AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SRC: STUDENTS AT OLD SITE DESERVE BETTER.

As our Students' Representative Council (SRC), you have been hardworking and persistent in fighting for the interests of the students of this noble University. You have implemented some good policies which would be useful to the entire students body. Indeed, we appreciate your efforts. The intention behind this writeup is to bring to the attention of the SRC, a situation which is both disturbing and detrimental to the academic lives of students at old site.

We are purposely in this University for academic work, and for that matter, there is the need for the authorities of this institution to provide an enabling environment that is conducive for our academic work. Students at old site (those in the halls and others in the diaspora close to old site) have been facing  challenges pertaining to finding venues for studies, especially in the evenings and during weekends. One may ask, "Don't you have summer huts and libraries in the various halls?" Of course, we have these venues for use for our academic work but they are inadequate. On the average, the summer huts and the hall libraries have a maximum capacity of 80 and 150 students respectively. Sometimes, we get access to GNATOC which can take no more than 100 students. Therefore, the capacity of these venues available for our usage is not even up to a quarter of the total number of students at old site.

I write to humbly call on the SRC to help resolve this challenge. We have also heard a lot about the robbery cases on the school bus road and I strongly believe that if there were more convenient, comfortable, and suitable studying venues, no student from old site would have to go to science in the evenings all in the name of getting a place to study and that will lead to a reduction in the robbery cases that occur on the school bus road. We believe in our SRC and we believe you will continue to work in the interests of the ordinary student. Thank you.



Kind regards,
Emmanuel Mensah
(A concerned student, Atlantic Hall)

THE RICH AND THE POOR- By Emmanuel Mensah

Becoming rich has been the burning desire of everyone but our innate traits either keep us close to our desires or away from our desires. Our desires are the turning points of all our achievements . Our imaginations are the workshop of our minds. Interestingly, we all have our own ways of thinking which are mostly influenced by our environments and the people we find around us. Do the rich people do something extraordinary to gain riches? Why this 'wealth gap'?

"The poor people chase money", Robert Kiyosaki once asserted. They think on a smaller scale. They believe in lucky. They believe rich people are lucky. According to Steve Siebold, the author of 'How Rich People Think' ,"The poor person has been brainwashed to believe that rich people are lucky...." They are surrounded with poverty-stricken habits. They think the road to riches is paved by qualifications; they always work out for qualifications and end up struggling for financial security. They believe in employment; they think they can get rich when they work for someone. Unfortunately, they are used as a tool-fetch-out for money instead; they are used as a system to generate money for the rich people. They always fight to secure finances. Most of them end up earning money from things they don't have passion for. They set low expectations so that they'll never feel disappointed. They have limited thought. Yes! They always walk through a linear line of thought; they don't think outside the box. They feel like they  are okay with whatever they have. Therefore, they don't quest knowledge to boost their finances. They think formal education is the only way out for financial freedom.

The rich people have an action mentality; they believe in "let's do it". They explore! They think outside the box. They build images of how successful they could be and work towards that. They normally don't believe in qualifications rather they believe in acquiring specific skills. Let me take you through how the Asantes, one of the greatest ethnic group in Ghana, normally create wealth. Though they don't have a lot, they always strive to get a lot. They believe in whatever they do and do it well. They work with a specific skills and create wealth with that. Some of them are junior or senior high school graduates but earn more than someone with degree and the rest. Take a look at Kwame Despite, the owner of Despite Group of Companies. Take a look at how Nike started. Take a look at how Coca-cola started. Take a look at how Ford started. They all started with something small. They believed in what they were doing and made it. They followed their passions and earned from them . Rich people believe in building a system; a system which will generate money for them. This system includes the poor. They work for financial freedom and not financial security. I call them "The financial literate". Rich people are always up for a challenge. They believe to be something to get rich and not to do something to get rich.

