Part of this is of course because she is a Republican who served under a deeply unpopular president. After the N.A.A.C.P. dutifully honored her with a President’s Image Award in 2002, the black Columbia historian Manning Marable dismissed Rice as a “leading race traitor” and the award as “accommodation” to an antiblack corporate establishment. Around the same time, black audiences chuckled approvingly when Amiri Baraka read the line “Who know what kind of Skeeza is a Condoleezza,” from his poem “Somebody Blew Up America.”

Yet there is more to it than that. Rice’s public self-presentation is distinctly impersonal. Unethnic, for one, but shading into outright ineffability. One grapples for an adjective to describe her personality, even after reading her autobiography, “Extraordinary, Ordinary People.”

She would have us believe that her dazzling journey, from growing up in segregated Birmingham to helping to lead the world, can be credited to attentive parents, the “extraordinary, ordinary” folk of the title. Yet it becomes clear that Rice has always been a wunderkind singleton. As a result, one detects a touch of the perfunctory in the family aspect of her tale, as well as a disinclination toward serious introspection.

Rice’s parents, both educators, provided a fine environment for germination. Rice grew up in the parallel universe that middle-­class black parents in the segregated South built for their children, a world of socials, bowling and bonnets, with black children from “rough” neighborhoods kept at a distance. Her recollection of her parents all aflutter trying to teach her about the birds and the bees plays like something out of “Father Knows Best.”

As a young piano student, Rice liked to imagine herself as Mozart’s wife, and in 1968, when she was 13 years old, she spent afternoons mimicking ice-skating moves to Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony. No one in this era was tarring any of this as “white,” and parents insisted that blacks had to be twice as good as whites to succeed. Rice notes, “This was declared as a matter of fact, not a point for debate.”

All of this was ordinary for middle-class blacks in that time and place. What wasn’t ordinary was Rice’s coming out of a political science course at the University of Denver so entranced with Russian history that she decided to become a Soviet specialist. It does not discount black people’s wide range of interests to say that in the early ’70s, Soviet affairs was an unusual career choice for a black woman raised in Jim Crow Birmingham. Members of this first generation of black academics much more commonly sought to explore the black past and present.

You would never know this from Rice’s breezy account of this period in her life. She sometimes sounds like a white debutante from somewhere in Connecticut, as if black people from the Deep South always named their cars after the protagonist of their favorite Russian opera (hers was “Boris Godunov,” for the record). We learn little about Rice’s inner life as she sails to one triumph after another, as a Stanford fellowship becomes a tenure-track assistant professorship, the Council on Foreign Relations sends her to Washington and next thing she knows she’s working at the National Security Council, getting appointed provost of Stanford, and fielding calls from George Bush père, who wants her to meet his son for some foreign policy brush-up.

The rest we know. Yet we will need biographers to give us more than Rice does about her actual work and the reasons for its rapturous reception. Her book comes close only in furnishing scattered childhood evidence of a furiously disciplined, even insular, individual. Rice reminds us that she liked the Temptations and Led Zeppelin and admits a tendency to procrastination (one she has apparently indulged only rarely over the past 30 years). However, this is also someone who as a girl encouraged her father to rat out local kids who were having an unchaperoned party; refused to settle for the kiddie plate in restaurants; and as a teenager adhered enthusiastically to a schedule that had her up at 4:30 for skating practice, followed by school at 7, piano lessons and more skating afterward, and bedtime by 9:30. Plenty of her peers, even the above-average ones with self-sacrificing parents, would have considered this schedule unthinkable.

This singularity presumably helps explain the Republicanism that all but a sliver of her black generation rejected. Her explanation is that she’d rather be ignored by Republicans than patronized by Democrats, but this suggests an ironic, back-door motivation that does not correspond to her general politics, upon which she would find little disagreement from Michael (as well as Shelby) Steele. “There are no excuses and there is no place for victims,” she says she was taught. She rejects the idea that one needs mentors who “look like you,” as well as the term “African-­American.”

Yet Rice is not deracialized in the way some suppose. It would be hard to be, growing up in Birmingham in the ’50s. She knew the girls who died in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, and reminds us that to blacks of that era, the immediate response to John F. Kennedy’s assassination was terror that a Southerner was now in the White House.

Despite reports to the contrary, she favors affirmative action, albeit in the sense of outreach rather than so-called diversity quotas (although her comments here reveal a level of ambivalence about aspects of implementation). At Stanford in the 1990s, she helped found the Centers for a New Generation, a youth-education program in depressed East Palo Alto; and she acknowledges that her own rise at Stanford, early in her academic career, was facilitated by the university’s affirmative-action efforts.

