End of Year Announcement - Fuel Prices Go Up

#EndOfYearAnnouncement
The NPA wishes to announce, effective
Thursday 29th December, 2011, the Maximum
Petroleum Products Pump Prices as follows:
Petrol GHp 175. 48 per litre
Diesel GHp 177. 09 per litre Kerosene GHp 91. 00 per litre
LPG GHp 136. 19 per kg
(A 12. 5kg Cylinder will now sell at GHS17. 02,
and a 14. 5kg cylinder
will sell at GHS19. 75)
Premix GHp 54. 27 per litre RFO GHp 83. 93 per litre The price change, effective tomorrow, 29th
December, 2011 as a percent
of the current Maximum Petroleum Products
Pump Prices, is as follows:
Petrol - 15%
Diesel - 15%
Kerosene - 0% LPG - 30%
Premix - 0%
RFO - 0%

BREAKING NEWS: Nduom Ditches CPP…Forms Political Party

The 2008 Convention People's Party (CPP) flag bearer, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom has declared unequivocally that he will not contest the CPP's presidential primary when the party opens nominations for prospective candidates to vie for the flagbearership slot. Addressing the media on a number of issues concerning the CPP and his personal political ambitions in Accra on Wednesday morning, Dr Nduom said he will contest the 2012 general elections on the ticket of a new political party. That political party cum 'movement', he said, will be known in two months' time. More soon.....

Source: Peacefmonline.com

 

Winners of 2nd Ghana Movie Awards

Best Actor In A Leading Role [English Language]
Madji Michel – Somewhere In Africa

Best Actor In A Leading Role [Local Language]
Kwaku Manu – Village Champion

Best Actress In A Leading Role [English Language]
Kimberly Elise - Ties That Bind

Best Actress In A Leading Role [Local Language]
Vivian Jill – Yaw Donkor

Best Actor In A Supporting Role [English Language]
Majid Michel – Somewhere In Africa

Best Actress In A Supporting Role [English Language]
Nadia Buari – Who Owns The City

Best Actress In A Supporting Role [Local Language]
Rose Mensah – Bu Bra Pa

Best Picture
Ties That Bind

Best Directing [English Language]
Leila Djansi & Kevin Huie – Ties That Bind

Best Directing [Local Language]
Augustine Abbey [Idikoko] – Agya Koo Gbengbentus

Best Art Direction
Ties That Bind

Best Music [Original Song]
Agya Koo Gbengbentus – Mframa

Best Movie Africa Collaboration
Ties That Bind

Best Cameo Actor
Kofi Adjorlolo – Somewhere In Africa

Best Cameo Actress
Grace Nortey – Adams Apple

Best Story
Adams Apple

Best Editing
Ties That Bind

Best Cinematography
Ties That Bind

Best Costume & Wardrobe
Queens Pride

Best Make-Up
Adams Apple

Best Visual Effects
Grave Yard

Best Discovery
Kwaku Manu – So,So And So

Best Music [Original Score]
Adams Apple

Best Sound Editing & Mixing
Ties That Bind

Best Writing Adapted Or Original Screenplay
Adams Apple

Best Actor Africa Collaboration
Ramsey Nouah Jnr. – Memories Of My Heart

Best Actress Africa Collaboration
Omotola Jalade – Ties That Bind

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Facebook:www.facebook.com/qtalkgh

Source: peacefmonline.com

Andre 'Dede' Ayew named BBC African Footballer of 2011 (Ayew's father, Abedi Pele, won the BBC award in 1991

Ghana and Marseille winger Andre "Dede" Ayew has been named the BBC's African Footballer of the Year for 2011.

The 21-year-old took over a third of the votes to follow in the footsteps of his father, Abedi "Pele" Ayew, who won the inaugural BBC award in 1991.

Ayew beat Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Samuel Eto'o and Seydou Keita to the title.

"I'm honoured and surprised to receive this prestigious award, especially considering the great players who have won it in the past," said Ayew.

 

"I thank all the people who voted for me - in Ghana, in Africa and in the world.

"I'm going to work hard to show them they made a good choice."

The award was voted for by African football fans who nominated their favourites either by text or email.

They chose from a shortlist which was drawn up by football experts from every country in Africa, who based their choices on players' skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play.

After making an impact on the international stage in 2010, when he impressed observers at both the Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa World Cup, 2011 marked a year when Ayew became a key figure at club level.

He finished the 2010-11 campaign as a regular starter for Marseille for the first time in his career, with his goal tally of 11 aiding his cause.

At the start of this season, he struck a hat-trick to help Marseille win the French Super League - and has since contested all but one of his side's 17 league games, scoring six times.

Injury ruled him out of Marseille's opening Champions League group game but the Ghanaian has gone on to miss just one minute of European action since then, as the 1993 champions reached the knockout stages.

