Friends, a good number of my cherished readers have requested that I once in a while give some lessons in English. I therefore wish to respond to this need by throwing some light on a punctuation mark that has almost lost its significance.

Few people know the word "ampersand," but many people are familiar with the sign "&." The ampersand is an overused abbreviation for the word "and." However, its use should be limited to a few situations, such as the names of certain companies, e.g., Panin & Kakra Co. Ltd., or in academic references like Afrane & Nketia (2016).

Oops, let me stay focused on my article for the day so that I don't get overly thrilled and engage in some linguistic prescriptivism. I feel very tired this morning. I had to arbitrate a case between a husband and wife last night. It took me several hours in an attempt to settle the case, but I was not successful. God willing, I will continue with the arbitration today and want advice from my esteemed readers. But before then, let me give you a hint of the case for you to be in a better position to help me with ideas.

Kwame Peter staked a lottery, hoping to win 500,000 Ghana Cedis. He was discussing with his wife, Adwoa, how the cash would be used if fortune smiled on them. Kwame mentioned that he was going to buy two cars, one for the entire family and the other for his exclusive use. He warned that no other member of the family would sit in that car.

Adwoa insisted she sit in the front passenger seat of the car, but Kwame told her that it would not be possible because that seat had been reserved for someone special. Adwoa suspected her husband of having an extramarital affair and accused him of infidelity. Kwame slapped her, and that was what brought about the wahala. Adwoa is seeking a divorce, and I had to intervene.

The story of Kwame Peter and Adwoa may sound funny, but that is exactly what is happening right here. Some people are building castles in the air too.

How can someone promise us bread and better when he is one of the leading members of a government that has messed up our economy?