By: Napoleon Ato Kittoe
Good to know that a vacuum left unattended for a very long time in Ghana has found worthy content without a loud ambiance. It is refreshing to find a constructive practice being introduced into the fabric of Ghanaian society, and making a difference in people’s lives. This gives a glimmer of hope in the pool of bad news which constantly surrounds us,
It is a truism the population has a high sense of awareness from the constant bombardments of traditional and new media.
Coverage of mobile telephony in Ghana is extensive, with the increasing digitization of platforms as an added advantage. It is however one thing knowing something and another thing putting knowledge into beneficial uses.
The rate at which new knowledge is applied to our lives puts us on the path to enlightenment and refinement. That is the other end of the spectrum which takes only a little yet many are struggling to attain.
Poverty, passitivity, carelessness, laxity, indecision and ignorance characterize the communities and these require the counteractive force of education.
Ghana has not got a national counselling authority which by definition, an enhancement of information because counseling is a special-purpose vehicle delivered through interpersonal communication.
Other agencies meant to fill information void are variously in a dormant state, not alive to their responsibilities, or parochial in nature.
The vacuum left by mandated and volunteer organisations is being filled up by the country programme of IFAD, the Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP), with direct supervision by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
Who would have known this but for the testimonies given by participants of the Gender Action Learning System. This does not suggest inaction on the part of public relations function. It rather reflects walking the talk with less talk and this is what progressive societies do. More action, less talking.
GASIP’s main focus is providing logistical assistance for increased productivity and incomes by smallholder farmers.
The gender component is the one abbreviated as G.A.L.S, and this is a platform for a kind of impartation that transforms all other aspects of life. It is an engagement on realism and not superstition, thus its nature is mundane, practical and verifiable.
Flowing from this, it is now known that many lives that are stagnating to the point of wasting away is the result of not only the lack of career guidance but also life counseling.
A phase of such engagements took place at Gomua Potsin in the Gomua East district. This town is located in Ghana’s Central region which stands in close proximity with the national capital Accra, yet these are sharp contrasting scenes of poverty and glamour.
Raising people out of the shadows of life is avowed commitment of GASIP, so Gomua Potsin and its environs fit well into the agenda.
The Gender Action Learning System asks participants to reveal their life goals and state by which means they may be attained.
The class is then divided into smaller cells where the members put imaginations and thoughts into pictorial essays. They put their wish lists in illustrative diagrams which they are expected to attach to walls in their homes to serve as reminders.
GASIP educators then advise the participants to live sensibly by not deviating the course but prudent with scarce resources. This encourages savings and builds a gradualistic approach in learners.
A participant from Gomua Ojobi, Naomi Armah said, the project had repositioned her to live much fruitful life. She has stopped wasting her meagre resources on unnecessary things and is now focused in doing business to better her life.
From Gomua Buduatta, Evelyn Mensah said, she had diversified her sources of income, adding cooked food business to dressmaking. Also, a savings she embarked on rescued her when her dressmaking shop caught fire and items were destroyed.
A 19-year-old called Anita Opoku who came from Gomua Kweikrom sells cosmetics which she is now minding with prudence to attain greater objectives such furthering her education and owning a house.
The men were not left out, and their presence was very conspicuous. Isaac Agblortsi who traveled from Gomua Techiam to Potsin, is not a first time participant.
He said, G.A.L.S has reshaped his perspective on marriage, thus he has moved away from the straight jacket regime to greater complementary role in the home.
There was a tall list with varied and positive accounts, all inspired by the forum.
A course facilitator, who is Mozambican, Madam Helena Zefanias Lowe said, people need inspiration to straighten up, with the understanding that they are capable of changing their own lives and being change agents themselves in society.
Now, imagine the constructive lives that would emerge from counselings such as this, where participants nudged into action, become the architects of their own future irrespective of the pace on their inclinations.
How ants take time to build their anthills, a form of a mound with various chambers, is perfect imagery for life of participants in the free world after this GASIP experience.