He will be honoured as BBC African Footballer of the Year 2011 in a short ceremony ahead of Marseille's home game against Lorient on Saturday, on his 22nd birthday.

At international level, Ayew also played a key role in ensuring that the Black Stars qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with an unbeaten record.

Abedi "Pele" Ayew was the first winner of the BBC African Sports Star of the Year award for his achievements in 1991, with the title later turning into the current BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

"Dede" becomes the fifth Ghanaian to win after his father, Sammy Kuffour (2001), Michael Essien (2006) and last year's winner Asamoah Gyan.

Previous winners of BBC African Footballer of the Year award:

2010 - Asamoah Gyan (Sunderland & Ghana)

2009 - Didier Drogba (Chelsea & Ivory Coast)

2008 - Mohamed Aboutrika (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2007 - Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal & Togo)

2006 - Michael Essien (Chelsea & Ghana)

2005 - Mohamed Barakat (Al Ahly & Egypt)

2004 - Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2003 - Jay Jay Okocha (Bolton & Nigeria)

2002 - El Hadji Diouf (Liverpool & Senegal)

2001 - Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich & Ghana)

2000 - Patrick Mboma (Parma & Cameroon)

Follow @ArenaQ_Ghana of Twitter

Prez Mills

Prez Mills at NYSE

Arsenal face AC Milan in last 16 & Chelsea draw Napoli

Arsenal have been drawn against AC Milan in the pick of the last 16 Champions League match-ups, while Chelsea will play Napoli.

Arsenal and Chelsea, the only remaining English sides in the competition, both face first legs in Italy.

Defending champions Barcelona face German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The first legs will take place on 14/15 or 21/22 February, while the return fixtures are scheduled for 6/7 or 13/14 March.

Champions League last 16 draw:

Lyon (Fra) v APOEL (Cyp)

Napoli (Ita) v Chelsea (Eng)

AC Milan (Ita) v Arsenal (Eng)

Basel (Swi) v Bayern Munich (Ger)

Bayer Leverkusen (Ger) v Barcelona (Spa)

CSKA Moscow (Rus) v Real Madrid (Spa)

Zenit St Petersburg (Rus) v Benfica (Por)

Marseille (Fra) v Inter Milan (Ita)

Andre Ayew shortlisted for Caf Player of the Year

Date : 15-12-11 Ghana's Andre Ayew has been named on the five-man shortlist for the 2011 Caf Footballer of the Year award. The Olympique Marseille midfielder is joined in the running for the award by Samuel Eto'o Fils of Cameroon, Mali's Seidu Keyta, Moussa Sow of Senegal and Yaya Toure of Cote d'Ivoire. Asamoah Gyan and Kevin-Prince Boateng dropped out of the 10-man shortlist after the final list was revealed. According to CAF, the CAF Technical, Football and Media Committees decided on the choice of shortlists for the other categories taking into account the performance of the nominees from January to November, 2011. Ayew, 21, who is one of Ghana's key performers, helped the Black Stars pick silver at the 2010 Nations Cup and followed up with a great display at the World Cup that same year where the team reached the quarter-finals. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony that comes off in Accra, the Ghana capital on Thursday, December 22. It will be the third time the Ghanaian capital will be hosting the annual event after 2006 and 2009. The shortlisted nominees are (in alphabetical order); African Player of the Year 2011 (a) Andre Ayew (Olympique Marseille and Ghana) (b) Samuel Eto'o (Anzhi Makhachkala and Cameroon) (c) Seydou Keita (Barcelona and Mali) (d) Moussa Sow (Lille and Senegal) (e) Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Cote d'Ivoire) African Player of the Year 2011 (Based in Africa) (a) Oussama Darragi (Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Tunisia) (b) Zouhir Dhaouadi (Club Africain and Tunisia) (c) Banana Yaya (Esperance Sportive de Tunis and Cameroon) National Team of the Year (a) Botswana (b) Cote d'Ivoire (c) Niger (d) Tunisia Women's National Team of the Year (a) Cameroon (b) Nigeria (c) South Africa Club of the Year (a) Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) (b)Maghreb Association Sportive of Fez (Morocco) (c) Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco) Most Promising Talent of the Year (a) Ahmed Elshenawy (El-Masry and Egypt) (b) Souleymane Coulibaly (Tottenham Hotspurs and Cote d'Ivoire) (c) Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo and Nigeria) Coach of the Year (a) Harouna Doula (Niger) (b) Nabil Maaloul (Esperance Sportive de Tunis) - Tunisia (c) Stanley Tshosane (Botswana) Women's Footballer of the Year (a) Nompumelelo Nyandani (South Africa) (b) Perpetua Nkwocha (Nigeria) (c) Miriam Paixao Silva (Equatorial Guinea) Referee of the Year (a) Alioum Neant (Cameroon) (b) Noumandiez Doue (Cote d'Ivoire) (c) Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria) Legend Award Mustapha Hadji (Morocco) Austin 'Jay-Jay' Okocha (Nigeria)

Source: Ghanafa.org

 

Please text 1 to 00447786202008 and vote for Andre Ayew as the BBC African Footballer of the Year for 2011.Alternatively you can vote for him at www.bbc.co.uk/africanfootball to cast your vote

5 ways not to display your affection in public

5 ways not to display your affection in public

 
Isn't it lovely to see a couple expressing affection for each other? Well… up to a point. There's a whole ocean of dignity between holding hands in the street and swapping saliva in public.

