2013 INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE POEMS
Monthly Archives: September 2013
R.I.P PROF. KOFI AWOONOR 1935-2013
Prof. Kofi Awoonor was born in Ghana on March, 1935. He was a poet and author whose work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people. He was a Prof. of African Literature at the University of Ghana. While at the University of Ghana he wrote his first book, Rediscovery, based on African Oral Poetry. He founded the Ghana Film Corporation and the Ghana Play House. He was Ghana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, where he headed the committee against apartheid. He was the former Chairman of the Council of State in Ghana. Some of his works are- Rediscovery and other Poems (1964), Night of my blood (1971), The house by the sea (1978), This earth, my brother (1971), Comes the voyager at last (1992). We empathize with Prof Awoonor family, Africans, and all Poets for this great loss.
We mourn also the death of over 59 others who were killed during an attack on the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi on the 21st September, 2013,(on a peace day!) in Kenya by Somali militant group Al-Shabab. MAY THEIR SOULS REST IN PEACE IJN.
DEATH TO TERRORISM!
GLOBAL PEACE IS POSSIBLE!!
MAKING ALL THINGS NEW
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. Since then the International Peace Day is observed around the world on 21 September each year. The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolutions in 1981 and 2001 establishing the International Day of Peace and urging all nations and people to commemorate the Day as an opportunity to promote peaceful resolutions of conflicts and to honour a cessation of hostilities during the day. This day should be devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. This day of peace provides an opportunity for all of us to honour peace every day not only on a day of peace- Every day should be a day of peace. Individuals, associations, organizations and the nations should create practical acts of peace always. In this century humanity is at a crossroad because there are more anxiety, tribulation, pains, sufferings, chronic hunger and poverty in the world. We must create peace by living together harmoniously. We must create peace through tolerance, respect and love. We must respect the fact that we are all connected as intrinsic inter-related human beings and the environment. We must stop destroying and killing ourselves. Human life is sacred. There is absolutely no truth in any ideology, believe or philosophy that require the shedding of human blood. We should appreciate what a great gift life is. I believe that the actualization of world peace depends on an awakening of consciousness of each person to respect the sanctity of human life, human dignity, and nature. We must speak the universal language of mankind, that is to say we must have compassion, empathy, tolerance and brotherly love for others. Let us become an instrument of positive change. Let us be inspired to give our love, time, money , effort, and compassion to help others so that they can discover the joy of peace. Everyone must be determined and communicate thoughts and activities on how to achieve peace in the world. The true significance of International Day of Peace lies in the participation of all of us gathering together to think about the meaning of peace and our commitment to its realization. Peace is COMPULSORY, ESSENTIAL and IMPORTANT to humanity. Peace is IMPORTANT for humanity. Peace begins first in our hearts and minds. We must PREACH peace. We must LIVE peace. We must GROW in peace. Peace must GROW in us. We must GROW our peace. We must GROW up in peace. WE MUST GROW INTO PEACE.
By Ayo Ayoola-Amale esq.
A PEACE DAY HONOUR TO THE GREAT BENEFACTORS OF MANKIND
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (1929-1968): His victories helped expand the rights of many African Americans. He touched the lives of many with his many accomplishments, strategies ans speeches. He spoke out fearlessly against segregation, economic, social and political inequality. He spoke against racism, economic inequality and the Vietnam war. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He is also known for his famous speech “I have a dream.” This speech reflects what King stood for. He was assassinated in 1968. MAHATMA GANDHI (1869-1948) : Gandhi was motivated to serve the poorest of the poor. He used the power of love, peace and tolerance to achieve independence of his country, India. Gandhi had the courage to stand for something. He used love, non-violence and peace as a powerful tool of social, economic and political change. Gandhi’s enduring legacy continues to inspire and motivate millions of people around the world. ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI (1181-1226) : The venerable St Francis of Assis life mirrored the life of Jesus Christ. He served the poor and the neglected. He called all creatures his brothers and sisters out of his true love for God, humanity and nature. We should be inspired by his famous prayer which begins, ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, where there is hatred, let me sow love. This is a testimony to his unconditional love for humanity. NELSON MANDELA (1918- ) : Nelson Mandela was the first South Africa President to be elected in a democratic election. He is a lawyer and author of the long walk to freedom. His life personifies struggle. He fought against apartheid, economic, social and political inequality. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for standing up against injustice and oppression in the society. He was released on February 11th 1990. Mandela and F.W. DE Klerk shared the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating South Africa’s transition to multiracial democracy. Mandela remains Africa’s hero. MOTHER TERESA (1910-1997): Mother Teresa spent her life providing service to the poorest of the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, which consisted of over 4,500 sisters in 2012 and is active in 133 countries. The missionaries of Charity at the time of her passing away had 610 Missions, including hospitals, and homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis. The mission provides soup kitchens, children and family counseling programs, orphanages and schools which gave dignity to the living and dying. AUNG SAN SUU KYI (1945- ) : Her life is dedicated to freedom, peaceful struggle for democracy and human rights. She had been detained under house arrest in Burma for over a decade for fighting for democracy and justice. Suu Kyi received the Nobel Peace P rize in 1991.
