War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost.
Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie's 'Ghosts' (20 Marks)
Whenever parties engage in conflict, there are severe consequences, as seen in Ghosts, where the civil war that broke out on July 6, 1967, inflicted suffering and pain on the people.
To start with, war causes the displacement of many people. Many individuals are forced to flee their homes and countries when a civil war erupts. In *Ghosts*, Prof. James and Ikenna’s conversation takes James down memory lane, where he recounts how they had to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry when the war began. We learn that Ikenna lived in Sweden throughout the war and only recently returned to Nsukka. He reveals that he was evacuated on Red Cross planes, similar to many other children who were airlifted to Gabon. Prof. James and his wife, Ebere, also experienced displacement; they had to relocate to America when the war broke out. Thus, many people were forced to leave their homeland due to the civil war.
Secondly, war leads to the loss of lives. Several people had their lives cut short due to the civil war. Ikenna’s return is a surprise to Prof. James, who had thought Ikenna had died in the war. Initially, Prof. James even considered throwing a handful of sand at Ikenna, as was the custom to ensure that it was not a ghost. The loss of life is evident through Ikenna’s experience. He explains that his entire family was killed when Orlu was bombed, leaving him with no one to return to. Prof. James also suffered personal loss; his first daughter, Zik, died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war took Zik, and they named their second daughter Nkiruka, meaning "what is ahead is better," in hopes of moving past their grief.
Thirdly, war causes massive destruction and loss of property. When Prof. James and his wife returned to Nsukka after the war ended in 1970, they observed extensive destruction. Prof. recounts finding their house and belongings in ruin: his books were scattered outside, his Mathematical Annals were torn and used as toilet paper, the bath tub had been used as a toilet, and their photos and frames were destroyed. The damage was so severe that they were reassigned to a different house on another street to avoid the sight of their old home. Additionally, during the destruction of their house, they lost Ebere’s piano. Prof. also recalls the devastated landscape as they drove back to Nsukka, underscoring the widespread destruction caused by the war.
Lastly, war inflicts psychological and physical suffering on its victims. Those who experience war often live with nightmares and traumatic memories. Prof. James is depicted as haunted by the memories of the war, recalling every detail vividly as he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna's psychological suffering is evident; he lost his entire family in Orlu and has never remarried after his wife died in the war. The psychological pain is further highlighted by the avoidance of war-related discussions among Prof. James's people, often approached with vagueness. The naming of their second daughter, Nkiruka, reflects the pain Prof. and Ebere tried to overcome. Additionally, physical suffering is noted when Prof. remembers how a wounded soldier was shoved into their car on their return to Nsukka.
In conclusion, war causes the loss of lives, displacement of people, and destruction of property, among other devastating effects. Therefore, people must strive for harmony and avoid war at all costs.
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