When you are in a loving relationship, whilst it can be hard to keep your hands off your significant other, it can also be very hard for anyone unlucky enough to be watching. PDAs (public displays of affection, as opposed to personal digital assistants… remember them?) are never much fun unless you're taking part in them, and even then it's often a lot more pleasurable for one half of the PDAing couple than for the other.

We're not suggesting that no-one should show affection in public. Public affection is important in a relationship. It shows your partner that you fancy them and that you're proud to be with them, and that's a vital part of making them feel appreciated. Any onlooker would have to be pretty small-minded to object to couples holding hands, snuggling up or giving each other a peck on the cheek. But go much further than that, and you can start to make people feel very uncomfortable indeed.

Here are five PDA blunders that make us want to scream "get a room"… or just make us want to scream.


1. Kissing with tongues

You look horrible when you snog. Sorry, but you do. Everyone does, except for teenage movie stars, and even they look prettier with their mouths shut and their faces unattached.

Public snogging isn't just ugly, it's also undignified and can be counter-productive. You may wish to tell the world "look how loved up we are," but the world hears "look how desperate we are to show you that we fancy each other."

It also conveys a sense of immaturity. Most people get public snogging out of their systems at school discos. When you see two adults doing it, you can't help but wonder if they've ever actually had sex. It's a grim and deeply unsexy spectacle.


2. Mismatched PDA

Everyone has a different threshold for modesty. If you want to snog your partner or hold their hand but they'd rather not, don't impose your wishes on them. Slobbering over a reluctant man or woman is a very good way to turn them off.

If your partner is less keen on PDA than you are, it's not necessarily a reflection of their feelings for you - it probably has a lot more to do with shyness. If you try to kiss them in public and they flinch or start to pull away, that should be more than enough of a signal for you to stop. Be sensitive to their PDA tolerance and don't disrespect their wishes.


3. Friend-unfriendly PDA

You can be romantic with your partner in front of friends, right? Well, no. It's rude, for a number of reasons. If you and your partner are out with friends, you should be giving your friends your attention, not each other. You can give each other all the attention you like when you get home later.

And what about friends who aren't happy in their relationships, or single friends who'd rather not be single? The last thing they want to see is you two cooing over each other. Even the happiest of your friends won't be too delighted to play gooseberry if they're alone with you and you start groping each other.


4. Premature PDA

Many new lovers engage in public displays of affection as a way of "marking territory". It's hardly surprising, given the tidal waves of lust and excitement that wash over you when you start falling for someone. But be warned, premature pawing is not a way to keep someone interested. It's just as likely to scare them off.


5. PDA in the workplace

Meeting a new partner online is now one of the top three ways to start a relationship, but if you're someone who's met their partner at work, the temptation to engage in a spot of on-the-clock PDA must be strong. It's a temptation to be resisted at all costs.

Any kind of cutesy contact in the workplace could earn you disrespect, jealousy or even the sack. Don't even think about swapping saucy emails. It's also wise to keep your PDA to a respectable minimum during after-work drinks with colleagues. They'll have a lot more respect for you as a couple if all your PDAs are strictly private displays of affection, well away from the office.

French man ordered to pay wife 10,000 euros for lack of sex

A court in France has ordered a man to pay 10,000 euros ($13,300) in damages to his long-frustrated ex-wife after he failed in his marriage "duties" by withholding sex from her for years.

In the May ruling, published on Tuesday in the Gazette du Palais judicial review, an appeals court in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence upheld an earlier decision to award the damages for "absence of sexual relations".

The couple, who are both 51, married in 1986 and have two children. They divorced in January 2009 in the city of Nice.

In its ruling, the court said the man's wife deserved the damages due to the suffering she endured because of her sexless marriage.

"The wife's expectations were legitimate in the sense that sexual relations between married people are an expression of their mutual affection and part of the duties that proceed from marriage," the court said.

It dismissed the husband's argument that health problems and long working hours had simply reduced the opportunities for the couple to have sex.

The court ruled that he had not proved "any health problems that would make him completely incapable of having intimate relations with his wife."

About Akosombo (Nkonson-konson-bo (a chain of rock)

It was called Nkonson-konson-bo (a chain of rock). That was the name given to the little known settlement by its inhabitants, who in 1733, had settled at the foot of the gorge formed by the Akwapim and Togo mountain ranges.

