7 TIPS TO LEAD UNDER PRESSURE

7 TIPS TO LEAD UNDER PRESSURE

Today’s business world demands that its leaders must cope with the stress which accompanies the high responsibility inherent in their jobs. Leaders must know well how to deal with these pressures when they arise. They must also know that the way they handle these stress situations is key on the impression they create on their team players and clients.

If you are already a leader or aspiring to be one, here are 7 tips which will help you to handle your actions and communications during tough times in a positive way, and also lead you out of them successfully.

1. Keep everyone informed. Don’t let any issue slip away without getting noticed. That’s very important in critical times. Make everyone understand what’s going on.

Most leaders will not disseminate information which is critical to the smooth running of the organization or department which they head and rather adopt the “on need to know” basis strategy instead. This is good but for confidential matters amongst senior staff. Good communications flow is very key to the success of any organization and from time to time, leaders should frequently meet staff members and let them know what path the organization is taking to move it forward. If this is not done on a frequent basis or not at all, the information gap created will lead to rumour mongering amongst staff members who will eventually lead to dissent, resentment and apathy. This is very detrimental to the future success of the organization and you as a leader.

2. Make sure you give clear instructions to your team members, and most importantly, that everyone in the team has the same information. They should be written down and circulated to all those concerned, and in that way you will avoid conflict and misunderstandings among the team members.

It is now common place to find that some leaders and bosses of organizations adopt a divide and rule system of management when it comes to dealing with staff members. Some will deliberately do this to spite members of staff whom they find to be disloyal to them. They will also deliberately give counter instructions in order to bring confusion between sectional heads in order to discredit them. It is like giving a dog a bad name so that it can be drowned. This is a very bad management practice and should be avoided at all cost by leaders who strive to achieve excellence.

3. As a leader, you should be open to receive questions, and better yet, encourage your management team and staff members to ask questions if they need to clear out pertinent issues about the job at hand. You have to be sure they are 100 percent clear with all vital information.

Some leaders prefer to adopt a dictatorial style of management because they believe that style will stop others with different views from challenging them. In modern day management, this style is becoming obsolete since it only creates room for one person to drive the vision. This style also creates fear amongst team members who feel their questions may pose a challenge to the leader so they will not ask them at all to avoid being victimized. This eventually breeds sycophancy or boot licking amongst team members who will want to please the boss in order to win favour. This is bad for business and should be avoided by all aspiring leaders who want to achieve success.

4. You should involve your team members in key decision making. Of course you as a leader will be expected to make the last call, but you should ask for the support of your team in your decision making process. You will find your team is a lot more motivated when asked to participate in that decision.

It will be very bad for business if you always have to make the decisions alone without involving the team players. Your team players will eventually become “baby managers” who will constantly require spoon feeding to play their part. An organization with such team players cannot function effectively when the boss or leader is not available to run the show because they cannot do it on their own. Several reputable organizations have suddenly collapsed because their bosses died and left the running to such “baby managers” who were not groomed to lead. Know that your business or organization is in danger if you are such a leader.

5. Be there when it counts most. In difficult times know that your team will also be under pressure too, and they will need you around.

The worst thing that can befall an organization is when the leader absents himself or deliberately hides when there is a crisis. Some leaders will vanish from the scene and leave their subordinates to face the music. They will find an excuse not to be present when the boss or an important personality is visiting and they will take the credit when the damage is repaired by others. This is not a good example to show to your subordinates at all. As a leader, you should be bold enough to face the music together with your team players when there is a crisis and by so doing you will win respect and recognition from your peers.

6. Make them know you are there. Make the most of every meeting and contact with your staff and make them know they have your support. Not only must you be there, but communicate it as well.

Most leaders feel it is a waste of time having to be present at all meetings with staff members. As a result they will not hold frequent meetings and even when they are held, they will absent themselves in order to attend to “more pressing matters” and delegate it to their subordinate. As a leader, what is more pressing than having to meet with your own staff? Having close contact with your staff will make them know that you are serious about their welfare and it will also instill in them a sense of support from you as their leader.

7. And finally, as a leader you should keep a good sense of humour. You don’t need to be a Jim Carrey, Bill Cosby or an Ejah Koo to be funny. Keeping a good sense of humour is probably one of the best stress relievers that you can give to your team players.

It doesn’t really matter if you are not humorous, but remember that a leader who always wears a frown or keeps a straight face all the time, will keep staff away because they will think he or she cannot take a joke. Good humour encourages everyone to work in a calm, refreshing and positive environment.

If you follow these tips you will handle the stressful situations in a better way as they come, and you will definitely come out of them with a stronger team, and a stronger leadership.

Remember, to become a better leader, you must learn to be on the Alert.

OUTWITTING THE WORLD FINANCIAL CRUNCH

8 BIBLICAL WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR MONEY

Today the world is experiencing a phenomenon which financial experts and analysts call the “World Economic Crunch”. This Economic Crunch has already swept across the United States economies and into Europe and down to Asia. At first our local economists said that Africa would not be affected because our economies are not really financially tied to the developed worlds. I am sorry to tell you that they got it all wrong because now it has hit us very hard. The unfortunate situation however, is that since we have depended greatly on these developed economies of the West for sustenance, we now find ourselves in a very precarious situation, because the hand that has fed us is now also in trouble. Big banks and other multi-national firms have collapsed within the period so where does that leave us?

What is the way forward for us Christians who believe that God is the provider of all things. He gives and He only can take away. God truly gives us all things because He created them in the first place. Not us mortal beings. Yes, He will provide for us all especially in such trying times such as these. But the catch is that there are certain principles which guide our access to the good things that He has created for us. Money or our finances happen to be the greatest item on our priority list in such hard times as these which we face today all over the world.

I hereby wish to share with you 8 of these Biblical Principles upon which you can actually STRETCH your finances so that you would be able to cope with the wind which is blowing the “World Economic Crunch” across our path.

1. Always Honour God by returning the FIRST PORTION of any resources you receive back to the Lord. Always adopt a God First attitude. PROVERBS 3:9, 10.

This refers to the practice of giving to God the first and best portion of the harvest (Deuteronomy 26:9-11). Many people give God their leftovers. If they can afford to donate anything after the bills are paid, they do so. These people may be sincere and contribute willingly, but they are not obeying what God says. God wants the first part of our income. This demonstrates that God, not possessions, has first place in our life and that our resources belong to him (we are only managers). Giving to God helps us conquer greed, helps us properly manage God’s resources, and opens us up to receive God’s special blessings.

2. Develop with your spouse an annual REALISTIC working budget that you carefully monitor and follow. PROVERBS 27:23-27

Because life is uncertain, we should be all the more diligent in preparing for the future. We should act with foresight, giving responsible attention to our home, our family, and our career. We should be responsible stewards, like a farmer with his lands and herds. Thinking ahead is a duty, not an option, for God’s people.

3. Adjust your lifestyle to live within the means God has currently provided for you. ECCLESIASTES 5:10, 11

We always want more than we have. Solomon observed that those who spend their lives obsessively seeking after money never find the happiness it promises. Wealth attracts freeloaders and thieves, causes sleeplessness and fear, and ultimately ends in loss because it must be left behind (Mark 10:23-25; Luke 12:16-21). No matter how much you earn, if you try to create happiness by accumulating wealth, you will never have enough. Money in itself is not wrong, but loving money leads to all sorts of sin. Whatever your financial situation, don’t depend on money to make you happy. Instead, use what you have for the Lord.

4. Commit to seeking the Lord’s provision instead of using credit or debt to buy things which are not in your working budget. Also accelerate payments on debts as quickly as you can. JAMES 4:13-16

It is good to make plans, but they will disappoint us if we leave God out of them. There is no point in making plans as though God does not exist, because the future is in his hands. What would you like to be doing 10 years from now? One year from now? Tomorrow? How will you react if God steps in and rearranges your plans? Plan ahead, but ask for God’s guidance. Seek God’s will in your planning; he will never disappoint you.

5. Make a written list of any new or major items you feel you need or want to purchase and commit to praying about it. Ask God to direct you concerning the purchase. PHILIPPIANS 4:19

We can trust that God will always meet our needs. Whatever we need on earth he will always supply, even if it is the courage to face death as Paul did. Whatever we need in heaven he will supply. We must remember, however, the difference between our wants and our needs. Most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. We may not get all that we want. By trusting in Christ, our attitudes and appetites can change from wanting everything to accepting his provision and power to live for him.

6. Discuss and consider other viable alternatives or options to meet any needs you face. PROVERBS 24:6

In any major decision we make concerning college, marriage, career, children, etc., it is not a sign of weakness to ask for advice. Instead, it is foolish not to ask for it. Find good advisers before making any big decision. They can help you expand your alternatives and evaluate your choices.

7. Only make expenditures that both you and your spouse agree upon. PHILIPPIANS 2:1-5

Many people—even Christians—live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. But selfishness brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose. When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first, and we experience unity. Don’t be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God’s family.