There's nothing like 'wealth gap' between the rich and the poor  rather environmental gap. The environment influences our ways of thinking, behaviour towards challenges among others. Find yourself in the right environment! As Napoleon Hill said in his book titled "Think and Grow Rich", "I don't believe in income inequality but parent inequality".

Click Here to read another mind-blowing write up labelled "Employee vrs Employer".



Edited By: Christian Cobbinah
Image Credit: www.west-info.eu

Education: Who is an Educated or Uneducated Person? - By Archimedes

Education originated from the Latin word 'educare' which means 'the bringing up of a child socially, physically, and mentally'. Generally, education could be defined as a process of drawing out the best in a child with the aim of producing a well-balanced personality. A well-balanced personality is one that is culturally refined, emotionally stable, ethically sound, mentally alert, morally upright, physically strong, socially efficient, spiritually upright, vocationally sufficient, and internationally liberal. Education takes place throughout the life of a person.  The main aim of education is to enable the individual develop interpersonal skills that will enable him live in harmony with himself and with others. Education seeks to train the character of a person, so that he will develop behaviours which are acceptable in the society.

Who is an educated person? Is an educated person the one who schools? An educated person is not necessarily the one who schools, but rather the one who develops  attitudes which are acceptable in the society. Education goes beyond Schooling. Schooling ends, but education only ends when life ceases. According to www.dictionary.com, "An educated person is characterised by a display of qualities such as pursuit of continuous learning and cultural understanding". An educated person is more aware of his environs and therefore, doesn't flout any laid down values of the society.

Who is then an uneducated person? Is he the one who has never schooled before? An uneducated person is one who doesn't fit in the society. He may be a PhD holder, yet not fully developed-character wise. Imagine attending for a dinner held for a group bankers as your friend's date. After sitting there for a while, no food or wine is served. Then the waiters begin to serve. They served 20 of the 30 tables that were set only to announce that the food that is left won't be enough to serve all the tables. Your date rolls up his sleeves, walks angrily towards the waiters, speaks rudely and forcefully takes food which he brings to your table. Now let me ask: what would be your opinion of your friend henceforth? Would you even eat the food if he asked you to? Full development of a person comprises social development, emotional development, intellectual development, and physical development. Every uneducated person is a caricature of himself. A philosopher, Chanakya, once said, "The life of an uneducated man is as useless as the tail of a dog which neither covers it's rear end, nor protect it from the bite of an insect".


Who are you? Uneducated or educated?






Edited by: Harriet A.  Abrokwah

THE DIFFERENT EYE

You! Yes the Special You! Who has different traits which makes you unique from others. Who has what it takes to cause that change you desire. You have what it takes to cause that better life you yearn for. You have what it takes to get that better GPA. Don't despair because of what someone said! Understand that we are different, and we see, understand, and react to things differently. The environment we find ourselves in influences our thinking pattern.

Men may advice you, but remember not all of them would buy into your idea and advice you accordingly. Some would look at their own experiences and advice you based on it, forgetting that if someone took twenty steps and failed, that doesn't mean you can't take two steps and win. Don't let others define you. Don't let the past confine you and don't let your background put your back to the ground.  Take charge of your life with confidence and determination, and there will be no limits on what you can do or be.

Never give up, be on track and the keys to your success are prayer, hard work and determination. A student of the University of Cape Coast, Desmond, said, "The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable task, and starting on the first one".

Chase your dreams! Chase your ambitions! Chase you heart desires! Yes, chase it with your all in all. Challenges are always waiting for you on the road to success, but they can't stop you if you're determined. Never allow youself to sink into your challenges, but try to swim in it. Prove them wrong! Your failure in that previous season, has no reason to curb your success in this season. You have it at hand! Use it! Make your dreams a reality! Cause the change you need, and you'll live above the limitations!





Edited by:Michelle Amma Abokomah Richter

YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE: WHAT INFLUENCES YOUR VOTE?

