Abissath's Wisdom Page "Voilaaa"

African Proverb

2006-12-04T09:41:00.000-08:00

Proverb:
Where is is switness, there is bitterness, too. - Ghana

African Proverb

2006-11-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

Proverb:
"He who can give you some of the little things he has can also give you when he get big things" -Ghana

To wit : One must always be grateful to God for whatever he is granted in life.

African Proverb

2006-10-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"A great throne does not make a great king" Togo

French:

"Un grand throne ne fait pas un grand roi"

African Proverb

2006-10-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"Love is like a baby:it needs to be treated tenderly" Ghana

FRENCH
" l'amour est comme un bebe: il faut le traiter tendrement" -Ghana

Blogarama Directory

2006-10-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

BlogaramBlogaram

African Proverb

2006-10-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"He who has diarrhea is not frightened by darkness" -Togo

French:
"Celui qui a la diarrhe ne craint pas l'obscurite" -Togo

African Proverb

2006-09-23T03:15:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"Wisdom is like the trung of a baobab tree - no one person's arms can embrace it". -Togo

French:
"La sagesse est come un tronc d'un baobabe - les bras d'une seule personne ne peut pas l'embracer". -Togo

African Proverb

2006-09-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"Man is like a palm wine: when young, it is sweet but without strength; in old age, it gets strong but harsh." - Congo

French:
"L'homme est comme du vin de palme: il est doux lorsq'u'il est jeune mais pas de vigeur; il est fort quand il est vieux mais inflexible." - Congo

Linking Editors'Blog

2006-09-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.blogarama.com

African Proverb:

2006-09-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
" One does not see Monkey's eye from a long range" -Togo

To wit: It is not every secret or knowledge which is disclosed or revealed to people who are not to acquire such knowledge:

French:
" On voit pas l'oeil d'un Singe d'une longue distance" - Togo
Explication: Ce n'est pas tout secret ou connaissance qui est revele a ceux qui ne sont pas prets pour ce secret ou connaissance.

African Proverb

2006-09-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
The cock says: "We are fighting but we are watching each other's eyes" -Togo

This simple proverb is pregnant with philosophical meaning. It is used when two rivals may fight over one thing but no one may have the intention to destroy his opponent. African politicians must be guided by this proverb when contsting for political office.
Sun/Moon/Soleil/Lune

French:
C'est le coq qui dit: " On se battent mais on surveille les yeux,l'un et l'autre".
Si vous etes en conteste avec votre prochain, il ne faut pas chercher a le detruire.

African Proverb

2006-08-31T11:23:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"A tree which is not taller than you cannot provide you a shade."-Wolof, Gambia

French:

"Un arbre qui n'est pas plus elance que vous ne peut pas vous fournir d'ombre" -La Gambie

African Proverb

2006-08-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"The crooked walking stick which was being used before a traight one was found must not be put into fire."- Togo

French:

" La canne a marche gondolee qui vous serve avant de trouver une droite ne doit pas etre mise dans le feu." -Togo

TTHE AUTHOR

2006-08-17T10:42:00.002-07:00

THIS IS THE PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR OF THIS BLOG

African Proverb

2006-08-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"An elderly man who eats without leaving anything in the plate for children would have to wash the dish himself" - Togo

French:

"Un vieux qui mange sans rien laisser dans le plat pour les enfants,doit laver la siette lui-meme" -Togo

African Proverb

2006-08-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"When you are made a king and you refuse, you might not get the opportunity to become even a linguist"- Ghana

To wit: One must be grateful to God for what he has and be thankful to God for whe he has not.

African Proverb

2006-08-07T09:46:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"When a blin person threatens to throw a stone at you, you must know that his foot is already on the stone" - Ghana

French:

"Si un aveugle menace de vous lapider, if faut faire attention, car son pied pourrait etre deja sur une pierre" -Ghana

AFRICAN PROVERB

2006-08-03T03:44:00.001-07:00

Proverb:

"A mother who gives birth to twins does not sleep on one side . She ought to sleep flat on her back to enable her babies have access to breathfeeding simultenuously" - Togo

French:

"Une maman qui donne naissance au jumeaux doit se coucher sur son dos pour permettre ses deux bebes de se laiter en meme temps" -Togo

