Diffusion of Innovations, by Everett Rogers

BACKGROUND 

The word “Diffusion” simply means “spreading”, or a process where there is movement of a substance from one area to another. 

Diffusion of Innovation Theory, which explains how a [new] product gets to spread or reach a group of people, was propounded by Everett Rogers in 1962, in his book, “Diffusion of Innovations”. The theory which among one of the oldest, is not only useful to communication but other disciplines like political science, history, technology and education.

According to Rogers, ‘Diffusion is the “process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over a period of time among the members of a social system”. An innovation is “an idea, practice, or object that is perceived to be new by an individual or other unit of adoption”(Rogers, 1995).’

Personal simplifies the definition by saying that:

Ø  The adopters can be an individual, groups, or organization at different levels of social system.

Ø  The target is innovation

Ø  The process is communication

Ø  The means is communication channels

Ø  The context of innovation is a social system

Ø  It is a change over time.

·         The Innovation-Decision Process 

Diffusion is the process by which an innovation is communicated through certain channels over time among the members of a social system (5).  Given that decisions are not authoritative or collective, each member of the social system faces his/her own innovation-decision that follows a 5-step process (162):

A person must first become aware of an innovation and how it works (Knowledge), second he forms an attitude towards the innovation and that could be a favorable or unfavorable one. (Persuasion). Third, the person deliberates (Decides) as to whether it should be accepted or rejected. He puts it into use (Implementation), finally, after assessment is done, the person confirms the innovation in question.

Rogers (2003) put adopters into categories and defined the adopter categories as “the classifications of members of a social system on the basis of innovativeness” (p. 22). This classification includes innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. In each adopter category, individuals are similar in terms of their innovativeness: “Innovativeness is the degree to which an individual or other unit of adoption is relatively earlier in adopting new ideas than other members of a system” (Rogers, 2003, p. 22).

Braak (2001) described innovativeness as “a relatively-stable, socially-constructed, innovation-dependent characteristic that indicates an individual’s willingness to change his or her familiar practices” (p. 144). For Rogers, innovativeness helped in understanding the desired and main behavior in the innovation-decision process. Thus, he categorizes the adopters based on innovativeness.

Here, personal, makes it short by giving other names that best describe people who fall within the various categories:

Ø  Innovators (risk takers)

Ø  Early adopters (hedgers)

Ø  Early majority (waiters)

Ø  Late majority (skeptics)

Ø  Late adopters (slowpokes)

Innovators

For Rogers (2003), innovators were willing to experience new ideas. Thus, they should be prepared to cope with unprofitable and unsuccessful innovations, and a certain level of uncertainty about the innovation. Also, Rogers added that innovators are the gatekeepers bringing the innovation in from outside of the system. They have complex technical knowledge.

Early Adopters

Compared to innovators, early adopters are more limited with the boundaries of the social system. Rogers (2003) argued that since early adopters are more likely to hold leadership roles in the social system, other members come to them to get advice or information about the innovation. Early adopters’ leadership in adopting the innovation decreases uncertainty about the innovation in the diffusion process. Finally, “early adopters put their stamp of approval on a new idea by adopting it” (Rogers, 2003, p. 283).

Early Majority

Rogers (2003) claimed that although the early majority have a good interaction with other members of the social system, they do not have the leadership role that early adopters have. However, their interpersonal networks are still important in the innovation-diffusion process. As Figure 2.2 shows, the early majority adopts the innovation just before the other half of their peers adopts it. As Rogers stated, they are deliberate in adopting an innovation and they are neither the first nor the last to adopt it. Thus, their innovation decision usually takes more time than it takes innovators and early adopters.

Late Majority

Similar to the early majority, the late majority includes one-third of all members of the social system who wait until most of their peers adopt the innovation. Although they are skeptical about the innovation and its outcomes, economic necessity and peer pressure may lead them to the adoption of the innovation. To reduce the uncertainty of the innovation, interpersonal networks of close peers should persuade the late majority to adopt it. Then, “the late majority feel that it is safe to adopt” (Rogers, 2003, p. 284).

