Kwabena.
Are you sure the proposed name change is AB’s baby? Historians for me, have two selves- conservative and reformist. They try to keep the selves in good balance? They propose change more for elemental reasons and less for its own sake or other insubstantial reason. They recognize and appreciate names/symbols and their place in communal cohesion, communication, dignity, and wholeness. I like to think that the better historians have an unaffected sense of history.
I wonder why the home/office of the U.S. President is called the “White House”, and the seat of power in the United kingdom is called “White Hall”. I wonder why they continue to be so called even when demographic changes and enlightenment in the countries suggest that the names, have increasingly become misnomers, and are unrepresentative and not inclusive in the minds of many citizens of the countries? I wonder that the “White House” is actually painted white- a color the knowledge of physics suggests may not be the best color for a large home/office in the cool temperate region of our planet. Does anyone see name change possibilities for “White House” and “White Hall”? even as they become more embarrassing appelations?
oa
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Akurang-Parry, Kwabena
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2014 9:53 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: World Cup Diary 7
AO:
Please ask again! This view came from AB, one of the pillars of African History/Studies. We should hunt for grand names and rename Ghana the Gold Coast. What a great change it would be. The we can call the Black Stars Gold Stars or Twinkle Twinkle Diamond Stars!
Kwabena
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] on behalf of Anunoby, Ogugua [AnunobyO@lincolnu.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 27, 2014 1:05 AM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: World Cup Diary 7
Why “Golden Stars”? What is wrong with the Black Stars? Do the history and symbolism of the choice of color not matter anymore? Are some Ghanaians suffering an identity crisis? What will Kwame Nkrumah thinK or say if he was asked about this matter? Will the Black Star on Ghana’s Flag be replaced by a Gold Star too? What is going on? Am I missing something?
oa
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Assensoh, Akwasi B.
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 6:55 AM
To: Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng; Doris Dartey 3; GLU; pyaa@yahoo.com; Ebo Assan Donkoh; jkzorm2001@yahoo.com; Camynta Baezie; Gheysika Agambilla; Gina Afia Agbenu; Anthony Obeng Afrane; kabral blay-amihere; Manu Herbstein; Ebo Assan Donkoh; Dinah Amankwah; danappiah2@yahoo.com; Francis Gbormittah; (ranst59@yahoo.com); akoto ampaw; Kofi Marrah; Esi Sutherland; usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com; (arhattah@hotmail.com); (kwatiokor@yahoo.com); Gifty Anin; Prof Aki Sawyerr; Naa Kwale Dove; (woeli@woelipublishing.com); Ayo Amale; (georgeksarpong@yahoo.co.uk); Nanabanyin Dadson; George Koomson; Nii Adokwei; Afua Asafo-Adjei; Dorcas Ansah; Gina Asare Fiagbenu; Achimota 2010; Amidu Tanko; Selby Ashong Katai; (anneyayrasakyi@yahoo.com); ABLA DZIFA GOMASHIE; Akosua Adomako Ampofo; Ivy Austin; Michael Kwaku Somuah; Elikplim Akorli; Kafui Dey; Ruby Goka; Henry Asampong 2; Nana K. A. Busia; Raymond Atuguba; Kojo Yankah; Kofi Akpabli; Emmanuel Amoh; vicky wireko; kwami kayi; Mary Ametowoblah; Efua Falconer [MTN Ghana - Corporate Services]; Elikplim; Sylvanus Bedzrah; Aaron Adyaye; Jojo Apenteng; Dr. Naana Mensah 2; Wendy Otu; Noshie Iddisah; Johnson Ametorwo; Atukwei Okai; Gladys; Enoch Avotri; Third Force; Emmanuel Fiagbenu; Ernest Akore; ALEXANDER BANNERMAN; Victoria Odoi; gphagan@lycos.com; Dinah Amankwah; Eddie Ameyibor; Yao Graham 2; Briggite Dzobgenuku; kwasi gyan-apenteng; Gifty Love Lartey [MTN Ghana - Finance]; (blay.gina@gmail.com); nyarkopong@hotmail.com; Oswald Okaitei; Joe Frazier; Awuradwoa Andoh; Akunu Dake; claudia.donkor@gmail.com; crystaltvofficial2002@yahoo.com; Ebo Quansah; PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson; Arthur Kennedy; naijaintellects; n naijanet2; Fritz Baffour; (giftytweneboa@aol.com); Akwasi Agyeman; Angela Dwamena Aboagye; Ethel Ansah; Joyce Aryee; cameron duodu; Ebo Quansah; Arthur Kennedy; kojokelly@yahoo.co.uk; Anthony Kweku Annan; Anthony Ossei; Yvette Appiah; Welbeck Abra-Appiah; Stella W. Appenteng; Nana Amoafo; nii moi; Nii Engmann; Paa Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng; Okyeame Group; Adjei Baah Eric; Ofei Nkansah (Sax); Dr Kofi Amoah; Esi Hammond; Jennifer Amansunu; Suleiman Braimah; Syd Casely-Hayford
Cc: Ford, T Michael; Afoaku, Osita; anthonyakinola@yahoo.co.uk; ama@fahamu.org; kwabbyG@gmail.com; mannan20@hotmail.com; Wahab, Hassan; afaugustine@yahoo.com; andohs1@southernct.edu; stephenagyepong@gmail.com; assensohkwadwo@gmail.com; ericobek@yahoo.com; emokube@uoregon.edu
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - RE: World Cup Diary 7
Many thanks, Wofa Kwasi, whether you are an Afro-Pessimist or an Afro-Optimist!
