seconds pages

¾Recording and writing new destinies

On a bright day when the storm shall end

Let us learn, live and leave a lasting legacy

But I am just Joeforlove ­¾me of I am…

Not moved by simple actions

That you may have pictured with emptiness

The butterfly was smiling long before

¾Your heart’s choice regretted!!  

Thanks for the time,

8’s

Joe

Joseph M D Johnson' AMICUS Call To All African Youth

“I’m still optimistic about the future of Liberia, especially Africa! I come to tell young people: depict of all our past misery and current challenges as youth, I still have hope.”

Joseph M D Johnson, a sponsored DAFI Scholar, a young Liberian youth advocate and an African youth worker was privileged to attend a youth summit with fellow Ghanaian youths at the National Theatre, Accra (7th - 8th October, 2010). The 6th Amicus Youth Empowerment Summit have been organised by Amicus Onlus in partnership with Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.

The special guest of honour was H.E. John Dramani Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and the keynote speaker was Christopher Paul Gardner of Gardner Rich LLC. . In his deliberation, H.E. John Dramani Mahama said, “I wish to add my voice for all of us in Ghana to shoulders together and use the opportunities here in Ghana.’

Looking back at his country Liberia, he was glad to declare, ‘I’m impressed about the concerns of Ghanaian leaders to prepare their youth for a bright future. It pleases posterity to confidently know that by engaging the youth into educational activities, the dark clouds of poverty, diseases and ignorance are empty illusions.’ ‘youth of Africa must make a choice for change! You are either part of the problem or the solution. Don’t remain disengaged.’ Johnson further continued, ‘The policies that are designed by governments are for us. We must monitor and engage all government activities without fear and doubt. Our governments are highly depending on our ideas and thought for development.’

The AMICUS Youth Empowerment Summit today is the foremost platform for advocacy and awareness creation on entrepreneurship and youth development in Ghana. The project has grown from an earlier participation of 362 at the premier summit in 2005 to 1,112 participants at the 5th Summit in 2009.

The 6th edition of the AMICUS Youth Empowerment Summit commences the 2nd Five Year phase of the summit structure. Following five consecutive years of awareness creation, advocacy and sensitisation on youth entrepreneurship and job creation, the needed fertile ground has now been provided to partner and support the youth to create their own job. This 2nd phase has therefore been designed to support the youth of Ghana to establish social enterprises that address peculiar challenges within their districts.

Johnson has called upon all African youth to take the development process of their nations and pursuing a positive change as a daily obligation, serious. He have remarked that, Liberia have come over 160 years saying we need a New Liberia. And with a demand, African youth must understand that the continent is currently made up only 10% of the world’s population, which is rapidly expanding. With the growth rate of 3%...we have inherited a system with more than 680,000,000 people.

Chris Gardner, popularly known for the movie that was based on his autobiography - The Pursuit of Happiness brings his vast experience, knowledge and great accomplishments in Corporate America, to the 6th summit. In his introduction, Mr Gardner said, “I think we need to talk and make this a part of our annual youth involvement.” He seeks to inspire and motivate Ghana’s young corporate executives on the theme, “Attitude: The Game Changer”.

Aside this detour, Chris Gardner was expected to engage the youth of Ghana on a one-on-one mentoring and aspirational encounter on how to win with the right attitude.

The Summit was a platform for advocacy and awareness creation on entrepreneurship and youth development. Some of the speakers that have graced this summit are: Dr. Kofi Amoah, Prof. Michael Hay (London Business School UK), Rev. Dr. Caeser Atuire (The Vatican, Italy), Hon. Akua Sena Dansua (Minister Youth and Sports), Hon. Joseph Yieleh Chireh (Min. Local Government) and Hon. Hannah Tetteh (Min. Trade & Industry).

According to the host, Akumba Ben Asamoaning remarked, “I want to engage you to create job for yourself and job for others. We see the potential in you. We believe with the right motivation we can become accomplished. This is why Chris Gardner is here, to help inspire us to achieve more.” Mr. Asamoaning added that, “To do this, we need capacity building. If you are thinking to expand in both scope and size, we cannot do it alone. This is why Prof. Michael Hay is here from London Business School, UK.”

Johnson finally mused, ‘I’m still optimistic about the future of Liberia, especially Africa! I come to tell young people: depict of all our past misery and current challenges as youth, I still have hope. With the evidence of the hard work of our forefathers, I’m still optimistic about Africa. I still don’t know if all of all have the political will or courage…but I’m certain that the future is bright!’

POEM: Lost In The Cear Of Fear

Lost in the care of fear
Feelings were lonely but near
Two hearts stood at a distance afar
Sending sweet feelings in words so deep and far
Their mind slowly embraced the ‘txt pleasure
Great danger that love could not measure
Both hearts ignorantly accepted love’s tesion
Rocking their sleepless night with great emotion
Within their hearts, resistance was strong
So strong, kindly refusing bitter pain from among
Attention had them smiling
As distance affection, had them crying
They were lost in the radiance of love—
The true feelings to accept from above
But fear had them still
Their hearts were hard but ill
Dry smiles corrupted their lovely will
Indeed will —inventing the malady of sweet pill
Words of emotion touched down, deep in their hearts
Like bitter joy tearing down beauty apart
And to one, it was a divine mystery
To another, it was a sweet misery
The more they deny the content they will share
Pretence proudly pours upon them with intelligent fear
Boldness, intelligence and courage spoke aloud
As value, care and beauty wisped to allow
—Allowing two heats admire the attraction of love
Life’s greatest happiness to wish all hearts is ove
Both dreams were locked in their imagination
Thoughts of feelings to wish all was an illusion
Lips was kissed in their mind
Tender hips was squeezed but never to be find
Deep in their eyes were distances yearning—
—yearning to be touched and felt every morning
The voice of her tender breast cry for his simple chest
The words of his unique txt kept calling for her request
Smiling night patiently watch their created pain
A remarkable moment to whish love was a gain
And when one suggested an immediate end
End to wish a suggestion was indeed approved
Both hearts were sad but far
Silently enjoying the wonderful regrets so afar
Memories to which all lovers must appreciate
Carelessly wasting expensive time of all they have ate
But do these two hearts love dearly?Or can they fall in love so clearly?

Knowing fully well their true feeling exist
True love which cannot be resist
Sending feelings in words so deep and far
Lost in the care of Fear!


Happy Val!


8’s


Joeforlove