Nkonson-konson-bo soon became strategically a frontline safe haven of the militant Akwamus, who in retreat after two hundred years of conquest and imperial rule, had sought refuge in the safety provided by the hills and the river Volta It is said that the Chief of the Akwamus made his nephew headman of the community to keep a lookout for their enemies from the north of the river.

For nearly two centuries the Akwamus enjoyed the protection, security and peace of the gorge, cultivating the rich fertile land and harvesting the abundance of fish from the river Volta, without any intrusion so to speak, until Sir Albert Kitson, an Australian geologist, who first discovered bauxite in Ghana in 1915, noted Nkonson-konson-bo, as a future hydro-electric dam site. This name latter became corrupted to Akosombo.

With this remarkable discovery began the gradual but steady transformation of Akosombo into pre-eminence. World leaders, industrialists, engineers, surveyors and international celebrities from across the globe began to take express interest in what was seen as one of the biggest projects on the African continent.

Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah made the implementation of the Volta River Project the cornerstone of his vision for the development and prosperity of the newly independent nation. This gave a fresh impetus to the Volta River Project which got under way in 1961, 46 years after the potential of the gorge was first identified.

The period of construction saw a steady stream of visitors arriving in Akosombo from all parts of the world. Engineers and surveyors, industrialists and financiers, government leaders and international celebrities, either came to contribute to the implementation of the multi-purpose scheme or to get a feel of such a world famous project.

Akosombo has been carefully planned and developed with modern infrastructure and recreational facilities. The services of the world renowned architectural and engineering firm, Dioxides Associates, who had completed a master-plan for Tema, Ghana's modern sea port, were obtained to supervise the implementation of the Akosombo township project.

Decades after the township of Akosombo was built it has earned an international reputation not only as the home of one of Africas most successful development schemes but also as an important and popular tourist destination. Its scenic beauty with undulating chain of mountains and valleys hold a breadth- taking fascination for tourists and residents alike.

The construction of the Akosombo Dam has resulted in the formation of the largest man-made lake in the world in terms of surface area(8502sq.km). The Akosombo Dam and the Volta Lake together with the gigantic Hydro-Electric Power Station reveal the wonders of nature, science and technology which hold spell-bound fascination for tourists.

Today, with the introduction of a 15-year national tourism development plan, to exploit the nation's tourist potential, Akosombo is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in the realization of this programme. A systematic integrated development plan which involved the development of electric power, lake transportation, hotels and pleasure activities, as well as fishery, has offered tourism a new fillip to further exploit the vast resource base of Ghana's sovereign river, the Volta

Women Fake Orgasms To Stop Men Being Unfaithful - Study

Women fake their orgasms in a bid to stop their partners from cheating, a new study has revealed.

The research by Columbia University in New York and Oakland University of Michigan questioned 453 women who had been in a relationship for at least six months.

It was found that pretending to orgasm was the most popular strategy employed by a woman to keep her partner from straying.

But those who faked it were also more likely to use other tactics such as dressing up in the bedroom and keeping tabs on their partners' whereabouts.

More than half (53.9%) of the women questioned admitted to faking their orgasms with this group being the most likely to be suspicious of their partners' fidelity.

"One particular reason that emerges from a lot of studies is 'to keep my partner interested in this relationship', or 'to prevent him from defecting from the relationship or leaving the relationship for another woman,'" said researcher Farnaz Kaighobadi

 

 

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·         Location information with local GPS powered our detailed Tramigo landmark.
·         Microphone for in-vehicle listening (enables the owner to make a silent call to the device and listen to conversations going on in the case of theft.)
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·         Fuel management system
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For Orders / Equiries Contact: quabynahltd@gmail.com

FREE SCHOOL UNIFORMS: CAN YOU IMAGINE ?

 

Medical distinction between Guts and Balls

Medical distinction between Guts and Balls
There is a medical distinction between Guts and Balls.  We've all heard
about people having Guts or Balls. But do you really know the difference
between them?

In an effort to keep you informed, here are the definitions:
GUTS - Is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met
by your wife with a broom, and having the Guts to ask: 'Are you still
cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?'

BALLS - Is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of
perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the
butt and having the Balls to say: 'You're next, Chubby.'
I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions.
Medically, speaking there is No difference in the outcome.
Both result in serious injuries.

Do you fart in bed?

If this story doesn't make you cry for laughing so hard, let me know and I'll pray for you.
This is a story about a couple who had been happily married for years.
The only friction in their marriage was the husband's habit of farting loudly every morning when he awoke.
The noise would wake his wife and the smell would make her eyes water and make her gasp for air.
Every morning she would plead with him to stop ripping them off because it was making her sick.
 
