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 Cholera outbreak

 Last Sunday as the MC was announcing the pro­gramme outline for the service, she mentioned that a medical doctor from a health facility nearby was going to give us a brief presentation.

At the tail end of the ser­vice, the doctor was intro­duced and she started by saying that there is currently a cholera outbreak and so the Ministry of Health has decided to announce it to the public and to educate people regard­ing preventive measures and also what to do if one sus­pects she or he has cholera.

I had already heard from the news the outbreak at various parts of the country and so it was no news to me. What engaged my attention however, was the fact that cholera which should not be mentioned among us now has become an issue. I thought it had been dealt with a long time ago but apparently it is still around, all because of our inability to deal with insan­itary conditions around our dwellings, shops, market stalls etc. as well as deliberate and senseless dumping of garbage in drains.

The neglect to improve sanitation in our communities is what has triggered karma against us. We cannot treat our environment with careless abandon and expect to live healthy lives.

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Cholera according to med­ical people, is caused by a bacterium known as Vibrio Cholera which is transmitted through contaminated food or water. This bacterium is usually found in faecal matter and therefore one of the main human activities that contrib­utes to this cholera outbreak is open defecation.

When a fly moves from dirt containing faeces and settles on any food item, the item gets contaminated and anyone who consumes the food, is at risk of getting cholera.

Therefore anytime someone goes to defecate in an open space, note that he or she is creating the necessary condi­tions for cholera outbreak. If you engage in defecation in the open, i.e. near a rubbish heap, beach, near bushes sur­rounding uncompleted proper­ties etc., please note that you are a potential murderer.

Wrong behaviour of open defecation can result in someone getting infected with cholera and dying as a result hence making people who engage in such acts potential murderers.

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Personal responsibility is another aspect of this whole cholera issue that has to be looked at. Just like in the days of COVID-19, personal hygiene practices like washing of our hands under running water, sanitising our hands after getting off a public transport, sanitising our hands after coming out of an office where the door knob was han­dled etc. must be part of our daily lives.

It is like nature is waging a war against humanity for the harm we have inflicted on it over the years.

The coastal communi­ties are the group with the greatest risk of infection due to open defecation that is rampant. The doctor who gave the presentation in our church, which is in one of the coastal communities in Accra, mentioned that there had been 14 reported cases at her polyclinic.

Given the lack of beds in our health facilities, this outbreak is going to put a huge strain on our already constrained health facilities in terms of resources. The community leaders have a herculean task at effecting change of attitude among their subjects or members of their community.

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A very concerted effort needs to be made at ed­ucating members of such communities to ensure that they abandon this negative behaviour that negatively impacts their own health.

The education should start from the schools, from the kindergartens, through the lower primary and upwards. Enforcement of local laws must be prioritised to deter recalcitrant members in our society so we can effectively prevent cholera outbreaks

By Laud Kissi-Mensah

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The Prophet part 2

Some young men queing for visas
Some young men queing for visas

“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.

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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!

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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!’

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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.

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“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

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Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives

• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship
• Members of the Full Gospel Businness Fellowship

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.

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“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.

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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

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