Laggards

As Rogers (2003) stated, laggards have the traditional view and they are more skeptical about innovations and change agents than the late majority. As the most localized group of the social system, their interpersonal networks mainly consist of other members of the social system from the same category. Moreover, they do not have a leadership role. Because of the limited resources and the lack of awareness-knowledge of innovations, they first want to make sure that an innovation works before they adopt. Thus, laggards tend to decide after looking at whether the innovation is successfully adopted by other members of the social system in the past. Due to all these characteristics, laggards’ innovation-decision period is relatively long.

In addition to these five categories of adopters, Rogers (2003) further described his five categories of adopters in two main groups: earlier adopters and later adopters. Earlier adopters consist of innovators, early adopters, and early majority, while late majority and laggards comprise later adopters.

These categories follow a standard deviation-curve, very little innovators adopt the innovation in the beginning (2,5%), early adopters making up for 13,5% a short time later, the early majority 34%, the late majority 34% and after some time finally the laggards make up for 16%.

 It used to be assumed that the mass media had direct, immediate, and powerful effects on the mass audience (284).  But diffusion theory argues that, since opinion leaders directly affect the tipping of an innovation, a powerful way for change agents to affect the diffusion of an innovation is to affect opinion leader attitudes.

Diffusion research centers on the conditions which increase or decrease the likelihood that a new idea, product, or practice will be adopted by members of a given culture. Diffusion of innovation theory predicts that media as well as interpersonal contacts provide information and influence opinion and judgment. Studying how innovation occurs, E.M. Rogers (1995) argued that it consists of four stages: invention, diffusion (or communication) through the social system, time and consequences. The information flows through networks. The nature of networks and the roles opinion leaders play in them determine the likelihood that the innovation will be adopted.

Limitations of Diffusion of Innovation Theory

There are several limitations of Diffusion of Innovation Theory, which include the following:

• Much of the evidence for this theory, including the adopter categories, did not originate in public health and it was not developed to explicitly apply to adoption of new behaviors or health innovations.
• It does not foster a participatory approach to adoption of a public health program.
• It works better with adoption of behaviors rather than cessation or prevention of behaviors.
• It doesn't take into account an individual's resources or social support to adopt the new behavior (or innovation)

SOURCES:

• Braak, J.V. (2001). Individual characteristics influencing teachers’ class use of computers. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 25(2), 141-157.
• Rogers, E.M. (1976). New Product Adoption and Diffusion. Journal of Consumer Research, 2 (March), 290 -301.
• Rogers, E.M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th edition). The Free Press. New York.

Toilet reporter: Now Journalist of the Year 2011

- From a mentee to a mentor-

“The news at one live on Radio Ghana and now to news commentary, business and sports after the break...In news commentary, Manasseh Azure Awuni, a journalist, argues that since the state sponsors the Ghana Football Association it is fair for the association to subject itself to accountability. It is read by Agarther Asamoah”.

“The hyena once asked his next door neighbour, the rabbit, why she has never paid him a visit? The rabbit replied saying, it is true I have never visited you but it is for a good reason. I have seen many people enter your room but I have never seen any of them ever returning home...News commentary called on the Ghana Football Association to subject itself to public accountability because it is funded by the state. The script is written by Manasseh Azure Awuni, a journalist and read by Agarther Asamoah.”

The above is an excerpt of one of the spell-bindingly numerous news commentaries written by the boy from Hon. Albert Abongo’s Bongo for Radio Ghana’s News Commentary.

Our elders say that a person we know at day time needs not to be looked on the face with a glowing lamp at night. Indeed, the ardent readers and fans of Manasseh Azure Awuni need not his by-line (the name that appears against a reporter’s news story) to fish out that this or that article was written by the prolific writer and journalist.

Far back in 2009, this young journalist became my source of inspiration when I was posted to Wamfie, a town off the Berekum-Dormaa road, as a trainee teacher.

As a young man, I had developed the passion for journalism during my Junior Secondary School days. So, listening to the then “Manasseh Azure Awuni, a student-journalist at the Ghana Institute of Journalism” repeatedly on Radio Ghana inspired me more to pursue my dream.

