Military force doesn’t define a nation’s greatness; it’s the power to prevent war – Joel Savage

Worldwide, developed nations and many of their citizens believe that a great nation is defined by its military force. More significantly, superpowers like the US, Russia, China, and North Korea frequently display their military might in parades for the world to see. 

However, I hold a different view; I firmly think that a nation's greatness is determined by its capacity to promote national harmony and avert war, not by its military might.

 

The world is suffering from wars, which are taking their toll on humanity. However, many don’t even know that these wars can be avoided, though. These conflicts are caused by a variety of factors, including greed, arrogance, and the desire to dominate and control the world. 

Everyone is bragging about their weaponry and military capabilities, but frequently, this verbal boasting turns into actual action. Yesterday it was Russia and Ukraine, and today it is Israel and Iran. Who knows what comes next?

 

The world is advancing rapidly due to the effects of modern technology. In the past, the US government could simply devise a scheme to accuse an African leader of accumulating wealth while denying the people food. 

The US military-backed coup to overthrow the African government comes next. However, today, Africans no longer support this fallacious US policy. When the United States wrongly accused the leader of Burkina Faso of accumulating a fortune and starving his people, the world stood up for Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

 

The Russian-Ukrainian and Israel-Iran wars are not Africa's fault, but the Black Continent bears the brunt of their effects. Although the accusations are denied, legitimate papers frequently blame Western nations and the US government for coups and political instability on the African continent.

However, the political situation in Burkina Faso is France's fault. After successfully assassinating Thomas Sankara, the former colonial master now wishes to try on Ibrahim Traoré.

 

World leaders should recognize the effects of war on mankind, including the destruction of the economy, the displaced people and refugees, environmental catastrophes, and the disruption of global stability, rather than displaying their incompetence to stop conflicts. 

The world doesn't need leaders who are intent on using war to prove their superiority. It's enough!

WHY THE WAR AGAINST CRIME IS A TOTAL FAILURE

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Why have governments, politicians, and security agencies spent billions of dollars fighting endless wars against crimes when nothing significant has been achieved so far? 

In my country of birth, Ghana, there is a proverb that says, "If you are pulling a rope and suddenly it stops, then something is holding on to it at the end."

That is true; the fight against crime has been a total failure because rich people, politicians, high-profile personalities, and wealthy institutions, including pharmaceutical companies, are behind the most horrible crimes you will never think of.

These rich white-collar criminals and institutions rule this world; they decide who must live and die. Therefore, the world is not at rest, and clearly, everyone can see that people now live in fear and anxiety.

Money is good; everyone needs it, but why do you need to kill people, races, or reduce the world's population with biological weapons to make money or get what you want and then tell the world that bats, primates, poverty, and bushmeat are responsible?

This is the truth I write, and it's only a few writers that have such courage to write it. Since the truth is more bitter than the bile, the one on the truthful part becomes an enemy, facing all kinds of harassment, punishment, and hate from an empire of deceitful enemies.

The one who walks with God can't be silenced even when he sees death approaching, and the one who walks with God doesn't fear any man who was once a baby. Whatever a man sows, the same he shall reap. 

Politicians, your world stinks of crime; Google, your world stinks of crime; the World Health Organization (WHO), your world stinks of crime; the US government, your world stinks of crime; and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), your world stinks of crime.

You must take responsibility for today's coronavirus deaths. Your responsibility is to protect the people, not to kill them. Now those who can't handle it any longer are committing suicide, and their deaths are being ruled as COVID-19-related deaths. 

The blood of the innocent you have murdered with the coronavirus will remain indelible in your palms forever, and those supporting, aiding, abetting, and defending your crimes will come to ruin. Time will tell.

SIERRA LEONE needs more International help aftermath the war

Child killers at war in Sierra Leone



The war in Sierra Leone is over, but the result is disastrous. A grim picture of victims of war with physical and psychological scars is all over the provinces. As said by one of the victims, calling for international help.


"If you can permit me, I can send some photos of war victims still on the streets of  Freetown and other big towns, having no proper care, no shelter, and no food. They only survive by begging on the street for their daily lives."

In 2008, when I visited Freetown, what I saw was really sad to narrate. How could people be so cruel? What crime has the baby or child committed to deserve amputation of both wrists? The victim's mind is still filled with sad emotions of bitterness about what happened to them. 