8. Actively “de-accumulate” (sell, give away, or throw out) unwanted, unused and unprofitable possessions. MATTHEW 6:20

Storing treasures in heaven is not limited to tithing but is accomplished by all acts of obedience to God. There is a sense in which giving our money to God’s work is like investing in heaven. But we should seek to please God not only in our giving but also in fulfilling God’s purposes in all we do. Many of us have old items which we no longer use or require. You must either give them out to those who really need them or sell them off so that the money you make out of it can be put to better use.

By actively applying these Christian principles, “little can become much, when God is in it.”

ADDING LONGEVITY TO YOUR VEHICLE

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: Article No.5.
LONGEVITY FOR YOUR VEHICLE, WHILE ADDING TO YOUR CASH SAVINGS.

Modern vehicles are now made much better than ever before. Drivers of most new models can now expect a good 200,000 Km worth of engine life, as long as they follow the maintenance culture as written in the owner's manual religiously. But quite sadly, most of us motorists do not reach that milestone, because of bad driving habits that take years off the lives of our beloved cars or what we call our “Second Wives”. Even worse still, our nasty driving habits can end up costing us thousands of Cedis in repairs that could have been prevented. But hey, there is hope for you. Here are a few ways, which you can adopt to add longevity to your vehicle and also keep it out of the workshop.

Start up the Engine Properly

Most of the wear and tear on an engine occurs when you start the car. If you can get the starter stuff down, you'll find cars will wear much less over time. How do you do that? Simply make sure any extra accessories, such as headlights, fog lights and air conditioning units aren't turned on when you start the car. If you do, you're asking the engine to work harder than necessary right from the start.

An even more destructive habit is revving the engine. Believe it or not, this won't help warm up the car quickly. In fact, revving would rather do serious damage to your engine and significantly shorten its life span. All engines need oil for lubrication in order to run smoothly. Right after you turn over the ignition, the oil is still sitting in the pan. When you step on the gas pedal, you're asking the engine to work overtime without any lubricant and thus putting metal to metal. Wearing out this most important drive train component can cost you a lot for a new one.

Never let the Fuel Gauge Hit the “RED”

You may not realize it, but sediment collects at the bottom of the fuel tank over time. You never want to do anything to unleash that dirt into your fuel system. Even the smallest amount could clog or damage engine parts. You can stir up sediment by driving with less than a quarter of a tank of fuel. Prolonged abuse could wreck your fuel injectors, which will cost you about GH¢200.00 or more depending on the make of your car. You may also need a new fuel filter for that matter. By continually using the dirty fuel in your tank, your engine would start jerking especially when you are in traffic as well as consuming more fuel and finally you would, one day, need a fuel-system flush and cleaning. Expect to pay not less than ¢50.00 for this service at any filling station.

Do Turns Gently

Cutting the steering wheel too far to the right or left, something nearly everyone is guilty of while parallel parking, or making unnecessary U-Turns, can also do damage. By turning the wheel to the point where it can move no further, you're putting about 50 times more wear and tear on your steering pump and rack than normal. Most motorists will never need to replace the steering pump or rack because it should last the life of your car. But if you continually put massive stress on it, then prepare to cough out over GH¢120.00 for a second-hand one or better still a “Home-Used” one someday from downtown Abossey Okai. A brand new one will cost you over GH¢400.00. By the way, this will depend on the model and type.

Check Your Tires Regularly

The next time you roll by a vulcanizer, take a minute or two to stop and check your tire pressure. Too little or too much pressure can cause all sorts of problems. If you drive especially with too little air, your tires will get hot and excessive heat can wear out the tread much faster even during normal driving and if you drive with too much air, less rubber will hit the road than necessary. The next thing you know, the outside portion of your tire will be doing all the work and wearing out faster than the inside. In short, you will experience uneven wear of your tires. Checking your tire pressure regularly can save you a bundle of cash. Good second-hand tires these days will cost about GH¢35.00 each and brand new ones will cost you about GH¢65.00 each depending on the make and size.

Do Not Ride the Clutch

A very good driver knows very well that he or she isn’t supposed to ride the clutch (that is using the so-called “Half-Clutch” system) while driving. But some of us use the half-clutch to avoid rolling backwards while on a slope or hill. If the clutch is balanced just right it will even propel the car forward on an incline. While this seems very convenient, it doesn't exactly add longevity to the life of the clutch system. If you want to get 100,000 Km out of it, then you'd better use the hand brake instead. Another clutch-preserving tip is to shift the gear into neutral and take your foot off the clutch pedal while sitting in traffic. Ignore this advice, and you'll have to dole out from GH¢100.00 to GH¢300.00 for a replacement one very soon.

Listen to Your Car

Every little unusual sound your car makes should be considered as a cry for help. You ignore it, and a small problem could turn into a nightmare. The most common sounds most motorist including myself, ignore is squeaky brakes. “Oh this one is a small problem” that’s what most of us tell ourselves and life goes on as usual. As soon as you hear these sounds, then know that you probably need a set of new brake pads. For now, it’s already a GH¢25.00 problem thereabout. You keep on driving until the metal starts to screech, and you'll need to replace the brake disc. That will set you back another GH¢45.00 or more for a second hand one. It is much higher for a brand new one. Steering systems also need attention, too. Once you hear the whine of the steering wheel, you need to have it checked as soon as possible. If you are lucky, you may need to replace only the fluid or an aging hose. But if the pump is damaged from continued driving with insufficient fluid flow to the pump, then the pump itself will need to be replaced. That will cost you not less than GH¢120.00 for a used one.

Always Heed Your Warning Lights


Don't ignore the warning lights on your dashboard. Most motorists do. I have a friend of mine who drives an Alpha Romeo 75 model and the dashboard looks like the flight deck of a Boeing 747. Almost all the warning lights are blinking and he has been driving this car for close to one year! While we all lead busy lives and may think the problems can wait a bit, it usually isn’t the case. By waiting even a few days or weeks, you can turn a simple problem into a disaster. In some cases, you need to stop your car immediately and get it towed. Otherwise, you could do serious damage that could cost hundreds of Cedis to fix.

Now let’s look at two such situations. The first is when you see that your engine is overheated. If the temperature gauge crosses into the red zone, it is as dangerous to your car as a heart attack or stroke is to the human body. The price of driving even a few extra kilometers to the workshop could cost you your engine. You'll also ruin your engine if you drive after the loss of oil pressure. The engine oil light will pop up if this happens. Oil is the lifeblood of your engine and if you drive without it, you will cause catastrophic damage to your engine. A second-hand engine starts from about GH¢500.00 at Abossey Okai. More expensive models will fetch around GH¢800.00 to GH¢1,500.00 or even more, depending on the make of your vehicle.

Drive Your Vehicle More Often

Many people don't realize it, but not driving your car can be as damaging as driving it too hard. The worst thing you can do with a machine is not to use it. So if you have a second car, make sure you use it as often as possible and not for a Sunday drive to church as most people do. What can happen if you let your car sit too long? First of all, the battery might run down and that's because certain electrical devices are always “ON” in a car, drawing power from the battery. (The clock and central locking system are common examples.) A battery needs to be run in order to recharge itself so if it gets weak, you'll have to spend around GH¢150.00 or more for a new one, plus labour charges.

Rust is another concern, since moisture can build up under your car. One of the first components to be affected is the brake rotor or disc. Once the disc rusts, it must be replaced. As I mentioned earlier, a replacement will cost about GH¢70.00 or more for a second hand one. You might want to guess how much a brand new one will cost you. So if you're planning on going on a long vacation, ask a family member or friend to take your car out for a spin from time to time.

Neglect Will Cost You More

The single most important thing you can do for your car is take it in for regular maintenance. Research has shown that each year, motorists neglect more than USD$60 billion worth of simple basic auto maintenance, according to the Car Care Council, a nonprofit organization based in the USA. Not only will your car break down faster, the lack of proper maintenance will also undermine the safety of your vehicle and others on our good old roads. The National Road Safety Commission have also confirmed that majority of motor accidents that occur in Ghana yearly are due to the lack of proper maintenance for our vehicles.

Final Points to Note

Regular oil changes every 3,000 or 5,000 Km can double the life span of your vehicle. You also need to have the filters changed, belts checked and replaced if need be and all of the fluids inspected (Engine, Brake and Transmission fluids). This is sometimes referred to as a health check or a general inspection of your vehicle, which can be done by your trusted mechanic. Doing this roughly four times in a year is very much recommended. This should cost you about GH¢400.00 annually and your vehicle could last you some 250,000 km virtually trouble free. (During the later years, some small parts may break down, but replacement costs should be minimal.)

Finally, always remember that you could have an inexpensive hose or loose bolt and nut, which if ignored, could start off the beginning of the end for your treasured vehicle. By the way, I drive an old 1995 model Nissan Pickup which I can tell you is still in good shape.

THE DOS AND DON’TS AT THE JOB INTERVIEW

AT THE JOB INTERVIEW

Many people have been rejected by interview panels for reasons which they were not told. They however, unknowingly continue to repeat the same mistakes over and over again at other interviews until they finally give up. At this point, depression and anger sets in and only God knows what fate awaits such unlucky ones. I have on a few occasions had the opportunity to council a few young ones on this subject, which I must say went a long way to help them achieve their goals. If this worked for them, why not you?

