Reflective Seeds by Counsellor Seyram

Whereas it has been observed that individuals across the European continent are independent and expressive about emotions, that is joy, sadness, anguish, pain, frustration, excitement among others, their counterparts in Africa are more conservative and interdependent; that is, emotions are most often hidden behind deeds rather than in words. However, it is interesting to note that for most individuals in Africa, particularly Ghanaians, public expression of inner emotions unreservedly is considered as not normal. It is commonplace therefore to hear an expression such as “Men don't cry”. Again, it seems quite unusual to hear parents express love verbally to even their children or spouses publicly. Perhaps except for some upper class families who have some foreign influence and as such, identify with such expressive behaviours, the masses generally consider it unnecessary and somehow even inappropriate to be that affectionate. In most instances, the times when one can observe an open

A virgin may loosely be defined as someone who is naïve  or/and inexperienced about sexual relations because he or she has never been engaged in it. According to plannedparenthood.org, the description of a virgin is relative because sexual relations and orientation differ thus the act of having sex (penetration between the male and female reproductive organs) means different things to different people.  Also, further reading on the site indicates that many people believe that sexual assault is not sex thus anyone who suffers it may not consider that as losing one's virginity. Admittedly then, the phenomenon of virginity is broad and somewhat relative based on different factors. It is a cultural and perhaps moral principle that may not always have scientific evidence to support it. As indicated above, there are many ways to describe virginity. However, this reflection is centered mostly on the primary consideration of the word in relation to the penetrative act involving the male a

In a publication dated October 13, 2023 on the Share of global population affiliated with major religious groups 2022, Einar H. Dyvik revealed that in 2022, around 31.6% and 25.8% of the global population were identified as Christians and Muslims respectively. This was followed by 15.1% Hindus. According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service, approximately 71% of Ghanaians are Christians, 18% Muslims, 5% adhering to indigenous or animistic religious beliefs, and 6% belonging to other religious groups or has no religious beliefs. Smaller religious groups include Baha’is, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus, and followers of Shintoism, Eckankar, and Rastafarianism. This invariably means that globally as well as in Ghana, Christians as a single religious group form the majority of the population. The Christian denominations in Ghana include Roman Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Evangelical Presbyterian Church, African Methodist Ep

Esra was a middle-aged public servant who had worked diligently for over two decades. He was excellent at his job and a family man with children. As the breadwinner of the home, he took his role and responsibilities as a father seriously and ensured that the needs of his dependants were provided for. However, his employer suddenly asked him to proceed on early retirement. This was met with utter shock and disbelief; he was yet to complete the family building and prepare adequately for his exit from the job. He had so many unanswered questions but the decision was final. Together with his family, they had few months to pack out of the government home facility. With his wife Emi’s support, they quickly prepared to relocate to their new home. Eventually, the deadline given them elapsed and Esra was compelled to exit the home and profession he had known all his life to begin a new chapter. Esra later got employed in a private company. The salary and job satisfaction was not close to his fo

The institution of marriage is one considered as unique and often sacred in many societies. It involves a union between a man and woman who have consented to live together as a couple with common or shared goals, responsibilities and aspirations. The marriage ceremony is considered a happy occasion not only for the couple, their families and friends but also for the community at large. This union is one where a certificate is given before the actual married life begins thus the merit of whether one deserves the certificate or not cannot be determined especially in hindsight. Every marriage is novel thus no two marriages are ever the same. There is therefore no particular format to determine the success of one marriage over the other. The sustainability of any marriage however depends almost always on the two individuals involved and their choice to be committed, consistent, honest, and true to their decision to share a life together. The survival of the union also rests on some essenti

In the discourse about the subject of integrity, focus is usually placed on the aspect of it being a virtue of honesty driven by a strong will. In other words, we may say that a person purported to have integrity is someone who has strong moral principles. In most instances, the description of integrity ends there. An interesting dimension to the personality of an individual with integrity bothers on the individual’s ability to be firm on his or her position and decision regarding issues of interest to him or her. Such individuals refuse to change their stance irrespective of any coercion or circumstances they may have to endure in upholding those morals. Perceiving integrity from the above angle therefore is quite thought-provoking. It draws attention to the question of how much integrity we have as individuals. Before we rush to claim that we are high-scoring in issues of integrity, we need to sincerely assess our ability to stand firm in taking decisions on pertinent issues of inter

Marriage ceremonies are beautiful. They mark the beginning of a union between a couple, and by extension their families and friends, who have consented to be united as one. Where there is love, there can only be joy, peace, harmony and other equally edifying attributes. No wonder during celebration of marriages, an open invitation is extended to the general public to join the couple to make merry and share in the love of that festive occasion. No two individuals get married unless there is a shared motive; the measure of the actual intentions being positive or negative is solely a preserve known only to the couple involved. After the celebration of the marriage ceremony, the actual work of sustaining the union rests exclusively on the couple involved. While some influences may be present from other equally concerned parties, there is no obligation for others to play a direct role in the proper functioning of the marriage or union. However, in cases where the marriage or union faces som