NETWORKING HAS PROMOTED EXCLUSION

In everything, TREAT PEOPLE THE SAME WAY YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Mathew 7:12

Social Network is a theoretical construct useful in the social sciences to study relationships between individuals, groups, organizations, or even entire societies. The first time I heard and read about social networking was my second year at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. The term is used to describe a social structure determined by interactions between individuals, amongg groups, organizations et cetera. Since then, networking has been one of my guiding principles in life: You make, deliberate effort to network, because the example given by lecturer made it attractive: a young man got employed because the mechanic who works on his father's car also works on the car of the Managing Director (MD) of the Company he applied to work with. Hence the mechanic spoke to the MD and he got the job. He had the requisite qualification and all the requirements advertised but the applicants were more than the vacancies advertised.

My current boss has on several occasions raised concerns about the mindset of most Ghanaians due to the abuse of the concept of social networking. It is the perception of most Ghanaians that, 'If you do not know people or anybody then you cannot get a job, admission to school, processes your land title certificate et cetera. The situation is deteriorated to the extent that one may not get the 

attention of services that he or she is willing, ready and able to pay for; services like medical attention, processing official document et cetera. Hence the first question you here people ask is, 'Do you know someone working at the Land Title Offices, Passport Office, at the Registrar General's Department, at the Police Station et cetera. The average Ghanaian thinks you must know a policeman to have a criminal arrested. Why have we come this far in our dealings both in officialdom and day to day interaction?

Bible tells us in Mathew 16:9 that, we should TREAT PEOPLE THE SAME WAY WE WANT THEM TO TREAT US. Note, it did not say ONLY those in your social network, neither did it say those that share the same or similar traditional, professional, academic et cetera paraphernalia with you. 

The Joy FM online Documentary, 'THE LAND WARS' which is currently trending, is interrogating the Land Regime in Ghana. Acquisition of land through lease agreement and outright purchase is a nightmarish experience for most Ghanaians. Those in the Land Title Offices, The Survey Department, Land Owners, the Legal Regime and Land Guards are not helping the already frustrating procedures. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, says 'Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up...'

You never can tell who will lift you up, as you do not always have those you cheated others to help arround you. Jesus Christ said 'the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light in the parable of the Unjust Steward; Luke 16:1-13. 

This parable is telling us that, whatever we have, the property of it is God's; we have only the use of it, according to the direction of God, and for His honour.. The steward wasted his lord's goods. We are liable to the same charge. The steward had to make up his accounts and be gone in no time. This reminds us that death will come, and deprive us of the opportunities we now have. The steward made friends of his lord's debtors. Jesus did not commend the fraud, but the policy of the steward. Perseverance in our dealings with others and the use of our appointments, knowledge and talents to help everyone without excluding them. 

Social Network has led to Social Exclusion in our social structure. People from the public who interact with the staff of my organization comes to my office to seek official approval. I always tell them, 'You don't have to know me, to inspire me to do my job.' Some come with letters from persons in high position, but I make them aware I would have still attend to them without that official introduction. I know I have made a positive impression on their minds not only of my organization but myself and my family name, 'WOANYA'. You don't have to know someone before you reach out to him or her. Bible says make friends for yourself and TREAT OTHERS THE SAME WAY YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU. 

Let's help fight this canker. Let's bear in mind we will one day need the help and support of everyone we come across. We shall give account of our stewardship to God after death. Life is far more longer in death than in this life. Where do you want to spend your eternity?

Bro Ritchie Edukwesi WOANYA