Path to National Transformation ?
posted February 2010 by Dr. Benard Etta
We will begin this sensitive topic by answering some important questions which will help shed light on our subject matter. Don't forget, it is questions that change the world and not answers. May be this will inspire you to start asking questions in the quest to find answers to complex challenges. “Ask and you shall receive”.
WHAT IS NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION?
National transformation is the holistic evolution of a society or nation in its structures and system of operation in a given time in relation to its socio-economic, geo-politico and cultural demands. National transformation is an imperative for the progressive development of a nation or society and its subsequent survival. It is worthwhile to note that, it must be holistic for its full impact to be evident. It must influence all segments and sectors of society.
WHY IS NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION IMPERATIVE?
It is imperative because the survival of a nation and its progressive relevance depends on it. When a nation remains stagnant in her structures and systems of operation for a long time, it will create a situation of stress and friction on its operative dynamics, thereby putting the entire citizenry in acute frustration and bewilderment. A nation is like a living organism and its survival is linked to its continuous growth. National transformation is a science which places a demand on its practitioners for its full actualization.
WHO INFLUENCES WHAT IN NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION?
Two main actors are involved in the process of national transformation; we have the government and the governed. The government must play a visionary role that is; to define the whole process of transformation and then communicate it to the governed. Defining the process does not mean the government is to do everything by herself. The government sets the tone and creates the environment for creativity from both within herself or from without. It is also worthwhile to note that, sometimes the government’s only hope is when she realizes that she could equally mine out innovative and creative ideas from the governed which can be helpful. Government must not see herself as alpha and omega thereby shutting up all avenues for sensitive contribution from the citizenry. National transformation is quicker when there is collaboration between the government and governed. Note: the term governed does not define a situation where the citizenry operates as mindless people with little to contribute. In Africa, the term governed has been taken as a description for people subjugated and left without room to express but to just expect. That is an illusion. The power of a nation is in the hands of the people (the governed). Any nation where the people are subjugated and not given the opportunity to freely express their potential, will remain caged in her history of stagnation and poverty. That’s why, the governed must get involve in the national transformation process of their nations. They can't sit complacently expecting the government to perform a miracle for national transformation to take place; they must be part of the process at every stage of the journey. This is the secret of the American society; they have a vibrant civil society, independent tink-tanks, consultancies etc. A sensitive and intelligent government will create avenues of consultation with the governed through which she can mine insight and creativity to deal with some issues.
WHEN IS NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION NEEDED?
National transformation is needed when the symptoms of stagnation and lack of direction are evident in a nation's experience. These symptoms don't necessarily spell out doom, they are simple signs that the holistic structures and systems on which a nation operates are not changing to accommodate its fresh challenges. That is, it is outdated and desperately needs change. When nothing is done in such moments to birth a new direction in favour of national transformation, the stress and frustration accumulate and may have long run consequences on a nation.
HOW CAN NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION BE ACHIEVED?
Certain conditions must be met as prerequisite for the process of national transformation to take place. Get that in the next edition of Nation Builder.
By Benard Etta
CEO Nation Builders International
..The 21st Century
posted Febuary 2010 by Helen EttaHelen Etta
2010: What is possible for you and your Nation?
I love stories of people who, despite daunting obstacles, achieve seemingly impossible outcomes. I have a daughter with special needs. She has taught me that people who face physical challenges can live extraordinary lives.
Many people deemed “handicapped” or “physically disabled” are taught to believe they are limited. However, what about the rest of us?
How many limiting ideas about yourself have you accepted? As I grow personally and as I work with clients, we continually unearth ideas that keep us stuck and sabotage our progress.
That brings me to an inspiring story I learned of in a movie called Emmanuel's Gift. As you read this, see if any of your own limiting beliefs surface.
Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah was born in Ghana in 1977 with only one leg. His parents were advised to end their son's life. But Emmanuel's mother, Comfort, refused to listen. She believed her son was special and had a destiny to fulfill.
Her mindset challenged the status quo. The rest of her community (and most of her fellow countrymen) believed that disabled people are a curse and that they are destined to beg. Comfort saw her son differently. Regardless of a missing leg, she taught her son that he was on Earth for a purpose and that he could do anything other children could do. Because the mother decided to keep her child, Emmanuel's father abandoned the family.
Emmanuel's mom pushed him to attend school, encouraged him to play with the other able-bodied children and expected him to be an important part of her family and community. Thus, Emmanuel grew up with an “I Can” mindset.
When Emmanuel was only 13, he traveled to Accra where he could earn money to support the family by shining shoes. Several years later his story took a dramatic turn. His mother fell ill and passed away. Rather than being crushed by his loss, Emmanuel honored his mother's teachings with a bold idea. He decided that he would bike across Ghana to show everyone that being disabled in body did not preclude him from achieving great things.
