INTERVIEW: GREGORY ISAACS SPEAKS TO JOEL SAVAGE

The writer Joel Savage and Gregory Isaacs



Reggae superstar Gregory Isaacs has rocked the world with his countless hits in the field of reggae over the past thirty years. Known in Jamaica as “The Cool Ruler” due to his slow style of cool melodious love tunes, the star was born in 1951 in Kingston-Jamaica. 


Gregory died at the age of 59, after a long illness at his London home on Monday morning.


His numerous hits, which include “Night Nurse, Mr. Brown, Slave Market, Black Liberation Struggle, Diplomatic Fools, Not the way, Hard drugs, made the ultimate reggae star unique and gained international stardom. 

On May 2, 2008, supported by a Jamaican reggae group called “Live Wyya,” Gregory thrilled the audience when one of the ladies that night gave him a bunch of roses.

After performing live, we sat down for a conversation of which I want to share with reggae fans worldwide.

Joel: It’s been over thirty years since you stormed the reggae world. You are still serious in the field of reggae. What has kept you strong all these years?

Gregory: Jah is my guide, my light, and my salvation.

Joel: You have released a great number of hits, including “Hard Drug,” which hit the British charts in the middle of the eighties. Could you please tell me which of your albums has that song and which of your albums is the best?

Gregory: To me, the best of everything hasn’t come out yet, and that song is on the album “All That I Have Is Love,” the second version.

Joel: Often, great reggae stars are tainted with scandals many times, which has led them to jail. Do you think it’s just a way to ruin their career or frustrate them because they often sing against the government?

Gregory: Well, some people do good things and others do bad things. But when people are in control, they can do whatever they want because they can. Also, the devil is everywhere. Gregory then laughed hysterically.

Joel: I always asked every reggae star I interviewed the same question. All over Africa, the name Gregory Isaacs is regarded as one of the greatest stars in reggae music. However, have you ever visited any of the reggae countries?

Gregory: Yes, I have been all over Africa. I have been to Zimbabwe, Ghana, Gambia, and Ethiopia. I have been right there, truly speaking.

Joel: Reggae music is a crowd puller; everyone loves it. You can imagine the fans who came to watch you tonight. Everywhere is fully jammed. But why is the music given less recognition compared to other music?

Gregory: The music is sensitive because of the truth. Bob was once asked in an interview if reggae preaches violence. Bob said positively that before rasta came on the scene, there was violence. The truth is bitter to swallow, sharper than an arrow piercing through the flesh.

Joel: As a family man, how many children do you have?

Gregory: Eleven children.

Joel: When you finally retired from music, what do you think would be your next ambition?

Gregory: Those who need uplifting shall be uplifted, but physically and financially, men are at the forefront and the work shall continue.

Joel: What advice do you have for your numerous fans worldwide on drug abuse?

Gregory: It only loves; the love of God could conquer drug abuse

Joel: Mr. Isaacs, thank you very much for this interview.

Gregory: Jah love.

Read other artists' interviews, in 'The Passion Of Reggae And African Music available at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Joel-Savage/e/B008SCTYI6

The Children's Story: WHY ANANSI -THE SPIDER ALWAYS HIDES AT THE CORNER

Ananse the spider: African folktales.

Grouping children and telling them stories is one of the African traditions. This is a story about the spider known by the Akans, Fantis, or Twi in Ghana as "Anansi."

According to the story, Anansi visited his mother-in-law on an empty stomach. He was really starving to death. 

On arrival, he was welcomed by his in-law, and since her delicious meal of beans was ready, his mother-in-law served him.

 Even though Anansi was on the edge of collapsing with hunger, he refused to eat the food with the excuse that he had eaten a couple of minutes ago.

According to the narrator of the story, Anansi was just playing gently. He was actually feeling shy about eating at his mother-in-law's house. 

This is actually a stupid thing to do by Anansi; after all, what is the shamefulness in this when someone eats at the wife's mother's house?

Just then, someone knocked on the door. As soon as the mother-in-law went to answer the call, Anansi sneaked into the kitchen to fill his hat full of the hot bean stew and quickly put it on his head.

The extremely hot cooked bean stew was peeling off his hair from his skull. He told his mother-in-law that he wants to leave. Then, both went out talking. 

He told his mother-in-law, "Please go back to the house; I can go on my own." His mother-in-law, not suspecting anything, decided to escort him further.