He told her he couldn't stop it and that it was perfectly natural.
She told him to see a doctor; she was concerned that one day he would blow his guts out.
The years went by and he continued to rip them out.
Then one Christmas day morning, as she was preparing the turkey for dinner and he was upstairs sound asleep, she looked at the innards, neck, gizzard, liver and all the spare parts, and a malicious thought came to her.
She took the bowl and went upstairs where her husband was sound asleep and, gently pulling the bed covers back, she pulled back the elastic waistband of his underpants and emptied the bowl of turkey guts into his shorts..
Some time later she heard her husband waken with his usual trumpeting which was followed by a blood curdling scream and the sound of frantic foot steps as he ran into the bath room.
 
The wife could hardly control herself as she rolled on the floor laughing, tears in her eyes!
 
After years of torture she reckoned she had got him back pretty good.
About twenty minutes later, her husband came downstairs in his bloodstained underpants with a look of horror on his face.
She bit her lip as she asked him what the matter was.
He said, 'honey you were right.' 'All these years you have warned me and I didn't listen to you'. 'What do you mean?' asked his wife.
'Well, you always told me that one day I would end up farting my guts out, and today it finally happened.
But by the grace of god, some Vaseline and two fingers, I think I got most of them back in!

Men are not romantic

Joyce: Jimmy babe, now that we are engaged, I think we should start calling each other using pet names, sweet names. James: (uninterested) alright babe. So what do you wanna call me? Joyce: I think I will call you tiger James: Why tiger babe? Joyce: (sexy tone) because you're charming, handsome, smart and calculating.          And you Jimmy babe, what do you wanna call me?   James (still uninterested): I think I will call you zebra Joyce: (smiling and kissing his cheek) ooh that's sweet, why would you call me that? James: because of your stretch-marks!!!!!!!!

Phonka Games part 2

Phokah Games 2011

Mobile Number Portability in Ghana

Before a customer can switch from one network to the other, the person must first go to the new network agent and request for his number to be ported.

 

Therefore, if a customer of network X wants to move to network Y, he must first ask network Y to port his number and network Y would then inform network X about the customer's decision to close his account with X.

 

Below are processes a customer would go through when trying to port his number

 

1. A customer must visit a shop for the network he wants to join, bringing with him the identification which is always required to register a new account (National ID, Passport, Drivers Licence, Voter ID, or National Health Insurance ID) and the phone/SIM he uses on his current network.

 

2. Staff at the shop will discuss with the customer the features and offers available, as well as prices, fees, charges, phones, SIMs, or any other factor related to joining their network. They will also ask and/or assist the customer to complete a porting request form.

 

3. Customers would be informed that the only features available to them are those on the new network, and that the features they enjoyed or selected on their current network will no longer be available to them. They should also be told that any credit left on their old account will be gone after they port.

 

4. The staff will enter the porting request into the system, and will ask/assist the customer to send a free text message to validate the porting request. The customer will receive a text message confirming that the request is being processed.

 

5. The customer will be provided with his new SIM or phone. He will receive another text message telling him when the porting process is complete, and that he should change to his new SIM or begin using his new phone. At this time, anyone who calls him or sends a text message to him at his phone number will reach him at his new network.

 

6. The entire process should be completed in much less than 24 hours.

 

7. From the time the porting request is submitted, until the process is completed, the customer's old network is not permitted to contact him, especially to discuss the porting process.

 

8. Porting will only be refused if the customer has not been with his current network for at least 30 days, or has ported within the previous 30 days, or his phone account has already been cut off for non-payment, or reported stolen.

 

9. Customers should remember to copy or transfer any contacts or phonebook entries they saved in their old SIM or phone. The staff in the new network's shop should be able to assist in this, if needed.

 

10. If the customer experiences any problems in receiving or making calls or receiving or sending text messages, he should take the matter up promptly with his new network.

 

11. After porting is completed, the customer should use recharge/top-up cards for his new network. He is no longer a customer of his former network.

 

12. Porting does not release a customer from any contractual obligations or debt he owes at his former network. Bill should be paid, and deposits refunded. A customer who received bills for usage will receive a final bill after the porting is completed.

 

13. The customer's former network must give him the means to recover any mobile banking or payment money which had been on account there, even after porting.

 

14. After at least 30 days at his new network, a customer is free to move back to his old network or onward to another network.

Q: WILL YOU PORT YOUR NUMBER ?

      WHAT WILL MAKE YOU DO SO?

GHANA MUSIC AWARDS FESTIVAL 2011

ENGLAND vs GHANA (INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY)

ENGLAND 1 - 1 GHANA

FROM TRO-TRO WITH LOVE (PART 2)

 

.........The mate jumped in, or rather squeezed in and somehow managed to roll the door shut. He gestured and shouted ‘Massa away’. Finally, we had set off on our morning trip. As l sat squished up between Ekuba and another passenger I could not help but day dream. I had known Ekuba for almost six months counting back to the first day we met at the station. We had immediately struck an acquaintance. I knew she worked as a sales personnel for an insurance company and lived with her parents, beyond that I knew little about her. I wonder why I never noticed how nice she smelled or how curvy she was. Being squeezed by a beautiful girl has its perks especially if it’s beside a beautiful girl. Come to think of it, I actually knew more than I realized. She had big beautiful brown eyes set in an oval face, she was tall and slender. She was quiet and polite but I suspected she had a sharp tongue because of a fracas she had with mate once.