Let me rush you through something you already know;  Election! This is a time within which potential aspirants of a position are elected by electorates to stand and safeguard  the people's interests. The election process is usually done through voting, as we elect someone who we deem fit to lead the students' front. But the question is, "What influences your vote?" Is it the material things one possesses? Your relation with the person?  or maybe the idea of having someone from your faculty, department or hall is exciting?


However, not of all these intellectually inclined aspirants are the 'books' they portray themselves to be. After all, don't judge a book by its cover. We are in an era where leaders are voted for just because they entice us with sobolo or probably fried rice. Indirectly, our conscience is being bought as we feel we owe them our vote. However, are we looking for someone who can sponsor programmes or someone who can lead the students to meet our psychological, economic and social needs?


Presently,  we barely have leaders who take over and work wholeheartedly for the Students' interest. "A leader is a dealer in hope"- Napoleon Bonaparte. The founding chairman of the leadership institute at the University of South California, Warren G. Dennis,once said, "Leadership is the capacity to transform vision into reality." So, can the selfish reasons why we vote for specific people transform our vision into reality? Let us put away all kinds of discrimination and act sensibly. Let us support the good course! Let's support the feasible policies which can solve our challenges. Your vote is your voice. "Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everyone can understand." (Colin Powell, Former UN General Secretary) Always remember, when the captain of the ship is inexperienced and incompetent, the life of the people is in danger.


Your vote can help better the students' front. A single vote can help solve our challenges. Your vote will cause the change we need and deserve. Your vote is your power and Your vote is your voice.


Edited by: Michelle Amma Richter

MY RESULT, MY MOTIVATION

As we already know, our input is reflected in our results. It's believed to be the end product of our efforts. The efforts one invest into something will show the results one will get at the end. This truly explains one common term used in Information Technology,  GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage Out). Thus, one can say that our effort is directly proportional to our result. But, is that always so? Are there other internal or external factors which also contribute to the outcome or result we get? Have you critically analysed these factors  and how they are affecting your result?

Well, our results were published. Some were encouraging, others were heartbreaking. Some of us invested more and more of our effort into our studies, but unfortunately we had less than what we expected. Some invested less of their effort, but had more than what they expected. Yeah! This is as a product of our differences as humans.  Don't be discouraged by the poor performance of last semester's exams, but be encouraged by the fact that you still have the chance to make a positive change.

I believe in PHD( perseverance, hard work and determination)  Let's set goals, long and short term. Let's work harder, let's challenge ourselves and we will surely cause that change. One thing I really believe in is that "We were made for different purposes." You are unique. The worst you can do is to compare yourself with someone else. You hold a different agenda in this life! The greatest factor which shouldn't be left out of your life is God. He is the necessity. Look, even when you're academically good without God, it means nothing. Because GOOD - GOD= O. Let's involve God in our studies. UCC has taught me that,  it's not all about the quantum of what you've learnt, but also about your God and your lecturer.

Let's not be discouraged with our result, because the future is still bright. You hold the change you need. It's not about how you start it, but how you end it. Don't despair! I believe you can! Yes, you can!

7 LESSONS ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP FROM BILL GATES

Bill Gates is by far one of the most successful people on the planet. I am not just referring to his financial status and his affluence in the technological community. I am also speaking of his generosity and kindness towards the human race and nature.  He has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charities and created the largest software company in the world.  Bill Gates’ influence in the entrepreneurship world is unlike any other. Becoming an entrepreneur does not have to do with taking the easy way out, rather it is about discovering yourself and inventing something larger than you.

1. Without innovation, there is no business model

“The most important ‘speed’ issue is often not technical but cultural. It’s convincing everyone that the company’s survival depends on everyone moving as fast as possible.” – Bill Gates

The times are changing and technology even more so. That is why Bill Gates is an avid believer in innovation.  In the last century we have witnessed the creation of smart phones, tablets and crazy toys such as the hover board. Without a constant need to develop and grow, the innovators of these products would have never created them. In terms of his software company, Bill Gates is constantly innovating. Even more, in terms of helping society and the planet, he is even more innovative. His foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is constantly growing and developing new ways of helping people. Entrepreneurship can also be achieved in this way.