When Anansi couldn't persuade his wife's mother to return home, and also couldn't stand the pain any longer, he lifted his hat, and the hot beans spilled all over his body.

The shocked mother-in-law stood motionless, watching as her son-in-law fled in agony. The shame Anansi cast on himself was too much to bear; from that period, he went into hiding.

This is the reason Anansi the Spider is always seen at the corners of buildings or places. Actually hiding from his disgrace.

HOME OFFICE MUST CONSIDER GAMU

Rejected X Factor hopeful Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK voluntarily, the UK Border Agency has said.


The 18-year-old singer was allowed to stay in the country as a dependent while her mother, Nokuthula Ngazana, studied at university. But the visa has now run out, and the family's application to remain in the UK has been rejected as they did not meet all the criteria set down by the Home Office.

Gamu Nhengu must leave the UK?

They must now leave the UK voluntarily or face deportation to their native Zimbabwe. A spokesman for the Home Office said the decision to axe the student from X Factor was the "business" of the television show. 

He could not say whether the omission by Judge Cheryl Cole had been decided after talks between immigration officials and the program's bosses.  

A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "The applications made by Miss Ngazana and her family were considered in line with the published immigration rules.

"Miss Ngazana's application was refused as it did not meet all of the conditions for approval. Her family, who had applied as her dependents, was therefore also refused." 

So far, more than 210,000 fans have signed up to a Facebook page called Gamu Should Have Got Through, protesting against the decision by Cheryl on Sunday to leave Gamu out of the final 12.

At least one of the rejected contestants will be given a lifeline over the weekend as a wild card on Saturday night's program. Bosses have denied reports that Cheryl was influenced by fears that Gamu's visa was due to run out. 

A spokeswoman for the ITV1 talent show said: "Gamu's visa being processed was not the reason that she didn't make the final 12." This is really a sad story that has touched many people across the world.

STEVE BIKO: LEGEND OF A POLITICAL HERO

The great Steve Biko

He sacrificed his life to make what South Africa is today.

In the political history of South Africa, many are those who fought against the evil apartheid, oppression, mass arrests, detention without trial, etc. 

Along the line with Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Chief Buthelezi, etc, in the struggle to emancipate blacks from hardships was Steve Bantu Biko, who died in detention before he could see the fall of apartheid years ago, in South Africa.

Although Steve Biko is gone, his great achievement and his part in the struggle to free South Africa, under the previous white minority rule, will always be remembered. 

Steve Biko, the man popularly known as the "Father of Black Consciousness Movement," was born in King William's Town, Cape Province in South Africa, on December 18, 1946. He lost his father at the tender age of four.

After his primary and secondary school education in South Africa, he left for the Lovedale institution in Alice. He received his higher education at the Roman Catholic Marianhill in Natal and entered the medical school of the University of Natal in 1965. 

As an active member of the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS), his heart was increasingly in politics. He left NUSAS and formed the South African Students Organization (SASO).

Regarded as one of the fearless critics in South Africa, along the line with Nelson Mandela, despite both having different views and options, Biko faced the white regime squarely. 

Not by violence, but through his writings, which he named "I write what I like." The white regime found his writings as nothing but the simple truth and thought his letters posed a threat to national security. He writes:

Black consciousness seeks to talk to the Black man in a language of his own. It is only by making familiar the basic setup in the Black world that one will be aware of the urgent need for the reawakening of the sleeping masses. 

He stressed, "It urges black people to judge themselves as human beings and not to be fooled by the white society, which has white-washed itself to enjoy privileges at the expense of blacks; Biko pointed out that the logic behind white domination is to prepare the Blackman to serve and give him respect. 

Even in sports, Whitman wants to do everything for themselves, all by themselves, by keeping Blacks to stand at touchlines to witness the game they are playing.

In his writings, he always stressed and talked openly against whites, saying that "there is no doubt that the color question in South African politics was originally introduced for economic reasons. 

Because the selfish white leaders installed a barrier between blacks and whites so that they could enjoy what belonged to Blacks. 

To avoid influencing the various Black groups in South Africa, which gave him much support and recognition, Steve Biko was arrested and detained many times under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act in South Africa.

In many cases, he was always released. But on August 18, 1977, when Steve Biko was arrested and detained under the same offense of terrorism, little did everybody know that he would not be seen again. 

He was taken to Port Elizabeth, stripped naked, and tortured to death. His autopsy stated that he died of brain damage. Those responsible for his death lied that he died on a hunger strike in detention.

