Features
Flagbearer aspirants of NPP must tread cautiously

The Vetting Committee of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Pres¬idential Primary recently cleared all the 10 presidential aspirants seek¬ing to lead the party into the 2024 general elections in the country. The aspirants are Mr Alan Kwadwo Kyer¬ematen, former Trade and Industry Minister, Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, the siting Vice President of the Re¬public of Ghana, Mr Kwadwo Poku, Mr Boakye Kyerematee Agyarko, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Dr Kofi Konadu Apra¬ku, Dr Owusu Akoto Afriyie, former Food and Agriculture Minister, Mr Joe Ghartey and Mr Francis Addai-Nimoh.
VETTING COMMITTEE’S REPORT
According to a statement signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, the Vetting Commit¬tee submitted its report to the Na¬tional Council of the NPP on Monday, July 10, 2023, pursuant to the Article 10(3) of the NPP’s Constitution. He said the National Council of the NPP was scheduled to deliberate on the Vetting Committee’s recommenda¬tions on July 20, 2023.
Per the rules of the game, if more than five aspirants qualify to con¬test, the party will convene a special electoral college of 900 delegates to select five candidates for the final round. So far, all the aspirants have been cleared for the contest by the Vetting Committee of the Party, and are awaiting for the final decision by the electoral college to pick five among the lot. That’s an interesting scenario and the party supporters and indeed, all Ghanaians are waiting anxiously with bated breath for the outcome of the verdict of the elec¬toral college.
SPECIAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE
This means that, the ruling par¬ty in August will convene a special delegates’ conference to select five candidates to contest the November 4, 2023 Presidential primary. This writer and indeed all Ghanaians, particularly the NPP fraternity both home and abroad wish the 10 aspi¬rants the best of luck as they journey to hold the mantle of leadership, and for that matter the flagbearer of the NPP.
Indeed, it is only one person out of the lot who can wear the leadership crown of the party. It is therefore the expectation of the rank and file of the party that once the person is chosen from the lot, all the other contestants will rally behind him to fight for the main general elections in 2024.
The unfortunate thing is that no female presented herself to contest for this leadership position. Indeed, the National Council of the party was able to meet on July 20, 2023 and has initiated steps which included the balloting of positions for the contes¬tants in the forthcoming electoral college to select the five among the lot.
CAMPAIGN MESSAGES TO DELE¬GATES
As the electoral college gears itself to select five among the 10 aspirants out of which the best among that five will face delegates to decide on one at a delegates’ conference later on in August, almost all the aspirants have launched their campaigns in earnest and are criss-crossing the nooks and crannies of the country with their campaign messages to woo the confidence of the delegates in order to give them their mandates. Apart from door-to-door campaign, some have mounted campaign plat¬forms to speak to the people about their mission and vision and why they should be given the mandates to lead the party, and subsequently contest the main elections in 2024. It is quite interesting though, but full of ten¬sion, anxiety and hopefulness among the contestants.
The most negative and setbacks of some of these campaigns are ten¬dencies by some of the aspirants to attack personalities with insults, insinuations/innuendo, and condem¬nations instead of issue-based cam¬paigns. The campaign teams of some of these aspirants and contestants have been worse offenders, attack¬ing and insulting opponents as if the contestants are coming from different political parties. The issue becomes worse, worrying and disturbing, when the contestants themselves start attacking, criticising one another and flaunting their wealth as if money reigns supreme in the selection of a flagbearer of a party.
UNITY OF THE NPP
“We are one family and we must remain united. Once the contest concludes, we will come together as a cohesive force to ensure that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) does not return to power. That unity is of utmost importance. Let us maintain the NPP’s position of power and foster unity within the party,” says DrBawumia in one of his cam¬paign messages during his tour of the Greater Accra Region. On another campaign platform, DrBawumia was spotted lashing at contestants who think because of their affluence and richness, they can govern this coun¬try, saying past NPP leaders were not rich and, therefore did not use money to govern this country but strategies and ideas.
