LIVING THE VALUES: THE ACHIMOTA EXAMPLE

When the curtains came down on proceedings in the assembly hall of the St John's Grammar Senior High school on 18th November 2016, it was very evident that our first volunteerism program had been a great success.

At a branch meeting one Monday morning in July, the Achimota team deliberated on ways to make an impact in the environs of the branch.  That was how the project which was later dubbed Month of Volunteerism was birthed. 

Being the first of its kind in the Ghana subsidiary, the team wondered if they could pull off such a program. 

However after careful analysis of the environment, the general consensus was to partner with the students and staff members of Saint John's Grammar Secondary school for a mentoring and career guidance program

And boy, what an experience it turned out to be!

After weeks of planning, and contacting school authorities as well as seeking management approval, all was set to hit the road with the program. 

Branch members dedicated 30 minutes of their work schedule every Friday. The team also contributed cash and with support by Ghana First National Bank Exco, bought books for the school library which was in dire need.

Over the course of three Fridays, branch members met the students of the school for mentoring sessions where bank staff shared personal career life experiences in the topic: Building A Solid Foundation Towards Your Future Aspirations.

Team Achimota

Presentation of books to school library

Support from management was massive in making the entire event a success. Officials from Operations, Human Resources and Trade,  made time to be a part and they added more pomp and dignity to the event.

Bank Staff

Section of students of St John's Grammar

L-R, Patrick, Judith, Richard
,, 

Araba giving her nuggets of wisdom

If the broad smiles which were ever present on the faces of the students and staff members of the school are anything to go by, then it was evident that this being a first time, the month of volunteerism has been such an amazing success. Any wonder that the headmistress asked that it be made a yearly event between school and branch? 

Certainly, this will go down in the annals of Saint John's Grammar school as the first time a corporate institution has reached out to them. 

And once again, Team Achimota has established itself further as the flagship branch. Not only in sales and service quality, but also as a branch which is indeed living the First National values and making a positive impact in the community 

And in the words of John Wesley "Do all the good you can,  by all the means you can,  in all the ways you can,  in all the places you can,  at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. "

A cross section of the students 

POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.

Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.

Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 

Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES

These are true stories shared with me.

Story 1 Male.

Sunday morning I'm in church.

Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor

Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!

I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.

Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.

The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,

I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 

I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.

He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 

Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 

But it did the job. Smh.

Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.

So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.

I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.

Man looked up from the book he was reading.

And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."

"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"

"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"

I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.

My phone rings.

Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?

Me: Which pill?

Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.

Me: Oh, Postinor 2.

Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..

30 minutes phone rings again.

Him: Charley how dem for take am again?

Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.

Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!

Me: Oh why?

Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.

Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.

And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.

Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.

The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.

My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me

I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.

Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.

Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.

I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.

Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

POSTINOR 2; A POSTPONEMENT OF REALITY

There was quite an uproar on my Facebook wall when I put up a picture of Postinor 2. Apparently, it was akin to breaking a taboo. As with most topics which have sexual implications or connotations, Postinor2 certainly evokes mixed feelings. 

Now, if you weren't a bit adventurous in the (what's the Biblical expression?), days of thy youth, or you were one of those students who buried their heads in medieval books at the Balme Library or any other such ancient library for that matter, then I believe I need to tell you what Postinor 2 is.

Postinor 2 is an example of an Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP). So, to put it in simpler terms, they are taken after an unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent ovulation or fertilization and thus pregnancy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception.

Postinor 2 aka Agyenkwa

From a casual observation, it is clear that ECP use (especially Postinor 2), is quite common among unmarried people especially the youth. And in most cases, the "emergencies" which warrant their use, are equally quiet frequent too. This has led to some sort of abuse of this form of medication which some have so eloquently called "Agyenkwa" (The Saviour). An apt name to describe the salvation it has provided many a youth when expected fatherhood and motherhood stared them in the face. 

More often than not, it is the females who are left to do the running around looking for an ECP to quickly prevent the impending effects of unprotected sexual adventure. So, the scene which often plays out is one where the male goes home to reminisce after another sexual conquest and the female counterpart is left bothered about the possibility of an unwarranted pregnancy. 

 Amidst the uproar and discussions which greeted my Facebook post, I received lots of messages from some online friends narrating their history with Postinor 2. And with their kindest permission, I share some of these stories. Though funny and retold with lots of anecdotes, I can confidently say that it wasn't fun at all when pregnancy stared them in the face. 

Anyways, do take a read and make up your mind whether you will consider an "emergency" pill or a more longer term form of contraceptive.

                                    MY BOOK OF POSTINOR STORIES

These are true stories shared with me.

Story 1 Male.

Sunday morning I'm in church.

Sunday evening a church member visits sleeps over.
No protection( don't ask) Monday morning I buy postinor

Her: Eeeiii Kay, don't you know it's a sin to use contraceptives!!!!

I sweated for a month until I saw red!!!

Story 2. Female.

Charley, some years ago, I was with my my first boyfriend.

The condoms did not work so around 9pm on Sunday,

I was in my Kaba and Slit (yep, it was Sunday, remember?) going around stores in East legon looking for a pill. 

I went to the pharmacist and asked in my shy voice if there is any 24 hr emergency pill.

He said sure and handed Postinor 2. 

Hahahaha, I didn't even trust it cos it was Ghana, figured nothing will work. 

But it did the job. Smh.

Seems lots of things go down on Sundays huh?

Story 3. Female.

So one day he visits and we did it (you certainly don't need me to tell you what "it" means, right?)
Now he leaves and I gotta take a pill.

I went shyly to a pharmacy and feebly asked the middle aged man I met there if he had Postinor 2.

Man looked up from the book he was reading.

And then starts to speak loudly, "me dieee I don't sell that thing here ooo..."

"The bible says we should flee fornication!!"

"Young lady flee oo flee!!!!"

I am so damn embarrassed and walks away from the shop hurriedly!

Story 4. Male.

My phone rings.

Him: Charley that your pill nu, what's the name again?

Me: Which pill?

Him: The one the ladies take after the thing la.

Me: Oh, Postinor 2.

Him: Ahaaa!!! Oh Charley thanks wai..

30 minutes phone rings again.

Him: Charley how dem for take am again?

Me: One pill and then the next pill 12 hours later.

Him: Awww Yesu!! This girl will kill me ooo!!!

Me: Oh why?

Him: She go take the two all the same time la.

Story 5. Female.

Second time I ever had sex was in 2nd year at university. We did the thing (yep, same thing) on a Saturday night. I was worried I wasn't safe so he called his girlfriend (which I didn't know he had) and asked her the name of the drug she took the last time they did it and that a friend wanted it for his girlfriend.

He got the name and then told me to go to Makola and look for one of the pharmacies and quietly ask for the medicine because apparently it's illegal.

And so early Sunday morning I woke up and roamed the whole of Makola to no avail because no shop was open.So I waited till Monday and continued the search. I found a pharmacy but how to enter was a problem. I walked past it aimlessly for close to an hour before I gathered the vim to enter.

Upon entering I sat till there was no one at the counter buying then approached one of the guys. I whispered to him that I did the thing and wanted an emergency pill (because I didn't trust the lying bastard and his girlfriend?.

The guy told me to sit and wait that because the medicine is illegal he has to go get it from their store room underground.I sat there and brought the medicine and said it was GHc 17 and naive as I was I gladly paid and left.

My roommate found the pack and that was when she told me its a common drug and it was only GHc 3 at the time and it works only within 72 hours and its more effective the earlier I take it. Being cheated didn't matter to me but the fact that buying and taking it later scared the shit outta me

I counted the days till I saw red!
Whiles waiting for red I went to church and promised God I will never do the thing again.

Story 6. Female.

Hmmmm, I had a friend who used postinor 2 almost every 2 months and I kept advising her to stop until one fateful thursday evening dumsor hit my area like tsunami and I decided to go visit my boyfriend.

Well I slept over. Next morning he dropped me off at Zongo Junction. Come see me sweating profusely looking for a pharmacy to buy postinor. I went to Old Road Chemist. It was CLOSED. Randy's pharmacy. CLOSED.

I knew i was dead meat if i didn't get Postinor. Chai! I roamed the street of Madina from 6am till i got some at Social Welfare around 10am.

Mind you i was ready with my water before entering the pharmacy!!

So, have you ever used an ECP (especially Postinor 2)before? What's your story?

Retirement: An ode to my favorite pair of shoes

I know this is not what you are used to reading but do indulge me a bit and let me tell you about my old shoes. Old Faithful I called them.

You see, unlike women, most men don't often own many pairs of shoes. For the average man, two or three pairs are just enough. There is the pair for work, the pair for church and other social gatherings and then there is the last pair for kick abouts. This particular pair is often loafers or sneakers (or as they are more popularly known in our part of the world, Camboo).

May I state here that their respective purposes or roles do interchange at the least notification.  For instance, the pair for church can easily be called upon to play the role of the work pair. This i have come to understand is a no no in the world of women. But with us guys, we are cool with this arrangement. The shoes don't mind at all.

So, back to my old shoes. They were black Italian made leather pair. They cost me quite a fortune when I was getting them some four years ago. I gritted my teeth knowing that the month ahead didn't look bright after buying them. But hell, I needed new pairs of shoes! 

The shoe buying decision for most men isn't an easy one to make. We often calculate the quantity of kenkey that money could purchase and wonder if we making a wise decision or not. But my shoes have been worth the Cedis I bought them with. When I first got them, they weren't exactly comfortable. But hell, I wasn't going to give up on them. I wore them till they fit. I silently bore the pain of injured toes and blisters on my heels until my feet and the shoes became properly acquainted.

Interviews
I cannot recall all the numerous times Old Faithful was called upon to add some flair to my attire for an impromptu interview. I am inclined to believe that each man's survival story is linked to his pair of shoes.

The presentations I have made to one panel or the other wearing the blessed shoes would fill a notebook. When the rejection letters came through the mail after one job search or the other,  you guessed right, I had Old Faithful on.

Life Events
Over the course of time that I owned the pair,  I was involved in several life events. When my great granny passed on and I had the honor of reading the eulogy on behalf of great grand children, it was my old pair of shoes which supported me and gave me the needed confidence to face the gathering. 

When I gathered my family members and crossed the Volta lake to ask for a certain lady's hand in marriage from her parents,  I had Old Faithful on. I must add that looking at the way proceedings went that day, I couldn't have asked for a better support system than my old pair of shoes. Indeed a man's stories are etched deeply in the slant of the heels on his shoes.

When I emceed the wedding reception of Fanny Awuye's younger sister (yep, same sister she wouldn't hook me up with), it was Old Faithful which ensured that I was on fleek (as the ladies say it). If Stella Querida bothered to look down at me feet at her wedding, she would have noticed me and my shoes in pomp attendance.

Oh, the miles we have trodden together! From trips to Osu ( don't ask me for what), to Frafraha to chase some girl bi at a university there. When the bank job came calling and I had to go pick up my appointment,  we went together. And by this time, it needed some trips to the area shoemaker to make it 'wearable'. But the kind of leather it was made of ensured that it bounced back soon for the next appearance I needed to make.

But with everything,  the time has come to retire my shoes. I am not ashamed of what it has become. I am proud of all we have achieved together. The places we have gone as a team. Our successes and failures. Now I have new pairs,  and yes, they are for different occasions. Lord knows what new experiences await us.

If you want to know the story of a man, ask him about his shoes.