THE MYSTERY BEHIND THE MOBILE PHONE

In Ghana some call it mobile phone or handsets to others walk talk or walkie talkie. Whichever way it is called it still serve the purpose for which its owners acquire it. Mobile Telecommunication industry's first debut in Ghana was courtesy of mobitel in 1992. In that year only 19000 Ghanaians were able to acquire it; these were few rich and notable business persons who acquired it to facilitate their businesses. The phones at the time were predominantly timber-like and interestingly persons who owned them were respected. Some old boys (early users who are now old) said they had no time to spend fondling with it; “I punch on the green button to receive and the red button to end a call, nothing more…” one said. This was how the use of phones was at the time.

Now the situation is different. The proliferation of mobile telecom companies in our country has brought total difference in the use of phone in our society. Undoubtedly phone usage has brought some good to us but it would be ignorant on our part to pretend there is no mystery behind its use as well. The questions we should ask ourselves are who should use a phone? When should it be used? And how should it be used? It is when these questions are answered then you would begin to understand my position in this issue.

The question as to whether children should use phone has generated wild debate on various programmes on radio and TV. I can cite “The Standpoint” a TV programme on GTV which wholly ruled out pupils in the JHS/SHS of the use of the phone. Indeed pupils need to be abreast of the knowledge of ICT but not mobile phones. In my view the emphasis here is not on the amount spend in patronizing the phone and recharging it, the issue is it makes them inattentive in class or during studies. Psychologists have said that if the phone is on silence or switched off it is even worst because any little sound from nowhere brings to mind the phone. Pupils could contract deadly cancerous diseases when the phone is been hidden around their private parts in a bid to prevent the school authorities from confiscating it. Some even use them while charging; this is harmful because it gets over heated and subsequently explodes as a result. More so pupils display downloaded promiscuous pornographic pictures and video clips on their phone- you can tell what that would stimulate.

Another situation which most of us if not all are guilty of is the night-call syndrome. We have all now become nocturnal animals. Human as we are cannot cheat nature. Natural scientists have said we need at least 8hours of sleep to rest the body and mind. What do we see; we reconcile our sleep with mid-night calls at the detriment of our health. The recent adverts been run in the media by a telecom company here in Ghana can attest to this; they say to us, “with our service you get to chat with strangers all night long”-can you imagine? What is more disturbing is an ad that showcases a 5 to 6 year old girl who tries to blackmail her elder sister over a sachet of milk she intends refusing her; here too the phone was held to call “Daddy”..

Worst still, lies, robbery and threatening messages are sent to innocent citizen. All these are been perpetrated using the mobile phone. And the culprits cannot be traced and nabbed.

I am looking out for an ad that would demonstrate how social miscreants can be apprehended by tracking their phone lines. I am looking out for an ad that would educate people on the use of mobile phone. I am also looking forward to a day where the phone booths system would be re-installed to the fullest in our second cycle institution and communities. This, I believe would curb the acquisition of mobile phones in our second cycle institution..

Do not let the fan of using the phone over shadow the mystery behind it. It is time the telecom industry began to choose between a global market driven only by calculations of short-term profit and one which has a human face. The telecom industry must operate within the socio-cultural setting of our dear nation; ad been run on the media should portray our culture or suit the society they find themselves. Just as drunkards are being advised to drink responsibly let's also use the phone responsibly because it can make and unmake you.

SANUSI FRANCIS
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GIJ