Call from Dominic

Dominic "miss-called" me while I was at the Old Klang Road Econsave. So I called back and he said just want to say 'hai'.

Well Dominic, that is so kind of you to have thought of me and try to greet me. So I wish him Merry Christmas and hope me doing fine over in Ashaman.

Merry Christmas, Mat

I am surprised to receive a Christmas greetings from Mat the other day and I replied him wishing him the same.

Well, it's Christmas time again, the festive of sentimental and warm feelings. I did not spend my Christmas in Accra and I left someone there waiting for me to go back. If I can turn back the clock, I would have celebrated Christmas in Accra with her. But I can always look forward to celebrate many Christmas with her in other part of the world, as long as we treasure our companionship.

Mat, whatever remarks people might have made on me cannot deter me from appreciating the gratitude of someone who will irrevocably share all she has with me. Time will tell who is the angel and who is the devil, no matter what type of mask that you have put on.

Anyway, Merry Christmas, Mat.

What some Ghanaians do

I copied and pasted this article from the local newspaper Daily Graphic to share the laughter I had while reading it, enjoy!

No Easy Way To Suicide - Mason Realises Painfully

A 36-year-old mason who attempted suicide by slashing his throat and penis is on admission at the Hohoe Municipal Hospital.

At his hospital bedside, George Amoah told the Daily Graphic that he slashed his throat and penis in an attempt to take his own life as a better option than the reality of a vision that he would one day be chased by a mob accusing him of rape and beaten to death.

He, therefore, went for a knife and slashed his throat but it was painful and difficult so he went for his penis.

When Amoah could not withstand the pains and the bleeding any longer, he started shouting for assistance, after which some neighbours rushed to his aid and sent him to the hospital.

The Medical Superintendent of the Hohoe Municipal Hospital, Dr Edwin Danoo, said Amoah was brought to the hospital at 4:15 a.m. last Sunday at a time he was profusely bleeding from cuts in the throat and on the penis.

Dr Danoo said Amoah was responding to treatment.

Phone calls

Last night there were 4 phone calls to my mobile, I was too fast at sleep so could not be bothered to take the call. It must be Dominic who does not have the awareness of time differences between KL and Accra.

I cannot guess what Dominic wanted but I hope he will be alright. Life is like that: at times you simply let untoward incidence happened under your nose but you just couldn't do anything let direct its way.

As far as I am concerned, Ghana is now a sweet dream I have awaken from. I said soon I will start to miss some of the people there but for certain reasons, I have started to recall all the people I have acquainted - even those that gave me unwanted memories like Nana Adwoa Adu-Gyamfi, Joyce Tia, Seth Odo Denso; fond memories lads like Paul (I never realise he is the biggest amongst us in the class) and Frimpong (always reminds me of ping-pong or Flinstones).

Oh Ghana, what a lovely and lively country it is!

D-Day

Lately I corresponded with Mat through the posting on facebook. This is actually very ridiculous as there were some 'confidential' comments we might have to exchange. But I think by this time, there is noting so much of a confidentiality.

Today is 1-December, start of the last month of a year. Yes, by this day the house in Ghana is no longer contractually under our tenancy. I wrote to Mat yesterday asking him to update me on the 'evacuation' so that I can submit my report to Shukhen and duly pass my responsibility to whoever will take over my place in the future. Not to my dismay, Mat had not responded to my posting, same as to my other previous work-related postings.

Well Mat, I hope you are not proving me right again about you. I am actually very surprised by Mat's cool reaction to my sudden departure on my last day in Ghana. And it is his positive gesture that prompted me to hand over the house and car keys hoping he will be the one I can entrust to guard the house and the car.

Right now I am compelled to ignore whatever goes wrong over there for the simple fact that the management has opted to keep the operation running despite there is no one physically on site to monitor the situation. Now there are inactive bank account, unsettled pre-assessed IRS tax, unpaid company secretary's fees...

Well, what have I achieved during my stint as a Regional General Manger for this ambitious company that had mega plan in a far away land called the Republic of Ghana? A person who knew of his assignment only on his way to an interview knowing nothing about Ghana, who was 'frightened' by the way the airport welcomed him on his arrival, didn't get his deserved support form his assigned local assistant, without the instantaneous response (financially) at times from the head office - what can a man achieve under such adverse circumstances?

With my trivial Ghanaian Ice-age-knowledge, I would say personally I have gained a lot - add rich nourishment to my life, educate myself further to human behaviour, at time awake from the dream of comfort, so on and so forth. With this, I turn out to be a better man, thanks to all those have transformed me by way of their virtues.

Out of sight, out of mind

Since I came back in July, I had written a few emails to Kobby while he just replied on a couple occasions. He asked me to forgive him for not replying promptly. The last mail from him was actually two months back and it is again "all quiet on the western front".

My friend said: "This is all but REN ZO CHA LIANG." Meaning when a person has left, the tea served to him became cold.

Mat's new car?

I saw Mat posted this picture as his Facebook profile picture, so I jokingly said this is his new car. Shukhen was sharp to point out the picture was taken in 2009 so it could not be the case. But I 'evilly' posted on his Facebook and said: "Is this your new car? Very nice! Must be very good for road handling. How does it look from outside?"

Anyway, after I told Mats that 'someone' has made an untoward remark about my life in Ghana, I did not hear a word from him since. So it's all quiet on the 'western front'.

I hope Mat has by now cleared all the things in the house and taken good care of Dominic's well being. It is easy to make unfounded remarks on others but it is difficult to step into his shoes and perform his duty. I just hope Mat can cope well without me.

Out of the ball game

Shukhen came back from a discussion on our Ghana venture and told me that BOTH OF US are out of the ball game, for now. I am out purely there were some untoward remarks made on me. The subject matter may be true to its fact but the essence of it does not encroach into the operation of the business venture whatsoever. Why people cannot segregate personal life and business sense? Well, it is a blessing that this happens now rather than when things are moving aggressively whereby we need true team work to ride through thick and thin. I don't want to be hypocritical about the whole situation but I am sure if things move on as what they are now, there will be painful lessons learned eventually.

I rest my case but keep my eyes wide open to see if my 'prejudice' is right.

Mat's call

Mat called me last night when I was soundly slept and having my sweet dream in my steamy room. We had a 30 minutes chat and he told me that someone is interested in the office furniture but not the bed as it is locally made.

Mat also told me that there was a break-in 2 weeks ago through the bed room where we have roof extension over the kitchen ( this I have been worrying since the roof was done and it now came true). According to Mat my room was broken in and the thief took away my spared key but failed to run away with the tyres of the Santa Fe. He further elaborated that he and Dominic 'almost caught' the thief. Well, almost, I guess. I wonder why Dominic didn't tell me this when I called him last Saturday evening?

Mat also told me Manan has been back to Brunei via Malaysia. Does this explain why we can't get through his number? It can't be right, he is using Black Berry and Shukhen can BBM him any time. Well, I leave this to Shukhen.

Well, things are getting more skeptical to me anyway. So I wrote an email to both Shukhen and Allen immediately indicating the urgency of setting a schedule and guidelines if we really want to knock the office into pieces. I hope they can act prompt cos' soon enough this will not my concern any more. Only regret is I should have brought back all my books and notes and now I have to bank on any slightest chance of going back to 'tau-pau' and at the same time finish some 'unsettled personal business' there.

Long live the spirit of day dreamer, if you know who I am referring to.

Checking on Dominic

I called Dominic yesterday in order to check on the status of the house. He was there in the house and told me that things are alright except the external lights are not working. Asked him about the has water in the tank and he told me that he has bought a truck load using his August salary (I pre-paid him before I left). I was supposed to return after (quote) two weeks to three maximum (unquote) but am still here, yet Dominic stays put in the house with his belief in me.

I told S. D. that when comes to commitment and right attitude and pureness of heart, I have no doubt about Dominic. I am pleased that when I chose my house maid, I made the right decision of getting Dominic instead of letting other people to bring in his/her candidate.

Dominic, you will be graced. Amen!

Some food memories of Accra

Yes, as I said, after a while I may miss some of the things back in Accra.

Before I left, I had this nice lunch and among others, these two particular dishes are the ones that I like most...