Unfortunately, Steve Biko wasn't alive to see what he sacrificed his life for: the fall of apartheid. However, on the eve of the 33rd anniversary of his death, it is worthwhile to say that "September 12 of every year should be declared as a public holiday in the Republic of South Africa, in honor of that great man.

If a day in America is observed as a holiday for the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., then the late Steve Biko should be given that recognition, too, in South Africa. Steve Biko died at the age of 31. He left behind a widow and two boys aged seven and three.

WORLD BANK GRANTS LOAN TO REPUBLIC OF BENIN

The World Bank



The World Bank has granted a loan amounting to six billion FCFA to the Republic of Benin to finance the country's development projects. 


The project is to lead to the development of the poorest communities to have basic socio-economic services and towards education, health, and water sectors.

The financing will also help carry out several activities within the framework of the initial project, particularly the strengthening of institutional capacities within communes and communities. 

The main purpose of the project, which was launched in 2005, is to promote the development of Benin's fragile infrastructure.

The project will be recognized to focus on the sectoral ministries, communes, and village communities to increase access of the poorest communities to the basic social and financial services.

PROMOTING CHILDREN'S INTEREST IN BOOKS

A child needs education for future development.


In many Third World countries, there is a decline in the reading standard of children, due to many problems, such as the inability to purchase books and the failure of parents themselves to read and teach their children to follow their steps.

Most of the time, when the performance of a child at school is poor, the fault is placed at the doorsteps of teachers, but then, as parents, what help do we give our children when they are out of sight of teachers?

Educationists had often said that in Africa, the reading ability of children is poor because they are not encouraged to read and learn. Parents who did not get the opportunity to be educated may feel that education is a waste of time, and therefore, the child should engage in trade.

But now it is well accepted that since a child out of school is a waste of natural resources, the children's interest in books should be a priority and considered a responsibility for every parent and teacher. The library is said to be the heart of a school. It plays a major role in teaching and encouraging children to read.

The numerous books in the library are a source of delight to children, as they take in and take out books regularly. This improves their reading ability.

AFRICAN FILM: “LOVE BREWED IN THE AFRICAN POT”

Kwaw Ansah's Love brewed in the African pot.


African films continue to face many problems competing with other films on the international level. The more the film industry fights for international recognition, the more it lags due to many reasons. 


African films are only watched by Africans and other Third World countries. According to film critics, the stories used for most of the African films are insignificant, and thus, if the African film industry wants their films to be accepted on an international level, then they must base the films on good stories.

Kwaw Ansah’s “Love Brewed in an African Port” tackles the residual effects of still-recent colonialism on the minds and hearts of the Ghanaian people. Despite the problems and barriers, Kwaw Ansah’s “Love Brewed in an African Port,” released in 1981, achieved success both in Africa and on the international level. 

Ansah’s hope in making the film was that it would prove to be popular both with African audiences and well-regarded critics and peers. He was successful on both grounds.

The film earned awards worldwide, including the prestigious Omar Ganda Prize for most “remarkable direction and production in line with African realities” at the seventh Pan-African Film Festival (FEPACO), the first to be awarded to a film from an Anglophone country; the UNESCO film award in France; and the Jury’s Special Silver Peacock Award for a genuine and talented attempt to find a national cultural identity at the International Film Festival of India.

CAMARA LAYE's THE RADIANCE OF THE KING - Le Regard du Roi

Camara Laye


"The Radiance of the King" is one of Guinean-born Camara Laye's symbolic novels. A white man called Clarence has just arrived in Africa, but has already lost all his money at gambling. 


As a result, he has been thrown out of his hotel; he finds refuge in an African Inn.

Clarence goes out to find the African king of the country to enter his service. The king arrives on one of the rare occasions when he does appear in public, but Clarence cannot get more than a glimpse of him. 

He is joined by an impudent beggar and subsequently by a pair of boys, Nagoa and Noaga, who are full of bounce.

The king leaves for his palace, and the beggar follows him to see if Clarence can gain access to him. 

He comes back to tell the white man that there is no place for him and advises him to go south, where the two boys were also going. The innkeeper insisted that Clarence should part with his jacket to pay his debt.

This is a very interesting book that once someone starts reading, they may not like to put down until the reading is over. Camara Laye's style of writing and interesting books made him one of the best African writers. 

Some of his books are currently used as literature books in many countries in Africa, and somehave been have been translated into other languages.

The Radiance of the King is available at Amazon..

http://www.amazon.com/Radiance-King-Review-Books-Classics/dp/1590174550/

WWE FANS AWAIT FOR THE RETURN OF THE GREAT UNDERTAKER

'Undertaker,' the mysterious wrestler


A few weeks ago, after defeating Rey Mysterio, Mark William Gallaway, popularly known as "The Undertaker," appeared no more in the ring to wrestle. 

Later, Theodore Long, the manager of SmackDown, announced that the Undertaker had been seriously attacked by unknown assailants and was now in a vegetative state.

The news appeared to be true, firstly because the Undertaker failed to appear in the ring after his last fight with Rey Mysterio, and secondly, the search for the culprits by his half-brother Kane is enough to convince WWE fans that the reports are true rather than mere false.

Many said that the Undertaker is dead, while others think the wrestler is still living. Because he is someone known to have faked his own death many times. 

But what makes this wrestler so special from other wrestlers? I have never ever seen a wrestler tough and brave in the history of WWE more than this fearful wrestler called "The Undertaker".

Many have tried to get a name for themselves at his expense, and all have gone down the drain. His gimmicks, casket matches, and hell in a cell matches are frightening to watch. 

He has defeated more opponents than those who have defeated him. Many are those that say that wrestling is fake. If you think is fake, then step into the ring with the Undertaker to taste the "tombstone piledriver".

It was announced last week that the Undertaker is coming back after his long absence from the ring, and his first appearance will be in England. Now, all WWE fans are waiting for his return. His impact on the WWE scene is awesome. 

The Undertaker is not only a professional, talented, brave, and fearless wrestler but a legendary wrestling hero.

CIGARETTE SMOKING: A FASHION FOR TEENAGERS?

31 May: No Tobacco Day


Thousands of people today, including teenagers, are heavy smokers due to various reasons such as nervousness, pressure, frustration, and stress. 


Smoking has claimed and continues to claim thousands of lives yearly, that it become an urgent issue to the World Health Organization (WHO) to institute a "No Tobacco Day" on May 31, 1987, to discourage and eradicate cigarette smoking.

Despite the warning on cigarette boxes, smokers choose to satisfy their desire unconcerned. The cigarette has been known to contain eighteen different poisons. 

The two most destructive are tar, a carcinogenic or cancer-producing substance, and nicotine. Some of these attack the delicate membranes of the windpipes, and those that find themselves in the bloodstream interfere with its normal circulation.

It's now like a fashion to see teenagers between the ages of 10 and 15 holding cigarettes at hideouts or in public places. It's like a competition. When you ask any teenager the reason for smoking, they smile away. 

Those capable of giving you an answer say, "They called you a baby when you didn't join the group". Tobacco smoking is said to cause many ailments as emphysema, tuberculosis, night sweats, chest pains, wheezing, loss of weight, cancer, and complications in pregnancy.

Since the campaign against smoking began, the WHO has introduced many measures to prevent smoking in buses, airplanes, trains, restaurants, and other public places. But many see this campaign against smoking as a bother or nuisance. 

They only realize the mistakes they had made when a disease is diagnosed. Cigarette smoking is not an expensive luxury but a slow, silent murderer.

A person who gives up smoking does something worthwhile for their health. But many smokers have a real battle to conquer when it comes to stopping the habit. Here are a few recommended steps to refrain from smoking. 

Staying away from other smokers as much as possible will reduce the temptation to smoke and strengthen your resolve not to start again. 

Instead of smoking, a heavy smoker should rather become a vigorous campaigner against the use of tobacco in any form. This may change the attitude of friends toward smoking.

Taking plenty of exercise, including deep breathing and long walks in the open air daily, will clean the lungs and improve one's sense of well-being. 

Eating regularly and not attempting to lose weight will gradually break the tobacco habit. A smoker who wants to quit must avoid highly seasoned foods, alcohol, tea, and coffee. These can easily influence one to crave smoking.

Drinking enough water, at least ten glasses a day, helps to reduce the craving for tobacco. Many may not believe this, but try and see that prayer is the answer to many problems. The power of Jesus is stronger than the hurricane. It is the same power that can change your life.

If you can try all or of these recommendations, you will see yourself as a different person. After your bitter experience in the dark, there is a bright light waiting for you at the end of the tunnel.

TOURISM: Kakum National Park, in the Central Region of Ghana

Tourists at Kakum National Park, Cape Coast


The Kakum National Park is a semi-deciduous rainforest that covers 360 square kilometers, north of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana. 