ATTACK ON VICE PRESIDENT
That statement seemed not to have gone down well with one of the aspirants, Kennedy OheneAg¬yapong, who threw back tantrums and uncontrolled outburst and anger on DrBawumia recently in one of his campaign tours in the country. According to MrAgyapong who listed some of the businesses he owns, he was more of a strategist than the Vice President who is the head of the Eco¬nomic Management Team. “With my steel plant, I am employing thousands of workers in this country by the next few months, I have the biggest cold store in the whole of Africa, as for you, the government pays you, pays your house girls, pays your security, you are living in government bunga¬lows. But I pay 7,158 workers every month in this country. So, between the two of us who is the strategist? This is internal politics and so we shouldn’t be dirty, but if they at¬tack me, I will reply,” says Kennedy Agyapong.
He asked the Vice President not to call himself a strategist when he took over when the cedi was selling at GHc4 but now selling at GHc12.
CAMPAIGN OF INSULTS AND PERSON¬ALITY ATTACKS
Indeed, these campaigns of insults and personal attacks by these pres¬idential hopefuls especially within the same party or stable do not augur well for the NPP and the earlier they put a stop to some of these things, the better it will serve the interest of the party as well as to safeguard and protect it. When they start trading insults at each other at this prema¬ture stage, they will definitely arm and give ammunition to the larger opposition party, the NDC to attack and criticise the party and whoever may be selected to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.
NPP LEADERSHIP MUST CALL ASPI¬RANTS TO ORDER
This is the time for the leadership of the party to quickly intervene and caution all the aspirants to be civil and decorous in their campaign messages and utterances on political platforms in order not to wash their dirty linens in public. Yes, they can embark on their campaigns alright based on their vision and mission for Ghanaians and not to destroy themselves through such negative propagandas. Ghanaians are looking forward for visionary and focused leaders and not leaders who have nothing to offer this country and, therefore let’s your campaigns be constructive and issue-based. Once again, we wish all the NPP presiden¬tial aspirants good and the best of luck.
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By Charles Neequaye
Features
The Prophet part 9
Antubam followed her. She indicated for him to sit down. She was about to call Mary when she emerged from the hall, followed by Suzzie.
“It’s good you are both here,” she said. “There’s something I need to tell all three of you. Mr Antubam, I will not waste time on your so-called interest in me, because you and I are two very different people with absolutely nothing in common. The main point I want to make now is that your so-called church is nothing but a fraud with which you are deceiving people who may be ignorant today, but are still precious in God’s sight.
Apart from deceiving them and enriching yourself, you are using God’s name to commit fraud. Today you may be enjoying money, food, alcohol and women, but you will certainly pay a high price for it, unless of course you are willing to repent now. My concern is for my two sisters.
I am demanding that they cut all links with you, now. No visits to your home or church, and no telephone calls. I have told them to give you back every penny you have given them. I am prepared to find money to pay whatever they owe you. That is all I have to say.”
Antubam rose, furious, and pointed his finger at her.
“Let me warn you, Betty. Yes, I am interested in you, and I am ready to take care of all your needs, even to rent a house and buy a car for you. But I will not allow you to insult me. You better withdraw those words you have used against me now, or I will deal with you very soon.”
“Don’t make me laugh, Antubam. You? Deal with me? Why don’t you deal with me now? You have to wait till you go to the shrine and beg the fetish priest to deal with me? See how miserable you are? I dare you! Leave my house now, and go to that miserable fetish priest and get him to rain down all his powers on me!”
“You will see!” Antubam declared as he moved towards his car. He hesitated for a moment to see if Mary and Suzzie would walk him to the car, but noticing that they were firmly glued to their seats he got in the car and drove home.
He got out of the car and went straight to the drinks cupboard, poured himself a full glass of whisky and gulped down half of it. He sat down and called his batman, Kofi Takyi.
“Which two women did you call today?”
“Aggie, one of the new members is in. She is having supper in the guest room. Priscilla will be coming around 9pm.”
“Good work, Kofi. Now, get me my food.” After wolfing down the fufu and light soup, he gulped down the other half of the whisky and stretched out on the sofa and began a smooth, rhythmic snore. Priscilla entered, walked over and, shaking her head, strolled to the bedroom.
