CULTURE: HISTORY OF 'ADINKRA' SYMBOL

Communication guru, Wilson Leroy said communication is a social process in which

individuals employ symbols to establish and inteprete meanings in their environment. Is that so different fromthe adinkra symbol communicative language? Adinkra stands to convey a message and create a shared understanding.

Adinkra, which means goodbye in the Akan language was initiated and made popular by the asante people of Ghana. Adinkra can also mean departure in another sense.

During the 16th century where tribal wars were common, the Asantes defeated their neighbouring town. This town was made up of the Gyaaman clan of Begho who originally used the adinkra during funerals, and the symbols for royalty . The Gyaaman king was killed in the process whiles his robe was taken by Nana Osei Bonsu-Panyin, the Asante Hene (Asante king) as a trophy. The 'Adinkra aduro' (a special ink used in printing) was obtained from the robe.

The adinkra symbols are mostly used communicatively during religious activities like festivals, depicting the culture, philosophy, values and beliefs of the people.

“Nkra” in the word adinkra means message. Hence, the symbols were used to convey specific messages to people. In present days, the adinkra symbols are used in the clothing, architecture, wood and the art industries. Adinkra symbols are therefore effective communication tools in Ghana because they communicate visually to us.

The most well known adikra symbol in Ghana is the “Gye Nyame symbol”. This symbol means 'Except for God'. It is very important to note that during the 16th century people had the belief in God as the Supreme Being. This shows the religious nature of the people of Ghana. The symbol is an effective communication tool because in times, of crisis, the “Gye Nyame” symbol conveys a message of God’s supremacy over every situation. As a result of this, there is only one thing that comes in mind, “God’s Supremacy”.

In a peaceful return to something worthy, “Sankofa” symbol of a flamingo connotes learning from past experiences. “sankofa” means go back and get it. In the pre-colonial era, our forefather’s had effective cultural and traditional practices which differentiated them from others. It is therefore important to go back and revisit some of the useful customs and traditions that we have left behind as a result of civilization. The symbol has a simple message, Which is, it not a crime to revisit what one has left behind. Hence whether one can read or not, it is easier to interprete the symbol wherever it is seen. The sankofa symbol has a message of the importance of learning from the past. This is also the reason why history and other related disciplines are taught in schools. Seeing the symbol alone will make the individual engage in an intrapersonal communication (Communication within one’s self), assign meanings to it and eventually get a feedback which will answer a question. Therefore , adinkra symbols are effective in communication.

There is also the “Adinkrahene” symbol which means “chief of the adinkra symbols”. This symbol is a sign of greatness, charisma and leadership. In the olden days, Chiefs and warriors used this symbol to differentiate themselves from the ordinary citizen. It is made of a series of circles moving round one another. The Symbol was meant for Chiefs and warriors to show that they are leaders and also to command respect for them. The adinkrahene symbol shows the importance of playing leadership roles in one’s community. As a matter of fact, the adinkrahene symbol was the pacesetter for the designing of other adinkra symbols. Since symbols are important communication tools, one does not need to have interpretation before getting the intended messages they carry. The message this symbol carries is that of the importance of leaders playing their roles in any situation they may find themselves.

Another effective adinkra symbol used in non-verbal communication is the “funtunfunefu-denkyemfunefu”(siamese-crocrodile). The symbol simply means democracy and unity. In a democratic system there is the respect for individual opinion. As the saying goes “ In unity lies strength”, there is the need for human beings to be able to live in peaceful coexistence. Siamese crocodiles have one stomach but struggle for food. The message this symbol seeks to convey is the fact that infighting and ethnicity among people who have a common belonging to a state can be very dangerous. Hence as citizens of our beloved country Ghana, we must have respect for each other. This popular symbol reminds us to love one another instead of fighting among ourselves. It is only through democracy and unity that a nation can develop.

More so, there is also the “Denkyem” (crocodile) symbol which signifies adaptability. This symbol has a fundamental message which is, as human beings we should be able to cope or adapt to the community we find ourselves. Despite that the crocodile live in water, it comes out at times to breath the fresh air provided by nature. Therefore, the crocodile can live in both water and on land. This is the ability to adapt any situation that may come our way. For instance, in our lives, when good things happens to us, we accept. On the other hand we criticize everyone for an unfortunate incident. Taking one another seriously when they talk will help us adapt to any circumstance. A typical example is the use of the staff by the chief’s linguist as a symbol of adaptability.