I must seize this opportunity to however say sorry to the then class one pupils, whom I taught, for always pausing teaching when it was around 1:40 pm. I guess you are asking why? Radio Ghana would read its news commentary around this time and I would not miss it no matter what.

When it happens for me to tune in late to Radio BAR, in Brong Ahafo-who took the feed from Accra, it was not difficult for me to tell that, a script was written by the man I admired secretly.

His use of African proverbs, anecdotes, humour and vivid descriptions were enough a brand that set him aside from the masses. It is therefore not surprising that Manasseh says his mentor is the all-time bestselling author of the novel, ‘Things Fall Apart,’ Chinua Achebe.

The 27 year old, started journalism exactly two weeks upon his admission into the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 2006. Not only did he write for Radio Ghana’s news commentary, on campus, he posted his write ups on trees and on the doors of lecture halls to as well serve his hungry student-readers.

As industrious as an army of ants on hunger alleviation mission, he did not relent in his effort after his first degree education at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. While on national service, Manasseh worked as a freelancer which eventually awarded him three awards just after school.

Somewhere last year when I paid him a visit at his then abode at Mamprobi, it was as if we were re-shooting Sarkodie’s featuring Obrafour “In this life” video. At the tail of his bed stood packed books like a great iroko tree in a virgin forest.“Go to the library (GIJ’s) and borrow this book to read,” there he pointed to one of the best journalism books: “Journalism Today.” After setting an ECOLACK bag free of books, he began bringing out his three plaque cards of 2010 for my feel of how being an award winner is.

Unlike how Obrafour pulled his crown from the grips of Sarkodie, I had a feel of the awards until he once again ‘buried’ them back in the bag. “You only need to read wide and write more and very soon, ‘Solomon Mensah’ would become a household name,” he told me, “but remember that it is little by little that a bird builds its nest.”

A very popular Yoruba proverb has it that “no elephant is burdened by the weight of its head”. Having won the Best Human Rights Reporter, Best Television Reporter and the Most Promising Young Journalist (all at the 16^thedition of the GJA Awards), such honours did not become weights upon his head. He managed between success and complacency.

While pursuing his MA in communication studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, he apportioned his time to include covering of stories. He would travel to Banda to write, “A boys suffering, a father’s pain,” on Kojo Njorfuni, a pupil of the English Arabic Primary School in Banda who had classroom block falling on him in November 2008, or take the opportunity to put pen on “Behind Legon’s bush canteen: maggot in the soup” to tell Ghanaians the deteriorated state of sanitation at one of the Legon students’ eatery joint.

Perhaps the contour lines on your face suggest that I have left one important write up that won Mr Awuni Adaboro’s son with a lot of admiration this year. Is it not the “Writings in the toilet?” Hahaaaaaa...! Yeah. There you are. I knew you would like to be re-told of that. Do I therefore need your permission to extensively quote excerpts of that article which put smiles on your face?

“Riddle, riddle! There is a room that anytime you enter, you automatically get mad. What is this room? This is one of the commonest children’s riddles, and you would often be told that that room is the bathroom. Irrespective of your level of sanity, you strip naked when you enter the bathroom, don’t you?”

This was the captivating introduction my mentor wrote in one of his humorous features. He told his cherished readers to wait for a minute while he showed them one other room in which people get madder. This room, we were told, was the ‘toilet.’

The writings in the toilet looked at the inscriptions we over look on the walls of toilet rooms. At the mentioning of toilet, one would expect the other to grimace but I can bet with my last penny that you would rather munch your groundnut.

“I am currently standing in the male toilet of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ). The scent here is not very good for my nose,” Manasseh wrote,“but this is one of the occupational hazards of this thankless job of a toilet correspondent. And I must bear it with the highest level of stoicism...

“Everybody dies famous in a small town.” This person has no comment to his proverb because no one seems to have time for those who make good use of the “limited space” here. Then bellow this, someone writes, “I think GIJ is proud of me.” He gets replies, “Foolish boy, what about me the womanizer?”someone again replies, “Idiot, have you broken the record of 500 women yet?”