This article is meant to throw more light into some of the reasons why some people have been rejected and those who keep on getting rejected at these job interviews and the measures they could adopt to overcome them in future. The following steps will teach you most of the tips, tricks and techniques to overcome a future job interview rejection. Now please read on.

First of all, if you have been rejected by an organization from a job interview, I would recommend that you take some to go over all the details of the interview process. You may do this by recollecting everything you did and said at that job interview. Ask your self whether you were too assertive, too timid or perhaps even arrogant. You might also consider asking your self whether you were perhaps even too polite at all times.

Most job interview rejections are due to a combination of several factors which may have gone against you on that particular day. Some of these factors may have been brought about as a result of how you may have presented your self at that interview, how you dressed to that interview, how you comported your self, and perhaps what you may or may not have said at that job interview.

Here is a short list of interviewing DOS and DON'TS which you should find useful before your next interview or as a review tool to use after an interview rejection.

THE DOS.

1. ALWAYS ARRIVE EARLY.

Know the exact place and time of the interview. Most people seeking job interviews will not bother to take time off to visit the venue in advance to make sure that it is the right place. Make it a point to call the place and ask for the right directions and exact time of the interview and make it a point to try to get there one hour before time.

2. HAVE YOUR APPLICATION COMPLETELY FILLED OUT (IF AVAILABLE) BEFORE THE INTERVIEW.

Most people will wait until the very last minute before doing this. It is better to fill out all application forms as early as possible and where there are questions to be asked, do so and acquaint your self with all the relevant details before the interview date.

3. REMEMBER TO GREET YOUR INTERVIEWER BY LAST NAME
USING PROPER PRONUNCIATION.

Listen carefully to the name and title of your interviewer and make a mental or written note of it. Most interviewers are very particular about the pronunciation of their names so make sure you ask for the proper pronunciations before addressing them by their last names.

4. SHOW ENTHUSIASM BY EXTENDING A FIRM HANDSHAKE.

Most people will just enter the room and stand there until they are offered a handshake in greeting. Be assertive and make the first move in confidence and boldness. Most interviewers will be impressed with such an attitude.

5. BE AWARE OF YOUR POSTURE AT ALL TIMES.

Show confidence in your body language. Smile! Show that bright smile on your face to possibly charm the interviewers. It often pays very much to have a smile on your face than a frown.

6. BE A GOOD LISTENER.

Listen more and talk less at that interview. By paying more attention to what is being asked, it will give you more time to think properly about what to say in reply. Most people tend to talk too much and this attitude tends to irritate most interviewers. Always go straight to the point and do not beat about the bush.

7. MAKE COMFORTABLE EYE CONTACT THROUGHOUT THE INTERVIEW.

Most people look away from the interviewer while answering questions and this is not a good attitude at all. Infact this kind of attitude rather shows signs of disrespect to the interview panel so try to avoid doing that.

8. BE FACTUAL AND SINCERE IN ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES.

Do not try to impress your interviewer by giving answers directed at making him or her happy. An interview panel consists of very experienced people and they will surely see through your mask. Even if the answer is discouraging, be sincere and be yourself.

9. BRING ALONG ENOUGH COPIES OF YOUR RESUME TO THE INTERVIEW.

Yes, send along at least two extra copies of all your documents so that the interview panel will not have to waste too much time glancing through one set of copy. It helps to save time!

10. ASK INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE POSITION.

Prepare these questions before the interview. People who show much interest in a companies profile at an interview tend to score more marks so do a little research about the company so that you can ask very intelligent questions when you are given the opportunity to do so. The bottom line is that you have to make it a point to impress the interview panel.

11. DRESS SMARTLY AND DECENTLY.

You must dress smartly to leave a lasting impression on your interviewer. If you are a man, preferably, you must don a neatly pressed plain shirt with a matching neck tie, a black pair of trousers, black socks and shoes to match. You may also want to put on a jacket to match so that you look smart and formal for the occasion. If you are a woman, wear a skirt that is below the knee and a blouse to match. You may also want to put on a jacket to match so that you look smart and formal for the occasion. Avoid wearing trousers for such an occasion.

12. REMEMBER TO SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE TO YOUR INTERVIEWER.

It always pays to be nice to someone who has given you an opportunity to prove yourself. Send that “Thank You” note. It works wonders!

THE DON’TS

1. DON’T SIT UNTIL ASKED.

Always wait until you are asked to sit down and when you do, say thank you in return. It shows a sign of courtesy and respect to your interviewer.

2. DON'T CHEW GUM OR SMOKE, WHILE WAITING FOR THE INTERVIEW.

Try to avoid these things before your interview. It is not courteous to appear before an interview panel chewing gum or talking with your breath full of tobacco or alcohol for that matter. Avoid it at all cost.

3. DON'T RESPOND TO QUESTIONS WITH "YES," "NO,"
OR ONE WORD ANSWERS.

In order words do not be too direct with your answers. Answer the questions as reasonable as possible and avoid talking too much and beating about bush.

4. DON'T MAKE DEROGATORY COMMENTS ABOUT PREVIOUS
EMPLOYERS, COWORKERS OR PROJECTS.

You might be tricked into doing just that, so be careful not to fall for it. Your interviewer may want to test you for loyalty and making derogatory comments about your former employer will definitely give you away. No employer would hire a person who will one day do the same thing to them elsewhere, so watch out.

5. DON'T TRY TO MAKE THE INTERVIEWER YOUR "BEST FRIEND."

Even if you know a member of the panel, do not show it. You are there to prove yourself worthy of the job and not to make friends. It does not show a sign of seriousness on your part to try to get over friendly and this could make you loose marks at the interview.

6. DON'T MEMORIZE SCRIPTED ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

Remember that you are not sitting an exam which requires specific answers. You are being interviewed for a job position so just relax and answer the questions as truthful and as sincere as you can.

7. DON'T DISCUSS SALARY, BENEFITS, ETC. UNLESS ASKED TO DO SO.

Most interview panels will intentionally avoid talking about the benefits simply to see what your reaction will be. Don’t fall for it. All interview panels will definitely discuss this with you so just be patient until the subject is brought up.

8. DON'T LET DISCOURAGEMENT SHOW IF THE INTERVIEW
IS NOT GOING TOO WELL.

Simply relax and take things easy. After all you are not expected to get everything going perfect in your favour. It is the ability to comport yourself when the going gets tough which will see you come out with your shoulders high.

9. DON'T USE TOO MANY HAND GESTURES.

Stay calm during the interview and try to keep your hands settled down on your knees whilst maintaining a straight sitting posture. This way, you would be able to remain calm at all times during the interview.

10. DON'T DISCUSS POLITICS OR OTHER CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECTS.

You may be tricked into doing so, but remember that you are there to discuss a job placement and not politics or other controversial subjects. Try as much as possible to avoid being drawn into such topics which you know may have no bearing on the job at hand, and be very tactful at that.

11. DON'T FOLD YOUR ARMS AND CROSS YOUR LEGS.

It is a sign of arrogance and disrespect. It is not courteous to fold your arms or cross your legs when taking to an interview panel. They might fail you for that even if you manage to answer all your questions correctly.

THE UNSEEN DANGERS AT THE PUMPS

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: Article No. 4. THE UNSEEN DANGERS AT THE PUMPS.

We Must Exercise Extreme Caution at the Pumps

He wasn't smoking, the car engine was turned off, and he wasn't using a cell phone either. But something terrible happened in November 1999, as a man filled his car's petrol tank at a filling station in the USA. It was something he, like most motorists, had no idea could happen. By simply touching the gasoline pump's nozzle sparked a fire and … Boom! I leave the rest to you to imagine. Folks, this tragic event could happen to you and me.

According to the National Fire Protection Association of the USA, an estimated 7,400 fires and explosions occurred at public service stations each year from 1994 through 1998. Of that number, nearly two-thirds involved vehicles.

Investigations concluded that the fires were most likely caused by something called Static Electricity. This kind of electricity is usually released with a surprising but harmless shock. Most people experience it when they touch a car door during dry, cold weather, or when they grab a doorknob after walking on carpet. You can also feel it when you pass your arm across a computer monitor, TV screen or even passing a plastic comb over your arm, after using it to comb your hair.

A mundane static shock, however, can turn tragic when it occurs near the opening to a car's fuel tank, where vapors can accumulate. Given the right conditions, the spark can be enough to ignite a fire. In the USA, research has concluded that 150 of such fires at filling stations were caused when the victims did the following. Here are the results:

1. Almost all victims had gotten back into their cars to wait for the pumping to finish. It was when they got out again and pulled the nozzle from the tank opening that the fires started as a result of static electricity igniting the vapors.

2. Most victims were wearing rubber-soled shoes.

3. There were 29 fires involving various makes and models of cars, where people had reentered the car and then had touched the nozzle during refueling.

4. 17 fires occurred before, during or immediately after someone had removed a fuel cap to begin fueling.

From the above results we can all conclude that these victims were accessing a self-service station. These are service stations were the vehicle owners fill their tanks themselves and then walk to the attendant to pay the bill. In Ghana, we do not have these kinds of services available because the pump attendants rather serve us. But this not withstanding, it could still happen to any of us vehicle owners, passengers and the attendants themselves.