VRA FIGHTS MALARIA

The Volta River Authority (VRA), as part of its Safety Awareness Day Celebrations campaign across the country, has launched a corporate malaria control strategy document to ensure a malaria-free future.

The control strategy document produced by the Authorities in the Health Department and Public Health section within the VRA, would help mitigate the rising malaria death risk enfaced by staff and inhabitants of the Authority’s impacted communities.

Ms. Alexandra Totoe, VRA Deputy Chief Executive, Finance, launching the strategy documenton behalf of the Minister of Energy, explained that the VRA operates a definitive health and safety policy due to the its greatly dependent on water (breeding medium for mosquitoes) for electricity production by the Authority.

Adding that, Malaria cost the Authority GHC₵82,943.84 approximately $52,000 in 2011 from various health care services administered to staff, relatives of staff and about two million inhabitants of the Volta Lake area communities.

Ms. Totoe also explained that to achieve effectiveness of our health and safety principles, staff must get involved, commitand foster a positive healthy and safety culture with the principles outlined by the strategy document. She added that the Authority would not relent on its efforts but use the strategy document to achieve its intended purpose to affirm the VRA’s primacy of workplace health and safety.

Dr. Emmanuel Fiagbey, Country Director for Johns Hopkins University, also encouraged Ghanaians to adhere to the principles outlined in the malaria control document to enhance productivity of every worker and reduce high health-care cost documented by the health authorities nationwide.

Deserving observers of the corporate safety regulations and principles were awarded with the Takoradi Thermal Plant Station (TTPS) emerging first, followed by Akosombo and Kpong Generating Stations respectively.

The programme received support from the Johns Hopkins University, Ministry of Energy, and other professional ad-hog stakeholders of health and safety across the country.

POWER GURUS PLEDGES COMMITMENT TO LOCAL CONTENT

The Volta River Authority on Monday, December 17, 2012 organized its 2nd Local Content Stakeholders’ Forum at the Movenpick Hotel on the theme: “Promoting Local Content Development in the Power Utilities and Related Industries in Ghana – Achievements and Sustainable Initiatives.”

Speaking at the function, Chief Executive of VRA, Mr. Kweku Andoh Awotwi indicated that the forum aimed at providing a guide to promoting the adoption of local content in the power utility companies in Africa. He called on all stakeholders to join hands in a concerted effort to bring together the fragmented policies in the various sectors into a national policy to enhance participation of local businesses.

According to Mr. Awotwi, the VRA Local Content policy stipulates that all energy stakeholders and regulatory authorities should increase local labour, goods and services in the delivery of infrastructure projects in the country. He therefore urged governments of the developed countries to review the policy issues of tying bi-lateral assistance to developing countries to the purchase of goods and service from the donor country. He explained that such bilateral arrangements negated the recommendations from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC) to unite aid as spelt out in 2001.

The VRA Chief further called for a review of the high fixed cost of access (regulation and prequalification costs), high costs of tender information, the policy of ‘bundling’ contracts which favours large firms, and financial constraints. He added that “the exemption of foreign contractors in construction markets in Africa from paying VAT and other taxes, and access to cheap financing from state-owned banks should be waived to promote competition between the local and foreign enterprises. He cautioned that, “Unless the challenges are addressed satisfactorily, enterprises in Ghana and other developing countries will be at a disadvantage against international companies. The playing field needs to be tilted to favour the weaker side. “

On his part, Mr. Charles Darku, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) indicated that in taking advantage of local content policy, the level of Ghanaian ownership should be an important factor for the award of contracts. He suggested that the domestic contractors should also demonstrate a beneficiary interest of more than 30%. He disclosed that to support the local content agenda, GRIDCo will award contracts among ten local companies and develop them in the businesses of substations and transmission line works.

The Director of Customer Services of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Dr. N.K. Smart-Yeboah affirmed that the ECG has incorporated over 500 contractors and communities in its operations and will continue to build on the relationship and existing number. He stated that all ECG’s procurements involving World Bank and other bilateral sources, have always lived by the application of the local preference margin as regulated by the Procurement Law to assist the local companies.

He expressed gratitude to the VRA for setting the benchmark, and providing an opening for all major organizations and institutions to fight for the success of the local content development policy through such fora.

Over 60 institutions and organizations participated in the forum.