For sure, I know you would like to read more of the writings in the toilet piece but space won’t permit me. “Maybe by now you’re questioning the point in reporting toilet graffiti. And you may be asking which of the two is madder: the one writing in the toilet or the journalist who goes to report such writings. But I want you to add a third person before deciding – the person who reads the report on the mad writings.”

Manasseh Azure Awuni started life on a hard note. Whereas his classmates would mention the occupation(s) of their parents with ease, he felt as though that Edmond Hilary’s Mount Everest sat on his lips.

In our society in which he who has a ride and a white colour job is respected and accorded privileges, it was not easy for him to say that “my father is a night watchman.”

But on that day, the 25^th day of August, 2012, the mere toilet reporter and the Night Watchman’s son was given a new name; “The best journalist of the year 2011.”

If I would not be taken for blaspheming, I would liken his brother carrying him on his back with Jesus on the donkey to Jerusalem. On that platform of the 17^th edition of the Ghana Journalists’ Awards held at the State House, Manasseh delivered a speech that got everybody motivated. The story of the Night Watchman’s son.

Since that night, my mentor whom I jokingly call “my small boy” has become a news maker. From the Ghana Television through to the information centre at my Dodosuo, my village, he has been, positively, the subject of discussion. Isn’t it wonderful how God has turned the tables?

To the youth, Manasseh the toilet reporter is telling us that with determination and perseverance and with God on our side, our names can be changed for the better. “Difficulty is not a synonym to impossibility,” so says Manasseh Azure Awuni on Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

I cannot conclude on this piece to my mentor without asking the question people have been asking me; “Who was that beautiful lady with him. Is it not his Serwaa?” Over to you the boy from Bongo.

By Solomon Mensah

www.aniwaba.com

Right to information: A step in the right direction

Student-journalists at the Ghana Institute of Journalism have had the opportunity to be taken through series of benefits which the paramount include; easy access to information, which would be enjoyed when the Right to Information bill which has suffered passage comes into force.

Personnel from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), Africa office in Accra, which is spearheading and lobbying for the passage of the bill, took time to interact with the members of the Ghana Journalists Association Chapter of the Ghana Institute of Journalism during one of their regular Thursday meetings at the school.

The bill which was drafted ten years ago is designed in accordance with Article (1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana gives the Ghanaian public the right to access official information. The information which consist of any data or facts, be it a printed document, a computer record, an audio recording, or any other format will be much more helpful if enacted.

It will give Ghanaians the right and power to request for information, which is held by a government agency. It will also mean that Government agencies have to disclose such information to the public even in the absence of any formal requests from the public.This, however,some information is said to be subjected to exemptions as set out in the Bill.

Students that gathered to listen to Mr. Jonathan Osei-Owusu, ( a member from the coalition on the right to information bill), during his presentation were greatly impacted with the ins and outs of the right to information bill which most of them have hitherto not had privy to.

Recently in the Volta Region, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative’s (CHRI) education given to some selected persons living with disability yielded positive results. The beneficiaries expressed much joy since they could access information that was prior out of range.

From the above discussions, it is crystal clear that the Ghanaian public is in dire need of the bill.Journalists, who are also referred to as the fourth estate of the realm, the public relations officer down to the least on the scale of information search all need to get access to information devoid of hindrances.

However, as we crave for the right to information bill to be passed, we should not forget to remind our politicians to amend some sections of the bill.It is ironic that while Clauses 2 and 3 of the bill provide for proactive disclosure of information, the information that should be proactively disclosed is rather limited.Some information as earlier submitted is to be exempted from getting access to. This means our access to some information will be limited as earlier stated.

If Ghanaians across the breath and width of the country wish to get access to information as their right demands, then all hands must be on board to call for the right amendment and rapid implementation of the right to information bill.

By: Edward Balami

ebalamiingh@hotmail.com 

ADVERTISING ASSIGNMENT ON MIXED FRUIT MINUTE MAID

Make All Things Accessible For All Ghanaians.

Happiness is not always found in the money or wealth one has, but, the environment within which one finds himself, living in a discrimination free society gives one joy and happiness. Some are accepted, while others are rejected not by words but by our actions meanwhile, we claim to be one people with one identity.

