Features
Kakistocracy
Lord Kissi-Mensah
The letter ‘s’ begins most words in the English language. Naturally, if a word was to engage the attention of a lot of people, one would have expected it to be a word beginning with letter ‘s’ and not letter ‘k’. If there is one word that is going viral on social media at the moment, one can safely bet it is Kakistocracy. The reason for the popularity of the word Kakistocracy, has to do with the perception of leadership failure that seems to have crippled our developmental effort as a nation.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Kakistocracy is a noun defined as government by the least suitable or competent citizens of the state. Comments in the media space, especially on social media circles or platform suggest that our leaders are incompetent and that we have elected people who are least qualified. I, however, disagree vehemently with this assertion. I do accept that the first Republic had some challenges with people in leadership positions who can be classified as least qualified.
There is this funny story of one of such people who was very close to our first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who when asked about the meaning of socialism said “it means ‘Di bi ma me ni bi’” The same cannot be said of the leaders we have had in the second Republic up to the current Fourth Republic. Leaders since the second Republic had been well educated, intelligent and very qualified. Hence our slow pace of development as a nation, in my humble opinion, cannot be attributed to a lack of qualified leaders and therefore kakistocracy.
If the problem is not due to kakistocracy then why are we where we are, 66 years after independence? Currently, we are at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) seeking bail out for the 17th time, our inflation is above 40 per cent, interest rate is hovering around 29 per cent, debt to GDP is about 93 per cent, bondholders are in a tug of war with government and there is general sense of hopelessness across the country.
The reason for the state of affairs in our country, in my candid opinion can be summed up in three words; lack of morality. We have asked God to stay away from our lives and that we can handle our own affairs I believe. He has stayed in his corner and allowed us to lead our own lives as a people. Now see where that has got us. There is an urgent need to infuse morality in every facet of our lives as a nation otherwise we can forget it as my Canadian friend would say.
Morality according to the Oxford Dictionary is defined as principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour. There is an urgent need for all of us as Ghanaians to develop a moral consciousness in order to deal with kakistocracy since the leaders are voted into power from amongst us.
Faith-based organisations constitutes over 90 percent of our population so why should corruption be a challenge for this country if we claim we are Christians or Muslims? If we want to achieve the Vision of Ghana Beyond Aid then we need to have a change of mindset.
We are corrupting the youth right from the Junior High School (JHS) level and if we are not careful, we shall soon create a bunch or should I say an army of intelligent but criminally-minded youth. It is common knowledge that proprietors of some private schools, acquire examination papers beforehand and give to their teachers to use to teach the students so they can easily pass the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) . A taxi driver who was driving me to the West Hills Mall some time ago was lamenting to me how he was being asked to pay GH¢2,000.00 by the school his child attends, apparently for such purpose and was worried about his financial situation at the time but more importantly about the danger that practice poses to the mindset of the children going forward.
Since we are on morality, let us talk about hypocrisy. We easily point accusing fingers at politicians that they are thieves and every unsavoury comment you can think of, yet we fail to notice the beam in our eyes as Jesus preached. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has established that market women adulterate palm oil to make it look more reddish and increase the volume for more profit.
We hear of civil servants asking for ‘weights’ to be placed on documents before they are processed. Pastors pay bribes to get admissions for their wards into Class A schools, police still collect bribes on our roads, Chiefs collect money and turn a blind eye on Galamsey activities resulting in serious environmental degradation, I can go on and on.
Recently, a former President who is infamously known in Ghana as Government Official 1, for the role he played in a bribery scheme during the purchase of Air Crafts for Ghana’s military, had the guts to speak against the current government when a minister kept a huge amount of money in her house instead of keeping it in the bank.
This is the height of hypocrisy and until we admit that we are all part of the problem and there is a need for an attitudinal change, we can never become a country beyond aid.
The Average Citizen
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
