Features
ENOUGH OF THESE RECKLESS, BASELESS AND UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS!
It is always important to control our tempers and emotions at all times even in the midst of provocations in order not to regret afterwards when the truths are eventually out. Reacting momentarily to situations without examining the impact and consequences is a dangerous approach which should be avoided whatsoever. When such situations occur and retractions and apologies follow later, the end result will be a disgrace to the person and a mockery from the larger society.
The Member of Parliament for Asawase in the Ashanti Region, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka is reported to have unreservedly apologised to the Supreme Court over allegations of bribery he made about an unnamed member of the bench.
In a formally written letter of apology to the Supreme Court, Alhaji Muntaka, who is the current Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament, withdrew the allegations and expressed regret about the unintended damage his comments had on the image of the judiciary and the Supreme Court in particular.
BRIBERY ALLEGATION:
Muntaka is reported to have alleged that a certain Supreme Court judge attempted to bribe a member of parliament of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to vote for the immediate past Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, against the candidature of the NDC, Rt Hon Alban Sumani Kingsford Bagbin, the current Speaker of Parliament on January 7, 2021.
When this matter came to the knowledge of the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah he caused a statement to be issued by the Judicial Secretary expressing his shock about the allegation. The statement said; “The general public is hereby assured that the Chief Justice considers this allegation of impropriety a matter of grave importance to the integrity of the judiciary.”
RETRACTION AND APOLOGY:
But in his retraction and apology statement, Alhaji Muntaka said the disclosure was borne on a report from a trusted colleague which was that she had been approached by a Justice of the Supreme Court seeking to entice her to vote for a particular candidate during the contest for the Speakership of parliament.
“Admittedly because I did not specifically name any judge, this may have had the effect of scandalising the judiciary in its entirety. This unintended consequence is deeply regretted. I ,therefore, wish to respectfully retract same and apologise for the harm done to the image and reputation of my Lords Justices of the Supreme Court and the judiciary as a whole. Based upon good counsel, I have decided to let sleeping dogs lie and will consequently refrain from any further public commentary on the matter which I have indicated was originally reported to me by a female colleague parliamentarian.”
RECKLESS AND UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS:
On the spur of the moment, one can make certain reckless, baseless, unfounded and serious allegations which cannot be substantiated and that will turn out to tarnish and damage his or her reputation later when there is no iota of prove to support his or her allegations.
In actual sense, Alhaji Muntaka’s case should not be taken lightly for the fact that he is a parliamentarian and one of the country’s lawmakers and ought to know best that such reckless and unsubstantiated allegations are matters that cannot be tolerated in our democratic dispensation. It does not serve any purpose to malign people and for that matter a constitutional body like the judiciary, when you don’t have any clear evidence to support your allegations. When you later realise your mistakes and retract and apologise thereof, you expose yourself to public ridicule.
PARLIAMENTARIANS AND THE POSITIONS THEY OCCUPY:
While reprimanding our lawmaker for bringing an embarrassment to himself and the position he occupies in parliament, it is important to set the record straight for other MPs and people occupying positions of trust to be careful of their negative utterances without concrete proofs in order not to soil their image and reputation thereby incurring the displeasure of the people and exposing themselves to ridicule.
Our MPs are being reminded that the people gave them their mandates to serve them in parliament based on integrity and track record in their constituencies. The institution of parliament is a serious organ of state which is one of the three arms of governance. It is the watchdog of public interest and make Standing Orders to regulate its procedures. Whilst the Executive Power is vested in the President who is the Head of State, the law making powers of state are vested in Parliament.
Therefore, it requires that players within it, must show seriousness in their actions and whatever they do in that sacred institution. The over 30 million Ghanaians look up to them for guidance and counselling and, therefore, they must behave responsibly.
Ghanaians do not want to listen or hear such baseless and unfounded allegations which have no proofs whatsoever from those we have titled honourable because of their positions in the society. We are, indeed, tired of some of these reckless and baseless statements from our leaders and we say enough of these loose talks.
TREATMENT OF THE APOLOGY LETTER:
For now, the honourable member of parliament has submitted his letter of apology and retraction to the Chief Justice and for that matter the Judicial Service for consideration and subsequent pardon, but that is not the end of the matter. The decision to accept his apology lies in the bosom of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Service in general. Ghanaians will be waiting with bated breath for the outcome of this case.
However, one important issue which is not clear in Alhaji Muntaka’s apology is for the fact that he insisted that it is a trusted female colleague MP who broke the bribery allegation to him yet he failed to name that person in his apology.
Politicians occupying positions of trust must differentiate between political activities and their status in the society and always do the right things expected of them.
BY CHARLES NEEQUAYE
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
