Ghana’s chief psychiatrist, Dr Akwesi Osei, has made the startling announcement that his own psychiatric doctors, responsible for the mental health of the nation, are themselves suffering from mental disorders! He has not stated whether he has included himself in this diagnosis.
Did he know these doctors were mad when they were employed, or have they become disordered under his administration? It is certainly a serious state of affairs especially for those who need treatment! Read more…
A list of 84 bloggers has been handed to the Bangladeshi government demanding they are given the death penalty. Their ‘crime’ was to be human rights activists, freethinkers, skeptics, rationalists, philosophers, scientists, secularists and atheists. In an attempt to maintain the political power of Islam they are labelling any freethinkers as blasphemers and giving them the option to ‘repent’ or die.
Ahmed Rajib, 35, has already been murdered by having his head hacked apart by machete in his home for being critical of Islamist groups. Other bloggers have been arrested and Asif Mohiuddin, 29, has been viciously attacked.
Sonja Eggerickx, president of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) commented: Read more…
There is a certain type of religious person I meet in Ghana, unfortunately usually a Christian, who makes the accusatory statement – “Why should you care? What’s it to do with you?” – when those of us who write, or are activists, make critical statements about what we perceive to be religious, political or societal wrongs. This is often supported by “leave it to God” or their misunderstanding of the bible passage “Thou shalt not judge”.
Whether our observations are right or wrong is rarely debated: their statements are demands to be silent. One might ask the stereotyped question “What would Jesus do?” because it’s clear he defended the oppressed, spoke out against injustice and challenged the religious leaders of his day. Read more…
Dear God,
I know this might come as a bit of a surprise to you but I’ve decided to believe in you.
You see lots of Christians seemed very concerned about me and my friends and often ask us ‘why can’t you just believe in God and then you won’t have to worry when you die’.
Well I thought this was a very strong intellectual argument so I’ve decided to give it a go. In fact I’m going to believe in you right……wait for it…..NOW! There, how does that feel? I haven’t to admit I don’t feel any different but I’m sure it’s made a huge difference to your existence. I guess I should ask, “how do you feel God?”, knowing that I now believe in you.
I know it might seem a little intellectually dishonest to believe in something that I don’t, but hey, people convince themselves to believe all sorts of stuff every day don’t they? And what’s a little loss of integrity amongst friends if it means I’ll be OK when I die? Read more…
It really came as a complete surprise when informed that this blog has been nominated for Best Activist blog in Ghana. I guess I had never thought of it as being activist and always feel guilty that I’m not blogging enough!
Whether the blog wins or not, it is an immense honour to have even been noticed and nominated, particularly as Ghana is my adopted home. All the blogs nominated under the Activist category are helping raise issues that create some controversy within Ghana and encourage us to see other points of view. I believe broadening the discussion is an important aspect of propelling cultures forwards.
So please take time to vote for this blog and also vote for the other great blogs under the different categories.
I taught music full time in London then, by chance, ended up in Ghana. Musician, director of Accragio choir, Humanist Association of Ghana.
