An Official introduction to all readers.

I warmly welcome you to my blog, would have been a great deal if you know the person behind the posts you will be reading and following and who he is. Don’t you think?  My name is Francis Oko Armah, called by family, friends, colleagues as OKO ARMAH. My name OKO simply mean I am a twin.

A native of TESHIE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teshie one of the coastal towns in Accra Ghana along the GOLF OF GUINEA. I speak considerably good English, just un peu de Francais y un poco de Español through my own exploits and learning from school. Enjoy good traditional Ghanaian music, love dancehall rythmz, Ghanaian Highlife tunes, and Gospel tunes across the world. My all time favourite  is Banku and Okro stew with some crabs, and fish (just Google and you’ll know what I’m talking about) but A tempting jollof rice always gets my attention. I love talking to create change, writing, reading, volunteering  and love to have a good sleep. However, exchanging cultures with diverse people all over the world has been fun and educative so far and I’m still exploring people!! Now that’s enough about me, let’s get into what I do. Hope I did not skip the part where I love to work, play and be around children. They inspire me.

 I strongly believe that there is a world fit for children, a world where despite the challenges, children can rise and sail through above all odds knowing that it is possible where ever they find themselves. I agree each and every child is different, unique and has his/her own life and future to live for BUT  If for nothing at all, NO CHILD should ever experience what I went through as a child. (Which will be in my book sometime soon) That is why I am very particular in what I do, advocating on issues that affect them and help best solve challenges these young ones go through. That is MY MISSION.

To successfully carry out this mission, I have realized that many children from good homes with the right support from families and systems, successfully journey life and live to achieve their dreams and ambitions. However, the story remains somewhat different from children who come from a totally different setting. Does it necessarily have to occur that way? Name the issues, and I will narrate in my own experience how it affects children especially on the African continent. 

For that change I wish to see in my community, country and continent to happen in affecting other lives globally, I have to DREAM it, BE that change and LIVE it. These three processes does not come easy as writing them, especially when you find yourself at wrong place surrounded by the wrong people. That is why I joined the CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN BROADCASTING-CURIOUS MINDS, a group full of young leaders and change makers creating change all over the world. Among the various developmental issues on the group’s MENU, General Health, Education and Reproductive health and Rights, all the other issues under the MDGs, and other major global movements are equally of great interest.

As far as we keep talking about the issues, and create the awareness, the responsible people will have no choice than to act fast because we are watching. That’s the power we have as young people today.Currently leading reproductive health campaigns nationwide and will be sharing my experience on my campaigns in my next blog. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE CHANGE MAKERS! keep your comments coming.

Following the 18^th anniversary of Curious Minds on first April, the Youth Focused programme GEMS OF OUR TIME on its Saturday 5th April edition, on the ticket of HUMAN RIGHTS, presenters Edith Asamani and Richard Dzikunu; took listeners down memory lane on how it all started from the International Children’s day of Broadcasting to a 30 minutes  offshoot programme of the Women  Broadcasting (WIB)  on the then GBC RADIO 2 to a young people’s development advocacy programme with SIX  different radio Programmes targeting different interests, issues and groups.

On panel, Emmanuel Ashong, (Middle in orange) shared his experience on how he used to enjoy listening to the programme on radio and the zeal to he had in joining the group which has been a great journey from the past 11 years he has been with the group. Angela Bortey, at the Social media desk is only one year with the group and such a young baby as Richard described her stay, she has learnt so much and from the group and hopes for the better in the coming future.

The panel acknowledged great minds who have sustained, supported and continue to keep the group growing. A big shout out to Abiba for suggesting the name “CURIOUS MINDS” and our producer Mr. kingsley Obeng-Kyereh and other partners and organisations for their immense support and guidance all these years. It is worth noting that in reference to the laws of the state, legally, Curious Minds turns a adult on its 18th Anniversary and by far undoubtedly remains one of the strongest young people’s led youth organisation in Ghana making impact in Ghana, Africa and the rest of the world.

Continuing discussions on the programme, Presenters asked panelist and the audience what Human right means to them and what prevents them from their rights.

Joseph Quaye elaborated on his understanding of human rights as he stated that he needs his rights for his protection, survival, in  participating on issues not only of interest to him but issues that affects him as well and also for his development.

However, Joseph clearly emphasized the need to focus on economic rights as it is the basically relies on the state to support its policies with funds and other structures as demanded by the rights of the citizenry.

On the other hand, Edmund Agbeve ought to fish out the logic between people knowing their rights, and demanding them. He earlier shared sentiments similar to Joseph’s thoughts but was very keen on people living in rural settings as a major setback in development which indicated earlier as one pillar of Human Rights. This he attributed to the fact that when the state provides potable drinking water to people living in rural areas should in no way get the people excited since it is their Human Right and it was the duty of the state anyway.  

Emmanuel Ashong immediately came in not entirely agreeing to Edmund’s Assessment but to buttress and more appropriately explain the excitement about citizens in the setting in question has to do with the limited resources making up the ingredients of the national cake and therefore if for nothing at all, such people are privileged to have such social amenities provided for them; hence they deserved to be happy. He added. He however was of the view that, Rights are for all BUT Privileges are only for a selected few and advised for the careful distinction between the two as they may be confusing.

Edith Asamani in her delivery, also shared thoughts on the fact that some women know their rights but cultural barriers limits them from accessing these rights which sometimes puts them at risk. A woman in labour for instance ha to wait for her husband to return from the farm before gives permission or oversees that she is taken to the hospital is clearly a limit ash this woman may be suffering in pain. This and many more incidents limit some women in accessing their human rights-she added.

Oko Armah on sharing experience to how accessible Human rights are in his community, stated that many at times, some people move about their daily activities often careless about what human rights are and how accessible it is for them or even demand them. 

One our Social Media desk, Angela collated various views from listeners on what human rights meant for them and how accessible it is to them. Many of shared how accessible their rights have been to them in achieving greater heights in education and other endeavors as others also sadly insinuated how limited their rights have been and hope on finding ways of solving that problem. As one listeners strongly demanded that the state and all concern bodies carefully looks at the rights of persons living with disabilities as there are still national building that are not friendly and accommodating their needs. Bismark later stated that there could be campaigns educating people on their rights and its importance as David Aburabura remarked towards the end of the program that we need to draw the line and start working at making sure that each and every citizen’s rights are respected and protected. 

Angela further continued to shared some of the experiences and thoughts from listeners who continues to feel the impact of curious minds’ work over the past 18 years and commended the group for prosperous journey ahead. The discussions ended on that note but with active on Our CURIOUS MINDS-GHANA facebook page all week long and on twitter @CMGhana. Join us and lets keep the discussions going. Also send us whatsApp mssages on +233242263558 and we will read it LIVE. GEMS OF OUR TIME COMES YOUR WAY EVERY SATURDAY AT 4PM GMT just after the news.