Gamel SanKarl

'Yo Bro, you're next!'.  Those were the exact words the gentleman in this picture said to me when we met last weekend. It was his wedding and as his friend, I went to celebrate with him on his special day.  Did I say, friend? Scratch that...he is rather a brother from another mother. We were study partners all through our time as undergraduate students at UCC.  We both specialised in Human Biology in our third year and became roommates in our final year. So, we've moved past just being friends to being brothers. And he is my doctor/ primary care physician as well.  Even though we often chat on the phone, we hadn't seen in person for a long time, so I was particularly excited to see him. We were in the company of another mutual friend of ours, Kwabena Darko in whose company I attended the ceremony. While we were having a chat, Kwabena passed a comment saying; "the best grades I ever had in UCC was during the semester I joined these guys to study. Charley, these

Today, I and the team at Africa Dyslexia Organisation led by Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey are hosting the second edition of the Dyslexia Education Stakeholders Forum.  I am on duty today as a Rapporteur for the forum. We are done with the first session and are about to get started on the second.  The conversations about Rethinking Inclusivity in our Educational system have been insightful and intriguing so far. In truth, every child can learn and should be given the needed assistance to excel as a learner. 

On Wednesday, I chanced upon one of my former classmates, Jay AG, from Prempeh College.  It was such a good time to catch up and reminisce on our days in the Science 5 class of our year group. We have not seen since June 2007 except for a couple of calls exchanged in the past. That's some 16 years ago...we were still teenagers then!  It's exciting to know most of us are doing amazing things in our various professional fields. It appears Jay follows me on here and knows a lot about what I have been up to and it is humbling.   I must admit it was an absolute pleasure meeting one of the nerds of my class. This one loved to read novels and was always found neck deep reading one. Given that he has moved to a suburb closer to mine, we will be hanging out a lot more to share thoughts and see areas where we could possibly collaborate.  Dr. John Adu-Gyam is a dentist and is currently in residency at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital for his specialisation. He also has a private dental

You wish you had what some other people have.  Some other people also wish they had what you have.  Such is life.  As we live, we continually aspire for more. We are motivated to move up higher.  There was a time when you didn't have what you have now.  And there will come a time when you will have what you wish you had now.  It's a cycle in life with different phases. You will change lanes and move up soon.  But in the meantime, learn to appreciate your accomplishments no matter how small they are. Learn to enjoy what you have while you expect what you do not have.  It's a matter of time...the lines will fall in pleasant places for you as you continue to work things out.  Enjoy what you have now rather than focusing on what you do not have. Choose happiness!

There are some things you can change in life. And there are some things you can not change in life.  So, when you have dreamt all you can, and done all you can yet things still do not go the way you wish and want them to, learn to let go ... Truth is, some circumstances in life can be changed while some others cannot be changed.   Regardless of your current circumstance in life, learn to say the serenity prayer and enjoy its calming effect.  "God grant me: the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the Courage to change the things I can; and the Wisdom to know the difference".  No matter what life throws at you ....Choose to live a happy life!  Choose Happiness!

Things do not always go the way we want in life.  And sometimes, as hard as it may be, we need to roll with the punches and give the fight of our lives the very best of our blows.  Even though we always hope for another chance, things hardly turn out the way we wish, want or plan them in life.  So, what do you do when you find yourself in a state like this in life?  Make move regardless!  Waiting on things will not bring them closer nor make them happen.  Making a move will at least let you know what works and what doesn't work.  If for nothing at all, this saves you time to turn to other things.  Life is too short to keep waiting when you should be walking and working. Take a step towards your goals and keep moving!  Make moves because You Only Live Once!!

  When are you doing this? When are you doing that? Why are you still here? Why are you not there?  Questions people keep asking us Of the many things they expect of us  Want us to act according to their timing Expecting us to live on their terms and timing  As if we are running the same race As if we are moving at the same pace No! Everyone and their own pace  Allow us some breathing space The fact that it’s not showing on our face  Doesn’t mean we are not doing anything for us We are trying, so please don’t put pressure on us  We are not losers We are not onlookers We are late bloomers  At the right time, we will blossom At our own time, we will blossom Give us some time, we will blossom!

  Words… Have the ability to build up Have the ability to tear up  Words… Can determine how you feel Can help the hurting soul heal  Words… When rightly spoken Can bring peace to the heart  Words… When wrongly spoken Can pierce the fragile heart  Words… Can set you on the path to destiny Can link you to helpers of your destiny  Words… They can easily make you They can easily break you  Words… Can be skilfully seasoned with salt And take you off your obscure vault  Words… Can bring your progress to a halt And can happen as your own fault  Let not your words slave you Let your words serve you 

  In life… Moments come and go Just step up and have a go  Take a step and take your shot Life is uncertain and too short  You never know how it will go But its freedom from self-embargo  In life… Chances do come and go Already missed many, years ago  But you’re alive and still can Take a shot whilst you can  Take a chance and get a shift It might be your only luck for a lift  Take a chance And advance! 