What a big dream he had! Many thought it impossible. How could any impoverished young man from Ghana accomplish something like this –let alone one with only one leg? Emmanuel paid no attention. He focused instead on possibilities. He was not going to give up; he was determined to find a plan to fulfill his dream.
Eventually, Emmanuel learned about the Challenged Athlete Foundation, a non-profit organization in the United States. He wrote a heartfelt letter explaining his goal and requesting $1,000. To his delight, Emmanuel was granted the money. He bought a bike and prepared for his cross-country journey.
In 2002, Emmanuel biked 380 miles across Ghana and he did it with one-leg. This feat drew attention from the national media and Emmanuel soon found himself a spokesman championing the rights of the physically disabled in his country.
Emmanuel didn't stop there. He set the bar even higher. With sponsorship, he entered and completed a 56-mile triathlon held in San Diego, California. The next step amazed even him. In 2003 Emmanuel received a free medical procedure that enabled him to be fitted with a prosthetic leg. He was finally able to walk on two legs! Not only did Emmanuel Yeboah accomplish astounding personal goals, he has also inspired the disabled throughout Ghana to see their own value. Because of him, an entire nation is rethinking their view of people with physical disabilities.
If a young, one-legged boy from Ghana can achieve his dreams and help transform his nation's mindset, then what is it that holds us back from creating the changes we want for our personal lives and for our own country?
What if Emmanuel's mom had meekly accepted society's negative views? What if she had assumed that her son could amount to nothing more than a beggar? Even if she had spared her child's life, she would probably have never sent him to school. She might have kept him at home, embarrassed because of his deformity. Emmanuel might have accepted society's verdict for him and never allowed himself to dream. How sadly different would Emmanuel's story have been if such limiting beliefs had held sway. How tragic that Ghana would have been robbed this new understanding.
Mindset determines how we spend our time, energy and money.
I invite you to look closely at your mindset as you enter 2010. What do you believe you can accomplish? What are you “sure” you can't ever achieve? Can you see that much of what will happen is based on what you believe is possible?
Here are a few questions to contemplate:
Do you say I CAN'T or I CAN? Do you say We as a Nation CAN'T or We as a Nation CAN?
Do you rehearse problems or do you dialogue about solutions?
Do you dismiss things as impossible or open to seeing hidden opportunities?
Do you focus on judgment and criticism of others or are you looking for the good in them?
Please answer these questions with an honest heart. They will help you grow and stretch.
Notice how powerful you would become if you chose these thoughts and words:
I can do anything I decide to do. We as a Nation can do anything we decide to do.
I am a solution driven thinker. We find solutions to our national issues.
Opportunities are bountiful when I am willing to see them.
I see the best in people and help them see it too. I see the potential in my country and do my part to help her develop.
A simple change in the thoughts and words we choose can produce drastically different results in our lives and in our Nation.
What will you think and say as you enter 2010? Your assignment is to sit down and answer the questions I posed above. Simply be honest. Then, choose at least one of these affirmative statements and write it down. Carry it with you. Throughout the day read it or even say it aloud. Practice using these new words in conversations and just notice how with time, your confidence and personal power begin to grow.
I believe in your power to reach your full potential in life. I believe in our power to collectively improve my nation. Remember, if a one-legged Ghanaian boy can do it, so can you!
A Personal Note to the millions of Africans with physical challenges: I offer each of you my love and respect. Having a daughter with special needs, I know first-hand how courageous and resilient each one of you are! Life is challenging for you. I honor the amazing spirit you demonstrate. I believe in you. I know you have special gifts to give the world. Open to being shown the unique role you can play, the specific gifts you can give.
Ignore those who see you as limited and unable to achieve goals. Don't believe them. Instead, believe in yourself. Awaken the spirit within. Make the most of the body and mind you have been given for this earthly journey. Don't hide. Don't be silent. Show your heart; raise your voices.
Don't buy into any collective thinking that seeks to relegate you to a second-rate life. Request more from your countrymen and your government. You deserve the support and supplies you need to live to YOUR fullest potential. You deserve access to jobs. Use your words and actions to show your fellow citizens that you have value. You are here on earth for a purpose. You have your own unique contributions to make to yourselves, your families and your society! With my firm belief in your inestimable value, Patricia Omoqui
Please share this note with anyone you know who has a physical disability.
Food For Thought
“Believe it is possible to solve your problem. Tremendous things happen to the believer. So believe the answer will come. It will.” (Norman Vincent Peale)
By Patricia G. Omoqui
The Thought Dr. ™, is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker, life coach and writer. Patricia's mission in life is to inspire people to move beyond fear so they can reach their full potential.
To share your thoughts about this article, please email us at myopinion@nationbuildersint.org
Pioneer Association For The Rehabilitation of Single Mothers and Children
posted Febuary 2010 by Ngwa Martha CEO
INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO OF THE ASSOCIATION NGWA MARTHA
NB: Pioneer Association, what is it al about?