The 41st World Standards
Day celebrations theme “Accessibility for All With International
Standards”, must have a deep impact on all Ghanaians. It’s high time we
replace selfishness with selflessness, we are all equally important but it
seems like in everything we do as a nation, attention is given to the
physically fit persons much to the neglect of the physically challenged
persons, we most at times do not mull over the products we do to see the number
of people who can reach, enter, maneuver
and use which has always been their
wish.

Although after fifty-three years of
independence, there have been some infrastructural developments but it is
always meant for a certain group of people. Article 29(6) of the 1992
republican constitution of Ghana says, “As far as practicable, every place to which
the public have
access shall have appropriate facilities for disabled persons.” How many buses
brought into the country make
available in them spaces to cater for the disabled? How many vans brought into
the country when converting them for commercial purposes makes provisions for
people with disabilities? How many public buildings have elevators in them? In
addition, those that have in them, how many of them are operable? Are they to
see all these things but not have access to them? Are the teaching and learning
materials in their schools adequate to enable them achieving their dreams? The
questions
could go on and on.

Recently, the Black Challengers nearly
missed an opportunity that came their way to compete with their counterparts in
Argentina but if had been the other way, funds would have been made available
to them as soon as possible. Is there any difference between the right ear of a
horse, and the left ear of the same horse? Are they to remain on beggars and
not earners and givers? Apparently, there are many talents and potentials in them,
which need to be tapped and developed so they in turn give back to the society
and not to always, take from the society.


As we try to develop all facets of our country, let us not deny them
their rights. We need to give attention
to most especially the physically challenged, the aged and all people with
special needs so they can feel at home. You may not cherish a certain part of
your body, but do not be in a haste to forget that without that part of your
body, the rest cannot function accurately. Discrimination does not build a
nation. Let us all build to live a good legacy for generations yet unborn.

LETS DISCOURAGE SELF PRESCRIPTION.

The issue of prescribing medicine for one’s self has become very common a norm in our society now a days.

Self prescription has more or less become another cultural norm that we cherish so much. Grandparents passed it on to our parents, they have also approved it for us, and the possibility of passing it on to generations yet unborn if not checked is very high.

A good number of parents who are neither nurses nor doctors know the kind of medicine to buy for their children each time they are suffering from any form of ailment of which most of us have fallen victims.

Most parents, when notice that their children are ill first go to the pharmacy shops and drug stores to get medicines for them and consider the hospital to be the last resort when the illness escalates.

They mostly do that either to save them the elongated queues or the hustle and bustle they would have to go through at the hospitals.

Moreover, just as parents teach their children the kind of medicine go for just in case they see any form of signs and symptoms, so have drug outlet owners taught their children the prices of various medicines; without taking them through any formal education.

They do not demand prescription forms from customers and they least question them the reason for purchasing that particular painkiller.

Since it has come to stay with us, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service and all stakeholders should please make sure that pharmacy shops and drug outlets have qualified pharmacist to sell drugs and urge them to demand prescription forms from customers as well before selling drugs to them.

THE NEED TO HOUSE MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE

Unfortunately, the number of persons with mental disorders is surprisingly increasing as days go by, but authorities and institutions responsible for the monitoring of these people seem reluctant in keeping them at the right place.

Relatives of such people often reject them when native doctors and prayer camps fail to redeem them from such an unfortunate incident. There is a saying that insults if not heard, are not painful, thus, taking mad people far from their relatives and housing them does not constantly rekindle their agonies, but seeing their beloved ones in these states always does not only pain them, but soils the reputations of such families.

There are institutions that are being paid to take care of these people but much attention and support seem not to be given to these institutions, moreover the treatment given to these mad people were not the best as it was clearly revealed in Anas’ “Mad House” undercover.

In 2009, I witnessed the doom of a lady who was returning from a night club, and was tipsy could not go home but slept in a porch in a nearby school was raped by a mad man. Having realized what happened to her, and other people witnessing the incident, she committed suicide.

