Did I hear well that the President-Elect of Ghana contested various elections and lost them in the past, but today, he came out the Victor? What does this tell us? You have to believe in your dreams.

Earlier I posted on my face book page that for next year, I will dream crazily - I will come up with a crazy dream and have it realized. I mentioned that having derived my inspiration from the Appollo Eleven Team that went to the moon those years. I also imagined myself how those who for the first time heard the dream to go to the moon would have realized -- going to the moon, how? That's crazy, but in the end, that dream became a reality.

In the news today, we just heard that the President Elect of Ghana is a man who had previously contested various elections but lost them - and today - at the age of 72, he was elected the winner. What does that tell us? Can you imagine how some of those closed to him might have reacted when he once again decided to run for election. I am sure some might have said, what, you again, didn't he lose then, not only once, or twice, but more times? And he is going for that race again?

Yes, those who believe in other people's dreams - have surely said, he could go ahead as he had nothing to lose - and of course himself who knew that one day, his dream would be full filled had to take the lead in showing that indeed he had a dream, that of reigning Ghana, whenever it was his time.

With this post, I am just trying to encourage you and advise you that, if you stand for a goal in life, and you believe in that goals, nothing will deter you -- you have to pursue it to the end. As much as others can support you and assist or advise you as I am doing, the ultimate goal is yours -- you have to go for that crazy goals you have decided to full fill, and only you can do that.

So, next time you hear someone dreaming crazily, next time you hear me talking about a crazy dream, I am just inspired by happenings that might have started of as crazy thoughts, yet they became a reality...it's really up to you - you alone and no one else apart from your Creator whose way goes beyond our understanding --- and yes, the support system too is great ..

Now, work on your crazy dream for 2017, lolest...

This post is shared in my own capacity - as an enthusiast of crazy dreams becoming a reality - I just get so inspired that such actions.

The Fish rots from its head? What about changing this by saying, the Fish's health is from its Head

It's amazing how I worked on this title but never completed its content -- I only realized now that there was no body to this head (title).

Yes, we say the fish rots form its head, but I am saying the Fish's health is at its head...

I am trying to see this statement in a positive way -- that instead of the ill-health which is the rot in the head of the fish, why don't we talk about the health and well being in the head of the fish.

I know that this is more popular when it comes to businesses that have to be re-engineered or re-inspired.... and most of the time, the saying is more on the rot of the fish instead of the health of the fish that needs to be treated in order to be healthy again --when a body or person is not feeling well or sick, one turns to the diagnosis at the doctors consultation room. Once the diagnosis is done, the doctor then treats the cause of the symptons.

Why can't we do this with businesses, instead of always rushing to cut off the referred rot fish head, why don't we double check if indeed the fish head is really rotten or how rotten it is - i mean the degree of the rot and whether such rot or cause cannot be treated??

Yeah, the Japanese talk about re-engineering when it comes to strategy and improving competencies of the business -- and that include the holistic look at the business -- where are the challenging areas -- probably that include the ill health of some rot in the head of the fish -- and from there, take it up - in a structured and systematic way --- although this process, which has gradual positive impact is slow, it heals all the potentially septic areas in the long - as all those involved understand the treatment and why it is important and the need to stick to the prescribed medicine -- otherwise, the decay will remain... but if you just immediately cut of the suspected rot or ill health, because at times, this is not properly diagnosed it's likely to actually cause disjointedness - and the new head must still get used to the body which also had some poison of the rot I believe ---

Well, this was just a thought I had to share with you -- I am sure we all believe in different ideologies, but I have learnt from our current NBC Director General Mr Stan Similo that I must think away from the box and not only out of the box and that I must not fall in the trap of the pinky and the brain -- the cartoons talk - which refer to doing things the same way over and over -- because the risk of that is to get the same results...

Enjoy

The post here is written in my own capacity - and has nothing to do with my official work...

Gratitude Ledger - thanks giving time

Well, we are about to complete the twelve months cycle of 2016.

 And my Gratitude Ledger is just overflowing with thank you thank you thank you notes.

Firstly, I thank the Lord for my existence - and that of my family - friends and every human being including you reading this post. And we must say thank you that we are still able to move from A to B, we are healthy and we must not take that for granted.

And the list actually continues - I am particularly happy for something my hubby and i have recently signed -- it was so long overdue and finally, just before we end the year we made it - ooh, that is so pleasing...

A lot has actually happened in our lives as a family - and we credit the Lord for all that....

I will mention all the key thanks giving list points in my prayer with the family just before we say good bye to 2016. Have you done the same already? Gratitude is so key to our existence and we cannot just ignore that -- thank you Lord...

Facebook really knows how to retain its clients/fans

 This might sound simple and common to some of the followers reading this post

Last night when I logged onto my face book page, i got a surprise video by Mr Zuckerberg (Face book Owner) and his team - creatively and in an attractive manner show casing some of my pics I have uploaded on my face book page... that was so relaxing for me to view... mmm, and I just loved it.. it was entertaining to me as it had some festive season related features and colours -- gearing me up for the xmas and holiday mood. That to me just caught me and furthered by love for being a face book family member.

I mean, a video like that, short as it might be would coast you some time, explanation, money and energy to have it put together -- and here comes face book - packaging it for me what whatever effort I have already put in for being a member. The video also indicated to me that I liked over six thousand things over a particular period.. interesting that my like records could be shared with me.

The question now comes -- how we we as product owners retain our own customers, how do we maintain the bond with our clients and entertain them to feel the way I just felt when I got the video? This also applies to all business owners -- including me as a broadcast servant, do I keep my audience really hooked to the platforms, what is in for our audience -- and you as an editor, what do you do to keep your viewers stick to you and the newspaper --and the website or online product providers, what do you give your followers to remain hooked to your platform?