Betty came from the shower to find the two friends still glued to their seats.
“Well? Aren’t you two going to say anything?”
“I have something to say,” Mary said. “I don’t understand you, Betty. You want us to cut all links with Antubam, and to refund all the money he has given us. Now, when we do that, do we come back here tomorrow, sit and stare at the sky and hope and pray that our holy sister (Betty) will bring us manna to eat?”
“Such a stupid statement must not come from you, Mary. What happened to your WASSCE qualifications and your intelligence? Here’s some free advice. Get on the internet. Submit applications for university admission. I am prepared to pay for the two of you. And from tomorrow, start studying the Bible seriously, with the intention of doing what it says. I assure you, there are solutions in the Bible for every problem you face today, and will face tomorrow. All you need, Mary, is to use your God-given intelligence. How could you stoop so low as to take money from a common thief and drunkard like Antubam?”
Suzzie rose quietly and held Betty’s hand. “Do you know, Betty? Until a few minutes ago I did not know that you cared so much about me that you consider me your sister. I promise you. We will do as you say. Mary, we will go and collect the rent money, add it to all the money we have taken, and pay it into the account. From tomorrow, Betty, Mary and I will follow you wherever you go’. With tears streaming down her cheeks she walked away.”
Antubam got up with a start. He checked the time on his phone. It was midnight. He sat up, and was moving towards the bedroom when he heard the voices.
“Is anything the matter?” he said. “You have never come here at this time. I thought you only come at dawn.”
“We are always here. We only contact you when we have to. We have to warn you. That girl is trouble. If you don’t leave her alone there will be problems.”
“I don’t understand. I can’t leave her alone. I must sleep with her as many times as possible, conquer her. Why can’t you get her for me?”
“She is firmly buried in the book. You are sleeping with two women every night, and there are many more available in the church. Leave that girl alone?”
“Do you fear her? What book is that? I don’t know why…..” before he could finish the sentence several flashes of pain like a horsewhip on fire cut across his back, and he yelled, bringing Priscilla and Aggie from their rooms.
“What is it, Antubam?” Priscilla asked.
“Er…er. I saw a revelation about a church member who is in some trouble. I need to pray for her. Please go back to the rooms. I will join you soon.” Aggie went to the room, but Priscilla lingered.
“Antubam, why don’t you tell me what the problem is so that I can help you? It appears you have just received some spiritual lashes. Are you being punished for something you have done?”
“Perhaps your husband is punishing me for sleeping with you.”
“Do you dare insult me, Antubam. You will certainly regret speaking to me like this?”
“You have a loud mouth, but your only abilities in life, Priscilla, are sex and extorting money. I will come and sleep with you shortly, and give you money in the morning. Now leave!” She slipped out quietly, and the voices resumed.
“Next time you talk like that you will receive a much bigger punishment. We are only trying to protect you. You are planning to go to the shrine tomorrow morning to invoke curses on the girl. Be careful. Our master may grant your wish if you press him, but you may regret it.”
“I am sorry if I sound ungrateful, but I just can’t resist that girl. She is so beautiful and sexy. Moreover she has insulted me, and I must punish her.”
“Remember we warned you. You are already in danger. One of your competitors is asking questions about you, and thinking about the possibility of dealing with you. Jehoshaphat Agyiri. Everyone calls him Gidigidi.”
“I have heard of him. But what have I done?”
“He belongs to us. We work for him. He wants to check if you will threaten him. He can’t do you any harm as long as you use the stick. But your main problem will come from the girl.”
“Thank you for your help. As for the girl, please talk to Nana Broni for me. I am ready to pay anything for the pleasure of catching that girl in my bed and disciplining her.”
“Antubam,” Priscilla started, “are you going to apologise for the way you spoke to me? And are you going to apologise for bringing another woman here even though I am here with you?”
“Are you going to collect money from me tomorrow morning, Priscilla?”
“Get into bed, you idiot. I wonder why those women in the church cannot see you for the cheap fraudster you really are.”
Antubam took off at dawn, and arrived at the shrine before five.
“You are welcome, Antubam. We know, yet we still ask, as the saying goes. What brings you here?”