The park, which is now a center of tourist attraction, was formally managed by the Forestry Department for timber extraction. 

Thanks to the Scientific Research Group, which conducted wildlife research and found the place quite satisfactory for tourism. Hence, timber extraction came to an end.

Beautiful fauna likely to be seen are elephants, bongos, duikers, antelopes, and a wide variety of birds. Natural scientists in the country have counted close to four hundred different species of butterflies, with the discovery of two that can't be found in any part of the world.

Be part of those walking through the forest on the Kuntan trail. The trail leads one to the park of traditional medicines, trees, and plants. Some of the trees found are the Kuntan tree. 

The skin of the tree is used to treat fractured bones. Its biological name is "Uapacca Guiniensis". Others are Kaku, the wood used for constructing railway lines,, and "Bediwunia"(incest) for pomade and fumigation.

The two-kilometer guided walk through the park is painstakingly explained by the guides, the significance of each tree as you walk through the trail. When tired and exhausted, please do not be worried about where to relax. 

There are two rest points, spaciously built and designed with some of the woods from the forest. One important factor is that, no matter how beautiful one finds anything on the trail, it is forbidden to take it out. Due to the explanation by the guides to the tourists, the trail walk usually takes about two hours.

At the administration block, the skull of the elephant, the horn of the bongo, and various samples of species of butterflies are beautifully displayed. Available for tourists are restaurants and the African gift shop, which has indigenous artworks. 

Going to the Kakum National Park is not a difficult drive. Straight ahead after Jukwa, a small rural place, the giant signboard reads "You are welcome to Kakum National Park."

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.

WYCLEF JEAN: CAN HIS FAME GUARANTEE HIS POLITICAL AMBITION?

Wyclef Jean


Ambition, fame, and money are some of the tools that inspire many people into one thing or another. Rapper and R&B singer Wyclef Jean would like to be the president of his native country, Haiti.


Cross-over from one profession to another has been successful for many, but not everyone. Ronald Reagan was a former actor who became a governor in the state of California, then in 1981, went on to become the president of the United States of America.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Austrian-born bodybuilder turned film star, gradually made it to the top to become the governor of California. Fred Thompson, from the television series "Law and Order," couldn't achieve his political ambition as a senator because of little support.

In Africa, especially Nigeria, many millionaires, including  Moshood Abiola, Obafemi Awolowo (both deceased), couldn't fulfill their dreams of being the president of their country. The great Afro-Beat musician, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, also failed despite his thousands of fans behind him.

George Weah, the Liberian soccer star, in the year 2005, joined the presidential race in his country, Liberia, but couldn't achieve his political dream.  He is now studying economics at the University of Florida in America.

The question is, "Can Wyclef Jean's fame enhance his chance as a politician to win a seat as president in his country, suppose he wants to contest?" The answer is unknown. But it is always better for one to try something and see the result than not to try at all.

Children's Rights That Are Constantly Abused By Adults

Children's Rights

Every child has the right to live, but how many children are killed worldwide before and after they are born? Every child has the right to information, but how many are prevented from knowing the truth?

Every child has the right to education and social amenities, but how many are denied access to education and happiness? We are witnessing the cruelties against children today worldwide. 

Every child has the right to medical care, but thousands are dying every day from diseases, such as Aids, kwashiorkor, etc, in painful ways. Every child has the right to decision and opinion, but how many are victims of injustices every day?

Every child has the right to be named and to have a nationality, but there are thousands of children denied nationality by many countries. 

Every child in this world has the right to eat and drink enough. Unfortunately, thousands of children are dying as a result of hunger, famine, and lack of water every day.

When children are trained to take an interest in reading, they benefit greatly from the wider knowledge they gain from learning about people and places outside their own narrow world. Unfortunately, so many children do not know what education is about.

A child shouldn't be a victim of war or be used as a soldier. But today, thousands of children are drawn into conflicts, tribal uprisings, and wars to fight with adults.

A child shouldn't be abused, burdened, or sold into slavery for child labour. But today, thousands of children are being trafficked, forced into prostitution and hard labour in every horrific manner to make money.

A child can never fight for himself. They depend on parents or adults because they easily trust people, but today, the same adults that the children trust are making them miserable, unhappy, and even killing them. 

So, who must children depend on now for a better future? Children are an asset to national development in every part of the world. It's the responsibility of adults to give them every care, help, and education in their growth and development.