Features
Ghanaians expect 2023 to be year of hope & good tidings
Saturday, December 31, 2022, marked the end of last year. The New Year, was ushered in at 12 midnight, on Sunday, January 1, 2023. As usual, churches across the country, were filled to capacity by Christians to keep watch and welcome the new year in a grand style. Praises and worship took the centre stage of the various churches, singing to the glory of God for protecting and guiding us towards the New Year. The religious leaders were also at their best sharing the word of God to their various congregations.
Indeed, God has ushered us into the New Year and mankind needs to thank and praise Him for that feat, while at the same time taking stock of the past in the previous year and chatting a path that will bring about progress and development in our lives and the county as a whole. It has not been easy at all, as many could not make it up to this day due to numerous factors, but thank God, we are alive.
TAKING STOCK OF 2022
Indeed, many are those who will agree with me that 2022 was a very difficult year. It was a year full of trials and tribulations which included adversity, grief, heartache, misery, misfortune, affliction, woes and you can name them. The county’s economy was in total shambles, disarray, total disorder, chaotic and mess. The cost of living was so bad that people found it extremely difficult to make ends meet. The cedi lost more than 50 per cent of its value between January and October 2022, causing Ghana’s debt burden to rise by $6 billion. Fuel prices as well prices of other essential commodities and food items were astronomically high and most Ghanaians could not afford three square meals a day. The government blamed the pandemic and the war in Ukraine as some of the drivers of the economic crisis. However, most economists and analysts thought that the poor performance of the country to help investors to make business was a factor to consider.
IMF BAILOUT
Currently, the country has resorted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout processes, as a way of solving our economic challenges and bringing the economy back on track since we are not out of the woods yet. It is the prayer of every Ghanaian that this IMF initiative would surely emancipate our country from these economic challenges to enable Ghanaians to lead normal lives. It was a fact that most households, especially families, celebrated last year’s Christmas on a very low key because the means were not there to cater for lavish celebration while at the same time thinking about the school fees of their children and wards.
CAUTIONING DOOMSAYERS
While we are thinking about ways to revamp and restore the economy and put it on sound footing, it is important to caution some of these so-called pastors, prophets and religious leaders who keep prophesying doom and other negative things for our dear country. Instead of using their pulpit to pray for peace to prevail and also to unite the country, they are rather interested in empty prophesies that serve no purpose but to cause disaffection among the people.
It is recalled that in the year 2021, when the police had warned that they would deal ruthlessly with those doomsayers, some of them resorted to dirty tricks to outwit the police by equating Ghana to the state of Umoufia, in Nigeria, which Chinua Achebe highlighted in his famous “Things Fall Apart” novel to predict all kinds of dooms and unnecessary things against Ghana and certain individuals and then got away with them easily without being arrested and prosecuted in the law courts.
Now, they were at it again and the police have kept silence. During the watch night service on Sunday, December 31, 2022, to usher in the New Year, those same charlatans and good-for-nothing pastors and prophets did their own thing again. Some of them mounted their pulpits to castigate, malign and attack certain individuals and personalities while at the same time prophesying deaths, coups, sicknesses and other wicked and dangerous things in the country just to create fear and panic among the society. Such negative behaviours on the part of these unscrupulous and unconscionable doomsayers and so-called men of God, are reprehensible and totally absurd, ridiculous and incongruous.
REVEREND OWUSU
BEMPAH
For instance, the leader of the Glorious Word Power Ministries, Reverend Owusu Bempah, was said to have predicted that while the year 2023 would witness countless marriages and financial prosperity for those that remain steadfast in the Lord, there would also be coups and death of prominent individuals in Ghana. He further prophesied that local airlines could be involved in an accident that would shock the nation. He also predicted that the world might experience another serious disease like COVID. Besides, a prominent person from the Christian fraternity may lose his life. According to him, there would be a lot of accidents in the country this year. He further predicted that a lot of the youth would die this year.
“Lots of policemen will be caught in crossfire and die. Another prominent Ghanaian will go abroad to seek medical care and will not return. There will be a possible coup in the country and that the National Security and other state agencies should be on the alert to avert the overthrow of government,” he prophesied.
ISSUES OF NATIONAL SECURITY
Indeed, some of his prophecies border on national security, especially the coup plot and that should not be taken lightly. If for some reason you have seen issues that borders on security threat as a man of God, you can secretly advise government and the security apparatus to be on alert and not to compromise security instead of announcing that during a watch night service. Also, death is inevitable in one’s life and it will come when it has to. As a man of God, if you have seen that event coming through in the cause of the year, just pray to avert the situation instead of saying it publicly.
A WORD TO OUR
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
These so-called men of God, pastors and prophets are a big problem for this country and if we don’t find ways of checking some of their activities, they will eventually spell doom for us. Much as we need Christ and the word of God in our lives, that should be done in civility and tactfully instead of these crook and dangerous means by these charlatans and doomsayers.
This country must move forward and we need wise counselling, pieces of advice and prayers from religious leaders who have exemplified and established themselves in the profession and not pretenders who are hiding behind the Holy Bible to preach and predict dooms and other negativities that do not conform to the ethics of the religious profession but to set the clock of progress backwards.
MINISTRY OF CHIEFTAINCY AND RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, needs to be proactive and sensitive in regulating and monitoring some of these negative activities of these splinter churches across the country by ensuring that they conform to laid down principles regarding their establishment and also to ensure that they will not engage in such issues to undermine national security but rather to unite the people for progress and national development.
Let me use this opportunity to wish my numerous readers and patrons a happy and prosperous New Year.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
ataani2000@yahoo.com
0277753946/0248933366
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
