KB Asante: Voice From Afar column

I have a room cluttered with newspapers, magazines and journals which feature articles I consider worth keeping for future reference.  Of course, I have to get rid of them now because of life’s constraints! But it is good to visit the forebodings of the past and muse over man’s failure to learn.

The heading of this article is an adaptation of the front headline in London’s Evening Standard of June 6, 2011.  The paper launched a campaign to get London reading.  According to the paper, ‘One million working adults cannot read’.  Education Secretary Michael Gove was reported to have said that ‘Children who cannot read are condemned to spend their entire life in a prison house of ignorance’. What impressed me was that the paper did not merely moan about the terrible illiteracy.  It tried to do something about it.  It supported reading volunteers in schools and challenged readers to join a band of volunteers who helped children to read.

Here in Ghana, we do not seem to realise that we can often help to stop the downward slide in many areas of social and economic life.  In the case of reading, there are to the national credit a few voluntary organisations in the field.  We need more of this personal and group involvement.  Blaming the government and expatiating on what should be done is not sufficient.  In the area of reading, we are partly responsible.  We are too busy making money or dressing our hair and painting our nails that we do not have time to read to and with our children.  Time was when books were given as presents for birthdays and on other festive occasions.  Today, we give children what will easily occupy them and to adults something ‘useful’.  Of course, we should not give gifts which are not of much use.  But books which reveal the real human situation; books which entertain; and books which encourage thinking and reflection are necessary if we are to banish ignorance to its native darkness.

We cannot read much if the books are not there or if many are not written for us.  I am, therefore, delighted to see that of late, Ghanaians are writing and recently, we have a book launch almost every week.  It is only through reading, appreciation of problems and issues and discussions that we can identify what is wrong and charter a better future.  We cannot complain and ask our leaders to solve problems which we compound by our actions.  We must develop the culture of sharing our life experiences.

I am, therefore, glad that my former colleague, Edwin Barnes,  is launching his book ‘In The Service of Country’ on June 10 at the Coconut Grove Hotel.  We cannot implement the 22-point Senchi Accord without understanding the administrative system and the culture of the public service.

Before you read this, I would have had the pleasure of attending the launch of ‘Can You Hear the Angels Sing’ by our renowned Rev. Prof. Seth Ayettey.  We are lucky to have such eminent scientists take to the literary field, especially the high reaches beyond what we see and touch.  I believe that Ghana cannot turn round the corner without uplift in the moral plane.  And if you know the terrible experience of the learned Professor you will stop and think about your purpose in life.

My good friend Alhaji Rahim Gbadamosi is soon to publish his ‘Events in my Life’.  With so many problems in education it would be most helpful to hear from a distinguished teacher who has graced the highest office of the Education Service.  We need more reflections from our educationists.

The high sense of duty and professionalism of the public servant came to light in the book of Dr Bettina Ama Boohene-Andah.  ‘The President’s Physician’ shows that our women do not need ‘affirmative’ action to rise to the top.  What we have to do is to remove the impediments to their education and progress through the ranks and to deal ruthlessly with those who rape and molest women.

Reading should not only help the education of children.  It should be enjoyed by them and by us.  It should widen our horizon as does music and art, which are unfortunately not so much promoted in our education system.  I was, therefore, pleased to attend the opening of the art exhibition by my friend Kweku Afrikabba at the Du Bois Centre last Thursday.  The paintings revealed a novel aspect of the universe of stars.  It made me ask ‘what is greedy and puny man that Thou art mindful of him?’ There were not many people at the centre but I think our kleptomaniac ‘big’ men and women should be made to visit such exhibitions.

We should awaken the inner eye to supplement reading which we should enjoy even as it saves us from the prison house of ignorance.