We learn these things as facts, but over all, “Extraordinary, Ordinary People” is oddly detached for an autobiography. People like Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Maya Angelou are fully present in their childhood recollections of similar circumstances in a way that Rice never is; she often seems to be watching rather than writing about herself. Those interested in her romantic life, for instance, will have to be satisfied with elliptical glimpses. (She didn’t marry her main college sweetheart, the Denver Broncos wide receiver Rick Upchurch, because he mysteriously “had too many irons in the fire.”)

In general, her political aperçus rarely go deeper than this: “But the war left the Iraqi dictator in power, able to threaten his neighbors and oppress his people. That would be a problem for another day.” Nor is this “Memoir of Family” an insider’s report on Rice’s life after 2000, to which she devotes a single page: the last one.

If there is a lesson from Rice’s book, it is that the civil rights revolution made it possible for an extremely talented black person (a woman, no less) to embrace a race-neutral subject and ride it into service as secretary of state, all the while thinking of herself largely as just a person. That the story is not exactly exciting can perhaps be taken as confirmation of how considerably times have changed.

Source: nytimes

Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite

He said greed and self-centred interests had taken the better part of the people and that had led to conflict situations in the north.  He therefore called on stakeholders, especially traditional rulers, civil society organisations, educational institutions and religious organisations to combine efforts to inculcate good habits and morals in the youth to reverse the trend.

Mr. Khalid was addressing the chiefs and people of Takpo Traditional Area in the Nadowli District at the 15th annual “Willa” festival held at Takpo on Saturday.  He said the demands of modern life had done a lot of damage to the cultural heritage of the people and urged them to hold fast to their cultural heritage for the benefit of future generations.

He reminded people that under-development, deprivation and poverty challenges that they were faced should be of concern to them and they must avoid dissipating their energies and resources in fomenting confusion and acrimony.  Mr. Khalid advised the people that in spite of any differences that might exist among them, they should let peace, unity and understanding be the binding force in whatever situation they might find themselves.

He urged the people to continue to give more attention to education at all levels by demonstrating their commitment to supporting their children in school.  District assemblies in the region should also invest more in education by providing structures, reading materials and equipment for children to enhance teaching and learning.

Mr. Khalid said the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in the Nadowli District would cultivate 100 hectares of soyabeans during the 2010 farming season.  It would also develop 500 hectares for maize, 100 hectares for rice and 100 hectares for sorghum within the period.  He appealed to the youth to register with the ministry to benefit from the package to help reduce the high level of poverty in the region.

Mr. Abu Kasanbata, District Chief Executive of Nadowli, said the assembly had provided 1,000 Ghana cedis to renovate a house for use as a police station at Takpo.  He said government, in collaboration with Global Fund, had also provided mechanised boreholes for the people of Meguo and Mantari communities.

He said the Ghana Education Trust Fund was financing some day nursery projects in selected communities in the Takpo Traditional Area while efforts were being made to connect electricity to the area to encourage the establishment of cottage industries.  The Takpo-Naa, Alexander Widana II, appealed for the rehabilitation of roads and the provision of a dam in the area for irrigation.

He also appealed to government to establish a senior high secondary/technical school for his people.
GNA

According to the kingmakers, Nana Busumakora known in private life as Dr Fiifi Quayson has for a period of years carried himself as the Chief of Takoradi, which he is not.  Addressing a press conference in Takoradi to protest against Nana Busumakora’s claim, the Safohene Korampong Whindo, flanked by his colleague kingmakers said the alleged chief is not known in the circles of the Takoradi chieftaincy institution.
   He said Nana Yaw Nketia, the Chief of Takoradi died some years ago and nobody has succeeded him, adding that “since 1982 the stool has remained vacant”.
   He explained that by the Takoradi tradition, when a stool is declared vacant, heads of royal families meet to nominate a candidate, after which the selected candidate goes through the necessary customary rites before being outdoored and enstoolment all with the active participation of the kingmakers.
   In the case of Nana Busumakora, Safohene Whindo said, he never went through these procedures and asked “wherein lies your claim to be a Chief of Takoradi?”.
   He said “our point is that you are not known to have gone through all these as a chief, because you have not been properly nominated for you to be classified as such, indeed there is no precedent to your pretensions of ascendancy to the throne”.
   Safohene Whindo stated that the “Ahanta history of Takoradi has void in your claim of your line of succession” and challenged him to prove how he became the Nana Busumakora III, since the first and second never existed, let alone the third.
   The Safohene said they have adopted this diplomatic procedure to seek redress, but warned that if it is not addressed ,then “we will advise ourselves”.
   The press conference was attended by majority of the youths and royals in Takoradi, all wearing red bands around their wrists and foreheads, and carrying placards whose inscriptions called on the claimant to abdicate in his own interest.
GNA

Speaking on Good Friday to Transformed Life Ministry members at Labone in Accra, Pastor Henaku said “Our quest for power and leadership positions should not be for personal interest and gains but an ambition towards nation building and development.  “Political leaders, spiritual leaders and other forms of leadership should not make their position and ambition a career to enrich themselves at the expense of their people. They should learn to sacrifice in love and in concern for the happiness and freedom of their people.” he said. 