AFRICAN PROVERB

2006-08-03T03:44:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"When you know someone during the day, you don't light a lantern in the night to look in his face" -Ghana

French:
"Si l'on connait quelqu'un deja, on n'allume pas de la tanterne pour regarder sa figure pendant la nuit" -Ghana

FIFA WORLD CUP 2006

2006-06-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.fifaworldcup.yahoo.com

African Proverb

2006-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"He who ignores his or her culture, ignores his or her destiny"-Ghana

African Proverb

2006-06-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"Life is simply how you make it to be " - Ghana

Food for thought

2006-06-17T02:34:00.000-07:00

An adage says:
" There is no accident in God's plans".
Therefore, it is not by accident that, for the first time in soccer history of mankind, Ghana, the globally acclaimed most hospitable country in Africa qualified for the World Cup in the year 2006 A.D. God bless Ghana and all souls who incarnate on this land of golden experience.

African Proverb

2006-06-16T09:49:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"Those who do not take part in the fight tend to
think that those who go do not do well" -Ghana

French: "Ceux qui ne participent pas a la lutte ont tendance de maljuger les combattants" -Ghana

African Proverb

2006-06-09T10:15:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"Those who live very close to the Temple don't fear the gods"

French: "Ceux qui vivent tout proche du Temple n'ont pas peur des dieux"

African Proverbs

2006-06-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"The doctor cannot drink the medicine for the patient"-Ghana

Proverb:

"A healthy person does not seek a doctor" -Congo

African Proverb

2006-06-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"God's gifts are greater and more magnificent than human gifts" - Ghana

African Proverbs

2006-06-03T03:19:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"He who seeks everything from God, must never be impatient" -Nigeria

Proverb:

"There is never a crowding at the gate of patience" -Morocco

African Proverb

2006-05-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"When Turtoise travels it lodges with Snail"-Togo

French:
"Quand l' escargot voyage il se loge avec la tortue"

Traditional African Adage

2006-05-30T05:27:00.000-07:00

Traditional Adage:
The African grey parrot symbolises a good orator . There is a traditional adage that
"When the Parrot speaks, no one else speaks again. The significance is the mastership in linguistic prowess

Proverbes africains

2006-05-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Proverbe:
"Quand deux elephants se battent ce sont les herbes qui souffrent"-Ghana

Proverbe:
"Ce n'est qu'apres une guerre que l'on se met a la decrire et compter ces degats"-Republic du Benin

N/B: la sagesse dans ces proverbes est: est-il bon de s'engager en conflits ou de se tuer pour n'importe quelle raison?

African Proverb

2006-05-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Proverb: "Death does not book an appointment." - Ghana
Whether you are burried in a lion cofin or an Egyptian cofin, as shown here, it's immaterial. The truth is that when death knocks at your door, be it at dawn, noon or midnight, you will oblige. Period!

African Proverb

2006-05-24T04:55:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"It is only when a frog dies that its real lenght is known"-Ghana"

To wit: The greatness of some persons are only recognised and admitted only after their transition.

African Proverb

2006-05-24T04:29:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

The Lezard fell from a very tall tree and crashed on the ground without hurting itself. After waiting for some time, it said:
"If nobody will praise me , I will praise myself for a great feat." -Ghana (afterall how many people can survive a plane crash?)

To wit: It is important to recognise people's achievements and commend them, no matter how little such achievements may appear.

African Proverb

2006-05-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

Proverb:

"What Cat saw and closed her eyes, Dog did not see it before she started barking wildly!" -Togo

To wit: Those who know more keep quiet, while those who know little most times make the loudest noice.

Always visit the Wisdom Page to add more wisdom to your wisdom.

Linking you to other Wisdom homes in the world

2006-05-23T02:24:00.000-07:00

http://asamanthinketh.net/emeditation.htm No one person has monopoly over wisdom.
Wisdom is universal and a free gift from the Divine Intelligence .But it appears it is not everybody who possesses this free gift. E-mail me your comments, please.

Proverbes africanins ( French )

2006-05-22T11:15:00.000-07:00

Proverbe:

"La main du donateur reste audessus de la main du receveur" -Benin

To wit: The hand of the giver rests on top of the hand of the receiver.
The wisdom in this proverb is that, if you depend on other people for survival, you will always remain their subordinate.