However, it is a "Do or Die" situation for all of us, but my hope (as an Afro-Optimist like dear Sisters Akos and Yaa) is for Ghana's Black Stars to triumph in a big way. You may ask, "How?" My quick response is simply this: well, for Portugal's goalkeeper to become temporarily blind in the game so that the Black Stars (the future "Golden Stars" of Ghana) can win by such a wide margin, even on goal-aggregate, that our Stars can enter the knock-out stage! Am I being overly optimistic?
As my Yoruba friends would exclaim: "Na waa oo"!
A.B. Assensoh, Eugene, Oregon, USA.
From: Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng [gapenteng@outlook.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2014 6:40 AM
To: Doris Dartey 3; GLU; pyaa@yahoo.com; Ebo Assan Donkoh; jkzorm2001@yahoo.com; Camynta Baezie; Gheysika Agambilla; Gina Afia Agbenu; Anthony Obeng Afrane; kabral blay-amihere; Manu Herbstein; Ebo Assan Donkoh; Dinah Amankwah; danappiah2@yahoo.com; Francis Gbormittah; (ranst59@yahoo.com); akoto ampaw; Kofi Marrah; Esi Sutherland; usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com; (arhattah@hotmail.com); (kwatiokor@yahoo.com); Gifty Anin; Prof Aki Sawyerr; Naa Kwale Dove; (woeli@woelipublishing.com); Ayo Amale; (georgeksarpong@yahoo.co.uk); Nanabanyin Dadson; George Koomson; Nii Adokwei; Afua Asafo-Adjei; Dorcas Ansah; Gina Asare Fiagbenu; Achimota 2010; Amidu Tanko; Selby Ashong Katai; (anneyayrasakyi@yahoo.com); ABLA DZIFA GOMASHIE; Akosua Adomako Ampofo; Ivy Austin; Michael Kwaku Somuah; Elikplim Akorli; Kafui Dey; Ruby Goka; Henry Asampong 2; Nana K. A. Busia; Raymond Atuguba; Kojo Yankah; Kofi Akpabli; Emmanuel Amoh; vicky wireko; kwami kayi; Mary Ametowoblah; Efua Falconer [MTN Ghana - Corporate Services]; Elikplim; Sylvanus Bedzrah; Aaron Adyaye; Jojo Apenteng; Dr. Naana Mensah 2; Wendy Otu; Noshie Iddisah; Johnson Ametorwo; Atukwei Okai; Assensoh, Akwasi B.; Gladys; Enoch Avotri; Third Force; Emmanuel Fiagbenu; Ernest Akore; ALEXANDER BANNERMAN; Victoria Odoi; gphagan@lycos.com; Dinah Amankwah; Eddie Ameyibor; Yao Graham 2; Briggite Dzobgenuku; kwasi gyan-apenteng; Gifty Love Lartey [MTN Ghana - Finance]; (blay.gina@gmail.com); nyarkopong@hotmail.com; Oswald Okaitei; Joe Frazier; Awuradwoa Andoh; Akunu Dake; claudia.donkor@gmail.com; crystaltvofficial2002@yahoo.com; Ebo Quansah; PaJohn Bentsifi Dadson; Arthur Kennedy; naijaintellects; n naijanet2; Fritz Baffour; (giftytweneboa@aol.com); Akwasi Agyeman; Angela Dwamena Aboagye; Ethel Ansah; Joyce Aryee; cameron duodu; Ebo Quansah; Arthur Kennedy; kojokelly@yahoo.co.uk; Anthony Kweku Annan; Anthony Ossei; Yvette Appiah; Welbeck Abra-Appiah; Stella W. Appenteng; Nana Amoafo; nii moi; Nii Engmann; Paa Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng; Okyeame Group; Adjei Baah Eric; Ofei Nkansah (Sax); Dr Kofi Amoah; Esi Hammond; Jennifer Amansunu; Suleiman Braimah; Syd Casely-Hayford
Subject: World Cup Diary 7
World Cup Diary 7
Faith versus realism in a high stakes game
I have been warned by my friends Akos and Yaa not to be pessimistic, or as they put it, “realistic”. Akos is insistent that this is not the time for realism. She even went as far as accuse me of mocking faith. What is my crime? It is like this: I believe that the Black Stars will probably play their final World Cup match today because ...I do not believe that one point from two matches, and eventually four from three at the World Cup is good enough to take us into the knockout phase. I know it has been done before, but facing Portugal in this kind of situation must be sufficient grounds for dog-faced pessimism.