Pioneer Wonder: Pioneer is a 21st century vision with the aim of rehabilitating stranded single mothers and children, eradicating ignorance and confusion from their minds and usher them into a new mindset of solution providers to the seemingly insurmountable problems, proof-producers, path finders and trail blazers.
NB: What prompted you or inspired you to launch such project?
Pioneer Wonder: This project is the brain child of a vision I had in 2004 about the grass field girl and her present predicament of confusion, misdirection and her destiny that of a direction provider. From personal experience I realized that a single mother when informed of who she is especially through self discovery and self development can become a force to reckon with and resourceful personnel for the eradication of world misery despite her present state of misdirection and confusion. In short, the cry of the beloved single mothers baptized me with a passion that propelled me into taking the giant step of creating the vision of Pioneers.
NB: For how long have you been in operation and what are the results achieved?
Pioneer Wonder: The vision started in 2004 just with an office and library in Ntambessi Nkwen, later on in 2005, the rehabilitation centre was created with an intake of forty-two single mothers and their children. Due to the need for education and illumination, the Pioneers institute for social security came into being, after all emancipation is inside not outside and it can only be orchestrated through quality education (Quality education is the process of information which is capable of inspiring, motivating, preparing, activating, challenging and transforming common person into a hyper resourceful individual). The world is short of life because one is short of light which is insight and if single mothers receive insight or light, they will experience freedom despite all odds.
NB: What are some of the challenges you have with the ladies under your care?
Pioneer Wonder: Their major problem being ignorance requires time, the desire to learn and take initiative in practicing what they have acquired. But if they resist training because they are being strained, it delays the process of mind illumination and regeneration and such slows down progress, their major challenge is in these two areas of learning: Mentorship and observation which with time and efforts things be fine.
NB: What can be done to reduce the number of single mothers in the future?
Pioneer Wonder: Love in practical terms from their mentors can help put an end to this cacophony prevalent in the world called single motherhood. Single motherhood is an eyesore in the 21st century and demands for red hot passion for its eradication.
What are your plans for 2010?
Pioneer Wonder: We have a threefold project in 2010 namely: the acquisition of a plot, the construction of a media centre for the North-West Region and the purchase of a Hilux for field work trips
Motivation: Wake Up and Get out
posted Febuary 2010 by CK Rostand Blaise
Check out this roll call of `failures´,
Have you seen anything like this before?
Abraham Lincoln- All time record for consecutive political defeats- 1831, 1833, 1836, 1838, 1840, 1848, 1855, 1856 and 1858: Lost all self-attempted projects covering grounds of business to 8 political public post elections.
Thomas Edison- Unprecedented, unmatched number of unconventional experimental foul- ups… partially due to his never having seen the four walls of university.
Isaac Newton-Next to lowest in his form!
OLIVER GOLDSMITH-Bottom of the class!
JAMES RUSSEL LOWELL- Suspended from Harvard University for complete indolence.
MARY KAY ASH- glorified failure in business after putting her life savings on the line to start a business.
BENSON IDAHOSA- Dumped in a dustbin to die; had no formal education and was rejected.
Each of these people possessed one quality that separates achievers from mediocre: A tenacity that insists on pushing on and trying again, no matter how many times defeats may encounter in the past. It is as the cliché goes: WINNERS NEVER QUIT AND THOSE THAT QUIT, NEVER WIN! Put aside the excuses.
History has shown that not even an impoverish background or imperfect health can stop the strong resolution of the human spirit unleashed by will never be stable because circumstances or situations move you, circumstances are part of life.
Ninety-percent of all those who fail aren't actually defeated. They simply quit instead of persisting. Failing is not a proof that you are a failure, your quitting is. I have learned that the success formula is failure+ failure +not giving up. Wake up to think about it, where the heart is willing, it will find a thousand ways: where it unwilling it will find a thousand excuses.
Abraham Lincoln went forward and won the presidential election of the United States two years after his last defeat.
Thomas Edison gave us the electric bulb and the voice recorder. Isaac Newton went forward to become the great physicist who propounded many of the theories on whose platform, technological breakthroughs stand.
Mary Kay has a multi-million dollar business in her name.
Benson Idahosa redefined Christianity in Africa with breaths taking insights, impeccable and undiluted wisdom. The honey lies in the carcass of the lion, but you have to face it “…yet a little sleep. Yet a little slumber” is the fastest way to fight poverty, frustration and despair take us.
Archbishop B. A. Idahosa ( of blessed memory ) once said “many of us dream dreams that will never materialize because we forget to wake up” To wake up is the first step, to get up is the most important. Everything gets above you until you get up, everything gets you down until your light shines, stop being complacent, just WAKE UP AND GET OUT.