Editor’s Column

2009 – An Incredible Year of Highs and Lows Thus Far

We have just passed through the first half of the year and so many significant events have taken place.

Barack Obama was sworn into office as the first African American President of the United States and also chose Ghana to be the first sub Saharan country in Africa that he visited as President.

 In Ghana, John Evans Atta Mills of the NDC won the second round of the Presidential elections in a closely and heated election.  Atta Mills thus became the 3^rd President since Ghana went back to democratic rule in 1992 – (Fourth Republic)

 The pride of African soccer/football, the Black Stars of Ghana are poised for another berth in the 2010 world cup in South Africa – the first on the continent.

 Many people lost their loved ones. The sudden death on June 25^th of Michael Jackson – the legendary and undisputable King of Pop sent shockwaves across the planet.

Some of us grew up listening to his music and videos and it had so much impact on us. Some mimicked his moves and clothing style.

I remember very well that when his “Off The Wall Album” was released, Ghanaian kids not having any clue to the words because of the foreign nature of the American English/slang replaced the words “don’t stop till you get enough; keep on” with their own vernacular version of “emoo ne talia; te bom” – literally meaning rice and spaghetti; add them together. The two do not have any relation whatsoever but to the kids in Ghana, that is how the words sounded to them in their ears and they sang and danced on…….

Personally, I admired Michael Jackson and have had numerous arguments and discussions with friends trying to convince them that there was nothing wrong with him and that he was just different.

I am glad that I had the opportunity to see him at Madison Square Garden in 1981in a solo concert, in 1984 with his brothers in the “Victory” tour. I saw him the last time in 1988 with Patrick Gyan, Kwaku Manu and Tracy – and we were all amazed at what we saw at MSG that night.

SO LONG MICHAEL; YOU WILL FOREVER BE MISSED.

 I thank you, the reader and I hope that you will find 3G very unique and continue to read and support it.      

 Kwabena Manu

 Editor in Chief