The dawn of a new year Felicitations we all hear Sweet wishes to the ear  Many many new resolutions Hoping they be the new solutions To the passing year’s delusions  But alas we have a clean slate A chance to clear what’s on the plate So we don’t end the year feeling too late  Certainly, there will be fears But it won’t surely end in tears If you fight and face your fears  It’s the dawn of a new year But you’re the one to make it a good year Don’t say be good to us dear new year  And leave your goals to chance Work it out if you want to advance It’s a new dawn; dare to take your chances 

  What If Tomorrow Never Comes?  Some were born into riches  And get to live in riches  Experiencing the joys of riches  Others were born in poverty  And live in a life of poverty  Never knowing the joys of riches  Some start rich  And end up poor  Others start poor  And end up rich  Some start rich  Go broke and poor  Yet bounce back to riches  Some others start poor  Get rich and prosperous  And end up poor again  Either way Each one of us Whether rich or poor  Start each day  Hoping for a better tomorrow But what if tomorrow never comes?  Why spend all of today Thinking of a tomorrow Why not enjoy today?  Indeed hope helps us to cope Hope helps us get to tomorrow But what if tomorrow never comes?  Life is lived per minute  Life is lived in momnents  Life must be lived today  Today is a present Enjoy it as the gift it is Tomorrow is not promised  Today is all we all have  Today is all you have  Make it your best day yet  And live it your best way!

  IT'S ALRIGHT   Sometimes.....  Things do fall apart  Things dear to your heart  Fall out and leave you hurt  When that happens  And you are all broken And all else seems frozen  It's only human for you to cry  It alright to cry  When you try  All you can yet fail Lurking at the tail  It's alright to cry  When you've tried  all you possibly can  And done all you plan  Some times.....  It's alright to let it all out  It's alright to pour it out  It's alright to feel the hurt  That burdens your heart  It's alright  You will be fine  Things will fall in line  It's alright  Things will go right  It will soon be bright  The lingering darkness  That brings you sadness Will be replaced with light  It's sad things went wrong  And it's hard staying strong  The cry won't last for long If you don't give up the try   It is alright to cry  But don't cry till you dry  Dry up the tears and still try

"Those who would judge us merely by the heights we have acheived would do well to remeber the depths from which we started." - Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.  Happy Birthday to Ghana's First President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Blessed Memory.  By the way, did you know one of Nkrumah's sons is called Gamel Nkrumah?  Well, now you do...if you didn't. Signed,  Gamel.

Travelling is one of the most cherished things of my life. Besides the travel time, long distances and tiring experience of moving from one place to another, it is worth the adventure.  Travelling teaches a lot if you are alert and observant. It has taught me a  lot over the years.  The experiences and exposures that Travelling affords me is what makes it exciting for me.  The opportunity to see new places and interact or connect with new people is priceless.  Through Travelling I have come to learn that we don't need much to live happy lives.  Travelling helps you realise you only need a little to survive.  When preparing for travels, you only pick what is most important for you.  I have been on trips where I had only a handful of luggage and never missed a thing whilst away.  In most of my travels, I learn to make the most of what I have without losing myself.  Travelling has actually made me think and lean towards minimalism.   The things we collect sometimes clutter

  OF REALTING TO PEOPLE  Wanna be in my life The door is open  Wanna be out of my life The door is open  Do come in  Do go out  Anytime  Everytime  Just don't be  in the door way  Make way for those Who wants to stay  In my life longer  Door of my heart  Wanna make an entry?  Door is open  Wanna make an exit?  Door is open  Door of my heart  Is open to love  Walk in when you feel same  Walk out when you feel less  But don't stand in the way 

  My MUSE  You are ... My muse  Yes, You You are!  You who read  My thoughts  My writings  My creations  I write for myself  But I also write  For You my reader  Without you  My poems  My articles Won't read itself  Without you Every write-up Of mine will have but  Only one audience, me  It's You who make The strokes of my pen  Worth the while spent  Your words Of encouragement  They inspire ... My creativity  My activity My productivity  My creativity  Is of no use  Without you ... My muse! 

  REJECTION   Makes you ... Question your value  And doubt your virtues  Makes you ... Wonder your worth  And doubt your works  That feeling .... Of not being enough  Of not doing enough  Of not being worthy  Of not being weighty  Of not being admirable  Of not being valuable  That Feeling that ...  Makes nonsense of your essence  Questions your value in slience  That feeling that ...  Makes your very best Seems like the worst  That Feeling that ...  Makes you totally restless Makes your efforts useless 

  THESE DREAMS OF MINE   My dreams  My desires  Staring at me From afar  So dear But  Not near  So clear Yet Crippled by fear  Should I... Take a fight? Take a flight?  Should I... Face it? Despite my fears?  Win or lose My choice  And my choice Is My voice  Should I  Speak up? Shut up?  My actions My reactions  Determines  My attraction My distraction  But in all this I have a voice  And it's my choice  Win or lose I choose! 

Stuck - Unstuck  Everything  Seems stagnant  Every smell Repugnant  Feeling stuck Yet can't unplug  The tunnel  Seems light-less  The journey  Seems endless  The dreams  Seems hopeless  Sources Seems helpless  Feeling stuck Yet can't unplug  Moving in circles Rocking a chair  Hang in tight  There'll be light  You'll see it in sight  You'll soon see light  Help is on the way Help is coming your way

  THE TRAIN TRIP TO LAGOS   A little over a month ago, I arrived in Iseyin in Oyo State, Nigeria to begin a Writing Residency slated for the months of March and April.  Slowly but the steadily, the days rolled over quickly and all too soon, the residency ended on the 20th of April. I had so much fun getting immersed in my writing projects that I didn't see the end date in sight.  I guess that's what happens when you are sold out to a course that engages your soul. Having realised my fay's were over I begun planning my trip to Lagos.  The program administrator mentioned the option of travelling to Lagos via train and I was immediately sold out. The last time I was on a train was in May 2016 when I arrived the O.R. Tambo Airport in South Africa and needed to continue to Sandton. The Gauteng train experience still remains one of the beautiful train experiences I had ever had during that trip.  So, when the Residency program administrator gave me the option, I welcomed it whole