Pastor Henaku said Christ laid down His life for mankind and the whole world was celebrating adding that the nations’ developments have been the result of some sacrifices made by good leaders and Ghana was not an exception. ”We will not forget people like Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Sergeant Adjetey and the rest, who laid down their lives to fight for freedom and justice towards Ghana’s independence and development,” he said.

He quoted an Akan saying “Mogya naa nananom hywee guu wogye to ho mayen” which he explained as the blood that the forefathers of the country shared was an exchanged they made for our development needs.  Pastor Henaku said lack of sacrifice on the part of leadership had led to under-development especially in most of our African Countries. “Greed, selfishness, extravagance and mismanagement of public funds by leaders, have caused our nations dearly. ”There can be no good leadership without an element of sacrifice on the part of such leaders,” he added.

Pastor Henaku said just as Christ put the people first, so must leadership put the nation first before anything else.  He said if Christ did not allowed the insults, abuses, assaults and other painful ordeal to distract or deter him from achieving His purpose, then leaders must learn to be steadfast and determined. Pastor Henaku said the lessons of sacrifice must also be extended to all and sundry including workers and students since through that we could be sure of seeing a better future for our generation and generations to come.

GNA

Rt. Rev. Safo-Kantanka was preaching at a Good Friday service at the Adum Wesley Cathedral in Kumasi.  He said the birth of Jesus Christ should reconcile people with God and help them to live in total peace and harmony with their neighbours.  The Methodist Bishop denounced what he said was the unhealthy political rivalry among politicians and warned that if allowed unchecked, this could fuel violence and confusion.

He urged Christians to pray unceasingly to God to help cure the nation of polarisation, adding that, they should accept to contribute their quota towards the development of their communities.  Delivering the sermon at the Bantama Prayer Memorial Presbyterian Church, Rev. Peter Kofi Nyarko, the Minister in-charge, urged Ghanaians to avoid ethnocentrism so as to sustain the unity, cohesion and stability of the nation.
He said the death of Christ should inspire all to learn to forgive and to co-exist peacefully.

Rev. Nyarko said the occasion was not just about merry-making but the time to soberly reflect on how they could grow in their faith.
At the Faith Outreach Ministry at Oforikrom in Kumasi, Rev. John Appiah, the Head Pastor, called on Christians to use the Easter festivities to renew their faith and uphold Christian principles and values. They should also lead Christ-like lives to become good example to society.

Rev. Appiah raised concern about the rising indiscipline among the youth, stressing that they represented the nation’s hope and should therefore be assisted to remain focused so that they could realize their God-given talents.  At the Amakom Grace Baptist Church, the Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kojo Osei-Wusu counselled Christians to use the Good Friday to amend their shortfalls.  He asked Christians to serve as the light of the world by leading simple, modest and exemplary lives.  Rev. Osei-Wusu encouraged them to pray and remain steadfast in their faith in these difficult times when the world is confronted with a lot of challenges.

GNA

Delivering an address at a day’s workshop on “Chieftaincy Disputes/Conflicts – A major setback to national development,” in Ho, he said even though the Constitution expects chiefs to manage their own affairs, it was not clear as to whether chieftaincy conflict resolution was part of the responsibility of chiefs or the government,” Mr Blege asked.

It was organized by Roses Investments Ghana Limited, Chieftaincy Consultants.  Mr.  Blege urged chiefs to be mindful of their respect and influence, which remained high and said it was important for them to exercise circumspection in their pronouncements.  He observed that in addition to owing allegiance to Ghana, every Ghanaian also owes allegiance to one chief of other. “A word from the mouth of a chief therefore has the power of moving many Ghanaians either for the good of the nation or for her detriment. But the interest of Ghana remains supreme,” he said.

Mr Blege said even though there were other forms of conflicts in the country, chieftaincy conflicts were many adding that “the effects of chieftaincy conflicts on our development are adverse and huge. “We can see burnt buildings and dead bodies in conflict zones. What we cannot immediately see are the long term effects manifesting themselves as ignorance, disease, hunger and intolerance, to mention but a few,” Mr Blege said.

He said chieftaincy disputes arise from the non-observance of one or more of the seven basic requirements of making a chief in Ghana.
These are nomination from among the royals, approval by various (stakeholders) kingmakers, “caught” or identified publicly, induction and installation.  The rest are the swearing of oath of allegiance declaring his commitments and obligations to the people and oath of loyalty to his or her superior and in recent times, recognition by the body of Chiefs at the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs.