Proverbe:

"On ne regarde pas dans la bouteille avec les deux yeux" -Togo

To wit: One does not look into a bottle with two eyes. (It doesn't pay to be greedy)

Wisdom Page: A Community of Wisemen and Women

2006-05-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is the birth place of wisemen and women.
Visit the Wisdom Page to add more wisdom to your wisdom.

And if you think you have some wisdom to share with the world, send it to me and I will publish it on this Wisdom Page for the benefit of mankind.

Adage:
"Wisdom is the mother of all virtues.
Where science and technology fail, Wisdom must be consulted before the Divine Intelligence or the Universal Mind."-M.K.Abissath

African Proverbs

2006-05-19T10:52:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
" Nobody teaches a child the name of God" -Ghana

Proverb:
" He who trusts in God does not lack anything"-Tanzania

Proverb:
"A mortal owns the saying and God owns the fulfilment" -Gnana

EzineArticles.com author

2006-05-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

www.EzineArticles.com

Canopy walkway in Ghana (Kakum Park)

2006-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

This hanging net- walkway in a rain forest in Ghana is one of the only four in the whole world.

It is one of the best tourism sites in the central region of Ghana.

African Proverbs

2006-05-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"Death does not book an appoint" - Togo

Proverb:
"It is when death comes you that you think about life"-Mauritania

Proverb:
"A good milking cow is praised after its death- Kenya
To wit:Many great men are only appreciated after their death.

Wisdom Page links you to Ghana

2006-05-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

There is wisdom in travelling to Ghana and see things for yourself. (Click on this link to to link you to the land of hospitable humanbeings in Africa) www.viewghana.com This is new Travel
Portal for Ghana developed by INTRODUCING 2AIM PRODUCTION

Traditional wise saying:
'Monkeys move by sizes' To wit: You must know your social status and not pretend to be what you are not.

Tribute to Albin Korem,my co-author of "Traditional Wisdom in African Proverbs"

2006-05-12T10:55:00.000-07:00

Albin Korem

TRIBUTE TO ALBIN KOREM-THE ENVIRONMENTAL HERO OF OUR TIME
by Mawutodzi K.Abissath
A powerful African proverb warns: “When death snatches a prey from you, you dare not attempt to wrench it from its dreadful hands.” Look at how death has stolen my friend Albin, but I dare not even scream “eweeooo” or “o dzulooor eee “or “fiafitor-looo!”
I first came into contact with Albin Korem in October 1986 within the premises of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) in Accra when I obtained admission to study journalism there that year.
Before then I was an admirer of his column “FOOD FOR THOUGHT” in the Sunday Mirror, now the Mirror. On the first day of our encounter, I was surprised when the man grabbed my hand and shook me vigorously when he was told that I was a poet. Instantly he asked me to be writing poems for publication in his magazine.
Albin was then the Editor of a magazine called THE RURAL FORUM which was being published by the Ghana Institute of Journalism. I also enthusiastically accepted without any condition to contribute poems and other articles to The Rural Forum. That was how our friendship originated. And for approximately 20 solid years, Albin and I had been friends and brothers in the true sense of the word. Albin was a member of the Abissath family in Ghana.
The last time I saw my friend was on Sunday, April 9, 2006. He had not been too well for sometime. But on that day when I visited him at his home at Taifa, he was not in the best condition. He was packing his things to travel to his home country Slovakia for treatment. According to him, he went to a hospital here for several tests and scanning. But there was one particular scanning he was told to come back in July in order to diagnose his sickness.
According to him, he asked the doctor whether he would be able to survive up to July because he was in severe pain. Already he had planned to visit home this year, so he would rather go and undergo treatment there. On Tuesday, April 11, 2006, Albin left the shores of Ghana where he had lived for 35 years. Then on Wednesday, May10, 2006, I heard the transition of my bosom friend for the first time with unbelievable shock.
The Ghanaian Times of Friday May 12, 2006 (page 3) officially published the news of his death under the heading “Albin Korem is dead”. That he stopped eating salt on May 2, 2006. I wish to commend Times Editor, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari for her brief comments about Albin Korem in her paper. She is a mother and lover of humanity indeed. That write-up about Albin was a master piece of journalism. I say Bravo to you all over there.
The contribution of Albin Korem to the socio-economic progress of Ghana through his writings on agriculture, environment, sustainable development, and the “IDEAS FOR BETTER LIVING in the Spectator, cannot be quantified in real terms.
As an agricultural scientist by profession, he lived and fought for the well-being of farmers of Ghana and Africa. Albin was once a tutor at then Nyanpkala Agric College in Tamale for a very long time. He knew the northern part of Ghana more than some of us Ghanaians. He spoke some Frafra dialect though.
One single outstanding contribution he made to the agricultural history of Ghana which many Ghanaians might not know was that. When he was the Editor of the Rural Forum magazine, he used the paper as the mouth of Ghanaian farmers. He advocated and called for the institutionalization of an award scheme for farmers. It was through his advocacy and instrumentality that then PNDC Government established the National Best Farmer Award scheme in 1989.This scheme has developed into what is now known as National Farmers Day, celebrated on the first Friday of November each year and declared a national holiday in Ghana.
Another thing he did for mother Ghana, perhaps, unknown to many, was that he had adopted many, many Ghanaian orphans, needy and deprived children, fed them, clothed them, educated them and transformed most of them into productive citizens who are now useful to themselves and society. He was a humanitarian in his own class. He sacrificed his personal comfort for the well-being of others. People, who do not know, may think he was a poor fellow. But he knew his left from his right and used his resources for the advancement of humanity. Of course, like any human being, he was not perfect so had his irritating side as well.

