Causes and Effects of Workplace Toxicity
Workplace toxicity is like a dark cloud that can hover over your head and ruin your day. No one likes working in a negative environment, where colleagues and management engage in harmful behaviors. Unfortunately, toxic workplaces are all too common, and they can cause a lot of problems for employees and employers alike. Let’s take a closer look at some of the causes and effects of workplace toxicity. One of the primary causes of workplace toxicity is poor leadership. When managers lack the skills or knowledge to lead effectively, it can lead to miscommunication, lack of direction, and low morale among employees. Unhealthy competition among colleagues is another factor that can create a toxic environment. When employees feel like they’re competing with each other, it can lead to aggressive, uncooperative behavior and a general lack of trust. Bullying and harassment are other behaviors that can create a toxic work environment. No one wants to feel unsafe or anxious at work, and these negative behaviors can lead to mental health issues and decreased productivity. Poor communication is another factor that can contribute to workplace toxicity, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, and conflict. The effects of workplace toxicity are widespread and can cause a lot of problems for employees and employers alike. Poor morale is one of the most significant effects, with employees feeling unsupported and undervalued. This can lead to disengagement, absenteeism, and staff turnover. Toxic work environments can also cause mental health issues, including depression and burnout, leading to physical health problems. Poor performance is another effect of workplace toxicity, with employees not performing to their full potential when they feel undervalued or unsupported. Conflicts among team members can also arise, leading to a lack of collaboration, increased stress levels, and decreased productivity. Lastly, a toxic work environment can cause high turnover rates, which can be costly for employers. In conclusion, a toxic work environment is something that no one wants to deal with. It can cause serious problems for both employees and employers, from low morale and poor performance to mental and physical health issues. To prevent these negative effects, it’s essential to address the causes of workplace toxicity, including poor leadership, unhealthy competition, bullying and harassment, poor communication, and more. With effective management, communication, and policies, a supportive and positive work environment can be created, leading to happier, healthier employees and a more productive workplace overall. READ NEXT ON: Spotting a Toxic Workplace: Signs You Need to Get Out
Legon Botanical Garden
The Legon Botanical Gardens, located within the University of Ghana in the heart of Accra, offer an exceptional outdoor playground for people of all ages where nature meets enjoyment. This vibrant garden provides a range of public recreational activities that keep visitors coming back. It boasts a top-notch playground for kids, along with a rope-walking session, all managed by friendly staff. The Legon Botanical Gardens are owned by the University of Ghana and managed by both the Department of Botany and Mulch Company Ltd. Spanning 50 hectares of natural vegetation, the park was established in 1950 as a recreational center with a playground, canopy walks, and natural outdoor spaces, including lakes. The idea behind the botanical garden was born out of a passion for the outdoors and adventure, which led to a collaboration between Mulch Company Limited and a Dutch company. Visitors can put their skills to the test against a unique series of platforms connected by cables, wood, and rope, each with its own set of challenges. The high rope course has four routes that total 64 games on two levels, each featuring a zipline. Participants can walk on hanging boards, climb through rope mesh, swing from one suspension log to another, and partake in many other activities like; Before getting up on the ropes, all participants must be properly dressed in sneakers/closed-toe shoes, trousers/shorts, and gloves. READ NEXT ON: Asenema Waterfall
Adae Kese Festival
The Adae Kese Festival, also known as the “big resting place,” is a significant and infrequent celebration among the Ashantis, an ethnic group in Ghana. This festival occurs during two main periods – Awukudae and Akwasidae – and serves to honor and commemorate the achievements of the Asante kingdom. Originally, the Adae Kese Festival was established to recognize the achievement of statehood by the Ashanti people after the Battle of Feyiase, where they fought against the people of Denkyira and gained their independence. The festival is also an occasion to perform the purification ceremony of Odwira at the burial shrines of ancestral spirits. It is typically celebrated during the harvest season of yam, hence its alternative name, the “Yam custom,” coined by Europeans. According to the calendar of the Akans, the Ashanti people celebrate the Adae Kese Festival every two weeks, following a cycle of forty-two days and nine months. The festival primarily serves as a culminating event to celebrate the specific achievements and milestones of the people of the Ashanti kingdom. As a day of rest, it is forbidden to work during the Adae Kese Festival, and it holds significant cultural and traditional importance for the Ashanti people. History The Adae Kese Festival gained prominence between 1697 and 1699 when the Ashanti people achieved statehood after the Battle of Feyiase against the Denkyira. The festival became a tradition after the establishment of the Golden Stool (throne) in 1700 and is celebrated to commemorate significant milestones in the history of the Ashanti Kingdom. During its early years, the Adae Kese Festival involved sacrifices, both human and animal, and was a time to consecrate the remains of the dead kings, which were kept in a mausoleum at the sacred burial ground of Bantama, a royal suburb of Kumasi. The festival brought a link and a level of faith and solidarity between the living and the ancestral spirits. The main festival was held at Hemmaa, near the king’s palace and the ancestral shrine of the kings. The second and more important part of the festival was performed at Bantama, the last burial ground of the Asante kings. The “notorious Bantama ritual” involved large-scale sacrifices, including sheep, and there is debate about whether the human sacrifice was also involved. When the festival was announced by the beating of drums, people would go into hiding for fear of being selected for human sacrifice. Traditions The Adae Kese Festival, like the Adae Festival, involves similar rituals. However, during Adae Kese, the chief carries a sheep for sacrifice to the Stool, which sets it apart from other celebrations. The festival coincides with the harvest season of yam, and it is also known as the Yam custom by Europeans, as it is celebrated to give thanks to the gods and ancestors for a good harvest. This season is also used to showcase the new yam. Every five years, the Adae Kese Festival is hosted by the paramount ruler of the Asante in the capital city of Kumasi, Asanteman, and lasts for two weeks. As a formal state celebration, it involves several villages and towns within a traditional area known as Odwira, which means to purify, and brings together Ashanti people from all walks of life. During the festival, the Asantehene, the titular ruler of Kumasi, holds a colorful durbar of chiefs and their queens, who turn up in full regalia. The pageantry includes dancing to the beats of drums. The festival also serves as an opportunity for people to pledge their confidence in the present king of the Ashante. Additionally, deserving people receive awards of recognition on this occasion. The king also holds a private celebration within his palace chambers with designated members of the royal family and other officials. READ NEXT ON: Ohum Festival
History of St. Mary’s Senior High SchoolÂ
St. Mary’s Senior High School is an all-female second-cycle institution in Korle Gonno, a suburb in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The school was founded on 6 February 1950 by the Catholic missionary sisters known as the Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSPS) with the aim of providing quality education to young girls in the area. At its inception, the school had only ten female students and two reverend sisters, namely Reverend Sisters Jane and Rosette, as staff members. However, over the years, the school has grown in size and reputation and has become one of the leading senior high schools for girls in Ghana. The school’s curriculum is designed to provide a holistic education for the students, focusing on academic excellence, moral values, and personal development. St. Mary’s Senior High School offers a wide range of academic courses, including science, arts, business, and vocational studies. The school has a strong tradition of academic excellence and has produced many successful women in various fields of endeavor. St. Mary’s Senior High School has an excellent track record in national and international examinations, and many of its graduates have gone on to study at prestigious universities in Ghana and abroad. St. Mary’s Senior High School has a brother school, Accra Academy, which is an all-boys’ school located in Accra. The two schools have an alliance aimed at promoting intellectual development and social interaction between their students. The alliance involves the sharing of ideas at social gatherings and entertainment, among other activities. Notable Alumni READ NEXT ON: History of St. Louis Senior High School
