'Obama' has arrived!

I am surprised that you were not there to meet 'Obama' too! I met him the other day and we had a hearty chat about Ama Ghana and the way forward for her children! Did I mention that 'Obama' told me lots of things about his intentions for Africa-you would be blown away! Why do I sense a wave of disbelief taking over your mentality in haste? Were you misinformed about the arrival date? All you need to do is to be observant and you can meet 'Obama'. Recent news and developments in Ghana and on the international media landscape have been centered on one person- President OBAMA! However, I am amazed at the inability of many Ghanaians to see him although he arrived months ago!

My meeting with 'Obama' was totally unplanned. One Tuesday, a friend of mine surprised me with a half off consultation for care at a centre in Accra. As though the day had a premonition of the great acquaintance I was to strike; everything about the day was just right. As I entered the centre, pleasant ladies welcomed me; for a moment I thought I was on the air force one! Great smiles, friendly and warm demeanor, and above all a comfortable ambiance! WOW!

Before I relate my remarkable experience, I would like you to appreciate what Obama stands for; Change, youthfulness, initiative, drive, solutions, results, impact and many other positives. Obama has dared to have an audacity to hope for greatness and that is exactly what he's got! I met a man who made a deep impression on my heart. From this experience I realized that there is an 'Obama' in every single person who desires it.

Back to my meeting with 'Obama'; as I entered the Centre, I met a rather tall African American man, whose bubbly nature overflowed and infected anyone around him! His broad smiles and likeable nature drew my attention to the corner of the room; from where he was delivering what I later got to know was a free workshop he organized without fail every Tuesday to educate Ghanaians on how to live longer. As I listened to this man with all the humor and seriousness he attached to the free workshop, I wondered; why Ghana, why wouldn't he go back to his wealthy country and enjoy life, “Ghana fa ne ho ben?” [What is his business in Ghana]? After that revealing health workshop, I approached this magnetic figure who managed to make me laugh at myself; and asked “What are you doing here”?

He laughed and begun a story worth sharing with you. From the beginning, all odds seemed to be against him; a minority country born and bred boy with comparatively little options for greatness, financial constraints, and above all a void to be great and change people's lives for the better! What impressed me about his story was this man's willingness to divert his career path when he found the profession which could empower him to improve extend and save lives. He did not become comfortable with the United States, he was willing to leave his loved ones and family and move all the way to Ghana, a country he knew little about and had no relations in. It's ironic that whiles people from the United States are planning on creating greatness in Ghana, our youths prefer to hop onto airplanes, boats, ships, and rafters; sometimes at the peril of the lives in their bid to seek often greener pastures which become elusive at times (the grass is greener where you water it).

In summary this man, who came to Ghana with nothing but a passion to save lives, and some few personal effects has weathered the storm and created the most successful Chiropractic Centres in the whole of the West African Sub Region! He made the seemingly impossible possible and successful! He goes by the name Dr. Marcus Manns. Dr. Marcus Manns has done America proud by his initiative, persistence, passion, and determination to make an impact in the lives of Ghanaians and Africans at large at all cost (Yes he could, Yes he did!). Through his Chiropractic and Wellness Centres in the Ashanti, Western, and Greater Accra Regions, hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians have been educated on how to live longer and increase the life expectancy of Ghana which stands below sixty years!

After my brief but sobering discussions; I knew there and then that I had met my 'Obama'! Here is a man who had the audacity to hope for greatness amidst all odds, headed straight for an unknown destination at the discomfort of loved ones, braced challenges with effective solutions, gave other people the opportunity to be the best they can be, and emerged victorious. What more evidence do I need?

The Story of Dr. Marcus Manns of The Chiropractic and Wellness Centres in Ghana is but one example of the numerous 'Obamas' who walk the streets of Accra on a daily basis without any recognition, pomp or pageantry. Many Ghanaians and African Americans alike have moved out of their comfort zones and created sustainable change in the lives of many Ghanaians and individually assisted the progress of the nation. Imagine what would happen if every inhabitant of Ghana decided to follow suite; the country would well be on its way to climbing out of the pit of underdevelopment!

On July 10th the international radar would be focused on the gateway to Africa. Finally, Ama Ghana: the little girl buckled on the West African coast would be hosting undoubtedly the most magnetic political persona! Everyone is talking about the Obama fever; Obama here, Obama there! However, let's not forget that in each and every one of us is an 'Obama' waiting to be harnessed. The major focus for many, concerning President Obama's visit is the talk of financial assistance and bilateral discussions; however we can all benefit more from this visit by aspiring to immerse ourselves in personal development and develop the yearning to be great! President Obama prepared himself in advance and took advantage of the opportunity to be great and made history; How about you?

Aba Ghana
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