Early last year, we also saw mad man from nowhere on the streets of New Dormaa, a suburb of Sunyani with cutlass threatening the lives of people and causing fear and panic, it was the intervention of some brave men who at the peril of their lives, defied all the odds, attacked the mad man, took the cutlass from him and handed him to the police.

Again, about five weeks ago, many Ghanaians heard on radio about this mad man in Koforidua who was half dead; rotting but still walking on the streets of Koforidua which most of the people attested to that fact and added that, the stink of the mad man, when he passes, quells their appetite for food worse things might have happened elsewhere.

Aside the above problems, majority of people who pass by mad people never feel comfortable and as a result, are always on the alert should they make an attempt to threaten their lives, we all can also attest to the fact that most mad people pick things that have been swept from the streets from the refuse dumps and bring them back on the streets which make it look as if those who are been paid to keep the environment clean are not up to task.

Although they have the right to live, but in such conditions, they should be restricted in order not to infringe on others freedom and rights, since when the harm is done, they cannot be examined to know who did what.

However, in a place like Venezuela, measures have been put in place for people with mental disorder, they are housed; none of them is seen outside, and are well taken care of.

As we try to develop all facets of our country, recognition should also be given to such people because psychiatric nurses are been trained every year and they are been trained to take care of people in such conditions meanwhile no effort has been made to expand the four psychiatric hospitals countrywide or put up structures to house mad people.The earlier we solve this issue as a nation, the better it would be for us.

RIGHT TO INFORMATION – a necessary tool for democracy.

Unlike in the UK and in Nigeria, which both passed their freedom of information bills after long periods of civil society activism, Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) Bill is still stuck before Parliament. Whilst it is necessary that a strong bill, without unnecessary exemptions, is properly formulated, it is about time that we Ghanaians start enjoying the chunk of benefits that accompanies the RTI.

The bill, if passed, would give power to the governed to know what goes on in the public offices which should help to make governments more accountable. In short the RTI bill will help to create a fuller and more dynamic democracy.

Politicians should not forget that, they are elected to work towards the betterment of those they govern. They are not elected to suit their own whims and caprices. It seems politicians always want to take the electorate for granted, but they should not forget that the electorate are becoming more discerning day in and day out.

The current NDC government and their NPP predecessors have overseen a country which has been hailed internationally as an African democratic success story, yet both parties have done little to move the bill forward. Democracy was defined by Abraham Lincoln as; government of the people, by the people, and for the people. From this definition, one could clearly see that Ghana is government of the people, by the people, but not for the people, in that the voice of the majority is not heard no matter how high they scream.

Laws are made to be obeyed, if not they become useless, as stipulated in Article 21 (1) (f) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana that “All persons shall have the right to Information, subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society.”

In a democracy, the people are sovereign – they are the highest form of political authority. Power flows from the people to the leaders of government, who hold power only temporarily. As a result politicians must always remember that they are only the temporary custodians for the information they hold in trust for the people.

Under a democratic government, citizens have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to watch carefully how their political leaders and representatives use their power and express their own opinions and interests.

Democracy can never be practiced to the fullest if there is no transparency, and accountability that is requisite in a proper democracy. The more they prolong the passage of the bill, the more the citizens conceive the idea that, politicians have something to hide, but no matter how thick a forest may be, the tortoise will surely find its way to its home.

Are Ghanaians safe if even in a democracy, they still cannot exercise their rights as citizens to know? Let us all rise in unity to support this worthy course, for it’s my right, it’s your right, it’s our right to know.  

THE STATE OF AFRICA.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”   -Abraham Lincoln.

Are we divided by nature, or it is through human creativity and ingenuity that has led us into these problematic and chaotic predicaments?.

We are gradually losing our sense of belongingness, identity and unity as a nation and continent at large due to the current land and sea breezes blowing from the tropic of cancer through the equator to the tropic of Capricorn and the coastal belt, which is causing fear, panic and alarm within most of the inhabitants of the human-skull-like continent which depicts the state of Africa.

The reasons for which our forefathers, unanimously stood for independence were many and varied, but the torch which was lit and handed over to their successors died long ago due to the power struggle from the 1960s to date, and this attest to Baron De Montesquieu’s axiom that “Power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely”.