Served by a Chinese restaurant by the name of Sunflower at Circle, it is run by a Taiwanese and the chef is actually his wife. I went there many time and when Shukhen and DBH made their trip to Accra in April, I brought them there and DBH said the guy is an honest man cos' for a lunch of 9 person, he only charged us GHc78, compare to the dinner we had the previous night at Royale Regal at Osu, which cost us GHc100+.

Well, someone is just wonderful in Accra while others are not so...

Picture

While I was clearing up my mail box, I realised Dicala had sent me my picture 'secretly' taken while I was in KK. I was probably waiting for someone to go out for lunch with...

Well, those were the good old days and it is still my dream to go back and work in KK one day.

I wish Dicala, Fui-Fui and Small Jee are as good as they can always be. See you guys soon!

For Dominic

Dominic called me these few days seeking my help to fix the electricity supply to the house. I mean he called me from Ghana and asked me to help in the power supply of our office/house in Accra. He told me he couldn't get Mat to help and he is willing to go to the ECG office if he knows where it is...

I am truly sorry Dominic, I am equally bad as you because I myself is stranded in KL for 'a good reason'. I wish I wouldn't have to leave you and the job in Ghana. We are all victims of circumstances. Well, may God graces the good soul of yours and may HIM sheds some lights and guidance on your direction. I know you don't have the intelligence to think afar but I hope you will come to your senses when the water in the tank dries up and the money I gave you has all well spent! Do what you can and what is right. You are unlike me with a whole burden on my shoulders which prevent me from making some 'wise moves' at this moment.

Hope to see you again in Accra, otherwise let's just bid Adios Amigo, you are the only lovely person I have met in Ghana.

ice-age-knowledge for better living

Over the years, friends and colleagues had forwarded to me some articles on various topics which I personally feel some are of immense value to better living, in terms of medical points or moral boosting. I have decided to reproduce them so that any one that stumbles into my blog will be beneficial from the knowledge, for better living.

If you have the time and patience, please visit my other blog http://www/blogscape.blogspot.com/ice-age-knowledge for better living.

Have fun!

PMPAG

A group of SM Consult graduates who had successfully passed and qualified themselves as PMP - Project Management Professional, are in the midst of setting up the Project Management Professionals Association Ghana (PMPAG). Kofi Gift has kept me posted of the recent development of their progress and he sent me some of the proposed logo for PMPAG. I hope I won't infringe any copyright of theirs if I attach the sheer hard work here just to feast some eyes.

Ghana Drama Episode Two: Defects List

So Adios Holiflats at Airport Residential Area – the apartment that I have stayed for 3 months ever since I touched down in Accra on 19-September, 2009. Holiflats, not because it is holy or sort, simply it is owned and run by the same operator of Holiday Inn, Accra.

I moved in to this house at Abelemkpe on Monday 30-November and the first week was simply chaotic:-

• First and foremost there was not water supply to the house, Seth the agent told us the water mains connection was done but at the moment there was no water supply to this area and he had bought water from the truck to fill up the tank for us. Well, that’s quite generous for him as I told myself as it is quite common for shortage of water supply in Accra area so we just took for granted that Seth did all he could.
• Secondly the defect list I emailed to Seth was not duly done. For instance the “pin-holes” on the ceiling, water-stain inside the toilet, among others were not duly rectified. My request for putting a roof over the car porch had fallen into deaf ear. My written request for additional works like office layout, partitioning, etc. were not answered.
• I had to buy water from the truck at GHc80 per 750-gallon. But our storage tank can only hold 450-gallon. Each time we bought water, they supplied one full truck and pumped in whatever the tank can hold and went away with the balance; yet we still have to pay for the full truck load. Between 30-November and 15-December I have bought GHc210 worth of water. Oh ya, Ghc1 = RM2.44, the amount I spent on water can last me more than one year in Malaysia on water bill. The main cause of the high water consumption was severe pipe leakage and they simply failed to contain the problem!
• On 12-December I saw my neighbour’s Domestic Helper watering his garden and only then I found out that their water is from the main pipe. So I had to personally (not my Liaison Officer) summon the Maintenance Supervisor of Goldkey, Ishmael to tackle the problem. Ishmael is a tall and tough Ghanaian with a high-pitched voice. After a detailed discussion with him on my problems, he called all relevant parties immediately and promised me to iron out all issues within the same day. They managed to complete all rectification works and by 5:30pm when I came back to the house, Ishmael had arranged for the tank to be filled up and advised me to monitor the water in the tank and kept him duly informed of any leakage and he promised to come back at a phone call.
• What I am trying to say here is I have a Liaison Officer who is paid USD700 a month (a top range salary here fixed by my HQ top management from KL) and who is supposed to assist me in dealing with all these petty chores and I have a Domestic Helper whose job is to do all the house cleaning and take care of the household appliances including checking and monitoring any defective parts. It ended up I have to worry all these hassles myself. Ishmael on the other hand is not under my employment instead gave me full satisfaction with what he endeavored on his course of duty.
• On second day when I came back from outside, I found to my horror that the floor tiles in my Master Bedroom were bulging up! This warranted for immediate repair of substantial part of the floor tiles. So I had to move out of the Master Bedroom and squatted in one of the two guest rooms. That was on 1-December and I left it to my Liaison Officer to do all the coordination works. By 7-December the rectification has not been completed due to shortage of floor tiles and of course poor coordination between the liaising parties.



To be continued…

Back to work

Now is the 'transition period' for me as far as work is concerned, so I can sort of sit back and relax and yes, back to work on posting on my blog. It's time to recap some of the interesting events that I regard them as the 'Ghana Drama'.

So let the saga continues...

Fly Emirates – Flight Delay (Re-timed)

I confirmed my return trip (to KL) to be on 22nd July and the ETD as usual was at 1730hours Accra-Dubai, Emirates advised me to check in between 12.00 pm and 1.00 pm, so I duly complied and I actually went to Kotoka Airport at 12.30 pm in order to avoid the ‘Emirates overbooked usual practice’. After taking the hassle of opening and overturning my luggage to facilitate the GIS (Ghana Immigration Service) ‘soul-searching’, I sat myself down waiting for the check-in counter to open. Minutes later came the airport staff asking for passengers that go to Abijan, Cote D’Ivorie. While I told him I was heading for Dubai, he was a bit surprised and asked if I have received any phone call from Emirates informing the passengers that the flight had actually been re-timed (now they don’t use delay or re-schedule, probably because of legitimate implications) to 4 o’clock the next morning. Yes, 4.00 am, I didn’t hear it wrong! I was advised to go home and wait till 2030 hours when they started to check-in passengers. I didn’t hear it wrong either, 10.30 pm check-in for a flight depart at 4.00 am the next day; that is hell a long wait of 6 hours at the airport. The delay was simply due to ‘technical problem’, that is to say the jet engine developed problem and they need to fix it before flying over with the same air craft!

So check-in time at 2030 hours, repeat the pain-staking process of open and over-turning luggage to satisfy the GIS soul-searching. The reason they check-in passengers at 2030 hours was to kill two birds with one stone, i.e. they check in passengers for both Accra-Abijan and Accra-Dubai, a very much Déjà vu of Air Asia’s ‘cost effective’ practice. Imagine the plane arrives at 12 midnight and leave for Abijan at 1.00 am and return from Abijan at 4.00 am to pick up passengers bound for Dubai at 4.50 am, what it is like to be idling around in an airport like Kotoka? Further to my horror, my Dubai-KL flight was 03:15 hours next day! I asked the ground staff of Emirates and he told me ‘everything has been taken care of’ with regards to my connecting flight in Dubai as waiting for 11 hours at Dubai Airport is really a pain-staking experience unless I am flying Business Class. And being a Silver Member for the Skyward, I am not qualified to visit the Lounge at the airport. What’s the point of granting me Sliver Membership?

So, to cut a story short, the flight took off at 5.00 am Accra time and after 7 & a half hours waiting and 8 & a half hours flight time, I finally touched down Dubai at 5.30pm local time. Since my waiting time was more than 8 hours, Emirates sent me to Millennium Hotel at the airport as compensation (mentally and physically). Since the ETD was 3:15 am, so wake-up call was scheduled to be at 12:30am and I had to check out at 1:00 am; another restless night for me in order to catch my flight!

I arrived KLIA at 5.30 pm on 24th July, a total of 33 hours journey I have taken, a record for a Accra-Dubai-KL flight in reality.

Homeward Bound

Everyday's endless dream of cigarettes and magazines
Each town looks the same to me, the movies and the factories
And every stranger's face I see reminds of that I longed to be homeward bound
Homeward bound, I wish I was homeward bound
Home, when all my thoughts escaping
Home, when my music's playing
Home, when my love lies waiting silently for me
Silently for me...
(Paul Simon: Homeward Bound)

So, after nine months of drifting in this city of love and hate, it's finally time for me to pack and bound for home. Will I ever return here? Only time and fate will tell.

I always said with respect to experience, no matter a good one or a bad one, it is always the foot print that I have travelled. Regardless of the nature of the journey, the road will lead me to one new destination, for better or worse. But I will cherish the moment that I have spent here, may be after a while I will start to miss some of the wonderful events, some adorable people here.

So long Accra,I shall leave you for now.

PMP Course in Ghana

I have finally completed my PMP course after taking two Mock exams on 2 separate Saturdays. Now is up to me to prepare myself for the actual exam. You may wonder why I treat this PMP so seriously? Well, first of all the developed countries value Project Managers by PMP. Secondly, the PMBOK by PMI is really a comprehensive and useful tool for Project Manager who manages his/her projects effectively and systematically.

You may have come across Project Managers but they could be the ones that in the end screw up the project. Ask them about the 5 process group and the 9 knowledge areas, they may start telling you a different story.

I am grateful SM Consult conducted the class as a true professional firm, Seth and Martin had really done a good job. The class was marvelous. So long my new friends in Ghana, hope we will meet in the exam room... I intend to write my exam in June, what about you all?

Chap Goh Mei

Today is the last day of CNY celebration, the traditional Chap Goh Mei. However, being in Accra, I am not able to feel the festive atmosphere here. Tomorrow will be a new beginning and I look forward to a vibrant Year of the Tiger here.

Wish all my friends good health and prosperous.

Ghanaian Efficiency 2

Yesterday was Sunday and I was having this severe pain at my toe joint which warranted me to seek immediate treatment. I knew it was due to my excessive consumption of red wine and beer and some fine dinning of squirt and other red meat, resulting in high uric acid. My beloved Liaison Officer was having his entitled off-day so he didn't show up, even though I asked him to check if my regular doctor's availability. He told me the doctor's phone was off and he didn't ask me whether I was alright or made an effort to see me at home. So I asked my classmate Peter and he referred me to this Nyaho Clinic, citing that they open 24/7 and has the necessary expertise to treat my sickness.
When I reached there, I showed my Malaysian ID (MyCard) at the reception. After vetting through, the nurse told me she could not accept that form of payment and demanded cash term. I told her that was my ID, meant for registration, she then asked me to fill an A4-size form. After handed her the form, she made me paid GHc37 as registration and consultation fees. Then I was asked to go to Waiting Room 1 to take temperature and weight. Then I was asked to go to another Waiting Room for consultation/treatment.
I requested injection to relief my pain quickly as what I had experienced more than 10years ago in Kuching. So I got this prescription for vaccination and medicine from this doctor, and was asked to pay GHc6.50 for Lab Fee and GHc1.39 for drug (the vaccine I supposed?) After payment, I was directed to the Lab for blood sample before I went back to the dispensary for the drug for vaccination. I had to take the drug to the Treatment Room myself where a fat lady gave me the jab. After that, I was asked to pay another GHc13.58 for Valtaren SR75, meant for consumption.
Now, for one simple treatment, I had to pay 4 times and went through 4 different areas/rooms for various examination. The whole process took about 2 hours. I Malaysia, I could have this treated in less than 30 minutes!
Great great system they had and again I "praised" the Ghanaian Efficiency.
Nonetheless, I have to thank Peter for his direction and assistance. As for my Liaison Officer? Thanks but no thanks.

Happy New Year 2010

To all my love ones, friends and colleagues

May the new year brings you joy and peace to your life; confidence and dignity in your plans; reward and success in your endeavour.