He said a current project by the National House of Chiefs, which seeks to document the lineage, selection and installation procedures of ruling Houses and Gates in Ghana, should be vigorously pursued.  Mr Blege also suggested that the 1992 Constitution should be amended to allow chiefs some measure of participation in development at the District Assembly level.  He said though the present constitutional arrangement has significantly isolated chiefs from national politics for good reasons, in his view, the isolation “is excessive and could be dangerous for our future political wellbeing.”

GNA

 The Asantehene, who was speaking during a courtesy call on him by the National Council of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), said development could be achieved only when everyone played his or her expected role.

The Council, led by its president, Nana Owusu-Afari is on a three-day working visit to Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions to deliberate with members and key stakeholders on issues bothering Ghanaian businesses. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said it should be a source of worry that after 52 years of political independence, Ghana continues to be heavily dependent on foreign aid.

He said it was about time lessons were taken from countries like India and China to turn the economy around.  He appealed to Ghanaians to patronize locally manufactured products to help the nation on the path to wealth and jobs creation.

Nana Owusu-Afari said the group was collaborating with the government to boost the industrial sector especially in the agro-processing to reduce post-harvest losses.  He said it was important that local businesses are supported to grow and suggested a 10-year tax free incentive for people who ventured into the manufacturing industry.
GNA
KOB/SOF
25 March 10

The General Secretary said it was high time Christians became firm in their faith to protect the ministry of the gospel from charlatans who capitalized on crave for wonders to amass wealth and gain power.  Rev. Appiah-Boakye was preaching at the ordination of pastors for the Assemblies of God church in Koforidua.

At the ceremony, a sod was cut to begin for a three-storey regional office for the church at GH¢120,000.  He said it is sad that Christians, committed to their churches, would rather troop to places where their destinies would be revealed, noting that women were most vulnerable.  “AS Christians, we must understand that whatever happens in the world is destined by the creator and it takes faith and trust in God to change whatever situation you deem unacceptable around you.”

  The General Secretary called on the Christian Community to be concerned about the moral decadence in the Church, the numerous media reports of pastors involved in social vices and the use of the pulpit to fuel tribal sentiments.  Rev. Alex Ofori-Amankwa, the Regional Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, reiterated that the Church must be re-awakened to provide divine and strong leadership for society.

He said the increased rates of corruption, crime and indiscipline in some churches were clear indications that the Christian Community had to double its effort and urged the newly ordained priests to lead upright lives worthy of emulation.  The Regional Superintendent said the Church would not hesitate to dismiss any pastor who contravened the rules.

 The new pastors are Rev. Emmanuel Obeng, Rev. Jones Boadu Amarteifio, Rev. Stephen Kwarteng, Rev. Prince Owusu, Rev. Joseph Agyekum, Rev. Benson Wisdom Akoni and Rev. Mrs Florence Baidoo.  The office complex being constructed at Mile 50, a suburb of Koforidua, includes conference rooms, a Credit Union hall and offices for the daily administration of the church.
GNA

 The enstoolment also witnessed the honouring of Minister of Road and Highways, Mr Joe Gidisu and some Deputy Ministers of State from the North Tongu District.

Mr Samuel Ablakwa Okudzeto, a Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Gideon Quarcoo, Deputy Minister of Communication and Alhaji Bubey Dzinadu, North Tongu District Chief Executive were given plagues and parcels.  This was at a thanksgiving service and first anniversary victory rally organized by the North Tongu Constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress.

Mama Awusi Sreku III, Paramount Queen of Mepe Traditional Area, who performed the enstoolment urged Ms Tetteh to help the area to achieve its goals and aspirations.

 Togbe Kwesi Adzimah, Warlord of Mepe Traditional Area on behalf of the Traditional Council, described Mepe as peaceful but a deprived state needing the assistance of development oriented individuals. He said lack of potable water, good road networks and sustainable economic activity were the major challenges facing the area and called for assistance from government to address such concerns.

Ms Tetteh said she felt honoured and appreciated for having been enstooled a Development Queen and said she would contribute her quota to the development of Mepe.  She urged opinion leaders in the area to identify a sustainable economic project that would bring development to the area.

Ms Tetteh said the Mepe’s expectations were in line with government’s development agenda and promised that the area would have its fair share of the national cake.  Mr Okudzeto commended the community for the recognition and reassured the people of government’s commitment to fulfill its promises to them.

He said by the end of March this year, government would provide them with tractors to encourage the youth in farming activities.  Mr Okudzeto said government was also working towards resolving water and other developmental challenges in the area and called for support from all.  He urged the young people to be confident, humble and work hard to be successful in life.

Mr Okudzeto also advised them to take risk in life but discouraged them from weaning sand at the coastal area, which he described as dangerous.
GNA