Of Praise And Achievements

As a civil servant at independence, I found the London Times essential reading especially the Law Reports and the Obituaries. The Law Reports widened my understanding of law and justice and the Obituaries revealed to me the inner strength of individual service and great personal achievements which sustained and advanced the nation.

At a time when wealth and position appear to make the man in Ghana to the detriment of national progress, we should praise the men and women whose service has built the country so that the living may see their good works and emulate their example.

I know that false tributes are sometimes paid and those who do not want to blush at their funerals request that no tributes should be paid. But embarrassing sycophancy is a small price to pay for obituaries and tributes which challenge and inspire the youth.

I was about to sit down and collect my thoughts about the unknown but remarkable men and women in Ghana when CNN broke the news about the death of Senator Edward Kennedy of the United States, For hours CNN and other television stations dwelt on the life and achievements of the great senator.

The blots in his character and life were not ignored. But the praise was fulsome. Tributes came from far and wide, from those of his political persuasion and from opponents.

President Obama put him among the great of the nation and I felt that those who believe in national health care and minimum wage would be inspired to continue the fight for a fair and just society.

Unlike Senator Kennedy, the Ghanaians I was thinking about were not famous or widely known. But their lives exemplified the unsung sacrifice and service which built this nation of ours.

They both worked in the health field at a time when facilities were rudimentary and dedication, initiative and passion sustained service for fellow creatures and country.

To give but one example, there was only one dentist for government hospitals during much of the time of our departed comrades. Patients were literally lined up for the dentist when he returned from a tortuous journey to the north.

The dentist was one who removed bad teeth! When I returned from secondary school with the news that the colonial government had given scholarships to two Ghanaians by name Brown to study dentistry in Britain, my mother asked “Five years to study how to remove a bad tooth?”

She had a similar idea about the eyes until Dr, Huppenbaur from Tubingen made the blind see at Korle Bu. She was therefore pleased when a doctor son of one of my father’s young friends from the intellectual hub of Adabraka specialised on the eye.

Naturally, young Quaynor joined the elite of the land, but the position did no go to his head. He was extremely courteous, and helpful. Adabraka folk, educated and unschooled found him approachable and ever ready to advise and help to restore eyesight.

Dr Quaynor never lost his Ghanaian upbringing and character. He was particularly respectful to his elders and he went out of his way to assist his Adabraka friends and relations.

Doctors have always been under great pressure in this country. Patients often feel that they do not have enough time for them. Many believed, however, that Dr. Quaynor always had enough time for them.

Actually, he was always conscious of the others in the waiting room. But his unhurried, assured manner made you feel that he had all the time for you. We need many of his kind in Ghana today.

I wonder how many Ghanaians met the colonial ‘Sanitary Inspector’. With the death of T.B.Y Tawiah, Ghana has perhaps lost the last surviving exponent of the environment who kept mosquitoes at bay and actively promoted the health of the people.

Mr. Tawiah radiated health. Pots of dirty water and refuse were quickly disposed of by women and children as the tall, elegant, neatly attired sanitary inspector was sighted.

T.B.Y Tawiah was charming with his health education but firm with those who broke the law. Summons were issued with a friendly smile but the fines at the court were hurtful.

The Sanitary Inspector helped to keep Accra and other towns clean and healthy. Why can’t we keep our cities clean today?

As in many areas, higher training and learning have not yielded expected results. Mr. Tawiah and others were sent to Britain after independence to upgrade their skills so that they would help improve health care and its maintenance in Ghana.

The Gold Coast office at 13 Belgrave Square in London had then been turned into the Ghana High Commission and we at the Mission were glad to assist government scholars to gain maximum advantage from their training.

I was particularly glad to drive my elder Adabraka brother Mr. Tawiah through London to broaden his horizon. He became more aware of the great task ahead when he returned home.

He returned home with great ideas. Years later when I met him at home, he had lost much of his great enthusiasm and hope. He would not give up, but he could not hide his frustration.

One day, his kind were to provide leadership at health centres, the next day the nature of the health centre became diffused and so on. District and Metropolitan assemblies were being entrusted on paper with so much, but so much was not being done.

Even today, human resources are being constantly upgraded as happened in Mr. Tawiah’s time, but not much improvement is seen. Is it a failure of personnel or the system?

Mr Tawiah has done his bit and gone. We praise him because he strove to make his country clean, healthy and beautiful. He tells us that the country can only be built strong and great by the service and achievements of ordinary people.

By K. B. Asante