Features
Construction crew or demolition squad? [Final Part]
The twin evil of bribery and corruption in the country appears to defy all forms of exorcism. Given that Ghana’s anti-corruption laws criminalise active and passive bribery, extortion, willful exploitation of public office, use of public office for private gain, and bribery of foreign public officials, among other offences, what is the problem? Is it about enforcement? Who enforces the laws? Are they blind?
I hope my friends in the police are reading this. Years back, during the funeral of my late father, Odehye3 Akwasi Agyeman Prempeh, (God bless his soul), one of his surviving friends who had not seen me since I morphed into a man, approached me, and slipped his right hand into mine. My heart leapt with excitement as my thought raced to the possibility that he was going to give his funeral donation“nicodemously” as some sympathisers prefer to do. How wrong I was!
Instead, he whispered in the twi language: “Ohenenana, kyia me apolisifuornkyia,” which translates loosely to, “Prince, greet me like the way the police do it.” I understood him. He wanted some money and I obliged him. Instead of me receiving, I ended up giving.
I believe our police are doing a yeoman’s job, especially under the leadership of the no-nonsense, businesslike, uncompromising new IGP, COP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare. I was thrilled when I read that the police had traced and arrested a 31-year-old driver following a social media post by a good citizen about his reckless endangerment of lives through a scary and deadly overtaking on the Accra-Kumasi road on December 30 last year.
But a few bad eggs are tainting the image of an otherwise excellent service by their proverbial style of greeting. IGP, keep up the good work! Drain the swamp! COP Rev. Dr. David Ampah-Bennin, greetings to you. You are an exemplary member of the inky fraternity and the clergy.
Dear pastor, man of God so called! You call yourself a shepherd. Agreed! But whom do you feed, the flock or yourself?Why do you feed fat off the hard labour, sweat and tears of the congregation? Why are you exploiting their ignorance and gullibility to make a fortune out of their fears?
By your cunning methods you rip people off and line your pockets while most of your church members merely scrape by. Occasionally, you conjure a trick which you claim to be “a direction from the Lord, “using the Book of Psalms to reap an uncommon harvest. Starting from the highest number in the Psalms, that is, Psalm 150 you tell the congregation that the Lord says each member should sow a seed of 150 cedis times the number of their children. That means if you have four children, you ought to pay 600 cedis in obedience to a so-called “direction.”
And you prefer the three-digit Psalms – from 100 to 150. As the number drops to two digits, you apply new methods to keep the seed up where you want it. And so, if it is Psalm 20, you may say: “We are in the twelfth month and today is the 20th day. The Lord says we should sow a seed of 240 cedis which is 20 times 12. This is a direction from the Lord.”How did you receive that “direction?” Through dreams, visions, slumbering upon your bed after a bowl of fufu, or was it God’s audible voice? God sits on His throne and says, “You rascals!”
God commands us to honour mothers and fathers, but you teach people to dishonour their parents, especially their mothers. With unproven claims of clairvoyance, you label certain mothers witches. By what foul spirit did you receive that vision? Do you have any idea about the magnitude of the chaos your lies have caused among some families? Why should you so callously tarnish somebody’s image and pierce her heart with the sword of your untamed and poisonous tongue? “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” but you do just that under the guise of speaking the oracles of God. And the last time I checked you were still hunting for more prey.
Mr. and Madam Honourable, what is happening in Parliament? Are we tearing the nation apart with unnecessary squabbles bordering on pettiness? Parliamentary rules of engagement should not be a replica of the ideas of Joseph Paul Goebbels, master propagandist of the Nazi Party who notoriously said: “We do not come as friends, nor neutrals. We come as enemies. As the wolf bursts into the flock, so we come.” That tone is the beat of war drums. Do the recent events in the nation’s parliament reflect the words of Goebbels? This is an “urgent question” on the floor.
Our nascent democracy demands the thinking of the 19th century British lawyer, judge, philosopher, law reformer, and writer, Sir James Fitzjames Stephen (1829-1894) who famously said: “Parliamentary government is simply a mild and disguised form of compulsion. We agree to try strength by counting heads instead of breaking heads, but the principle is exactly the same… The minority gives way not because it is convinced that it is wrong, but because it is convinced that it is a minority.”That is some food for thought.
The majority, on its part, must learn to accommodate opposing views that can be proven to conduce to our national development aspirations.Every political party with a genuine desire to develop the country has only one option as espoused by that charismatic president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.”Spot on! That is all we need to forge ahead.
Democracy thrives on the exchange of ideas but in an amicable atmosphere. Needless to say, two wrongs do not make a right. Is it not appalling that while most Ghanaians are beset with some of the most monstrous inequalities in the world, the seat of Ghana’s democracy, Parliament, which should lead the way in correcting those wrongs, should turn into an arena of confusion and melodrama?
For those who took part in the recent brawl in Parliament, what do you think you were teaching your children?In this era of social media, your disgraceful behaviour gained much currency in no time. It is likely that some of your children spotted you in the thick of affairs.When they queried you about your conduct, what did you tell them? Defending democracy?
Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, apologised on behalf of his colleagues on both sides. As admirable as it was to eat humble pie,an impression had already been etched on the minds of Ghanaians about the kind of people we elected to represent us. The only way people will hit the delete button in their memory, and consign the incident to history,is for our parliamentarians to work together and accelerate the pace of our national development in a manner that can be felt by all and sundry.
There are plenty of policy differences to discuss that do not warrant any unnecessary distraction. By any acceptable means, let your differences be ironed out but let the process lead to development for the longsuffering people of this land of gold and oil.
And for those who are so blinded by politics that they can stoop so low as to utter unprintable words against another, why do you even go to the house of God on occasion; to seek forgiveness and repent, or to deceive God? Of course, no one can hoodwink God. I believe politicians do not hate one another but unfortunately, they allow politics to make their blood boil.
We should all take a cue from the late President J.J. Rawlings and President Akufo-Addo who were sworn political enemies, yet, made some room for accommodation. Why would these guys reconcile, at least, to some extent? It was all in the interest of nation building.
Fellow Ghanaians I leave you with two quotes from Nelson Mandela: “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” He said also: “It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.”
Where do you stand, with the Construction Crew or the Demolition Squad? As the King James Version of the Bible would put it: “Choose ye this day!”
And remember that a stitch in time saves nine!
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
BY TONNT PREMPEH
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
