Features
A soldier’s lingo
Sometime last week I watched a video clip on Facebook where a Drill Sergeant of the Ghana Armed Forces was taking new recruits through what I want to refer to as an orientation. What I saw, or heard, was very instructive and I picked a great lesson therefrom.
He said something to the effect that there were only two religions during their training period. You are either Muslim or Christian. If presently you are not either, you have to choose one of them. Then came the very profound statement. The Drill Seargent said again that it did not matter who brought them into the Armed Forces and that would not affect the course of the drills and the training.
This was profound for a number of reasons. First, it is clear that the trainers are aware that some of these young ones were brought in through influence peddling and political patronage as I had alluded to in an earlier article. Second, he was making it clear to the recruits that irrespective of how they were admitted; there would be no favouritism of any sort.
If any of the sponsors of those young recruits watched the video clip, I wonder what would be going through their minds. Would they say they had done their part and it was now left over to their charges to prove their mettle? Or will they try to influence the Drill Seargents as well? My honest prayer is that each and everyone of those sponsored recruits should fail to make the mark and get sent away.
The idea of protocol enlistment into our security services has gained currency over the last couple of years and, as a nation, we need to be overly worried about this development if nothing is done to check the canker. No more is this a circulating rumour to be wished away; it is the reality.
People come to me with varying stories of being turned away from some of the security services because they are not on what is termed “Protocol List.” It is in the Police Service, Immigration Service, Fire Service, Prisons Service and in the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. You must go through someone to be enlisted; bottom line.
A Fire Service officer once told me in frustration how the service was inundated with protocol demands during the enlistment season of 2017. Ministers of State, Members of Parliament and other government officials brought their lists. In one case, an MP had brought a list of up to 500 people. According to this officer, it wasn’t the numbers that concerned them as much as the indiscipline of those who passed out. These young ones would not take orders from their superiors because they had godfathers behind them.
No one needs a sponsor to be enlisted into our security services. There are standards; academic, physical, health and mental aptitude to become a professional security person. We are likely to have a cripple saunter into a training ground to be enlisted in the very near future. Do you know why we do not have flatfoots, crotchet legs, bowlegs in the security services? Ask.
The story is told of a young man who completed his “O” Levels in 1966. In 1967 he happened to be in the Teshie area and saw other young men milling into a hall around the Burma Camp. He followed, thinking there was a job recruitment, only to realize that they were going to write an aptitude test to be enlisted in to the Armed Forces. He decided to give it a try and went to write the test. When a year and a half later he visited his village, he was dressed as a Flying Officer of the Ghana Air Force to the disbelief of his folks. He retired as a Squadron Leader.
Our Armed Forces are the only institution left standing on the scale of integrity, professionalism and high standards. To taint this institution with nepotism, favouritism, political patronage and influence peddling is to deliver the security of Ghana into the hands of dogs. If the senior men of the Armed Forces are not openly grumbling about this new trend it does ot mean they are not murmuring. You only need to get as close to know what they are thinking.
When I heard that retired Colonel Felix Aboagye had warned that the government’s avowed aim to impose this E-Levy on the nation was a recipe for a military putsch, I knew this could be a trigger, but there are underlying conditions as I have enumerated in this article. Our politicians must not think Ghanaians do not know what is happening. Jerry Rawlings once said that no coup will succeed unless the situation calls for it.
As time goes on, as I have stated in an earlier write-up, Ghana is likely to have Service Commanders who are where they are by political patronage. Then there will be dire consequences for the stability of this country. Captain Joel KwamiSowu has said it many times that one of the main reasons Nkrumah was overthrown was the fact that the Osagyefo wanted Ghana’s soldiers to be card-bearing members of the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
Are we not treading the same path by using subtlety to politicize the Armed Forces and other security services? It is not my prayer that our democratic experiment be scuttled but we delude ourselves if we think it cannot happen. Today, the “Boys” are in charge in Mali, Guinea Conakry and Burkina Faso, all ECOWAS member states. Let’s not forget that when the “Boys” start, the cycle gets completed in our subregion. Each time it happens ECOWAS suspends the country. If the numbers dwindle, will it be the “Boys’ who will revatalise it? It is my wish and hope it does not come to that.
The Drill Seargent in the video has spoken a soldier’s lingo.
Writer’s e-mail address
By Tony Prempeh
Features
Who knows tomorrow?
Recently a friend posted a sad news on his Facebook page, announcing the death of a school mate who had passed away, suddenly. The report had it that he was on his way to the airport to take a flight to Ghana.
I am sure this man had already informed the wife or a friend or a work colleague at work that he was returning home but he was not to return as a human being but as a dead body.
Such is life and so we need to be circumspect in how we go about things in life. The Bible reminds us that we are like grass which at one point in time looks elegant and the next moment becomes withered according to Psalm 90:5 and 6. It is for this reason that we need to guard our hearts with the word of God so that we shall be motivated to do the right thing, at all times.
This will enable us live on this planet, free from all sorts of troubles in our personal lives, even if we ignore the question of Heaven and Hell. Living a disciplined life delivers us from any kind of trouble as the Bible declares in Galatians 5:23 that against such there is no law.