I was jolted out of my reverie as the bus sputtered to a halt. What now! As much as I enjoyed my rides on the bus I just couldn’t get used to the constant breakdowns that seemed to be part and parcel of the package. Apparently, we had run low on fuel and to add insult to injury we had taken a short cut off the main road to avoid traffic, which meant all the buses plying that route were full. We all stumbled out of the bus amidst murmuring and sucking of teeth.
‘Driver ad3n’
‘One gallon! One gallon! Mo p3 saa’.
‘Enti anapa nso mu shortee’
The snide remarks continued till we realized the problem wasn’t getting solved by our rants. The driver apologized heavily and chastised the mate for not filling the tank the night before. This accusation did not sit too well with the mate who grumbled as he was handed the gallon to go get diesel from the nearest station. A few passengers who couldn’t stand waiting angrily trudged in the direction of the main road.

With this new development, I looked round to see if Ekuba had also decided not to wait. I saw her waiting patiently by the bus. I knew I had to get to work early but I just couldn’t let this opportunity pass by. I walked towards her and asked whether she wasn’t in a hurry to get to work. Apparently she wasn’t, ‘A fa’!
We started talking and i realized we had attended the same primary school and had at one point in time lived in the same area. What a small world. We shared a mutual love for soccer even though we were on opposing sides. While she supported Chelsea I was a diehard United fan. She was also a proud book worm who loved reading and hoped to publish her own book some day. I felt so at ease talking to her that I didn’t even realize when the mate returned with the fuel. He filled the tank and the driver started the engine.

As we boarded the bus I tried to assume my old position but the mate rudely shouted, ‘coat coat, empty seat dey for back; meaning I should move to the row at the back. I was in such a good mood so i wasn’t perturbed. It appeared that, he had seen me talking to Ekuba and had decided to thwart my plans; he managed to seat us apart but that was all he could do. Ekuba and I had exchanged numbers and had planned to watch the next FA cup fixture together. It looked like finally the fates had smiled on me. It was true that I was going to spend the valentine’s day alone but the future looked very bright.

By E.B.
qtalkgh@gmail.com

CONFIDENCE VS ARROGANCE

 

Arrogance should never be confused with having an innate sense of self-respect and healthy confidence. Initially, these character traits may come across as similar, but if you look more closely, you will readily perceive how differently they manifest themselves in real life. With a little effort and insight, you can avoid the mistake of misidentifying a sense of self-importance and superiority with the real deal: a truly confident person with an inherent sense of peace, an openness to others’ thoughts and lifestyles, and with nothing to prove to anyone else. Let’s look at a few major differences between leading a self-assured life and a self-inflated existence.

Arrogance can often come from self-misconception and false perception, an inflated ego that tells the person they are better than all others around them. How a person views themselves is often contrary to how the rest of the world views them. Even if arrogant people truly have more talent than others in a given field, the idea that they are superior to others because of this talent still represents a skewed perception of themselves. After all, no one is perfect, everyone has faults, and there’s always someone out there better than you at your talent.

Arrogance is often an attempt by someone with low self-esteem to gain praise from others through false confidence. Through seeking praise from the outside world, they hope to gain a feeling of worth that they may not otherwise feel in themselves. Conversely, people with confidence are comfortable with their accomplishments remaining under wraps, and have no compelling need to consistently brag about their achievements.

Another aspect of arrogance is that it does not lead to loyal relationships, as arrogant individuals seem to only attract those who are looking to use them for the very things they brag about. Then, too, they might attract others with equally inflated egos, where their main connection is boasting of their accomplishments together and making others feel inferior to themselves. These types of negative relationships do not weather the harder times in your life, when things get difficult or problems arise. When the going gets tough, these fair-weather friends will be nowhere to be found.

Confident people, on the other hand, don’t need to belittle or put down others with less success in their lives in order to feel better about themselves or their accomplishments, as arrogant people often do.
Confidence has humility embodied within it, an inner strength that does not diminish others, but lifts them up with the unperceivable shining of their light – a sort of charisma resulting from a surety in who they are as human beings. Arrogance, on the other hand, has a person claiming, even demanding their proper respect and “adoration” from those beneath them, who they perceive to be cut from lesser cloth.

Confident people tend to be more aware and accepting of those times when they aren’t always in the right. They can live with the idea that no one is perfect and don’t feel unduly threatened when confronted with their mistakes or limitations. In contrast, arrogant people tend to think only their vision is correct, unlike confident people who are able to see other points of view, and if necessary, adjust accordingly.