I have personally seen warning stickers posted at a few petrol and gas filling stations, warning motorists not to smoke during refueling and not to leave the engine on. Some also paste warnings against the use of mobile phones but unfortunately, that’s all the warning can tell us. We are not told why this is so, because it is assumed we already know the answers.

I have not yet seen any such warnings about the hazards of static electricity during refueling. The only warning, in most cases, concerned people like the tro-tro drivers or their mates who come to fill portable containers at the pumps, because the run out on fuel. This is a very “normal” daily occurrence with commercial drivers in our cities and the pump attendants remind them to place the containers on the ground during refueling to avoid a fire. I think we must also be warned about how prolonged exposure to petrol and gasoline vapors can cause cancers, and the dangers of using cell phones at the pumps as well.

I also come across cars being refueled at these filling stations, with their engines running, because the lady or gentleman sitting in the passenger seat or the back seat needed to continue cooling off in the air conditioning while making a call on a mobile phone. Ironic, isn’t it? This is definitely a recipe for disaster or double jeopardy if I may put it that way. Many a times, you can tell that the pump attendants are reluctant on insisting that the rules be followed, in order not to attract the wrath of the so-called “oga” or the station manager himself. For me, the bottom line is that, failure to enforce the rules will expose all of us to this clear and present danger. If such fires could occur in the USA, then they can also occur right here in our beloved country Ghana, and so we must not wait for it to happen before we take the necessary precautions.

Fires started at filling stations by static electricity can easily be avoided. The goal is to avoid generating static electricity during the refueling process and to make sure any static buildup has been released before touching the pump nozzle or anything near the fuel-tank opening in the case of the pump attendants.

Following one simple rule should solve most of the problem. We must also avoid entering our vehicles while refueling, that way, you won't have a static buildup when you sit down in your car. This according to my research appears to be the leading cause of these fires. Women in particular, may fall prey to this grave danger, because they are more likely to get back into the car to fetch their purse from a handbag, or even to check on a child strapped in the back seat.

Even though people are the main problem, there is one contributing factor, which is the hold-open clip on service pump nozzles. These clips have a great potential for static electricity sparks.
However, static electricity isn't the only concern when it comes to refueling. My research has also revealed that there has also been some considerable debate and talk about the dangers of using cellular phones around petrol and gasoline pumps. It was reported in the early stages of this debate that a few European countries always had prohibited the use of cell phones and similar devices at service stations.

I once read about a case in the UK where an auto mechanic reportedly experienced a fire when his cell phone rang while he was working on a car's fuel system. Another one involved an instrument technician on an offshore oil platform who also had a similar experience. Whether an incident has or hasn't happened in Ghana before shouldn’t really be the main concern here. Rather, what we should be asking is, "Is there any risk in using cell phones while refueling at the filling station?" The answer for me is a big "YES" even though, experts attest, it's a remote possibility because there is no concrete evidence to suggest this. I have also read other articles which suggest that the risk is nowhere near as immediate as that of a number of other common, pump-side behaviors, such as smoking or leaving the engine running while refueling.

Experts have conceded that as to how cell phones could trigger an explosion is difficult to understand or prove. The claim is that the batteries used in the phones or the signals emitted by them can ignite petrol or diesel vapors. Cell-phone batteries, however, are the same voltage as automobile batteries (12VDC) but deliver far less current. The claim that a cell-phone ringer uses more than 100 volts for excitation doesn't hold up because cell phones don't have ringers, like regular telephones. Instead, they only produce audio tones that simulate the sound of a ringing telephone. There is also no conclusive evidence pointing to that of the signals cell phones emit.

Nevertheless, cell-phone manufacturers like Nokia and Ericsson have taken the risk very seriously. Nokia officials said they have been recommending for a long time that mobile phones be turned off while refueling a car. These warnings have been printed in the manufacturer's instructions. In any event, why not play it safe and leave your cell phone turned off when you visit a filling station? Are the potential benefits of that one cell phone call worth the risk no matter how slight it may be?

I would seize this opportunity to call on all concerned citizens and especially the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to lead a Nation wide push to put stickers on all service pumps to warn of the dangers of static electricity. I know a few filling stations already display such stickers, but this is not enough. Every one of us faces this danger every single day; you are either driving or you are a passenger in a vehicle, and that vehicle will at one point stop at a filling station. Therefore there is the need for a broader education for motorist on these eminent dangers and perhaps a requirement by law to enforce them.

Here are nine (9) refueling tips which I would like to share with you as I conclude this article. Motorist and pump attendants should ensure the following at the service pumps, no matter how inconvenient it may be because our safety should be regarded as very supreme in this case.

1. Motorists should always turn off their vehicle engines and radios before the refueling starts. Pump attendants should insist on this rule and also ensure that this is done to the letter, because they are the ones in charge at the service point.

2. Before pump attendants handle a pump for the first or last time, they should make sure they are free of static-electricity sparks, by simply touching a metal part of the vehicle, somewhere away from the fuel-tank opening and the nozzle. If they don't like getting shocked, some experts have suggested that they touch the metal with their knuckles, because fewer nerve endings are found there.

3. Motorists should not smoke or use lighters at the service pump. There should be large warning signs posted at all service stations to inform the public on these dangers.

4. Pump attendants should always pay attention to what they are doing because pumping fuel involves the transfer of a hazardous substance, so please don’t engage in other activities such as chatting with your fellow attendant or the client.

5. Motorists should not use electronic devices, such as cell phones, computers or portable radios while refueling. These warnings are already printed in the manufacturer's instruction manual.

6. Pump attendants should use only the refueling latch on the dispenser nozzle if there is one and should not jam the latch with an object to hold it open while counting money.

7. To avoid spills, motorists should not insist on topping off or overfilling the vehicle’s tank.

8. Pump attendants should leave the nozzle in the tank opening for a few more seconds to drain off before removing the nozzle after pumping fuel.

9. Pump attendants should remember that if a fire starts while refueling, they should not remove the nozzle from the vehicle or try to stop the flow of fuel. Get the stations fire extinguisher to put out the fire, or immediately leave the area and call for help.

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: Fuel Saving Tips That Make More Mileage. PT-2.

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: ARTICLE No. 3: Fuel Saving Tips That Make More Mileage. PT-2.

Make Fewer and More Efficient Trips

Combine tasks into a single trip rather than making several trips throughout the day. Because an engine also consumes more fuel during its warm-up period, try doing your shopping on your way home from work instead of making a special trip. Avoid using separate cars to lunch when you can use one. You may also choose using public transport if you have to get into town to shop during your lunch break.

Drive Smarter

Don’t warm up your car unnecessarily. Driving the vehicle slower and keeping the engine speed low until its normal operating temperature is reached, is a more fuel-efficient way to warm up your car especially during the mornings. Also avoid revving your engine immediately after starting it otherwise you would burn more fuel. I always hear some of my neighbours revving their engines every morning to warm it up because they are in a hurry to drive off … this is a very bad practice and it will cause a lot of damage to your engine.

If you have a choice of vehicles, take the one that gets the best fuel economy. Plan routes so you can travel at constant speeds and bypass congested areas. Unless you're taking a scenic drive, try to avoid roads with lots of stop signs, traffic signals, rush hours and peak driving days.

Vehicle Pooling

In some advanced countries like USA, Europe, Japan, Korea and Malaysia, this system is widely in use. Cars, vans and mini bus pools are other potential ways to cut down on fuel expenses and consumption. Many families may use such car pools to transport children to and from school and other social activities. Starting one can be as easy as talking to your neighbours who travel to the same destinations.

When available, public transport may be the least expensive and most fuel-efficient way to commute. If there is none near your home, consider joining a car pool that can take you to your destination as mentioned earlier.


Walk All Short Distances

Avoid driving if your destination is within walking distance. Not only do you save on fuel, it is a good form of exercise too.

Adjust Your Speed Steadily

Research has shown that about 50% of the fuel consumed in city driving is used during acceleration. When accelerating, do it gently and steadily. Driving on the highway at 100 km/h rather than 120 km/h can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.

Carry Lighter Loads

Lighten the load, and avoid carrying non-essential heavy items. Remove roof racks and carriers when they are not being used. Keep luggage inside the vehicle, rather than strapped to a carrier on the roof where it will create wind resistance. I know most people carry “Kufuor gallons” (the yellow cooking oil gallons) to fetch water from their work places and this puts a lot of weight on the vehicle. But if you can help it, this will save you more on fuel.

Air Conditioning

Use your air conditioning unit sparingly. Shutting off the air conditioning unit and rolling down the windows will save you a lot of fuel in city driving or in heavy traffic situations. But unfortunately, in this part of our world, that is a time when we need the air conditioning even more, because of the hot weather. At highway speeds, however, the air conditioning may be more efficient. Research has also shown that driving at 55mph will save between 10%-15% as against driving at 65mph or more.