The uncertainty surrounding our lives on earth is the more reason why people should commit their lives into the hands of the one who created it, in the first place unless you believe that the world created itself and that it appeared from nowhere.
Otherwise, the logical thing to do is to recognize the authority of the creator and surrender to his Lordship. Heaven is real and Hell is real, so for us who know the truth and have received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, the onus lies on us to encourage our relations who have not believed and received Jesus into their lives, to do so.
We are a couple of days from another Easter Resurrection celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our lives in relation to the significance of Easter. In the Bible, the only occasion Jesus, Saviour of the world commands us to celebrate is his death and resurrection.
He never commanded his followers to celebrate his birth but like everything else, we chose to ignore Jesus’s instructions and decided to do what pleases us, just like our forefather and mother in the Garden of Eden.
Let us deliberately choose to do things differently as Christians this Easter, so we can really benefit from all the blessings that the celebration of the death and birth of Jesus, has on offer. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is definitely insanity.
I choose to be different this Easter and I am believing God for a newness of life so God’s glory would be revealed in me to draw the unsaved to him. It is only when people especially the unsaved, see the character of Christ in us, that they can be convinced about the authenticity of Jesus, as Saviour of the world, who can bring transformation in their lives too.
This is what would motivate them to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ. Let us make this Easter a memorable one that will be cherished for a long time. It is also a period for reconciliation and it would be great if in the spirit of Easter, we would try to reach out to those who have wronged us or have a grudge against us.
This would demonstrate that we have indeed accepted Jesus and that our religious posture is not a sham. May the good Lord grant us the grace to love our neighbours as ourselves, demonstrating the love of God in the process.
Those who have lost their loved ones and Easter brings sad memories, may the good Lord comfort and strengthen you. God bless.
.NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
Features
Cosmetic deformities
COSMETIC deformities refer to physical imperfections or abnormalities that affect an individual’s appearance, often causing emotional distress and impacting their quality of life.
These deformities can be congenital, acquired, or result from various medical conditions or treatments. This article provides an in-depth exploration of cosmetic deformities, their types, causes, effects, and treatment options.
Types of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can affect various parts of the body, including the face, skin, hair, nails, and teeth. Some common types of cosmetic deformities include:
1. Facial deformities: Congenital or acquired abnormalities affecting the shape, structure, or appearance of the face, such as cleft lip and palate, facial paralysis, or facial asymmetry.
2. Skin deformities: Conditions affecting the skin’s texture, tone, or appearance, such as acne, scars, birthmarks, or skin discoloration.
3. Hair deformities: Abnormalities affecting the hair’s growth, texture, or appearance, such as alopecia, hirsutism, or hair loss due to medical conditions or treatments.
4. Nail deformities: Conditions affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the nails, such as nail fungus, nail psoriasis, or nail trauma.
5. Dental deformities: Abnormalities affecting the shape, size, or appearance of the teeth, such as tooth decay, tooth loss, or malocclusion.
Causes of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can result from various factors, including:
1. Genetics: Congenital conditions or inherited traits can cause cosmetic deformities.
2. Trauma: Injuries or accidents can result in cosmetic deformities, such as scars or facial trauma.
3. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, can cause cosmetic deformities.
4. Treatments and procedures: Medical treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, can result in cosmetic deformities.
5. Aging and environmental factors: Aging, sun exposure, and environmental factors can contribute to cosmetic deformities, such as wrinkles, fine lines, or age spots.
Effects of cosmetic deformities
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, including:
1. Low self-esteem: Cosmetic deformities can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
2. Social anxiety: Individuals with cosmetic deformities may experience social anxiety, avoiding social interactions or feeling embarrassed in public.
3. Emotional distress: Cosmetic deformities can cause emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, or stress.
4. Impact on quality of life: Cosmetic deformities can affect an individual’s quality of life, impacting their relationships, career, or overall well-being.
Treatment options for cosmetic deformities
Various treatment options are available to address cosmetic deformities, including:
1. Surgical procedures: Surgical procedures, such as reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, or dermatological surgery, can correct or improve cosmetic deformities.
2. Non-surgical treatments: Non-surgical treatments, such as laser therapy, chemical peels, or microdermabrasion, can address cosmetic concerns, such as skin texture, tone, or appearance.
3. Medical treatments: Medical treatments, such as topical creams, oral medications, or injectable treatments, can address cosmetic concerns, such as acne, hair loss, or nail deformities.
4. Prosthetic and orthotic devices: Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as wigs, hairpieces, or dental prosthetics, can help individuals with cosmetic deformities.
5. Counselling and therapy: Counselling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychotherapy, can help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological effects of cosmetic deformities.
Conclusion
Cosmetic deformities can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals, impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding the types, causes, and effects of cosmetic deformities is crucial in addressing these concerns.
Various treatment options are available, ranging from surgical procedures to non-surgical treatments, medical treatments, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and counselling and therapy.
By seeking professional help and support, individuals with cosmetic deformities can improve their appearance, boost their self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life.
Reference
1. “Cosmetic Deformities” by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