People with confidence are not upset when challenged by others, whether the debate is regarding ideas, abilities, or opinions. Confident people are open and accepting of different viewpoints, while arrogant people often do not allow much room for debate, insisting instead that their thoughts and beliefs are the only ones that count.

Clearly, confidence and arrogance are on opposite ends of the character spectrum with one emerging as a virtue and the other, a most unpleasant vice.

FROM 'TRO-TRO' WITH LOVE (PART 1)

♫…this love will last though years may go ♫

For some not so strange reason this was the song that rang through my head as I prepared for work on the 14th of February. Over the years I have come to understand the term ‘unlucky in love’. The world designated ‘lovers’ day always found me single, either I had been dumped at the beginning of the year or I had hit a dry spell. I was therefore indifferent to the happenings of that day and it would have passed unnoticed had it not been for the bright red hampers gracing most shop fronts and the plentiful adverts in the media. So back to the story, I made sure my attire for the day had no traces of red or any of its derivatives and I set of for the trotro station. I don’t about you but, my morning and evening rides to and from work are most times the highlights of my otherwise monotonous days. Working a white collar job can get tedious and boring so I always look forward to these rides. I so patronized this mode of transportation that I have made a few good friends at the station. Fellow passengers like me who have found their services indispensable.

I got there just in time to catch the last seat; I hopped in and was expecting the mate to call the driver. I was shocked when he shouted;
‘Eny3 mma y3; last one’
But where are you going to sit? I retorted.
My question was met with silence as he scanned the station in search for God knows what. A woman sitting close to me shouted;
Heh, Mate, some of us have real jobs to go to eh
This drew the attention of the other passengers in the bus, who started shouting at him to go and call his master since the bus was full. The mate stood unfazed by the commotion in the bus. Just as some passengers threatened to come off board we saw a young lady rushing towards the bus. I realized that it was Ekuba, one of the first friends I had made at the station whilst queuing for a bus. When she got to the entrance she realized the bus was full and turned to wait for the next bus. The mate who was watching the whole time hurriedly pulled down his seat and offered it to her. That was when it dawned on me that he had been waiting for her all along. I also realized he was clad in a red up and down get up with clean shaven face and well trimmed hair…..TO BE CONTINUED.
BY E.B
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HOW TO PREPARE FOR A DATE

You've snagged a date with someone special, and now you've got the chance to make an impression. Preparing for a date can be nerve-wracking, but can be approached in a step-by-step manner that'll assure you make it to your date fully prepared. The rest is up to you.

1.     Do some homework.
 In the days before a date, take time out to catch up with current events and hot topics. These are great conversation starters and you will be able to impress your date with your knowledge. Try to remember as much as you can about previous conversations together so you can follow up on them. Have a couple of funny stories or conversation pieces up your sleeve in case you need them. There are now many dating advice online forums and sites that one can access in the internet. The problem with some of these sites is that they are not actually made by professionals who have studied and researched their dating advice. It would be prudent to also consider the legitimacy of the dating advice as well as the veracity of it.
2.     Start looking and feeling good in advance.
Set time aside for exercise in the days before the date, whether it's yoga or push ups. Eat well and get plenty of sleep.
3.     Pick your clothes early.
 You should have several outfits laid out before the day of the date. This way you won't have any last minute panics when you realize you have an ab3 nkwan  stain down your favourite shirt. Plus, it will allow you to try on a few different looks on the day of the date and see which one fits your mood most comfortably at the time.
4.     Clean up on the day of the date.
Take a nice, long shower or bath. Ensure you have clean hair and nails. You should smell good, but not overpowering. Avoid heavy perfumes and aftershaves, especially if your date could be allergic. Ladies, go easy when applying make-up and aim for a natural but groomed look. If things go well he will eventually see you without make-up - and you will want him to recognize you at that point. Shortly before leaving for your date, floss and brush your teeth thoroughly.
5.     Think positively.
You're going out to enjoy yourself, after all. Don't start worrying about what disasters could happen, because that way they are far more likely to. If you are getting nervous, call a good friend, watch your favourite comedy show or listen to upbeat music. Loosen up. Focus on having fun and you inevitably will.
6.     Be punctual.
Give yourself plenty of time to get to your rendezvous. Keeping your date waiting will start things off on the wrong foot.




WARNING

• Never put yourself in a compromising situation--most people are trustworthy, but "date rape" is unfortunately a real occurrence. Always have a first date in a public setting (restaurant, movie, club, mall, etc.) Only accept drinks served from a bottle or can opened by you or in front of you, or by a third party (like a bartender). Unfortunately, there are drugs ("date rape drugs") that can be added to ANY drink without any noticeable difference in taste. Some people use these drugs to put women (and sometimes men) in precarious situations. If you turn away from your drink, get into the habit of covering it with your hand, as it only takes a second to slip something into a drink. If you are suspicious, get a new drink.
• If you feel something's wrong, trust your instincts and politely but firmly end the date.
• Be sure to always have a cell phone and cash for a cab so that you never feel you have to rely on your date for a ride home.
• Always be careful about alcoholic intake.
• Try to be as honest as possible to your date, otherwise it could come back and bite you later on if it does end up working out between you two.

