Positions Are Not Possessions,bow Out When The Applause Is The Loudest

POSITIONS ARE NOT POSSESIONS,BOW OUT WHEN THE APPLAUSE IS LOUDEST

Just over a week ago, reports made rounds about how a male candidate experienced incontinence whiles writing the B.E.C.E. I recall a similar incident experienced by a teenage girl in 2021 during the same B.E.C.E. exams. Bowel dysfunctions may have been the cause; however, test anxiety could also trigger such an embarrassing experience. This sufficiently jogged my memory and I wish to share a story I was told growing up.

A scion may be the most appropriate description for Danana and his twin brother Kenana. They had been to the most prestigious schools across the globe. Their future was planned by their parents and they spared no effort in giving them the education and exposure that may magnify their prospects in life. They were destined to become prominent ,stay in the circle of the crème dela crème, on top of the social ladder, possibly tomorrows decision makers in the future.

Life was easy and the children got bored with their scripted life. Raised to be confident and daring, they will begin experimenting with things that were not common in the environment they have always known. Is it not normal for teenagers to be mischievous? Yes but they were more like 2 old men in a child’s body. Their mischief never aligned with their age. They were steps ahead of their contemporaries.For some reason, they had big egos, arrogance, overconfidence, conceited or perhaps it was just a rare form of confidence, we have never been used to.

Parents had business to do back in their country of origin. Specifically, one of the gold mining areas. It was going to be a protracted stay in the country so, they were enrolled in the best school in the locality. It was out of convenience and parents really wanted to be able to monitor their studies.

These brothers were more fluent than all the other students in their class and even more than some of their teachers. They wore the best shoes, smelled good and their lunch pack were always delectable. They were loved and hailed by all. The class prefect and assistant class prefect roles became their responsibility.

Over time they got caught up in the attention they received and their ability to control everyone in school. Paying little attention to their studies. During exams they cheated and found themselves at the 1st and 2nd positions. Their parents were soon distracted by the demands of the gold business and their children had their way with so much.

Another term came and Kenana who was the best performing student was to be the representative of the school at the prestigious annual national quiz by default. It was an opportunity to be seen on television and get more attention. They happily divulge the information to their parents and friends. He was given materials to study and their teachers availed themselves for any form of assistance but he spent the whale of time watching television and more.

Their plan was to cheat once more. It made them feel smarter and more intelligent. The plan was Danana would carry along the study materials, sit right behind Kenana at the venue and whisper the answers. This had always been a spot reserved for close relatives of contestants to keep them motivated.

This plan excited Danana because he was also going to be on television as his brother.

The day of the quiz quickly arrived and Danana was smart enough to secure himself the spot behind his brother to do the needful. Unfortunately, he was not going to sit there alone. The new arrangement meant head teachers and some dignitaries would be filling seats at the same place. The plan to cheat had failed and this brought the brothers so much distress.

The quiz soon began, and Kenana’s performance remained unimpressive throughout the rounds. He stuttered when it was his time to answer questions because he was ill prepared for the quiz. It was embarrassing as this aired live on television. Danana showed his loyalty to his brother by cheering him on but that didn’t do much.

Soon a strong odor had taken over the room. It was a stinking smell coming from Kenana’s direction.It was so nauseating causing people to bury their face in their clothes. The test anxiety had caused the incontinence of Kenana.

He sat embarrassed as flies hovered around his chair.They were still on camera unfortunately and the whole nation watched but the picture wasn’t clear some viewers. They didn’t understand the cause of the chaos. The host signaled for an advert to be played immediately. The host then got closer and asked Kenana to get up from his seat so he could be assisted but Kenana protested. His brother Danana also kept insisting “Kenana don’t move an inch, I am right behind you”.He remained in the seat as more flies kept moving his way.

The moral lesson I deduce here is,it is always better to bow out when the applause is the loudest. And Kenana should not be staying when he has the opportunity to avert more embarrassment. Positions are not possessions and African leaders must always know when to bow out.

Long live mother Ghana.
Dumenu Charles Selorm