Politicians in their quest for POWER, who say inwardly to get it at all cost to suit their whims and caprices do not give a damn to what the cockroaches would do since the adage has now changed to “when an elephant and a bird on top of an umbrella fight, the first class animals suffer”, because the elephant learned to dance like a kangaroo and the bird decided to tie it.

So would a prophet of God or an Imam be wrong to say that, the end times are nigh? Would the constitutionally elected government and the electoral commission-sworn-in government believe that the kingdom of God is at hand, while their ascending of the throne is also at hand?.

Is Africa I know in turmoil?, why should Mugabe and Morgan share one power, which was obviously for one, while Ben Ali  runs from office and Hosni Mubarak preferred stepping down peacefully, even though they never dreamt of it, but he who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. They chased Mr. Jones out of the Animal Farm, because they wanted their  freedom, but Snowball, was also chased out, even though, he was one of them, alas, they were not able to manage the farm.

Now, ma me ndi me fie asem! And it became an issue because someone in an ecomini T shirt is cocoa ase kurasini, but y’ani da wee so, after all, all die be die.

In hierarchical order, President professor Mills versus Nana Addo Dankwa , Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (sir John) versus Kobby Acheampong, Ahaji Iddrissu Bature versus Kennedy Agyapong, Sheik I. C Quaye versus assemblyman elect, Bamba boys versus Azuka boys and serial caller versus serial caller, where are we drifting to?

Most if not all political leaders in Ghana and Africa at large have failed to live up to expectations. There are no clear footprints in the sands and history of politics, for generations behind them to emulate.

Follow my steps, as I follow the examples of Christ, Paul told his followers. John C. Maxwell described a leader as the one who knows the way goes the way and shows the way, but there comes a time when followers see that their leaders are going off-track; there is the need to put them back on track, that was why John Quincy Adams said if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. And Peter F. Drucker added management is doing the things right and leadership is doing the right things. How many political leaders in Ghana and Africa manage things right and do the right things? How many political leaders in Africa would we, up and coming ones like to mentor? How many of them are not corrupt? How many of them are not power drunk?

Leadership without mentoring is self serving. Politics and leadership in governance, has now become a venture and no one would want to run at a loss or break even, hence, corruption. The day African leaders would know that, true leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not for the enrichment of the leaders, their subjects would be better-off.

It is just simple to understand that, when followers protest against an incumbency, it is a sign of big failure and that the leader have not lived up to expectations. That is why Ivy Ledbetter Lee said “tell the truth, because sooner or later the public will find it out anyway. And if the public doesn’t like what you are doing, change your policies and bring them into line with what the people want”  

Now, the radio which was and still is a powerful tool for propaganda since it’s establishment has never changed and now it is rather aiding chaos and division than bringing unity and development. Valerie Bemeriki a Rwandan journalist sat on radio milles collines and encouraged Hutus to slaughter Tutsis during the 1994 genocide “do not kill those cockroaches with bullet-cut them to pieces with a machete” she said and 800,000 people died in 100 days.

Her statement is not different from what Muammar al-QathafiAgyapong and Alhaji Iddrissu Bature, which is whipping up aversion among the two major political parties which under normal circumstances, should not have happened on radio.

The media should not jump over Article 164 of the 1994 republican constitution which stated that, “the provisions of articles 162 and 163 of this constitution are subject to laws that are reasonably required in the interest of national security, public order, public morality and for the purpose of protecting the reputations, rights and freedom of the other persons”.

Our cultural and African values do not permit us to insult, either publicly or privately, and it is indeed very worrisome, the way majority of people in the helm of affairs who many of their subjects also look up to, are using the media which tend to have many effects on the audiences.

The turmoil in Africa, apparently, does not many a time emanate from within the citizenry but, the leaders. Their desire for power and the struggle for it have brought Africa into this state.

 But William Shakespeare has this to say;

ANGELO O, it is excellent
To have a giant's strength! But it is tyrannous
To use it like a giant.

Edward Balami,

ebalamiingh@hotmail.com