Features
Economic situation: Who to blame
• Economic problems not limited to Ghana
Since the emergence of the economic problems encountered in Ghana and other parts of the world, many are those who have tried and attempted to put blame on other people for the economic turmoil.
Here in Ghana, the blame has been put on the Akufo-Addo administration even though in the view of objective minds, the blame is unfair. Others have singled out the Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori-Atta and even accusing him of behaving recklessly even though we know and agree that he’s one of the best Ministers of Finance in the world today.
The economic problems of Ghana cannot be limited to only this country. The economic challenges extend to other parts of the world and that is why we need to be very careful before putting blame unjustifiably on anyone.
If we are to blame anyone, then irrespective of political affiliation, we need to be bold enough to call on past leaders who mismanaged the economy when they were in the helm of affairs. The economic problems being encountered today could have been avoided if the right steps had been taken in the past.
What is happening today is the result of certain wrong policies and decisions made in the past.
We should not easily forget about the loss of revenue that should have accrued to the country if the right things had been done. Investments in guinea fowls which we were told flew to Burkina Faso has become a laughing stock and goes to show that some of our past leaders ought to bow their heads in shame for failing to live up to expectation as far as sound economic policies are concerned.
This can be dovetailed into corruption which has been embraced in various parts of the country. Corrupt practices are shameful but this is what others have used to enrich themselves to the neglect of the nation. This situation is very unfortunate.
Corruption is practised not only by Ghanaians but foreigners as well. Many Ghanaians have proved to be so corrupt that they will do everything necessary to ensure that revenue due the country is denied it. These Ghanaians collaborate with their fellow nationals to destroy the economy and to deny the country what should come to it by way of revenue.
The collaboration in corrupt practices is sometimes carried out with foreigners and when this happens, it is as if Ghanaians do not care about what happens to their country even if foreigners are simply coming in to destroy it in any way they like. People need to learn to love their country rather than conniving with others to destroy the country’s dignity.
One of the things that readily comes to mind is the GH¢52 million paid to a man called Woyome for no work done to the state. Such “woyomisation” of the Ghanaian economy is part of the reasons we find ourselves in the present economic mess.
Another issue similar to this is ISOFOTON. This is a foreign company that also enjoyed the payment of millions of dollars for no work done to the country. All these could not have been possible without the connivance of some Ghanaians whose selfish interest they placed above that of the nation. These are shameful acts and occurrences that have contributed to the economic woes of this country.
Furthermore, a banking crisis was looming over the country because arrangements were put in place to relax the setting up of banks, a situation which led to lack of confidence in the banking sector. This forced the Akufo-Addo administration to look for some millions of Cedis to clean the banking sector.
With regard to the banking sector, some educated Ghanaians who were not patriotic connived with one another to take some monetary assistance from the Bank of Ghana to strengthen their so-called banking institutions. The support received in monetary terms was converted into dollars and taken abroad for their personal and selfish investments. All these have contributed to the economic difficulties the country is facing today.
Many of the economic problems we are facing today have been created by Ghanaians themselves yet they turn round to put the blame on the Finance Minister Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta and also the entire Government of Ghana today.
There is no doubt that external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its disastrous effects have contributed to the country’s problems. It has been argued in certain quarters that the pandemic was deliberately created by certain people in certain parts of the world. However, whatever it is, we cannot put the blame on any specific group of people in the world.
It is equally important to note that the economic difficulties that Ghana and the rest of the world are facing are partly the result of the Russian-Ukraine war. As a result of the war, the food chain connecting various parts of the world has been disturbed in a way and the result has been inflationary trends in various parts of the world including Ghana.
Again, if things are to be made better for all Ghanaians, then among other things, Ghanaians must put up a positive attitude towards work. This is what will make it possible for productivity to go high in order to be able to increase the welfare of all citizens in the country.
It is, therefore, wrong for anybody or group of persons to put the blame of the present economic turmoil on any persons. Let us look inward within ourselves to see where things have gone wrong and how these things can be made better for each one of us.
If this is the case, then almost everyone in this country is blameable for the current economic difficulties we are going through, especially the vociferous critics in Ghana today.
Let us learn to accept the blame ourselves and refrain from blaming others unduly.
*Contact gmail address/ whatsApp number of author:
pradmat201@gmail. com/0553318911
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
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