Besides his an uncountable articles, Albin had several books to his credit. He had actually published a dictionary in his native Slovak dialect. He had published a book on "Bush Fires and Agricaultural Development in Ghana" . In 2004, Albin and I co-authored a book entitled: "Traditional Wisdom in African Proverbs". It was a collection of over 1000 proverbs from over 40 African countries. This is the friend I have lost. Writers of the world have lost a great member of their fraternity.

He was a lover of poems so I wish to dedicate this piece to his memory:
ALBIN –THE SOUL
Oh Albin, Albin, Albin!
Where have you been?
You, the Soul from Slovakia
You relocated in Africa
And lived for 35 years in Ghana.

You went back to Slovakia
Never to return to Africa
But to leave us in shock in Ghana!
How are we to account for your gap?

You, adopter of orphans,
You, father of the needy infants
And you, comforter of the distressed
In whose hands have you left the deprived?

Oh Albin, Albin, Albin!
You’ve accomplished your mission on earth
You’ve executed your duty with distinction
You deserved a rewarding rest from the Creator
Enjoy your blissful initiation through transition
Until we reunite in the kingdom of heaven
Accra, May 10, 2006 upon hearing the death of Albin Korem.

African Proverbs

2006-05-12T10:07:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"If you are yet to cross to the other bank of the river, you don't insult the mouth of the crocodile"-Togo

Proverb:
"If your finger is in someone's mouth, you don't knock the head of that person"
(The wisdom in these two proverbs are clare). But if you need interpretation,send me an email at

African Proverbs

2006-05-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"When two elephants fight, it is the gracesses that suffer"-Ghana
To wit: If African rulers engage in wars and coflicts, it is ordinary citizens, including women and children who will be victims

Tourism sites in Ghana

2006-05-12T09:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.ghanadistricts.com Click on this link to tour some of the rare tourism sites in Ghana. Ghana is a land of hospitable people in Africa. It is a Ghana-related site developed by the Ministy of Local Gov.&Marks Publications & Media Services.

Oldest Slave Castle in Africa

2006-05-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

http://www.ghana.gov.gh Click on this link to obtain authentic and reliable information on Ghana.It is the official website of Ghana still under development and construction.

The magic of the Talking Drum in Ghana

2006-05-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

This is a Ghanaian student, trained to convey very important messages to the President of the Republic during an independence Day in Accra.

Ghanaian students are trained to interpret the drum language into human language for the understanding and appreciation of the audience at the venue and beyond.

Whith the advent of the Internet, one can be in any part of the globe and enjoy this unique indegenous way of communicating not only to a community but to the entire world.(Photo Credit :ISD)

The Talking Drums

2006-05-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

This is one of the most effective traditional means
a King sends important messages to his people across the communities in Africa.

Every beat of the drum tells a story and interpreters are there to translate the drum language into human language. It's fascinating indeed! That is the wisdom of our ancesters.

