Features
MDAs, corruption and productivity
The Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have all been set up by law to play a role in the history of this country and help promote the country’s developmental agenda.
Their roles are in the form of political, social and economic efforts to make life better for people in the country. Politically, they are setup to play a role in the implementation of government policies so that governance will take a smooth shape to achieve the aims and objectives for which government is instituted.
SOCIAL FRONT
On the social front, they play a useful role in the implementation of education, health, agriculture and other areas, so as to bring about full fulfillment for everyone in the country. Economically, productivity cannot rise with the private sector if nothing is done in the public sector to partner with the private sector for the good of the entire country.
The private sector has a crucial role to play in ensuring that the country as a whole is able to achieve its objectives in all dimensions of development. Indeed, the private sector is said to be the engine of growth, so when encouraged and facilitated in the right way, it will be able to bring about the needed result to fashion growth and development. The public sector, for its part, is expected to implement governmental policies in the most appropriate manner and be able to coordinate all matters in the public and private sectors of the economy.
GOOD COLLABORATION
There must always be good collaboration between the public sector through the MDAs so that the desired results will be achieved for the country as a whole. These MDAs are indeed expected to be effective and, in some cases, make the desired profit and even pay dividends to the national coffers.
Unfortunately, many of the MDAs are not effective because their practices as agencies of the state reflect corruption and other negative tendencies that do not augur well for the country. Many departments and agencies, for example, are unable to pay dividends because of great inefficiency on their part, resulting in them continuously demanding money from the central government while they themselves are unable to cut down on their corrupt practices and make money for the country.
IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVT POLICIES
The Ministries are not expected to make profits but to implement government policies in a manner that will ensure effectiveness and efficiency on all fronts. When this is done efficiently, waste will be avoided, and the government will not have to continue to overspend resources on them.
In the case of many of the Departments and Agencies, some level of profit is expected to be made so that their operations will not continue to constitute a total drain on the state’s coffers.
AGENCIES OF THE MINISTRIES
Also, there are many Agencies that have been equipped to operate profitably and supplement the efforts of the central government so that productivity on the whole will be very high and become satisfactory for the country.
Many of the Agencies in the form of public entities have Chief Executives as well as Boards of Directors to help shape up activities, yet some of them think that their appointments have been made for them to embezzle state funds and waste financial resources that could otherwise have been utilised to bring about productivity.
DESIRED PRODUCTIVITY
The Chief Executives should know that they are not appointed for the sake of mere appointment but to work hard and, in some cases, sacrifice themselves to bring about the desired productivity. This is an issue that must be taken seriously.
When public resources are used by Chief Executives to the neglect of other members of staff, this does not help to move the country forward.
PUBLIC ENTITIES
Some of the public entities are doing very well. Unfortunately, many others are total disappointments because the appointed Chief Executives discriminate among staff and result in the victimisation of members of staff who refuse to embark upon dishonest lives.
Again, many of these Chief Executives buy cars and valuable gifts for Board members with the aim of influencing them into cohesion and not pointing out any wrongdoing in the public entity. The same thing is usually done by these corrupt Chief Executives for their heads of finance as well as procurement and other influential departments, all in a bid to frustrate them and give these corrupt Chief Executives their way and carry out their dirty tricks.
It is unfortunate that these things keep happening and recurring, but until we put a stop to all of them, not much can be achieved for the public sector.
ROLE OF SIGA
Fortunately, we have the State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), which has been setup for the purpose of effectively checking the inefficiencies and corrupt practices of the Chief Executives of public organisations and some of their corrupt Board members.
Not quite long ago, we heard the Director General of SIGA refer to this negative tendency and make an announcement to the effect that non-performing Chief Executives and Board members will have to leave their organisations to allow better things to happen.
COMPROMISED POSITIONS
He again pointed out that if Chief Executives buy vehicles and other things for the personal use of their Board members, then these Board members have compromised their positions and are, therefore, not fit enough to run these public organisations.
Many of the socioeconomic problems being encountered in this country stem from this unfortunate situation, but the blame is always put on the central government.
It is expected that SIGA will be given more powers to bite and bring about greater efficiency in the public sector. This is what we need as a country to move forward.
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
BY DR KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