“You already know, Okomfo. I must have the girl at all costs. I am prepared to pay anything.”
“I have already consulted Nana Ama Kokoben. I have prepared a fire for her. She will be here any minute, with her mirrors. What you are asking is beyond me, but she is willing to help you. Ah, here she is.”
The small woman sat on a stool next to Okomfo, and stared into Antubam’s eyes for several minutes.
“I will try to help you, but the effort will come from you.” They moved over to the fire, and she placed the two mirrors over the fire.”
“Look! You will see the girl. Take this needle. When she appears in the mirror, pierce her eyes with the needle. By the time you get back to Tafo she will be at your house. From today, she will follow you just as a dog follows its master.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Toothache: Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options
A toothache is a painful sensation in or around a tooth, which can be caused by a variety of factors.
It is a common dental emergency that can affect anyone, regardless of age or oral health.
Toothaches can range from mild to severe and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling, sensitivity, and difficulty chewing.
Causes of toothache
There are several causes of toothache, including:
1. Tooth decay: Tooth decay is the most common cause of toothache. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth break down the enamel of the tooth, creating a cavity.
2. Gum disease: Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can cause toothache. It occurs when bacteria in the mouth infect the gums, causing inflammation and pain.
3. Cracked tooth: A cracked tooth can cause toothache. This can occur due to biting or chewing on something hard, or due to a blow to the mouth.
4. Dental abscess: A dental abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the gum tissue. It can cause severe toothache and swelling.
5. Grinding or clenching: Grinding or clenching the teeth can cause toothache. This can occur due to stress, anxiety, or a misaligned bite.
6. Loose or broken filling: A loose or broken filling can cause toothache. This can occur due to wear and tear, or due to a blow to the mouth.
Symptoms of toothache
The symptoms of toothache can vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Common symptoms include:
1. Pain: A sharp, stabbing, or dull ache in the tooth or surrounding gum tissue.
2. Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, sweet or sour tastes, or pressure.
3. Swelling: Swelling of the gum tissue or face.
4. Difficulty chewing: Difficulty chewing or biting due to pain or discomfort.
5. Bad breath: Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.
Diagnosis of Toothache
Diagnosing toothache typically involves a combination of:
1. Visual examination: A visual examination of the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.
2. X-rays: X-rays may be taken to check for signs of tooth decay, abscesses, or other problems.
3. Percussion test: A percussion test, which involves tapping on the tooth to check for sensitivity.
Treatment options for toothache
The treatment options for toothache depend on the cause and severity of the condition. Common treatment options include:
1. Fillings: Fillings may be used to repair a tooth that has been damaged by decay or trauma.
2. Extractions: In some cases, a tooth may need to be extracted due to severe decay or damage.
3. Root canals: Root canals may be performed to remove infected pulp from the tooth.
4. Crown or bridge: A crown or bridge may be used to repair a damaged tooth or replace a missing tooth.
5. Pain relief: Pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, may be prescribed to manage pain and discomfort.
Home remedies for toothache
There are several home remedies that can help to alleviate toothache, including:
1. Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the affected area can help to reduce pain and swelling.
2. Salt water rinse: Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Cloves: Applying a clove to the affected tooth can help to numb the area and reduce pain.
4. Over-the-counter pain relief: Taking over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help to manage pain and discomfort.
Prevention of toothache
Preventing toothache involves maintaining good oral hygiene habits, including:
1. Brushing and flossing: Brushing and flossing regularly to remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth.
2. Regular dental check-ups: Regular dental check-ups can help to identify and treat oral health problems early on.
3. Avoiding sugary and acidic foods: Avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks can help to reduce the risk of tooth decay and erosion.
4. Wearing a mouth guard: Wearing a mouthguard can help to protect the teeth from injury during sports or other activities.
Conclusion
Toothache is a common dental emergency that can be caused by a variety of factors.
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for toothache can help individuals to seek prompt treatment and alleviate pain and discomfort.
By maintaining good oral hygiene habits and avoiding sugary and acidic foods and drinks, individuals can reduce their risk of developing toothache.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson