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By Isaac Ato Mensah<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Accra – Friday 28 January 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As I enter into birthday mode, it is time to share a bit more about myself with our favourite readers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some say I am a \u201cfake writer\u201d; that I do not exist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Others still believe some people have been writing for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I do not begrudge them; they\u2019re not alone in that belief; my friends\/acquaintances may be puzzled that an introvert could be so blunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At age 22, I was asked at 24 hours notice by Reverend Father Joseph Egblewogbe, then assistant parish priest of Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church, Mamprobi, Accra, to deliver in his stead a scheduled talk\/lecture to about a thousand \u201cfellow parishioners\u201d on the theme \u201cChrist – Our Way to Life\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I borrowed ideas from Pope John Paul II\u2019s publications on \u201cmaterial consumerism\u201d and blended them with the writings of social\/humanistic philosopher Erich Fromm, whose ideas contained in the book \u201cTo have or To Be\u201d still influence my outlook on life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later a listener remarked that he got the impression someone prepared the lecture for me just because I announced that I wanted to stick to my prepared text and read from it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this blog alone, I have to date published at least 260 peer-reviewed papers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My critics say \u201cbut these are not academic papers\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In any case, what is an academic paper if it cannot help us think, reflect and solve daily existential problems such as a scenario whereby a random visitor arrives at a private university\u2019s gate without an appointment and is denied entry to the campus? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About four years ago, a respected friend and government appointee addressed me as follows, \u201cThe most dangerous people in this world are those who do not want any money – just like you\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While I have friends in government, some have at various times purported to be emissaries urging me that I should stop writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apparently the assurance is that then there will be many money making opportunities for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, what have I got to lose in this world? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What have I got to gain from unprincipled behaviour in this backward and annoying country? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on my life this birthday month, I discovered that one Jia Jiang who had appeared on Ted Talk with a presentation \u201cWhat I learned from 100 days of rejection\u201d made a whole business out of his being rejected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever we are doing here has a scientific focus, for, as my mentor has maintained: \u201cSkepticism is the shortest\/quickest route to science.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I first met my mentor, I saw not only someone whose ideas resonated with mine, but realized that I did not know anything; there was\/is a lot to unlearn, learn and relearn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOwula feemo, jeee shwemo nii ni,\u201d my mentor often intones in Ga. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To wit, \u201cTo be a gentleman is no (Banku and tilapia eating business)\/ child’s play\u201d! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the charge of \u201carrogant\u201d, \u201ctoo known\u201d, \u201cMr Know It All\u201d and \u201cdisrespectful\u201d levelled against me, it has come up even in my own home, so no worries: It is the ghana way when the Dunning-Kruger types cannot get you to subscribe to a decision passed by the majority based on sheer unenlightened behaviour or misinformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I maintain and cherish a radical independence; I love the pursuit of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now I can say confidently with my mentor, \u201cNo one can employ me\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But how then do I feed myself and my dependents when I am no heir to any property\/assets or a trust fund? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mentor again: \u201cTheir ignorance is my food\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our writing business teaches those so inclined – and there are many of such people – how to identify, think through and solve problems because that is what they need beyond the pass grades and certificates – a blue ocean strategy\/opportunity in ghana.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article alone, at least the following concepts have come up for those who love what we do: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) social\/humanistic philosophy; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2) the need to stick to a prepared text whether speaking extemporaneously or reading; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3) what a peer reviewed paper is; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4) whether universities are public spaces or not beyond their ownership; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5) skepticism; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
6) the Dunning-Kruger effect; <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7) whether dissenting from a majority opinion makes one an anarchist;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8) blue ocean strategy; and<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9) material consumerism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To fully understand the themes in this article alone are perhaps enough of an academic exercise for the next few months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And on occasion when my punches hit hard, are they not in order in the face of ignorance and dishonesty – the twin pillars at the entrance to the temple of the Amen Corner?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a mere mortal though, I can never be perfect, but surely, “to instruct the ignorant is a spiritual work of mercy,” says the Catholic catechism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, \u201cThe scientific method is a way of life; there is method to my madness,\u201d…..and of course as you know that is also from my mentor; hence let us move forward together in Faith and Hope – and with Charity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Feedback: ato@writersghana.com; www.writersghana.com; LinkedIn, Isaac Ato Mensah; Instagram, @atomenswriters; Twitter, @Atomens; Facebook, Writers and Shakespeares Ghana; Telegram, Isaac Ato Mensah; Quora, Isaac Ato Mensah; WhatsApp, (+233) 020 022 0353.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Writers and Shakespeares Ghana Limited exist to be a moral and intellectual guide to the best practice of PR and integrated communications around the world, beginning with Ghana. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"