Features
A dilemma called Ghana (Final Part)
The Independence Arch
So, in the evening of July 24, 2012, John Dramani Mahama was sworn in as President of Ghana to complete the term of Prof. Atta Mills according to constitutional provisions. This was barely five months until Election 2012.
John Mahama was declared elected president by the Electoral Commission in that election, but Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP would have none of it and marched to the Supreme Court to contest the results. Governance almost stalled for the next eight months till the Supreme Court ruled John Mahama as duly elected.
In my estimation, Akufo-Addo lost the election and, I believe, he and his party knew it. The recourse to the Court was a needless waste of time even if some of us got educated on some legal jargon and expressions.
To me, these were just ego trips to court public sympathy for the bruises inflicted by their electoral loss, nothing more.
After his victory in 2012, John Mahama embarked on a massive infrastructure development in health facilities, the energy sector, schools, roads, the airport, housing, markets and others as if to compensate for the eight lost months of litigation at the Supreme Court. But the opposition did not let up. Mahama’s administration was accused of corruption by the opposition.
Issues like the purchase of an aircraft from Brazil, GYEDA and a gift of a Ford vehicle to the President were played in the media space as acts of corruption. There was this laughable one of a flock of Guinea fowls flying from farms in the North across our frontier into Burkina Faso. One thing I know from people close to Mahama was that he caused rumours of corruption against his appointees investigated. Indeed, an appointee was imprisoned as a result.
One positive act of Mahama’s administration was the setting up of the Heritage Fund in which millions of dollars from a percentage of the oil sector was deposited for the future. Teacher education was increased with the withdrawal of trainee allowances and replaced with a students loan regime to enable more teachers to be trained. This was met with opposition from the NPP which promised to reverse it if they regained power.
Our Presidents come to office with certain personal traits. Unlike President Atta Mills, who was a stickler for punctuality, John Mahama hardly is on time for any public event. Nana Addo is also noted for being very punctual with his time. Noted for his reliance on his fan base, President Rawlings would rather be late so as to receive adulation from his fans. President Kufuor was respected in this regard.
Election 2016 was quite as toxic as the previous ones before it. Accusations and counter accusations of corruption were thrown into the fray from every angle imaginable. Nana Addo had mouthwatering promises the electorate were hardput to ignore. He would reduce the cost of buying fuel. One village, one dam. A million dollars for each constituency each year. Free Senior High School education and many more.
Any dispassionate observer of the political scene was clear in their minds that it would take more than his massive development agenda to retain John Mahama as President. Of course, Mahama campaigned on this record of achievement.Truth be told, Mahama did everything but appeal to the grassroots. He seemed to keep a distance from the ordinary people.
As it turned out, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was elected president and was sworn in on January 7, 2017. Almost every project initiated by the Mahama administration that was yet to be completed was abandoned. What came to be known as E-Block Senior High School buildings were left to rot. An affordable housing project at Saglemi was left to deteriorate.
In order to be seen to fulfill his campaign promises, Akufo-Addo began to implement the Free SHS programme, very much against advice from stakeholders and professionals to go gradually with its implementation.
Dugouts were presented as dams, many existing businesses were touted as his one district one factory project, but not even one constituency saw the million dollars. Fuel prices rather kept rising at the pumps to the chagrin of his own supporters. Comparisons started as to whether Mahama was a better leader.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia became the poster boy of the government, touting the administration’s economic management. The very statements he made about government economic policy while he was in opposition stared him in the face at every turn.
Teacher trainee allowances were restored, but admissions were drastically curtailed as were nursing trainees. SHS and basic school timetables were so jumbled up that guardians did not know when their wards would be in or out of school.
Nana Addo appointed the highest number of Ministers in the country’s political history. Issues of massive corrupt practices surfaced against his administration as well. Family, friends and cronies became beneficiaries of political patronage.
Then COVID 19 was upon the world. Purported to have originated in China, the virus took the world by storm, infecting millions on a killing spree. As at the beginning of this week, Ghana has recorded only 1,462 deaths with only 34 active cases. It must be admitted that Ghana under Akufo-Addo managed the pandemic better than many other nations of the world. However, COVID and the war in Ukraine have become the excuses government spokespersons give for the economic dilemma the country is in today.
Ghanaians went to the polls on December 7, 2020, to elect a new government. John Mahama was once again the flagbearer of the NDC. His record was pitted against Nana Addo’s. For the first time since 1992 Ghana’s Electoral Commission could not make up their minds on the true figures to announce for the presidential poll. Eventually, they announced Nana Addo as winner though the NDC almost won more seats in Parliament.
Methinks this was why John Mahama also headed for the Supreme Court. My information has been that there were people close to Mahama who worked against him. Their beef was that John had lost touch with the base of the Party. He was running the campaign like a celebrity superstar, they said. So they botched the setting up of a credible collation centre. My astrological predictions for Election 2020 was published in this column on December 4, 2020. Another concern for these people, which has been expressed by many media friends is what they describe as Mahama’s rabid desire to keep Mr. Stan Dogbe as his closest confidant. My information is that Mahama is aware of this concern but seems unwilling to do anything about it.
Many journalists feel that Stan denied them access to Mahama. Many big shots in the Party are worried about this and fear the Stan Dogbe factor could affect the electoral fortunes of the former President.
Now, my take: Ghana is not in a dilemma; Ghana is the dilemma.
Nothing seems to be working in the land. Food prices have hit the roof. The dollar is difficult for our currency to match. Government refused to heed advice to go to the IMF. It refused to even review the Free SHS programme. A tin of mackerel is fed a soup for a dozen students.
Today, Ghana is with the IMF. We are ready to review the Free SHS programme. If this country were not a dilemma, why do we elect people who are impervious to sound advice? Why do we elect people who listen only to themselves? Over 80 members of Parliament demand the President should expel the Minister of Finance, but get ignored.
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
Writer’s email address: akofa45@yahoo.com
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