Well, I learnt so much from the Face Book team -- and I hope to improve on the way how I treat my customers - at all levels, personal or business level as it begins with me. I have to be the change I would like to see (smile)

Thank you so much Face book team, I am really very happy for your gift --- have a merry xmas and a prosperous new year.. loving you more....

I wrote this post in my private capacity, as the face book fan and technology lover --- it has nothing to do with my professional line.

#assw7 Africa must feed Africa - message at the 7th Africa Agriculture Science Week and FARA General Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, 13-16 June 2016

The 7th Africa Agriculture Week and FARA (Forum For Agriculture Research in Africa) General Assembly (with a theme apply science impact lives" is grappling with a question of Africa feeding Africa".

At home in Namibia, a small holder farmer Mrs Ugenia Shinohamba who produces millet as as part of her family's and extended family food security efforts is showing that hard work pays. She grows Miller and sorghum amongst others.

The question delegates here are asking is, how can communities and various countries mainstream science in agriculture to make an impact in the African nation's lives? 

Mrs Ugenia Shinohamba showing off the result of her hard work, bumper harvest.

It will be interesting to ask Mrs Shinohamba to share the innovation methods she applies to improve her harvest and subsequently her output ( product). Mrs Shinohamba is also known for her love of planting fruit trees - to supplement the meals with the much needed nutritional value from the various tree products.

Picture contributed and posted with permission from Mrs Shinohamba.

#assw7 Applying science and impacting livelihoods through agriculture in the digital world - an almost paper-less conference set up

It's the 7th Africa Agriculture Week (13-16 June 2016). And the event is taking place against the digital setting - portraying almost a complete media ambience of audio visuals - and a broadcasting type of environment through its proceedings.

 


 It's agriculture in the new age, the age of using both information and technology to improve the quality of the industry output, with the aim of producing food in a smart way, and sustainable to feed the continent. What is fascinating is the application of technology (information technology) at the conference, which is a good sign that indeed it is possible to apply technology in agriculture.

Before the event started,  "a ghost voice" as some refer to it in broadcasting ( a voice announcing the next event without seeing the person who is speaking) - requested the delegates to put hands together for the Director of Ceremonies, International Broadcaster Guru and former CNN Senior International Correspondent, Geoff Koinange on stage - as he would be the Director of Ceremonies for the event.

Delegates were able to watch the proceedings on big TV Monitors/screens - beaming clips on agribusiness and how farmers could successfully embrace science and technology in their day to farm farming activities.

There is a limited usage of paper - not only in the main plenary hall - but almost at all the side-events set-ups. Conference organizers have in advance informed all delegates that the various documentations including the concept notes, programmes and related information would be accessed on line.




Delegates including farmers were guided to down load various applications on their smart phones and laptop computers to make it easier for them to follow the conference.And in the age of young farmers, social media is critical - therefore, it must have been fun for many to apply ICT at the conference as they prepare to do just that for their businesses.

 This author was actually surprised and at the same time appreciating the digitally managed event when she saw that the conference bags, traditionally distributed to delegates with various printed materials- programmes, maps of the various meeting venues, city and hotel accommodation only had a note book and a pen, that's all.

 

The event is therefore that of smart phones, laptops and related gadgets. The sitting arrangements include access to plugs, sockets and long leads to ensure that those in attendance can charge their electronica device and have access to the Forum For Agriclture Research in Africa, FARA website and related online platforms. WIFI is free almost across the Kigali Village and Exhibition Centre where all the official activities are taking place.

 
 
"Tweet, to inform the world about the 7th Africa Agriculture Science Week" roared the incredible deep broadcasting voice of  Koinange. " And if you link me  to your tweet through my hashtag, @Koinange, I will be able to share that to over 700 thousand followers", he added to an  applausing audience.
 
How can farming be improved through science and technology to increase value-additional, deliver quality products which are sustainable to feed the  the African population? This is one of the key questions delegates are grappling with at the event.

Picture contributed by Mrs Ugenia Shinohamba, a small holder farmer in Northern part of Namibia

The event is taking place against the backdrop (theme) of applying science and impact livelihoods through innovation in agriculture. The event is actually taking place in the most appropriate City of Kigali, Rwanda, a country well known for its advancement in ICT.  Rwanda has recently taken a drastic and revolutionizing decision when it allowed all African Nationals to enter its country without necessarily making prior arrangements for visas. Delegates to the Science week - had to apply their visas on line - or just to get them at the airport without prior notice. Kigali is also currently the most cleanest City in Africa, the status it recently snatched from Namibia's Capital City Windhoek. And from the onset, all delegates who had their luggage wrapped in plastic as part of the protection  during the flights and luggage transfers had the plastics removed as the City does not allow such material in the its sovereignty. That tells a loud story in terms of recycling and related subjects.



The event has attracted all "the African Eagle flocking together for the secured nest of food security on the continent". When the Director of Ceremonies, Koinange wanted to to a quick assess as to whether all the continental geographical regions were represented, each region was at least represented, North, Central, West, East and Southern African.

As the delegates rounded off the conference, many thanked the conference organizers saying it was the first time some of them attended a FARA -paper-less conference, dominated more by audio-visual and digital materials.

The question now is, after the deliberations and recommendations, what next? How will each delegate ensure that his or her government mainstreams science in agriculture - and that the technology impacts the targeted producers/farmers. Many agree that the question of funding will only be addressed by the various African governments themselves and participants were urgent to find a way to convince their leaders to invest in science.

Dion_Gone too soon