2. Value your time

“No matter how much money you have, you can’t buy more time.” – Bill Gates

Just as Mr. Gates understands the urgency for change, he also comprehends the idea that time is a valuable currency. You cannot make up for lost time with money or bargaining. Once it is gone it is simply gone.  Bill is known for prioritizing his meetings and everyday life in a structure that he believes is worth his invested time.  According to him, unimportant meetings and presentations can be sacrificed in the name of more time-consuming and prosperous commitments. That is why it is extremely resourceful to manage your time well and ensure that spend it wisely.

3. Choose the road not taken

“To win big, you sometimes have to take big risks.” – Bill Gates

Yes, we are incorporating Robert Frost into the world of entrepreneurs. Robert and Bill both believe that the path to success is not always clearly marked. Many people go down common roads they believe will lead them to success. The truth, however, lies in the ability to thread through unventured territory. In order to achieve the dreams you never thought possible, you must go where no one has ever gone before. Bill Gates’ belief in this theory brought him the ultimate success of personal computing in the last century.  However, he only did so after dropping out of Harvard after only four semesters. For that time period, and even presently, this bold choice was not taken by many, as it was viewed as a mistake. However this was Bill’s path to success. Here is another way to succeed at being an entrepreneur. 

AFRICA: OUR CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

      

Africa, as you already know, is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent. Africa comes from the Latin word "aprica", meaning "sunny." Africa is considered by most palaeoanthropologists to be the oldest inhabited territory in earth and has the human species originating from the continent. Africa has a large quantity of natural resources including oil, ore, diamonds, gold, aluminium, uranium, cocoa, steel among others. Africa is really a blessed continent. Ask me why! We have a lot of resources to build Africa. However, as a nation and continent, there are some setbacks that are holding us from moving forward. Of these are; 

Retrogression in Education, Science and Technology. 

Civilization is believed to have started in Africa, but currently, it looks like we haven't heard or seen alot about Civilization. Science and technology is one of the most powerful tools which help in developing a country or a continent. Africans have the knowledge, but applying seems to be our problem. We see opportunities, but we fail to make good use of them. We have the ideas, but lacked how to develop them. Education, as we know, is a vital developmental tool as it promotes entrepreneurship and also creates a highly skilled workforce. Only quality education can give the African populace the needed skills and knowledge to create and manufacture artifacts for our benefit. Thus, it is true to say that the current education offered in countries within the continent hasn't enabled the students to produce anything of worth. It's for these reasons changes must be made in the education system to ensure that students are being equipped with the right kind of information that will enable them participate in the global market. Education in Africa has been focused on theories,  leaving the practical aspect. Currently, many inventors in the world are people of Africa descent. It's very true that the Africa environment is hostile to innovations. Africans either discourage or criticise you, or make you feel strange for coming up with something unique. Wake up Africans, for our brains are being "stolen". Let's raise up our Mother Africa for we are running out of time.  Many of our resources are untapped because of these reasons. Yet,  if you can see far, you will realise that the future is bright.

Ineffective Leadership 

According to Wikipedia, "Leadership is both a research area and a  practical skill, regarding the ability of an individual/organisation to lead or guide other individuals to achieve a specific purpose". It's so disheartening when we take a look at leadership in Africa. Many of our leaders are either self-centered-money-making people or cannot-see far. They focus on making money for themselves,  leaving their duties which should be performed to achieve a positive change in the standard of living of the people. I don't really know whether leadership has a different meaning to our leaders. True leaders sacrifice for their people. Take a look at our past leaders like Nelson Mandela, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, whose names will never be forgotten. They fought for their people, but unfortunately in our time the people rather fight for the leaders. Some current Africa leaders don't try to solve the challenges their people are facing, but instead add more oil to the flame. They keep encouraging poverty! It's so sad when you consider that they are not putting themselves into the shoes of their people. Leadership has now become a wealth-making occupation. Corruption has been their hallmark! Embezzlement of funds is what they always think of. Forgive my harshness , I just get agitated when I think of all our suffering. Africa is ours! To our dear leaders, what good stepping-stone or foundation are you laying for the youth? Is it corruption? I guess the answer is no. There is one adage which says, "Good name is better than riches." 