Unless your car has a climatronically controlled air conditioning unit, do not use it because it will not provide adequate cooling in extremely hot weather such as those experienced in Ghana during the hot season. Most of the older auto air conditioning units were designed without such temperature extremes in mind and as such you may think that the unit isn’t working well. You would be wasting money and time trying to resolve such problems.

Always turn off the air conditioning unit shortly before you arrive at your destination and avoid starting your vehicle with the air conditioning unit switch already in the ON position. It will consume much fuel because your engine is still cold and it will also shorten your battery life. Always allow the engine to warm up first before turning on your air conditioner.

Use Your Gears Wisely

Driving in the highest gear possible (i.e. 3rd to 5th) without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving.

Always keep a manual transmission in the highest gear possible without straining the engine. Research has shown that driving at 80km/h in 5th gear (approx. 2,500rpm) uses 25% less fuel than driving at 50km/h in 3rd gear (also 2,500rpm) because the engine turns fewer revolutions per kilometre.

It is also best practice to avoid engine braking (downshifting to slow the car down). Just step on the brakes instead. If you are driving a manual transmission, try shifting the gears slightly earlier, as this will keep your revs down and if you have an automatic transmission vehicle, use the overdrive gear as much as possible.

Reduce Wind Resistance

Opening all your windows fully down at highway cruising speeds will substantially increase drag (wind resistance) even in today’s aerodynamically efficient vehicles, and cause an increase in fuel consumption. Keep them slightly rolled up.

Avoid Excessive Idling

Leaving a car’s engine running unnecessarily i.e., in a fuel queue, in very heavy traffic such as the Teshie-Nungua one, where I live, or while chatting with a neighbour, is very wasteful. Shutting off and re-starting the engine generally consumes less fuel and emits fewer pollutants than allowing a car to sit idling for long periods of time. Some may argue that re-starting the engine more frequently can also shorten the life of your starter brushes, but this is far better than wasting fuel idling and causing much pollution.

Some Causes of High Fuel Consumption.

On the other hand, poor fuel consumption and very high expenses could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

Too Much Advice and Opinions

You probably may be listening to people bragging about their model's consumption patterns and there may be in fact, nothing wrong with yours.

Engine Tune-ups

Your engine may require a good tune-up. If it pulls strongly, idles smoothly at the correct speed and starts easily, then there can't be much wrong with it. On the other hand, if it misbehaves in any way, this will usually show up in a worsening fuel consumption, and a good service should set matters right.

Brakes

Your brakes may be binding. Stopping on a slight incline and seeing if the car will run forward when you release the brakes can check this. If it doesn't run forward then the most likely reason is a binding handbrake, or rear drum brakes. Disc brakes will often make a slight scraping sound when coasting, which is normal.

Wheel Alignment

Your wheel alignment may be out. On modern front-wheel drive cars, the rear wheels also have to be set, in many cases. Inspecting the tires for abnormal wear patterns can check this. Consult your trusted vulcanizer for help.

Tire Pressure

Your tires may be running soft, i.e. the pressures are too low. This will show up as an unworn strip in the center of the thread area.

Fuel Leakages

There may be a fuel leak in the line, either underneath the car or underneath the bonnet. Look at your garage floor after you've pulled out to see if you spot such leaks. You may also smell petrol when the car is parked. I experienced this problem on my wife’s golf, when the smell of petrol always greeted you in the morning when the car is started. It was an on and off situation, and I also noticed that the car was consuming too much fuel than usual, so a visit to the mechanic solved the problem. The problem was a punctured fuel line leading to the injectors.

Your Style of Driving

You must examine your driving style. A research showed that a big company found out that in its own fleet, the difference between the worst driver and the best in terms of fuel consumption on similar vehicle models was something like 15%. The following bad habits were found to be the cause:

Frequent full throttle acceleration, keeping the choke operative even after the engine no longer needed it, frequent braking in traffic because of bad planning and cruising at high speeds unnecessarily. Most drivers do this all the time and it’s a very bad practice which will cost you a lot in terms of fuel.

Faulty Thermostat

Your engine may be running too cold because the thermostat has the wrong heat value or has been removed and the cooling fan connected directly. This will also increase engine wear. Most auto electricians will advice you to connect your cooling fan directly to save money on a new thermostat as well as to solve an over heating problem. It is a very bad fuel economy practice and this could also harm your engine. You must immediately contact a competent auto electrician to remedy the situation if you have this particular problem.


Folks, I sincerely hope these tips I have discussed with you will help you get a better fuel mileage from your vehicle. However, I must caution that, not all of the tips I have mentioned are a “cure-all solution” to your fuel economy problems. This is because vehicles vary according to engine type and condition. Those of you with 4-wheel drives, Hummers and SUVs which are loaded with many other accessories and options which are added to them can bring extra weight and load to the vehicle. Also note that larger engine capacities like the 1.8cc, 2.0cc and above burn more fuel by their design and therefore you should be prepared to cough up more Cedis for fuel to run them. Add-ons such as superchargers on the exhaust system, fender spoilers, high velocity fog lamps and other go-fast goodies will ultimately help in beautifying your car, but they will show you no mercy at the fuel pumps.

Nevertheless, practice, as many of the tips as you can, and I bet you will definitely see a noticeable improvement. I already have, because I can feel it and I know it.

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: ARTICLE No. 3: Fuel Saving Tips That Make More Mileage - Part 1.

Petroleum has changed the cost of living in Ghana today and this is a direct result of the upward trend in the market price of crude oil. A few weeks ago there was a rise in the crude price which hit the $50 mark after it fell sharply toward the end of last year as a result of the impact of the world economic recession. The NPP government reduced the price of petroleum two times in December last year by almost 20%. The NDC party promised to reduce it further if they were elected into office. The good people of Ghana therefore heeded their promise and voted them back to office because among other things most Ghanaians had complained that the NPP government had taken them for a ride and thus it was time to march out of the castle.

True to their word, fuel cost was reduced after the impatient Patriotic Ghanaian had waited for almost 3 months after the NDC had taken office. Could they be blamed for the impatience? The world economic crunch had already knocked on the doors of Ghanaians in the Diaspora and the effects had started hitting the home boys very hard. This situation, coupled with the $3 plus prevailing at the fuel pumps served no consolation at all for the poor Ghana man, hence the cry to persuade the government to honour their promise. The NDC government heard the cry of the masses and honoured their promise by reducing the pump price by 5% or so. This was quite disappointing from what had been expected by Ghanaians when they went to the polls in December last year. According to some sources, it was claimed that Prof. Atta-Mills promised a reduction from the prevailing GH¢4+ per gallon to GH¢1.80 per gallon. If that was true, then the 5% reduction was just a drop in the ocean and believe you me, it did not make any difference because most of us Ghanaians did not feel it in our tanks.

Just when Ghanaians were getting used to the 5% reduction, government reviewed the petroleum prices upward thus eroding the previous reduction. Now that the world price of crude has hit the $50 mark, I cannot see any logical reason why government will reduce the pump prices anytime soon, unless there is a drastic reduction on the world market.

The rises in petroleum prices have also affected every facet of our lives in terms of raising the cost of living generally and also in the cost of transportation which have remained the same since last year. There is also rumour that there will be an upward adjustment in utility tariffs such as electricity, telephone and water. When this happens and if it does happen, others like transport fares, food, school fees etc. will climb up the ladder again. A situation which every patriotic Ghanaian cannot deny feeling its painful pinch. In the light of these trying circumstances, coupled with the global economic crunch, vehicle owners cannot decide to park them in their garages and walk or take trotro; simply because petrol has become very expensive and thus running a vehicle is no longer an attractive venture.

On the contrary, owning a vehicle is very important due to its numerous advantages even though I spend about 15-20% of my salary on fuel and maintenance. But it still would not bring down the price of petrol and so there must be a way to run your vehicle economically so that the overall cost benefit will be felt at the end of the day. Regular vehicle maintenance and modified driving habits can help achieve this and bring about a reduction in fuel consumption expenses and also lower vehicle emissions, which is good for the environment too.

The following maintenance, driving and consumer tips, when practiced together can make a noticeable difference in your monthly fuel consumption expenses.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Most vehicle owners in Ghana today do not take cognizance of making maintenance a priority in their list of “To Do” items. This fact cannot be denied because we see these poorly maintained vehicles on our roads all over the city of Accra every day. Most of the vehicles, which fall in this category, are the commercial ones and a few private ones as well. Some state owned vehicles also fall into this category too. Drivers of commercial vehicles complain that the vehicle owners, demand very high daily sales and as such it is very difficult to meet these demands and so the vehicles are stretched to the limit at the expense of maintenance. What we do not know is that a poorly maintained vehicle can increase fuel consumption by as much as 40%. As a result of this ignorance, about 40% of the income the vehicle makes goes back into buying fuel for it.

We must all endeavour to change the engine oil every 5,000 km, unless we regularly do long distance or highway driving, we must change it at maximum 10,000 – 12,000km intervals. The users of energy conserving oils like the newly improved fully synthetic ones are the best choices. They cost a fortune but will also save a fortune as well.

We must replace air and fuel filters regularly. A new oxygen sensor alone (found in most modern cars) can improve petrol mileage by as much as 15%. You can get these from any spare parts shop in and around the country or simply ask your trusted mechanic to get them for you.