WHAT THE PEACE PROCESS MEANS
Persistence: the enthusiastic, passionate, and proactive seeking for mutual respect, cooperation and compromise. Education: the seeking for understanding, enlightenment and knowledge. Aspiration: the strong determination and sacrifice to achieve what is of necessity, what is essential and what is important. Concentration: the focus on the bond of oneness of mankind. Equity: equity , equality, justice , fair hearing and freedom.
WHAT PEACE MEANS
Peace means that the hungry are catered for, the poor are supported, the sick and weak are cared for, the oppressed are delivered. Peace means giving voice to the voiceless. Peace means respect for human rights and justice. Peace means justice between the generations. Peace means compassion for the afflicted and vulnerable. Peace means care for the earth and its creatures. Peace means the affirmation of the equal value of men and women. Peace means responsible stewardship of the natural environment. Peace means tolerance and dialogue. Peace means respect the dignity of the other. Peace means to harmonize different interests into sustainable development. Peace means a culture of mutuality and shared security. Peace means commitment to non-non-violence and disarmament. Peace means sustainable development and nation building. Peace means to respect the world’s diverse cultures, and religion. Peace means harmonious co-existence among people of different race, religion , culture, tradition and ethnic groups.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY CELEBRATIONS- 21ST SEPTEMBER, 2013
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY WITH GLOBAL HARMONY ASSOCIATION (AFRICA) AT MAISON FRANCAISE HALL, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON. LECTURES,PANEL DISCUSSION ET AL TIME: 8AM-10AM SPLENDORS OF DAWN POETRY FOUNDATION INVITES YOU ALL TO ACCRA MALL : TO A WONDERFUL DAY OF PERFORMANCE POETRY, SPOKEN-WORD, SPLENDORS STORY TELLING TRAIN ET AL AT 11AM-3PM VENUE: ACCRA MALL. DATE: 21ST SEPT. 2013. EACH YEAR THE UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE IS OBSERVED AROUND THE WORLD ON 21ST SEPTEMBER.
COME ONE! COME ALL!
THIS IS A DAY DEVOTED TO STRENGTHENING THE IDEALS OF PEACE WITHIN OURSELVES AND AMONG ALL NATIONS AND PEOPLES.
GLOBAL PEACE IS POSSIBLE!
Ayo Ayoola-Amale esq. PRESIDENT, GLOBAL HARMONY ASSOCIATION- AFRICA, VICE-PRESIDENT, GHA,
UNIVERSAL AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE.
AMBASSADOR FOR HARMONY.
A WASTE GROWING UP WASTE
To the stolen world. To the soul of shepherds.To a waste growing up waste. Back in the swing of being lost in heavy wrong you cast aside tomorrow. Down by the path to a market place we bring rain out of season spread into reason. We bring seeds. Seeds like flowers in holy virginity about to fall off. To the stolen world. To the soul of shepherds. To a waste growing up waste. Back in the swing of being vain, your blind mind decayed beyond decay. Down by the path to a market place we bring rain out of season spread into reason. We bring seeds. Seeds like flowers in holy virginity about to fall off. Like a mountain you sat wild. You sang mad from yesterday after yesterday. We saw bowls. We saw roofs. We saw papers. Then we saw nothing. You made the sun full of grief. Light on the colours of heaven. Do you not hear the womb cry?
Ayo Ayoola-Amale esq.
Muse of Poetic Harmony of Africa.
MAKING PEACE
We mourn the death of 2,976 innocent people killed on September 11, 2001, and many more killed by terrorist activities around the world. Our thoughts are with all those that lived through the horror of that day. The world will never give in to terrorists! 9/11 is a reminder that LIFE IS FLEETING, LIFE IS UNCERTAIN, LIFE IS IMPERMANENT. We must NURTURE every moment, we must nurture every life with love, affection, laughter and beauty. Conflicts, Violence, war, guns, nuclear weapons and bombs cannot bring peace. We must make peace within- mind, body and soul. We must create peace in the world. PEACE IS POSSIBLE!
Ayo Ayoola-Amale esq.
VOICE OF AMERICA / GLOBAL HARMONY ASSOCIATION
LISTEN TO : VOA INTERVIEWS GLOBAL HARMONY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT (USA), PROF. BRUCE COOK ON NIGHT LINE AFRICA. THE SHOW COMES ON AT 12.05PM WASHINGTON TIME, WHICH IS 4.05PM GHANA LOCAL TIME, TODAY SATURDAY 7TH SEPT. 2013.
