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Do chiefs have the right to gag the media ?

The Chieftaincy institution, is one of the most revered, respected and enduring traditional institutions in our dear country, Ghana, which is held in high esteem.  The 1992 Constitution as amended in 1996 of the Chieftaincy Act 277, defines the functions of Chiefs as traditional leaders in dispute settlement, codification of customary laws, arrangement of ceremonies and festivals, organisation of communal labour and promotion of socio-economic development.  Chiefs have been involved in the development of their areas since pre-colonial era.  They are therefore, regarded as partners in development.

PEACE KEEPING ROLE OF CHIEFS

These days, Chiefs are under pressure to achieve good governance in their respective traditional areas and are challenged to integrate tradition and modernity, a process about which there is a considerable debate.  Therefore, the role of the Chieftaincy institution in national development as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution, is basically peacekeeping, peace enforcement, peacemaking and peace building.  It therefore, presupposes that peace is general in the pre-colonial era, was manifested in the functions of the Chieftaincy institution in general and the Chief in particular.

It is unfortunate that in the recent past, the most revered and cherished Chieftaincy institution in our dear country, has taken a nose-dive with persistent conflicts and misunderstandings which is gradually tearing the institution apart.  The Chieftaincy institution, which is supposed to collaborate and team up with journalists and the mass media in general, to promote and ensure peace and developments in the various traditional areas of the country,is rather having a grudge and conflicts with media practitioners in their line of duties.  Some of the Chiefs are exerting what can be described as unnecessary, unfettered and unrestrained powers which have no legal basis whatsoever and alsounconstitutional rights on journalists and some media houses in their jurisdictions.

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BARRING MEDIA PRACTITIONERS FROM OPERATING

The traditional leaders have arrogated to themselves, certain powers of barring media practitioners from operating in their jurisdictions, whilst some radio stations are being shut down for allegedly, airing what chiefs termed, negative issues that are infringing on their rights and soiling their image and reputation in the eyes of the general public.  These actions by some of these chiefs, cannot be defended or substantiated in any way, since they are nowhere within the confines of the 1992 Constitution as well as the country’s statute books.

Recently, the Ada Traditional Council in the Greater Accra Region, was reported to have banned Radio Ada, operating within its vicinity from providing coverage of the annual Asafotufiami Festival of the chiefs and people of the area.  The Council, we are told, took the decision because it alleged that three hosts of the station’s programmes, whilst on air, used unrefined language on Chiefs in the area.  The hosts were also cited for mentioning the names of Nenemei (Kingmakers), without using their respective titles and also inciting the people to hoot at the chiefs and called them names during a recent demonstration.  The Council had earlier on,on August 1, 2022, banned the station from covering the launch of the festival held at Treasure Island at Ada on June 30, 2022.

REACTION BY GHANA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION

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The leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), led by its President, Albert KwabenaDwumfour, took the matter up, describing the action as unjustifiable and an affront to press freedom in Ghana.  According to the GJA, the Council’s decision undermined Article 21 (1)(a) and (f) of the 1192 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights.  Hear the GJA President, “With all due respect, the Ada Traditional Council does not have the right or powers to impose such restrictions on Radio Ada and its staff”.  He asked the traditional leaders to use the laid down channels for redress instead of the path they had chosen.

Just as the dust was about to settle, another similar thorny issue has emerged, this time involving the Kumasi Traditional Council, directing Oyerepa FM station in Kumasi, to halt its operations.  The order was based on some comments purported to have been made by AkwasiAddaiOdike, a former presidential candidate on the network.  The comments made by Odike, a guest on a political talk show on Oyerepa FM, was an implication and an accusation of the chiefs for failing to combat illegal mining.

UNFAVOURABLE REMARKS FROM ODIKE

 In his submission, Odike was alleged to have accused the Chiefs of aiding in thegalamsey operation and looking on unconcerned while forests and water bodies were being destroyed.  He, therefore, threatened to lead the youth to stage a massive demonstration against Manhyia, if the galamsey menace continues.

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The Kumasi Traditional Council which was offended by the remarks, declared it to be a form of rebellion against Asanteman, hence, Odike was banished from stepping foot at Manhyia.  Additionally, the Council asked Oyerepa FM to halt operations, for giving Odike the platform to make those remarks.

REACTION FROM DIRECTOR OF MEDIA FOUNDATION

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), SulemanaBraimah, reacted against the shutting down of the radio station, saying the chiefs did not have the right to close down radio stations.  According to him, the purported closure of the Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM station by the Kumasi Traditional Council, was not grounded in law and described it as a “worrying development”.  According to him chiefs would not have the power to say “we are shutting down a radio station.  I don’t know where that legal powers will be drawn from”.

Indeed, some of our traditional leaders are trying to usurp and apply powers from areas best known to themselves, without using the laid down structures and laws in the statute books to address their concerns and grievances and that is most unfortunate.  Yes, you may have legitimate grievances with the media, but that is not the way to deal with the problems.

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SENDING COMPLAINTS TO GJA AND MEDIA COMMISSION

 The Ghana Journalists Association and the National Media Commission are legitimate bodies mandated under our Constitution to deal with such infractions by the media and apply sanctions accordingly.  Therefore, what the traditional authorities ought to have done was to refer their complaints or grievances to these two accredited bodies to handle the issues and not to take the laws into their own hands and apply what is not feasible and authorised by law.

The traditional authorities should know that they cannot operate effectively without the cooperation from the media.  If the media decide to place a total ban on the activities of traditional leaders in this country, by refusing to cover their events and other programmes, where would they stand?  Like I said earlier, chiefs and the media, are partners in development and progress and that is why the two institutions must work in tandem to achieve this noble objective of forging ahead.

MEDIA PRACTITIONERS SHOULD BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY

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While I am on this topic, it is important to advise my fellow journalists, radio presenters and other media practitioners to behave well and responsibly and also to always accord the chieftaincy institution the necessary due respect,for peace to prevail in this country.  Let us also avoid what can be termed as, “Gutter Journalism” which connotes sensationalism, poorly written articles which cater for vulgar tastes, as well as stories and articles meant to malign people unduly.  That is not the ethics of the profession and we must avoid those habits.  The radio presenters and television anchors, must also not use their airwaves or frequencies to insult and attack people, especially Chiefs, without any justifiable reasons.  Let us bear in mind that the media serve as tools for development and destruction as well.  As such, we should use the power we wield to serve in the best interest of our dear country and not for any destructive purposes.

By Charles Neequaye

Contact email/WhatsApp of author:

ataani2000@yahoo.com

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0277753946/0248933366

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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’

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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

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