Check your tire pressures at least once a month and watch out for signs of unusual tire tread wear that might indicate an alignment problem. An under-inflated tire has a greater rolling resistance and research has shown that a 20% drop in pressure will increase your fuel consumption by about 10% and reduce tread life by 15%. Contact your trusted vulcanizer to advise you on the best pressure and also avoid using bad tires for your vehicle.

A faulty cooling system thermostat, which doesn’t allow the engine to quickly reach or maintain its correct operating temperature can dramatically increase your fuel consumption and thereby affect the performance of an electronically controlled engine. I noticed this on my car a couple of months back and you know what? As a result of the faulty thermostat, my electrician recommended that he connected the cooling fan directly, which I agreed. After all, it will save me some cash on a new replacement thermostat, I thought to myself. I later realized that I was spending more on fuel than before, so I visited another electrician only to find out that the previous recommendation was very wrong and this could have eventually weakened my engine.

Please do not let your electrician connect your cooling fan directly to save some cash, but rather buy the recommended thermostat. This will improve your engine performance and also save you money on the fuel.

Buying Fuel

Many motorists choose to buy higher-priced premium fuel like the recently introduced high performance ones, (you already know them) when it may not be necessary. Most of today's cars are designed to operate on regular unleaded fuel. Using anything other than regular is simply a waste of money because the difference will be very minimal. Also take note of the following suggestions:

Avoid topping up your fuel tank in warm weather because fuel expansion can cause an overflow. A poorly fitting fuel cap can cause extensive evaporation so make sure it is replaced immediately. I see some taxi and trotro drivers using polythene and sometimes rugs to cover their tanks. This is a very bad and even dangerous practice, so please if you are a culprit, stop it now.

Always buy fuel during the coolest time of day, preferably early in the morning on your way to work or in the evening on your way home. At these periods the fuel is at its densest and will not evaporate or condense. You even get more fuel buying during these recommended times. The worst time to buy or top up your fuel is during the afternoon. Around this time the underground tanks at the fuel station would be experiencing extreme hot ground temperatures and thus evaporation will take place as it is being dispensed into your tank. Most drivers complain that they have been given raw deals at fuel stations, but for all you know its due to the wrong timing of buying fuel.

Also avoid buying fuel in bits if you can help it, (i.e. buying one or two gallons at a time). There will be too much room left in your tank to cause the fuel to evaporate or condense in hot weather and thus introducing water into your fuel system. Drivers have complained that they have found water in their fuel tanks and they blame it on the fuel station, but for all you know, it could be due to buying fuel in bits. Keeping your tank full will prevent excessive evaporation or condensation and this will greatly enhance fuel economy and improved engine performance. After filling up your tank, tell the pump attendant to turn the pump nozzle around 180 degrees to drain the last drops of fuel into your tank, rather than wasting it on the ground.

Avoid filling your tank right up to the brim. You would be amazed that as much as a quarter of a gallon can leak out from the over flow channel, when the petrol sloshes around the tank during the first few kilometers of travel.

Resetting your mileage meter each time you fill, will allow you to keep track of your fuel mileage. If miles driven per tank are less than what you are used to, your vehicle may not be operating at peak performance and should be inspected. Also, keeping track of your fuel mileage on a monthly basis is better than on a weekly one. The reason, being that, driving patterns may change from week to week, but average out over the course of a month.

To be continued ...

THE SWINE FLU

Lately there has been much talk about a dangerous flu outbreak or epidemic that has struck a country called Mexico. This flu later spread to California and New York in the USA and now it is reported to have arrived in Australia after hitting China. This air borne flu strain called H1N1, affected only swine (pigs), but now it has spread to humans thus putting you and I at risk of catching it anytime and anywhere.

I first head about the outbreak of this epidemic last Saturday on the news and I thought it was something not very serious, but now that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the epidemic to level 4, its time to take things very seriously. It is also reported that so far about 150 deaths have been recorded in Mexico, and what is more worrying is the fact that the flu strain has the ability to mutate, hence worsening the situation at hand. The world is now at the brink of being hit by a dangerous swine flu pandemic, a situation which last occurred some 40 years ago! So people, get ready and be prepared for the worst.

I read this informative article from the BBC website today, and I thought sharing it with you will go a long way to educating us on what this “Swine Flu” is all about. The more we know about this new virus strain, more prepared we will be to handle it.

Please read on.

What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type-A which infects pigs.
There are many types, and the infection is constantly changing. Until now it has not normally infected humans, but the latest form clearly does, and can be spread from person to person - probably through coughing and sneezing.

What is new about this type of swine flu?

The World Health Organization has confirmed that at least some of the human cases are a never-before-seen version of the H1N1 strain of influenza type A. H1N1 is the same strain which causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. But this latest version of H1N1 is different: it contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine.

Flu viruses have the ability to swap genetic components with each other, and it seems likely that the new version of H1N1 resulted from a mixing of different versions of the virus, which may usually affect different species, in the same animal host. Pigs provide an excellent 'melting pot' for these viruses to mix and match with each other.

How dangerous is it?

Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu. These include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Most cases so far reported around the world appear to be mild, but in Mexico lives have been lost.

How worried should people be?

When any new strain of flu emerges that acquires the ability to pass from person to person, it is monitored very closely in case it has the potential to spark a global epidemic, or pandemic. The World Health Organization has warned that taken together the Mexican and US cases could potentially trigger a global pandemic, and stress that the situation is serious.

However, experts say it is still too early to accurately assess the situation fully.
Currently, they say the world is closer to a flu pandemic than at any point since 1968 - upgrading the threat from three to four on a six-point scale following an emergency meeting on Monday.

Nobody knows the full potential impact of a pandemic, but experts have warned that it could cost millions of lives worldwide. The Spanish flu pandemic, which began in 1918, and was also caused by an H1N1 strain, killed millions of people.

The fact that all the cases in the US and elsewhere have so far produced mild symptoms is encouraging. It suggests that the severity of the Mexican outbreak may be due to an unusual geographically-specific factor - possibly a second unrelated virus circulating in the community - which would be unlikely to come into play in the rest of the world.

Alternatively, people infected in Mexico may have sought treatment at a much later stage than those in other countries. It may also be the case that the form of the virus circulating in Mexico is subtly different to that elsewhere - although that will only be confirmed by laboratory analysis. There is also hope that, as humans are often exposed to forms of H1N1 through seasonal flu, our immune systems may have something of a head start in fighting infection.

However, the fact that many of the victims are young does point to something unusual. Normal, seasonal flu tends to affect the elderly disproportionately. Can the virus be contained? The virus appears already to have started to spread around the world, and most experts believe that containment of the virus in the era of readily available air travel will be extremely difficult.

The World Health Organization says that restricting flights will have little effect. It argues that screening of passengers is also unlikely to have much impact, as symptoms may not be apparent in many infected people.

Can it be treated?

The US authorities say that two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, seem to be effective at treating cases that have occurred there so far. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective. Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others. The UK Government already has a stockpile of Tamiflu, ordered as a precaution against a pandemic.

It is unclear how effective currently available flu vaccines would be at offering protection against the new strain, as it is genetically distinct from other flu strains. US scientists are already developing a bespoke new vaccine, but it may take some time to perfect it, and manufacture enough supplies to meet what could be huge demand.

A vaccine was used to protect humans from a version of swine flu in the US in 1976.
However, it caused serious side effects, including an estimated 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. There were more deaths from the vaccine than the outbreak.

What should I do to stay safe?

Anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the swine virus - such as those living or traveling in the areas of Mexico that have been affected - should seek medical advice.

But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimize the risk of spreading the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their health care provider for advice. After the WHO raised its alert level over swine flu, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office began advising against all but essential travel to Mexico.

What measures can I take to prevent infection?

Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
General infection control practices and good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly.

It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product. If caring for someone with a flu-like illness, a mask can be worn to cover the nose and mouth to reduce the risk of transmission. The UK is looking at increasing its stockpile of masks for health care workers for this reason. But experts say there is no scientific evidence to support more general wearing of masks to guard against infections.

Is it safe to eat pig meat?

Yes. There is no evidence that swine flu can be transmitted through eating meat from infected animals. However, it is essential to cook meat properly. A temperature of 70C (158F) would be sure to kill the virus.

What about bird flu?

The strain of bird flu which has caused scores of human deaths in South East Asia in recent years is a different strain to that responsible for the current outbreak of swine flu. The latest form of swine flu is a new type of the H1N1 strain, while bird, or avian flu, is H5N1. Experts fear H5N1 hold the potential to trigger a pandemic because of its ability to mutate rapidly.

However, up until now it has remained very much a disease of birds. Those humans who have been infected have, without exception, worked closely with birds, and cases of human-to-human transmission are extremely rare - there is no suggestion that H5N1 has gained the ability to pass easily from person to person.

Where can I get further advice?

Further information and advice on swine flu can be found at websites of leading health and research organisations around the world. The World Health Organisation gives background information on the virus. The UK's Health Protection Agency advises the public about what to do if returning from an affected area. NHS Choices outlines how swine flu is different from other flu. The US government's Centre for Disease Control is counting the number of cases in the US.

