Features
Effective containment of the COVID-19 spread
In December 2021, President Akufo-Addo gave an update on measures being taken to combat COVID-19 in Ghana. This was just before Christmas.
FOURTH WAVE
In view of the fourth wave of COVID-19 (Omicron variant) spreading over some countries in the world, it has become necessary for all governments to be careful in their approach as they take measures to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The latest wave is so dangerous that no chances should be taken because of the need to protect the health of people. The fourth wave has proved to be so dangerous that countries all over the world have imposed various forms of restrictions aimed at preventing people from moving into new countries and infecting people with the new virus.
AT KIA
At the Kotoka International Airport in Accra, some carriers of the latest wave of the virus had been detected and detained by officers operating on behalf of the Ghana Health Service.
The vigilance had been mounted to ensure that the country was protected from the latest wave of infection. As has been pointed out by President Akufo-Addo, any life lost under the pandemic cannot be recalled or retrieved and that explains why every effort must be made to ensure that all people in the country are adequately protected.
HARD WORK BY GOVERNMENT
The Government has worked hard to secure a large number of vaccines to be used in people in the country. In addition, more vaccines are still expected to be brought into the country to protect people against the pandemic.
While Government is doing all this, every person must have an open mind and be responsible enough to go for the vaccine, so that everyone in the country will be adequately protected.
POLITICAL GIMMICKS
The idea being harboured by certain people that vaccination against COVID-19 will make some people change their political orientation and vote for a particular political party in the country is very ridiculous and funny since no vaccinations in any part of the world is capable of achieving this.
Every vaccination in the world is meant to protect people from getting infection by one kind of disease or the other. When children for example are vaccinated against some killer diseases, the idea is to protect such children from being infected with those killer diseases. In the same way, the COVID-19 vaccination is meant to protect people from being infected with the virus which can result in death or hospitalisation and needless pain.
For this reason, everyone should see the vaccine as safe and go for the jab, so that protection against the disease can be guaranteed.
SCIENTIFIC FACT ABOUT VACCINE
Science has never proved that going for vaccine or injection will be able to change a person’s political orientation and make him or her vote for a particular party. Such misinformation should, therefore, be buried from the minds of people, so that the misinformation ongoing in certain circles will be done away with.
At the end of the day, it is the country as a whole that should move forward and develop to a higher level of progress so that Ghanaians can enjoy a better standard of living.
While efforts are being made to control immigrants from other parts of the world into the country as a way of controlling the pandemic in Ghana, every effort must be made to also control the borders in the country, so that these borders will not serve as sources of increasing numbers of those with the virus into the country. It is in the light of this that the various borders of the country will have to be rigidly controlled and regulated in a manner that will prevent needless influx of infected people into the country.
AVOIDING WASTE OF RESOURCES
When more people are infected, it means that the State will have to spend more resources to isolate and treat such people. However, if we are able to reduce the influx of infected people, some resources can be saved and utilised in some sectors of the economy for the welfare of all Ghanaians.
CLOSURE OF BORDERS
Thus, painful as it is, the country’s borders must remain closed in the interest of the majority of Ghanaians in the country. Those along the borders must, therefore, bear with us so that we can all be protected against the virus.
It is good that Government and the Ghana Health Service are not concerned only about fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing it from spreading in the country.
NATIONAL VACCINATION INSTITUTE
The decision by Government to establish a National Vaccination Institute to produce COVID-19 vaccines for the country is a well thought-through measure that will help Ghana mount a solid fight against the pandemic.
If Ghana is able to produce its own vaccines for the people, it will bring about a number of advantages.
ADVANTAGES
In the first place, the vaccines to fight COVID-19 can be produced in large quantities for the people of Ghana. Secondly, Ghana will serve as an exporter of such vaccines to other countries in Africa and other parts of the world, bringing about the needed foreign exchange for the country. Thirdly, the rest of the world will have great respect for the country and realise that after all, Ghana is among the group of countries fighting hard to protect its own people instead of always depending on others for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since Government has put in adequate measures to fight the disease, it is important for everyone to support these measures, so that people and others in the Republic shall be adequately protected.
MOVING FORWARD
Let us move forward in support of these measures as a way of establishing Ghana as a great State in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contact email/ahatsApp of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
BY DR KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA