In our amazing scheme of life, if there is any creature that I envy so much then it must be men. But I envy men for the good reasons. Let me explain.

In Ghana, especially in Akan, the male sex is referred to as “bema”. The literal translation is “a man”. Our culture is not one that belittles the male sex no matter how young or old he is. Take for example when a woman is eventually delivered of a baby, and it is found that the child was a boy, out of joy we declare that the woman has literally given birth to a “human”.

As if that is not enough, the Ghanaian child is made to see something fetish or wrong with a “man” or the male sex weeping, regardless of what made him weep. The reason could be as sad as the death of a child or just as minor as a little confusion with one’s spouse. No matter the reason, a man has no reason weeping! If he wept, he was given a gentle tap on the shoulder, and the reminder:”Be a man, a man does not weep”. The re-energizing words seem to put unusual confidence in our male sex right from early childhood.

We men are, therefore, challenged to be strong-hearted right from infancy. We are reminded that it is no use crying over spilt milk. In difficult times, even if there appear to be nothing within human capacity that could be done, the only option seems to be to say “God will provide” instead of giving way to tears like women always do. However when all does not seem lost the question men seem challenged to ask are:”What next?”, “What can we do?”, and those other questions geared towards immediate solutions.

If their questions led to a solution or better still if a man was able to help solve a problem, the same society will once again proclaim that “bema wo fie a oye”, meaning men are more important. Would you agree to this notion? Would you say some of these notions accounts for why our men generally tend to do well in life than our women?

Would you then suggest that women should be given equal treatment or opportunity in life-in words and deeds- as men? However often you rationalize it, men will forever be men and be treated as such, and women for that matter, women. This fact goes beyond gender sensitivity. I remember once in the “Kuffour bus” I gave my seat to the elderly. I only fulfilled a tradition-It is not right for a youngster to sit while an adult stands! Similarly I would not mind giving my seat to the woman who because of inadequate seat happens to stand in the bus .Because I see women to be naturally weak however “muscular” they may look than me. But with other men the case may be different. But can you blame them when these days women are fighting for gender equality?

I do not suppose men are super humans. Both men and women, of course, have their own strengths and weaknesses. And women may see the above scenarios in different ways. For example one may wonder the good for which it is to deny oneself of some good tears when the heart is troubled and full of pain. One good friend of mine remarks; “Tears heal”. 
 

Scientifically, tears may be good but practically our men learn the hard way that tears do not change situations, and perhaps one must be strong or man enough to be able to turn things around. In fact, I am yet to conclude that the word “man” is synonymous to” strength” of character. But until I do so I will always continue to envy men. I will envy them for their strength, courage and high sense of endurance. Women should be women. Men will forever be men and phenomenal in dealing with life’s twists and turns.

I’m a man yet I envy men

Men as of now and as of then

Would face all problems in the world

Problems of now and as of old

Would weep at heart and shed no tears

Face them cool and show no fears

Smile as though there’s nothing wrong

Till they sing a brand new song

How I envy none but men

Men of now and as of then 

How I envy men than none

How proud I am to be a man! 
 
 
 

P.S.: The purpose of this article is, ironically, to bring out the best in women by bringing their position in our society to bare.

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