I am very indignant about the disease that has eaten into the bones of Ghanaian youth in the political arena as leaders. Many of our flaws are not as a results of our inabilities rather the fear of making mistakes and being derided by friends and followers. These have deadens and buried our potentials, capabilities and also not making us to be critical thinkers.
Reflecting on this, one of the best innovation I have seen in my entire life which happened as results of mistake came into my mind.
I became a member of the senior choir in 2013 a year after I completed S.H.S. It was as a results of my hard work, obedience, sacrifice and seriousness even though, there were a lot of seniors who had been in the choir for many years. Could they have been jealous? My virtues could not be hidden since that is my true identity. Serving under Mr. Fofie and Mr. Mensah as the choir masters was one of the best moment I have had. Mr. Fofie has been a pillar in the church. Almost all the youth in the church have passed through his hands as the Sunday liturgy teacher, singing band coordinator and youth choir director. My love for choral songs grew deeper and deeper when I met this man.
The Congregation loves Mr. Fofie for his skillful and funny way of conducting the choir especially on feasts days. “What has kept our master long”, said the choiresters. It was time for morning practice. Everybody was yearning for a spectacular performance by the choir since it was the day of the annual harvest which was also a week to Christmas.
“Darling, have you finished ironing my clothes”, asked Mr. Fofie. She quickly replied that Eugenia was doing that. Mr. Fofie could not wait to lead the choir because of his passion for the work. He’s versatile in choral activities like James Varrick Armaah of Harmonious Chorale Ghana. “I’m dead”, said Eugenia. He rushed there only to see that his new trousers which all choiresters were supposed to wear was burnt. He could not utter a word. Mr. Fofie would not listen to his wife’s advice of wearing any of their African print. He had punished someone on that for not conforming to the rules and regulations of the choir. He took the trousers and realized that it was just 50cm from his foot. “It’s okay”, he said.
The wife was thinking of a seamstress but that was not the answer since he had only twenty minutes to the start of the program. Perhaps, he will wear something crazy today. He wore the trousers and gently folded the burnt part inside. Eugenia and her mother could not stop laughing after seeing their father dressed in that way. “Your dressing makes you look like a citizen of the colonial era so please wear something different since you will be definitely conducting following Mr. Mensah’s invitation to Banda Ahenkro for the Catechist’s wedding”, she said. The only thing a disciplinarian would do is to go strictly by the rules. Let’s go, he told them.
Immediately we saw his car, we ran there to know what kept him long. Everybody busted into laughter as he came out of the car. The wife felt embarrassed yet Mr. Fofie would not mind her. Surprisingly, about ten of the youth saw his dressing catchy and so folded their trousers in that hanging manner as they danced towards the alter with their offering. This made the day interesting than ever. How effective could this dressing be? About half of the youth in our church sewed their Christmas clothes as ‘hanging trousers’ since it was a week after the annual harvest. Eventually, hanging trousers has become the fashion Ghanaian youth have warmly embraced.
Though character is the most influential tool for success and good leadership, innovation is a determinant of growth and great leadership. We can not be innovative without making mistakes. Have we forgotten E. L. Thorndike’s theory “Try and Error?” Unintentional mistakes make us more innovative and by extension, great men or leaders. The more we fear to rack our brains in solving problems just because of the disease ‘mistake’, the more incapacitated we become to unlocking our potentials, growth and development. The outcome of this disease is deadly and dangerous than a ‘delegate’ in the political hem. Our compass should be geared towards the accomplishment of our responsibilities, goals or ambitions rather than listening to criticisms especially when there is a problem. Your mistake will definitely define you as a great man one day, so be focused. Never be discouraged because you’re a star. Peace be unto you.
#Eyokro inspires.
Written by:
Eyokro Sie Bediako Isaiah
TTAG-ASHBA Sector
President
Send your articles through issahtohashamsoo@gmail.com for publication.
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