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."
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
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.
