Features
Looking for economic assistance in the midst of bloated government?
The German Ambassador to Ghana, Daniel Krull, recently hit the nail right on the head when he told the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led administration of Ghana to cut down its budget if the government wanted help from Germany to revamp its ailing economy.
Ghana, we are told, has been begging Germany within the last month to convince China to commit to a creditors meeting to agree on a debt relief package for the country. But the German Ambassador thinks differently. He told the Ghana Government to cut down its expenditure and the huge size of government if sincerely, it needs Germany to help convince China and the international community to agree to a debt relief package.
GERMAN AMBASSADOR’S OBSERVATION
Addressing a press conference in Accra recently, Mr Krull said, it was strange for Ghana to be crying to the international community for help but continues to operate a government bigger than that of Germany. Hear the Ambassador, “I only can compare with other countries like my own and I can just come to the conclusion that the number is much higher than in my country. So, that might bring me to the conclusion that maybe there’s room for improvement.
“ Well, of course, it depends very much on what kind of expenditures you are looking at…I am convinced this is true for if I look at the budget of the German Foreign Ministry of the German Government, I am convinced there are important tasks that can be cut without hurting economic development. I am convinced without going into details this is true for Ghana. There are certain expenditures that can be lowered substantially and make an important impact and it has to be part of the package”.
CUTTING DOWN EXPENDITURES
He made it plain that, “I mean I cannot go out to the international community and say I need help, but I am not willing to cut my own budget expenditures. I have to be careful not to cut the social expenditures that are, destroying lives and families. I have to be very careful not to take measures that might negatively impact economic growth. But, I believe there are many expenditures that can be looked at very carefully and can be lowered substantially”.
He was, however, apprehensive that the $3 billion bailout being sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would be in danger of not being approved, if China fails to agree to a debt relief package for Ghana.
DOWNSIZING OF MINISTERS
Ghana, as a matter of fact, finds itself in a dire situation at this juncture because the government has refused to heed to numerous calls and pieces of advice from the citizens, especially the economic think tanks to cut down expenditures and reduce the present large size of ministers and other political appointees to conserve the needed funds.
It is recalled that, President Akufo-Addo submitted to Parliament for approval, through the Speaker, Rt Hon. Alban Bagbin, a list of names for appointment as Ministers in his current administration in January 2021. The list included the names of 46 persons expected to fill the ministerial positions and support the president to fulfil his mandate in the next four years. Ahead of that official statement, the Head of Communications at the presidency, Mr Eugene Arhin, issued a communique indicating that the total number of ministers to be appointed by the President in his second term would not exceed 85. That was a sharp contrast with the 126 ministerial appointments that characterised his first term in office.
ADVICE TO THE PRESIDENT
A number of well-meaning and prominent personalities including the President of IMANI Africa, Mr Franklin Cudjoe, had said that the problem with the government was not only about performance of the ministers, but also included the size of government and the number of ministries operating in the country, hence merely changing ministers would not solve the problem. Some have alluded that taking into consideration the current poor state of the economy, a reduction in the size of government would save the country some GHc 6 billion expenditure. There are other schools of thought which say that there are too many ministries that could be collapsed to fit into other agencies under some of the ministries. Some were suggesting the reduction of the present size of 86 to at least 40 Ministers and the country will save cost and move forward in the right direction.
TECHNOCRATS AT VARIOUS MINISTRIES
It is interesting to note that even some of the ministries apart from the substantive ministers, also have Ministers of State with special responsibilities in addition, to more than one deputy ministers. What kind of arrangement is this and for what purpose is this arrangement serving? Besides all these appointments, there are technocrats in the persons of Chief Directors as well as Directors of Departments in these ministries. The presidency as well as the Vice President’s office is packed with some political appointees designated with strange titles one can think of and are being paid with the taxpayer’s money.
It is a fact that, we cannot hold on to this large size of government and expect the international community to support us in our quest to restore the micro economic challenges of the country. Some of these developed countries we are seeking assistance from do not have large size of government as ours even though they have sound economic variables. That is exactly what the German Ambassador alluded to when we approached his country for support to convince China and the other international community to reschedule our debt payments.
TACKLING OUR PROBLEMS FROM WITHIN
The numerous challenges we are confronted with as a country can be addressed starting from our doorstep by doing what is expected of us before looking outside for assistance, otherwise we will be a mockery and a laughing stock of the international community and be subjected to general mockery or ridicule.
Ghana has been a beacon of hope for Africa, representing the African continent at the highest level. Many African countries continue to look up to Ghana for their source of inspiration, even though we are confronted with major economic challenges and we should not do things that will erode the confidence bestowed on us by our colonial masters that had attracted international recognition and trust.
It was unfortunate that the President in his recent State of the Nation Address to Parliament, used the platform to launch an attack on the diplomatic community in Ghana for meddling in the affairs of the state, knowing very well that it was his government that called the shot. If we have remained silent over the economic problems and had not asked the diplomatic community to come to our aid by writing off some of our debts payment and also asking Germany to convince China to bail us out of our current predicament, how on earth would the German Ambassador have poked his nose or interfered in Ghana’s internal affairs? Indeed, our current economic downturn, is making us to open up to the international community at the least opportunity and, therefore, we should blame ourselves and nobody else.
WE NEED THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
Let us remember that we cannot stay in isolation as far as our economic progress is concerned. We will need the services of other countries, especially the developed and more advanced ones to help us out of our economic difficulties. That is why we have to listen to tangible advice and counselling from diplomats appointed to represent their countries’ interests in Ghana.
The present precarious state of the economy today which the President himself has admitted in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament recently, presupposes that, the Akufo-Addo-led administration, should as a matter of principle, listen to the voice of the people and do what is right and just irrespective of political inclinations to resolve the present micro and macro-economic challenges of the country within the shortest possible time.
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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