They can forgive but can't forget what exactly took place in Sierra Leone. The war victims are all over the provinces with amputated hands and legs. Sad to say that the less fortunate ones had both hands amputated.  

This is the biggest problem the government of Sierra Leone is presently facing.  The people need international help in terms of feeding, shelter, clothing, medical, and education for children roaming on the streets without a certain future.

This horrific war that claimed thousands of lives and maimed both children and adults could have been prevented. The developed countries were very slow to respond to the cry of the Sierra Leoneans, until they observed how serious the war was becoming. 

To halt the brutal war, many musicians, including Lucky Dube, the South African reggae star, and the great Joseph Hill of Culture-Jamaica (both deceased), sacrificed their lives to play peace concerts in the capital, Freetown. Joseph Hill told the rebels to put down their weapons, and they obeyed.

At one point, the rebels told the government of Tejan Kabbah that "You are lucky that Paa Hill is here (referring to Joseph Hill), else we shall destroy this city within twenty-four hours". 

Even though the government is working to promote the welfare of the people, especially children, youth, and women in their quest to achieve Social Justice, Advocacy, Human Rights, and Social Improvement in a participatory approach, irrespective of Tribe, Race, Gender, and Religion, Sierra Leone still needs international help.

Building the future of war affected children in Sierra Leone

Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone


Sierra Leone is diamond-rich but one of the poorest countries in the world. It was like that country never existed until a decade-long civil war brought it to world attention. Thousands of Sierra Leoneans were victims of the horrific war.

Adults and children suffered mutilations, amputations, and thousands of children were abducted by warring factions and forced to become child soldiers, porters, and child slaves. The country and its victims are still struggling to come to terms with their recent past.

The United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy for Children and Armed Conflict, Mr. Olara Otunnu, who visited Sierra Leone, said that "Without the prospect of jobs and education, Sierra Leonean children could be a source of instability in a country which is yet to recover from a decade of war."

During his week-long visit to Sierra Leone last year, Mr. Otunnu launched "The Voice of the Children," a radio station run by the youths in the capital, Freetown. Otunnu was delighted to see the effort of people trying to rebuild the schools, which are in deplorable conditions.

He said, "Children should be at school rather than mining diamonds. He was shocked to see many children forced as slaves in the diamond mines at Kono district, yet wallowing in poverty and not attending school. Because they don't have adequate facilities."

"He was delighted when the children told him that they preferred to be in school to working at the mines. To rehabilitate the country's war-ravaged health and educational sectors, the World Bank approved 40 million dollars in grants to Sierra Leone. Part of the money will be used to restore what the bank called "The most essential functions of the health delivery system."

On February 25, 2003, President Tedjan Kabbah formally inaugurated a National Commission for the War Affected, calling it "One of the most far-reaching decisions we have made for the future of this nation." A war crime tribunal has been set up to investigate those who committed serious offenses and violated international humanitarian laws.

In the heat of the war and after it subsided, many great musicians, such as Lucky Dube and Joseph Hill of Culture (Jamaica), were in the country to play "Peace Concerts" in their efforts to unite the people for lasting peace.

The American-born film actor and producer, Michael Douglas, was also in Sierra Leone on a five-day tour to view the remains of the weapons surrendered to the United Nations and talk to some of the victims. Mr. Michael Douglas was named United Nations "Messenger of Peace" in 1998.

SAVE THE CHILDREN: POEM BY JOEL SAVAGE

The dangers surrounding children mining gold in Ghana



"Save The Children" is a poem written by JOEL SAVAGE

The poem was selected by the International Library of Poetry through "Poetry.com" and published in a book named "TRACING THE INFINITE." 


Copyright@2004 by the International Library of Poetry as a compilation.

SAVE THE CHILDREN

Deep in my sleep, I could hear the children crying.

On the streets, I could see them begging.

On the desert, I could see them thirsty, fighting to survive.

Why do parents bring them into the world to suffer?

Let's save the children. They are more precious than diamonds.

Let's save the children.


Deep in my spirit, I feel restless. I could hear the children wailing.

They are looking for their parents killed in wars and ethnic conflicts.

Down in my soul, I feel miserable. I see desperate children eating from the trash.

Some turn to junkies and juvenile criminals because of neglect.

Let's save the children. They are assets to national development.

Save the children. Don't neglect them. @

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