You can also track the spread of swine flu reports using unofficial sources. Healthmaps maps viruses using news reports. Social media guide Mashable lists some ways to track the virus . Links to useful websites are being shared on Twitter , the micro-blogging service.

Source: BBC Website. April 28, 2009.

GHANA'S ELECTRIC POWER CHALLENGES

GHANA AND THE “LIGHT OFF” SYNDROME

Exactly one week ago, there was a major power outage in Ghana on Monday April 20, 2009. This power outage affected the whole of Accra and Tema and it lasted for almost two and a half hours. News reports later indicated that the power outage had affected the whole country. The power actually when off initially around 6.15pm as I drove home through the agonizing traffic, which I including most Ghanaians experience every blessed day and then it was later restored about an hour later. I got home and just when I was about to say to myself, “thank God the power is back” … The lights went out again. It did not come on until about 10.40pm! I kept my fridge and freezer off, throughout the night and even in the morning I wasn’t too comfortable leaving them on before going to work.

How Electricity Is Generated and Distributed

Folks, I therefore decided to do a little research into how power is generated and distributed, so as to get a better understanding of the kind of problems which are associated with such occurrences. This is what I found out.
Electricity generation stations throughout the world are interconnected in a system called power grids. This allows electricity generated in one state or region to be sent to users in another. It also allows distant power generation stations to provide electricity for cities, towns and villages, whose power generators may have failed or been destroyed by some accident or sabotage.

In the U.S. electrical system, there are more than 6,000 power-generating units energized with coal, oil, gas, hydro (falling water), wind or nuclear fission. In our beloved country, we have only 4 major power generating units and they are located at Akosombo, Kpong, Tema, and Aboadze. A hydro unit is currently being built at Bui and this will bring the total to 5 when it is completed in 2012.

Power from these stations is moved around the country on almost a thousand miles of bulk transmission lines that carry high voltage charges of electricity. The power transmission is directed by several control centers. Engineers located at these centres can monitor the distribution of power and reroute electricity from areas of low demand to areas of high demand. Often there are automatic switches that direct the routing of power to where it is needed.

From the high voltage transmission lines, power goes to the regional, district and neighborhood substations. There, the electricity is stepped down from high voltage to a current that can be used in our homes and offices. In Ghana our current is 240V. Any visitor coming to Ghana can bring along a universal three-pin square plug adaptor and this will fit into our power system without any problems. These universal adaptors usually have an AC input range of 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz.

High or unbalanced demands for power that develop suddenly can upset the smooth distribution of electricity in a grid. In some cases, this can cause a blackout in one section of a grid, or even ripple throughout the whole grid, sequentially shutting down one section after another.

Once large sections of a grid are shut down, it may be difficult or impossible to restore power from neigbouring grids. In periods of high demand, especially during the dry season when the weather is very hot and many of us have to turn on air conditioning units to cool off, often these nearby grids fall under stress and may not have sufficient power to spare. This situation then causes the power to automatically switch off to avoid damage to the grid. It happens all the time in our major cities, and especially in Accra which is the capital.

When power is eventually restored, it can cause a sudden surge in demand that the system may not be able to immediately accommodate. When electric motors, transformers and other electrical devices are all energized at once, it can draw many times the normal load and this can trip a secondary shutdown. This I believe is what happened in Ghana on Monday, April 20, 2009.

Engineers at VRA, GRIDCO and ECG will then restore power after such a massive blackout in stages, one section after another, so that there is no sudden, overwhelming demand that will cause another shutdown.

The Challenge

The incidence of power outrages in Ghana has reached quite an alarming proportion where most of us patriots, no longer find it funny anymore. I quite remember in February of 1998, when President Bill Clinton visited Ghana at a period when the country faced one of the worst power crises since independence. The VRA (Volta River Authority) and ECG (Electricity Company of Ghana) had put in place a load shedding exercise which lasted every 24 hours then it was extended to 48 hours! I for one couldn’t watch TV that night because there was no light. I believe that may have been the reason why the US president chose not to spend the night here in Accra. How could he have imagined doing that when almost half the country was in total darkness? Yes, that was the situation then. In 2007, nine years on our beloved country was plunged into darkness again because the Akosombo dam was at the verge of drying up. This time around, the government put in place some measures to forestall the power outage problem but it still did not bring sufficient light to Accra.

Ghana’s largest power generating unit is located at Akosombo and this hydro plant can generate up to 912 megawatts of power. This power generated, was more than sufficient for the entire country when the plant was commissioned by our first president Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1965. This was 43 years ago! Ghana had a population of around 5 to 6 million then, but today we are around 22 million, and the Akosombo plant is still our largest and cheapest source of electricity today. In the mid 70s the head of state, then General Kutu Acheampong commissioned the Kpong hydro plant and this added another 150 or so megawatts to that of Akosombo. In the mid 90s President Jerry Rawlings commissioned the Takoradi thermal power plant at Aboadze, and this added 550 megawatts of power to the national grid. In 2007 President JA Kufuor procured 126 megawatts of power which was installed at Tema as a strategic power reserve source during the power crises which hit the country by then. These were diesel generating units which were imported into the country to provide additional power to the national grid.

I quite remember Dr. Wireko Brobbey describing these power generating units as “toy machines”, which attracted a lot of flak on him. These plants only worked for a short while and were discontinued because of high operating cost. I hope that the current government will find some use for them very soon or else someone may be jailed again for causing financial loss to the state. I also remember when in the mid 90s Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata, then the boss of GNPC (Ghana National Petroleum Company) procured a power barge and named it the Osagyefo barge. It is capable of generating 125 megawatts of power, but he was accused of having misused national funds for this project and causing financial loss to the state. The barge was supposed to run on light crude or natural gas which was to have come from the Tano basin. It was a very brilliant idea but that venture never materialized to this day. The NPP government later moved the Osagyefo power barge to Tema, where gas from Nigeria was supposed to have come to powered it. That project is now in limbo because the gas from Nigeria hasn’t arrived yet even though the pipelines were completed almost two years ago.
President JA Kufuor during his tenure of office cut the sod to commence the building of the Bui hydro dam project and this is expected to add 400 megawatts of power to the national grid when it is finally commissioned by President Atta Mills in 2012. I think our past Presidents have done quite well to add something to what the Osagyefo left behind in 1966 when he was overthrown but they could have done much better.

According to official sources from the energy ministry, Ghana currently has an installed capacity of about 1,812 megawatts of power on stream but unfortunately, it is not enough for all of us. The Atta Mills administration has therefore promised that Ghana will have a total installed capacity of about 5,000 megawatts in the medium term. I wonder what “medium term” means, but if this is to be achieved, then the country would have solved its power problems. In order words, the government has promised an additional 3,200 megawatts of power to the good people of Ghana, so folks let’s keep our fingers crossed and pray.

Despite all these efforts being put in place by our past and present governments to make power readily available for both home and industrial use, Ghana’s ever increasing and insatiable electricity needs have kept souring over the years. There isn’t enough for all of us, so every now and then the power goes off as if it has a life of its own. What the ECG people do very professionally under these circumstances is to say the situation had gone beyond their control and then they will apologize profusely to the good people of Ghana on radio and TV.

Meanwhile, many home appliances as well as industrial equipment would have gotten destroyed as a result of these frequent power outages, but the unfortunate thing is that no one has the guts to dare to sue the ECG for damages. All we can do is to call into a radio talk show and vent our spleen, while those responsible go scot free. I am yet to hear of a case where the ECG people have been successfully sued for damages. On the other hand you dare default on paying your monthly electric bill and the ECG people will swoop onto your premises, like swarms of bees, to disconnect your electricity supply. They conduct these disconnection exercises with such rapt military precision that you will be very much amazed at the zeal with which they are conducted. One would wish that same zeal will be channeled towards rectifying electricity supply problems when they do occur.

I have also noticed that most of the power lines are not put underground so when ever there is a storm or some strong wind during the rains the electricity has to be switched off to save the grid. It is now common practice to get your emergency lamps ready when ever the rain threatens to fall because the lights will most definitely go off! This situation has also affected a lot of small businesses who depend solely on electricity to function. There was a woman who operates a mini meat and fish shop on TV last year showing all her rotten fish and meat to the camera crew. Her merchandise had gotten rotten in her deep freezer because the power went off for almost one week, due to a transformer fault. Who should take responsibility for all her losses? Many others have suffered similar fates with no compensation.
Beer bars, restaurants, Internet cafes and business centers also rely solely on electricity to operate and if there is a power outage, you can be sure these businesses will go to sleep early that day. Factories and a majority of our local artisans also operate small to large scale machinery and these rely on power to operate, so if the power is not reliable, you can imagine how it will affect the business.

Businesses which can afford alternate power generation units admit that it is expensive and this ultimately adds to their operating costs. Eventually these extra expenses are pushed to the poor consumer. Electricity is the life line of any developing nation or emerging economy, and if it is not readily available, then you may as well just fold up your arms and kiss your future developmental efforts good bye.