In sum, Africa faces  problems of  technology application, corruption and bad leadership. All these problems have solutions. Let's come together as one people to fight and work harder for Mother Africa. The future is still bright.

Edited by: Michelle Amma Richter

EMPLOYEE VRS EMPLOYER

"An employee is an individual who works part time or full time under a contract of employment, whether oral or written, express or implied, and has recognised rights and duties", according to businessdictionary.com. Taking a look at our economic conditions, unemployment has been a great challenge that many graduates are facing. Do you want to face this problem after graduating? I guess your answer is the same as mine.  According to Robert Kiyosaki, a financial literacy activist and motivational speaker, employees always search for a safe and secured job with good pay and excellent benefit. They are usually accurate when they say, "I'm not that interested in money." For them the idea of security is often more important than money. Due to this, most of them don't have financial freedom. Those of them who have financial freedom are those who invest what they earn monthly as salaries to earn more. Yes! They invest! I call them "the active employees." They think and focus on the future and not the present. So that after retirement, they will still have financial freedom. For those who don't invest, life becomes like hell to them after retirement. Though some employees succeed, they are limited to 24 hours a day. They don't have freedom! They work under conditions! I'm not saying to be an employee is bad, but if you have the chance or ability of being an employer, use it!

An employer, according to businessdictionary.com, is "a legal entity that controls and directs a servant or worker under an express or implied contract of employment and pays (or is obligated to pay) him or her salary or wages in compensation." These people employ skillful and smart people and they use their energy (employee) to earn their (employer) money. I call them "the true businessmen."  They have more than 24 hours in a day! I know you're wondering how it's possible. An employer has a system that generate money for him.  Let's look at this example. An employer has 10 employees. These employees work for 9 hours a day at the employer's workplace. Therefore, if each of them is working for 9 hours, then the total will be 90 hours (That's, if the employer isn't working). Ha-ha! That means, he has 90 hours in a day to generate income without him/her working. Wow! A popular story about Henry Ford from the book titled, "Cash flow quadrant" by Robert Kiyosaki goes, one day a group of so called intellectuals came by to condemn Ford for being ignorant. They claimed he really doesn't know much. So Ford invited them into his office and challenged them to ask  him any question, and he would answer it. So the panel assembled and began to ask him questions. Ford listened to their questions and when they were through, he simply reached for several phones on his desk and called in some of his bright employees and asked them to give the panel the answer they sought. He ended by informing the panel that, he'd rather hire /employ smart people who went to school to come up with answers so he could leave his mind clear to do some more important task like thinking. Thinking is an important tool in our life, but people don't get time to think. 

What is your decision? Where is your stand? Think outside the box! Get Started! Start Planning! The future is still bright! You can do it! You are a man of difference!

Click Here to download the book titled "The Cash Flow Quadrant", by Robert Kiyosaki.  

Edited by: Michelle Amma Richter 

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Welcome to archimedesgh.blogspot.com. This blog is geared towards inspiring and motivating the youth to make a change. Making a positive change in our lives and in the world as a whole. It publishes articles which are business oriented. These articles reveal some hidden facts and teaches how to go about them. It also teaches how to improve upon ones life. Here is your home for motivations and Inspirations

MISSION STATEMENT

To make a change in the lives of the youth which can change the world as well. To inspire and motivate the youth to be business oriented irrespective of their field of study. To find solutions to challenges awaiting us as we climb the ladder.

I believe you will enjoy and learn as well from each article published here. Make good use of them. Put them into practice and you will see its impact one day. Don't hesitate to share your views.

If you have any motivational article you wish to publish, you can send it to me via email [addoqwabena@yahoo.com].