     
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GETTING A TATOO

The art of tattooing is a trend which has caught on fast with the youth in Ghana, but I doubt if most of its patrons have stopped to find out more about it.

I searched for information about the subject and was amazed to find a wealth of information on the subject. I have put together the information in a form we can all appreciate and assimilate.

ORIGINS

Did you know……….

The word tattoo was coined from the Polynesian word ‘Tatau’ back in the year 1769

It is practiced by cultures across the continent from as far back as the Paleolithic/Neolithic period
It is done for spiritual, cosmetic, identification, religious ,medical and social reasons.
It involves inserting ink into the dermis layer of the skin
The first Ink machine was invented in 1891,before then tattoos were made by scarification using knives and other sharp objects.
Natural Dyes and Ink have now been replaced by inorganic products composed of titanium oxide and iron oxide
Tattoo ink have been known to cause allergic reactions and blood borne infections
Tattoo ink have been proven to cause interference in MRI procedures especially those containing iron oxide
All tattoo parlours in the developed world are regulated the states food and drugs regulatory body
Tattoo artist are expected to undergo hygiene training before practicing.

One interesting thing about those getting tatoo is those who are dark skinned aka 'KOO JACKIE or KOO DARKIE'. You can hardly has been design on the skin yet they go in for it. It was very fuuny watch a TATOO artist on the ONE SHOW on VSAT 1 , a Ghanaian tv station. The Tatoo artist said he educates his potential clients on the advantages and disadvantages of getting a Tatoo. Then the host of the show noticed he himself (the tatoo artist) has NO TATOO on his skin, not even a single mark. His reason was , he didnt want it on his skin since taking it off is 'impossible'  but loves to design them on people. This is just like  'shoe makers' who walk around in town with torn 'chale wote' .

In Ghana, before TATOO became common, when you see someone with a TATOO, you begin to have a funny perception about the person. Its either the person is 'wild' or 'criminal' since those with TATOOS in the yankee movies we watch were the 'KILLERS'. Now, it has become a 'fashon' for a lot of people to get a TATOO. One group of people who have really caught up with it are the SPORTS men and women especially football players. It sometimes look great, others are horrible.

So folks before you enter that TATOO shop to get one, think seriously about it especially the health and social implications and ask yourself ....." DO I NEED TO GET A TATOO ?"

This is food for thought for the discerning reader.

By

E.B and Q.B

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MEN AND WOMEN

So I’m walking into a shop, and a good looking man walks past me, and let the door slam into my face. Gosh! I thought, he’d started looking kind of ugly, and immediately you are thrown off by his atrocious manners!!!

I didn’t know whether to tap him on the shoulder, and say hey, what happened to chivalry?

After all, perhaps the guy was in a hurry to get to the men’s room. Maybe he didn’t even see me, although I’m over six feet tall and hardly unnoticeable.

Don’t get me wrong, not all men deliberately do this, and not all women are saints, but there are some basic etiquettes when it comes to knowing how to treat people in certain situations.

My grandmother used to say, your mama didn’t teach you well. This was her answer to every door slammed in her face, but really, it’s about having common courtesy and class.

Do we have to wait for our mother’s prompting before we know what to do?  Have we become so driven and busy that we haven’t got a clue about what’s right and wrong or expected? 

I’ve come up with this  little list of dos and don’ts for you this week, which I hope you’ll be able to enjoy and or apply.Ladies, don’t show up for a first date looking like you’re going for a wild night out with the girls.

Guys, always open the door for a woman; This includes car doors too. You’ll be fondly remembered for this.

Ladies always have enough money to pay for your half of the dinner. Not every man will admit to you that he can’t manage the whole bill when you ask him out for a meal, so don’t make assumptions.

Men, try to understand that leaving a woman stranded after a late night out, as you go roaring off into the night with friends is not on. Take her safely home, even if she says she’s okay on her own.

Women, you can like someone a lot, but behave in a demure fashion in the company of a man. They are scared off by stalker type of behaviour.

Guys, just because a woman shows that she likes you, by picking up a few groceries for you, and cooking you a nice meal, does not qualify her to assume the responsibilities of a wife thereafter.

 You still have to do your own washing guys!

Lastly, we can always discuss our expectations for each other’s behaviour in a calm and respectful way.  If anything, it will save a million female faces in the doorways of Accra, and prevent masses of men’s dirty laundry piling up! At the same time, remember to keep love everlasting in your hearts.