Ghana has abundant raw materials which will be required to feed future industries which will in turn spearhead our national growth, and if this should become a reality, then we need to pay special attention to the energy sector. Countries like Malaysia, South Korea, China, and India were not what we see them to be today, thirty years ago. They have progressed largely putting their focus on serious industrialization over the past thirty years, while we have traveled along the road of decline as far as our energy resources is concerned, since the Osagyefo was overthrown 43 years ago! We have not been able to build or put in place anything bigger or better that what he left behind.

These are just the tip of the iceberg ripple effects of the unreliable power supply in Ghana today.

The Solution?

More private initiatives and investments will be required to help solve Ghana’s power problems so that we can move from a poorly developed economy to a middle income economy status by the year 2015 or 2020 latest. Abundant electricity is the only solution to moving us forward into a better Ghana. We should explore and invest more into areas of solar energy harnessing and wind to produce electricity for our homes and small business. Government and the private sector should collaborate to make this possible so that these facilities could be provided for our hospitals, schools and our homes so as to reduce the over burdening on the national grid.

One notable private initiative, which is in the offing to provide electricity to add to the national grid, is the Sunon Asogli Power project, a plant based at Kpone near Tema. This plant according to official sources will have a total capacity to supply 560 megawatts when completed next year. So far, the first phase with a capacity to produce 200 megawatts has been completed and power will start pouring out of the plant by next month. The only major problem I can foresee affecting the smooth running of Ghana’s first private power plant is that, it will have to rely mainly on gas pumped from Nigeria or the Tano basin to fire its turbines, and if that gas is not readily available, you and I can guess what the future lies for the plant. But if the gas from Nigeria really flows to that plant without any hurdles, then the problem of constant power outages in Accra will be solved to a great extent.

The Daily Graphic of Wednesday, April 22, 2009 reported that the country’s entire energy sector will require about $10 billion to revamp, (petroleum, oil, gas, electricity, storage facilities etc). Out of this amount, the ECG alone required an amount of about 1 billion US Dollars to upgrade their distribution networks to improve reliability of power supply from now until the year 2012.

Now you can see the enormity of the challenge which lies ahead of us, but where there is a will, there is hope. Crisp $1 billion notes will be needed for the next 3 years to conduct this exercise and I pray to God that the government headed by our prayer and miracle believing President, will actually secure such an amount to complete the project. Only then can we see an end to the constant power outages that have plagued this dear nation of ours.

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES

DRIVING SAFE IN GHANA SERIES: ARTICLE No. 2: DRIVER DISTRACTIONS.

People at times have the erroneous impression that the mobile phone is the cause of most fatal accidents on our roads today. Well if you are one of such people then maybe you ought to think again. Now read this very interesting finding I gathered from my research on the Internet quite recently.

According to a study conducted in the USA about 5 years ago, the study reported that nearly all drivers are distracted at some point or another behind the wheel. The study, which was prepared by University of North Carolina researchers for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, used cameras placed inside the cars of 70 volunteers to watch their driving behavior. Results gathered from a randomly selected 3 hour span for each driver observed indicated that, despite the emphasis in recent years on the dangers of driving and talking on mobile phones, those phones were really not the top distraction.

The amazing top culprit from the research finding was that of reaching and leaning inside the car while driving to pick up, look for or adjust something. The study also confirmed that more than 97 percent of drivers do it all the time. In addition to this, the study found 91.4 percent of the drivers involved manipulate the car radio; 71.4 percent eat, smoke and drink, and 77.1 percent engage in a conversation with a passenger. Only 30 percent used mobile phones while driving, according to the study report.

"When you think about the fact that there's an excess of 42,000 people who die on our highways every year, if 25 percent of those accidents are caused by driver distraction, and if we could address that problem, only then could we substantially reduce the number of casualties," the study report continued.

The report further stated that the AAA, Foundation for Traffic Safety, was therefore calling on states to include instructions on dealing with distractions in driver's license manuals. According to AAA, Foundation for Traffic Safety, just five states namely, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Wisconsin, dedicated a section to the topic in their driver’s license manuals at that time.

The auto association of the USA was offering common-sense tips for motorists to keep from being distracted while they drive. They included tips such as, pre-programming radio stations in the car and also to avoid fumbling with maps while driving. They advised that designating the front-seat passenger as a "co-pilot." To take care of such things was the best practice to ensuring safe driving on the roads. People who will be driving alone were advised to map out destinations on their GPS receivers in advance, before starting the journey. The association further advised teaching children good behavior in the car so that they don't distract the driver as well as personal grooming being done at home and not in the car.

"It really is a matter of awareness. It's causing people to understand that these activities need to be carried out at a point in their driving where there is the least risk,” the report concluded. AAA, Foundation for Traffic Safety is in the process of unveiling a nationwide radio public service announcement on distracted driving to reach people on the roadways.

Well folks, this research finding really got me thinking seriously about our road safety situation here in Ghana today. Many a times, I would tune into the radio to listen to discussions on road safety and these guys will be on radio telling Ghanaians that they are doing the best they can to educate road users on how to drive safe. These sponsored road safety campaigns have gone on for so long, and yet the statistics of road accidents keep climbing up the scale at a very quick pace. Even President Atta Mills is so worried at the situation that he himself now talks about it from time to time.

From the study report I mentioned earlier, I gathered that the findings from the report also applied to Ghana, except that the situation here is even much worse. If you will recall from my second blog article on “Staying Alive on our Roads during Easter”, I talked about the numerous horrendous accidents which occur on our roads all the time and how we could minimize the rate of occurrence during the Easter period. The number one findings in the report happens to be one of the major causes of accidents on our roads among others, and until the Ghana National Road Safety Commission devise a way similar to what the AAA is currently doing, the solution to curb our situation will only become an illusion.

I quite remember a very fatal accident that occurred in 1987 or thereabout, at the Cape Coast UCC junction and it claimed almost all the passengers on board the Takoradi bound mini bus. A survivor of the accident told the media that the driver of the mini bus, who was obviously driving at top speed, reached into his glove compartment to pick up a cassette tape and in the process veered into the lane of the on-coming vehicle. The result was a very fatal head-on collision.

Many of the accidents on our roads can also be attributed to drivers who drive long hours and as a result they get very tired and are unable to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision. Some of the accidents are caused by over speeding even on sharp bends on the highway and as a result the vehicle veers onto the other lane causing an accident. A few weeks ago an accident which occurred ones again on the now notorious Winneba-Apam stretch of road claimed the life of the driver and also injured others. This time around, it was reported that the accident occurred as a result of the driver overtaking about four vehicles at a stretch and then rammed into the back of a truck. Late last year an accident, which never should have happened, occurred on a narrow bridge near a village in the Central Region between a 207 mini bus carrying about 16 passengers and a Tico taxi cab. According to the driver of the Tico cab, he was already half way across the narrow bridge when he suddenly saw the 207 bus veer into the same bridge from the opposite direction at top speed. The taxi cab driver sensing eminent danger had no choice but to abandon his cab in the middle of the bridge and jump into the river for safety. The 207 bus rammed into the cab and plunged into the river killing several passengers.

I read this article in the dailies but I cannot recollect exactly where it happened. I want to believe that the 207 bus driver obviously knew the terrain very well, but the question is why did he drive at very top speed as he approached the narrow bridge? Did the passengers caution him about his recklessness, but he did not heed their advice? I guess we will never know because the driver in question became a casualty himself.

Most of these accidents could be avoided if only the drivers took their time and were a little bit more patient on our roads. I see many trotro drivers on the city’s roads virtually racing with each other for passengers and in the process; they cross other vehicles causing minor accidents. Some of these drivers will even scratch your car and when you dare to complain, they will rain insults or pick up a fight with you as well. There is so much indiscipline on our roads these days that sometimes, even the traffic police just stand by and look on helplessly, leaving you to your fate.

I particularly liked the part where the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety said that it had included instructions on dealing with distractions in driver's license manuals. I do not know whether Ghana has such a manual which deal with such safety measures. What I know of is just a handbook which only teaches the road signs. For a driver who cannot read or write, I wonder how such a book will be of use to him or her. I will suggest to the responsible authorities and the National Road Safety Commission that they should consider including common-sense tips for drivers to keep from being distracted as well as other relevant dos and don’ts for ensuring safe driving on our roads. Some of these manuals could be translated into vernacular for non English readers as well.

I know that attempts are also being made to educate the populace on safe driving on state television through adult education programs. However, the unfortunate thing is that these programs are usually aired between 5.30pm and 7pm or so, a time when most of the target audience are stuck up in heavy traffic on their way home from work. I believe therefore, that the whole exercise will perhaps end up only benefiting fewer than 5 percent of the target group. A serious look and review of these laudable programs on TV should be done on this issue if good results are to be expected from these road safety education campaigns.

Finally, I wish to call on all motorists who ply our roads daily, especially the commercial drivers to be more patient when driving and also heed all traffic signs as they approach dangerous areas on the road. The bottom line for me is that, there is the urgent need for a broader national education which should begin in our tertiary institutions and also for motorist on these eminent dangers and perhaps a requirement by law to enforce them.