Traditional Royal Ghanaian Kente

2006-05-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

This is just one sample of a royal kente, the majstic clourful traditional hand-woven cloth that is wore on special occasions in Ghana and some other countries in West Africa. Stay tuned!

2006-05-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

Proverb:
"What Cat saw and closed its eye, Dog did not see it before barking -Togo (some people make much noice over little things for nothing )

Proverb:
"He who set off at dawn to the fields might not think of thirst" -Ghana (It pays to be forwardlooking in order not to regret in life)

Wisdom Page

2006-04-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

Wisdom Page Some African Proverbs and Wise Sayings:

If you do not know something, it does not mean that someone else does not know it.
Proverb:"If someone does not know, someone teaches" -Ghana

Proverb:"When two elephants fight, it is the grasses that suffer"- Ghana

Proverb:"It is only when a frog dies that its real lenght is known"-Ghana

Proverb:"If you give birth to twins, you must learn how to sleep flat on your back." This will enable the two babies to breastfeed at the same time.

TO KNOW

To do is to know
If you do not know
And do not know
That you do not know,
You may live
Never to know!

If you live
Never to know
You should know
Never to live
If you live,
You must know!

Mawutodzi Abissath
(Black Ideas)
N/B: "Black Idea" is my poetic pen name and it is simply means African Wisdom

Wisdom Page

2006-04-28T02:58:00.000-07:00

Wisdom Page

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR ICT JOURNALIST: SHINING EXAMPLE OF PENPLUSBITES INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ICT JOURNALISM

BY MAWUTODZI K.ABISSATH

A thought provoking African proverb admonishes us that: “When the drum beat changes, the cadence of the dance movement must change accordingly.” The 21st century has landed with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The ICT, unlike other technologies of the past, has succeeded in no time to transform the entire universe into a miniature community. As if that was not enough, ICT has gone even further to modify the way mankind has been doing things from birth to death. But one profession that has born the brunt of ICT positive or otherwise is journalism. This explains why the noble profession has now been categorized as traditional journalism or online journalism or cyber journalism. Consequently, journalists who refuse or are reluctant to embrace ICT journalism and would prefer to stick the ancient way of practicing the profession would be characterized as traditional journalists. Those who have seen the light and have adopted or are desirous of accepting the modern way of practicing the trade shall find their way to the kingdom of ICT journalism. The question is: What animal is called ICT Journalism?” For purposes of this article, and without going into any technicalities, ICT journalism is simply using ICT tools such as computers, mobile phones, digital cameras, mini recorders, digital video cameras, as well as traditional journalism tools like radio and television to enhance the practice of the profession. But one particular traditional journalism tool that may be eliminated one day is pen and paper. This is why those traditional journalists who bury their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and refuse to acknowledge the advent of ICT journalism would bite their fingers and would be out of job sooner than later. The truth is that no modern editor in a news room will tolerate any reporter that will return from an assignment and present his story in a manuscript form. The injunction here will be “No Computer literacy, No job” for any journalist no matter whether that journalism he is holding PHD in journalism, he will not be employable as far as journalism practice is concerned period! But how can ICT journalists be knowledgeable in the application of ICT tools if they are not trained? This is where the question of capacity building for ICT journalists becomes critical. And it is against this backdrop that organizers of this particular seminar for Ghanaian journalists, aimed at providing them with basic skills and knowledge in the application of ICT tools in the newsroom is very, very commendable. The capacity building for ICT journalists must not left in the hands of individuals or private institutions like the International Institute of ICT Journalism alone. It must become a national educational policy of all African countries. In Ghana, for instance, all journalism training schools must develop a syllabus for ICT journalism to train young training journalists to the ICT journalism as a field of specialty like all other specialized desks in the profession, such as economic, political, sports or photojournalism. It is suggested that the PenPlusBytes International Institute of ICT Journalism must take the initiative as it is currently doing to help journalism training institutions in Ghana and Africa to develop relevant syllabi for the training of African journalists for the advancement of ICT Journalism on the continent.

Swimming Among the Beauties

2006-04-28T02:03:00.000-07:00

How beautiful
It is beautiful
To be beautiful
To beautiful pleople
To share beautiful ideas
In a beautiful fashion
In this beautiful world
So as to beautify
The beauty of beauties
That is swimming
Among the beauties

Mawutodzi Abissath
(Black Ideas)