Let me explain this before I am sent to some kind of national inquisition that I don't want the Black Stars to win. I want our team to win. There are many reasons for this. After rushing three million cedis by special arrangement to the players it would be such an anti-climax if they returned home by the same plane that flew in the money. I want to believe that the money would act as the spur to fire them to glory. But my main reason for wanting a Black Star win is to bring joy to the land.
I don’t like the look on Ghanaian faces these days. People don’t look as cheerful as they should in a middle income oil producing country, but that is another story. We need to lift up the country with a glorious heave-ho manufactured on the Brazilian playing fields. But I have an even more selfish reason for wanting a Black Stars win and I will share it here. I have a nice Ghana shirt which I have prepared for a celebration since the start of the tournament. It is the one with the big clack star in front. It has been washed and pressed and handing on a metal hanger waiting for action. Can anything look more forlorn that an unworn Black Stars shirt?
So this the plan: as I have said many times before if the Black Stars win today (note: I said if not when) I will hotfoot it to Osu and dance until my shoes wear off or I get older, whichever comes first. I have even prepared the moves for the evening in that event. So make no mistake, I want the Black Stars to win.
However, and I must be, er, realistic. The chance of beating Portugal and qualifying is not great. All it needs is for Germany and the USA to draw and it will be curtains for Ghana. I don’t need to belabor the point because 25 million mathematicians have done the sums and told us the numbers. However knowing and doing are two different activities, sometimes separated by a sea called Ability.
We left ourselves in a bad position with that loss to the USA but we have redeemed our football in with our sterling display against the German machine. It is that display that has got us so fired and unwilling to countenance defeat in any way, shape or form. It is also a fact that the in tournaments the Black Stars get better as they progress and the two matches so far have followed that pattern. So, we must not give up.
The other factor is that this World Cup is a crazy place. Who would have thought the second best World Cup nation, Italy, would exit in the first phase, but it has happened. England and the reigning champion Spain are also out. There is no team too big not to fall. The hope here is that the two German coaches of the USA and Germany will know the risks involved in playing hanky-panky. However, in this instance all it needs is for the two teams to draw and they are in. It must look rather tempting to them.
Talking about craziness it doesn’t come crazier than a man called Luiz Suarez and his biting antics. Suarez has had a curse following him since he did his “hand of the devil” business on us in South Africa in 2010. Incidentally, I said last Tuesday - just before Suarez did his thing that I was beginning to despair of our juju people; they must have been working quietly in the background against the man!
As at this writing FIFA is investigating and it is possible that as you read this Diary Mr. Suarez could be on his way to Liverpool or wherever biters are accepted as normal.
Perhaps Mr. Suarez’s troubles must be another signal that we are on a roll. As Napoleon said, never interrupt your enemy when he is a mistake, and so it has been with Mr. Suarez over the past four years. I have not forgiven him for denying me one last Dance at Osu four years ago. His downfall will probably be the extra cause for celebrating a special night tonight.
There are many reasons not to be realistic and I do not intend to suffer from that malaise until the final whistle.
Allez Ghana.
Kwasi Gyan-Apenteng
Consultant in Communication, Culture and Media
President, Ghana Association of Writers
Member, National Media Commission
PAWA HOUSE
Roman Ridge, Accra
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