Features
Need for Ghana to produce its own COVID-19 vaccine
The challenge facing many countries in the world today is not just the phenomenon of COVID-19 pandemic but how to come out with an effective vaccine that will enable countries to overcome this bitter and frightening challenge which is wiping off substantial portions of humanity from the face of the earth.
It is unfortunate that a time when the world has advanced in science and technology and performing wonders in these areas, we are confronted with a pandemic which is not easy to fight against or eradicate to the discomfort of many people. The world today has been made a sad place to live because of the pandemic and it is becoming increasingly clear that the free lifestyles of mankind can no longer be the same but would have to be modified whether we like it or not.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGE
In view of the challenge facing the world, it has become necessary for countries to think about how to overcome this negative phenomenon which is inappropriately frightening the existence of mankind. There is no doubt, from what we see across the world, that our lifestyles have been changed by the pandemic and that no matter what we do life will still not be the same.
Churches and mosques find it difficult to accept this phenomenon because it is preventing them from their normal congregational worship in such a manner that few people, from fear of death, come to these places of worship to dedicate themselves to the Almighty God. Even though dedication to God is important, we all need to take practical steps aimed at ensuring that the COVID-19 safety protocols are carefully and comprehensively observed to make things better than they are now. If these protocols are not observed as expected, the end results will be disastrous for everyone.
APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE VACCINES
While efforts are made to observe all the COVID-19 safety protocols, we also need to ensure that appropriate and effective vaccines are produced to deal with the disease. The production of these vaccines should not depend only on the developed countries that take scientific research more seriously but should be seen as a matter of concern for all countries, whether developed or not.
It is in the light of this that Ghana must also find ways of coming out with its own vaccine to prove to the world that it has the capability to cause wonders to save mankind in the world. This is possible so Ghana must work towards it and tell the rest of the world that it has come of age and deserve to discover such vaccines to save mankind from extinction. If this is done, it will bring glory not only to Ghanaians but to Africa as a whole.
The world is in a way competing feverishly for salvation as far as production of COVID-19 vaccine is concerned in view of the need to make the medicine available to all people to be able to make it accessible to all people as a way of saving precious lives in different parts of the world.
Initially, Ghana organised itself quickly and was able to get some quantities of vaccines to use for the protection of its people. This was due to the dangerous nature of the pandemic which has been able to claim several thousands of lives the world over. Ghana was fortunate to have got some vaccines to vaccinate some of its citizens, having given the first and second jabs to some of its people. After this, however, the other expected vaccines did not come as expected.
HIGH DEMAND FOR THE VACCINE
This was partly the result of the high demand for the vaccine the world over which made it extremely difficult for adequate supply to be made available to people in various parts of the world. India which was producing the vaccine was caught unawares by the pandemic losing thousands and thousands of some of its own citizens as a result, the vaccines they produced was kept saving their own people first before thinking of exporting them to other parts of the world including Ghana.
This together with numerous competing demands from various countries in different parts of the world made it extremely difficult for the restoration of supplies of the COVID-19 vaccines to continue the good job the government of Ghana was able to do and help prevent needless deaths in the country.
NON-RELIANCE ON FOREIGNERS
As at now, the country is still struggling to get some of the vaccines for the rest of its people. In view of this unpleasant development, Ghana cannot continue to rely on foreigners for the supply of the vaccines. If this is the case, then things must be put together, as a matter of urgency, to organise pharmaceuticals in Ghana and encourage them to produce the vaccines to fight the pandemic which, we all agree, is a real threat and tussle in the lives of mankind the world over.
If Ghana, can manufacture its own COVID-19 vaccines, and we believe it can, it will be possible to vaccinate everybody in the country and when this happens, each person will feel safe and adequately protected. Again, producing countries will not be able to continue with their bluff or expect some of the countries to beg them before making the vaccines available. It would also make Ghana stand out both in honour and boldness to tell the world that it has come of age.
LOCAL MANUFACTURE OF THE VACCINE
It is in the light of this that Ghana must do all it can to ensure that all brains are put together to make the local manufacture of the vaccines possible. This can be done so we need to work towards it. It has, therefore, become necessary to think about this issue in a more positive manner. It is for this reason that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said that the global shortage of Coronavirus vaccines means that Ghana must develop its capacity to produce its own vaccines domestically and reduce the dependence on foreign supplies.
The President added that Ghana must be self-sufficient in this regard in the future. He also stated that the country ought to prepare better to deal with any such occurrences. To this end, he announced during his 26th Coronavirus address to the nation on Sunday, July 25 that the Committee established under Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng has submitted its report. Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng is a world-renowned Ghanaian scientist who was charged by President Akufo-Addo to investigate Ghana’s potential as a vaccine manufacturing hub, to meet national and regional needs.
NATIONAL VACCINE INSTITUTE
The presented report by Prof. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng’s committee has recommended the establishment of a National Vaccine Institute to spearhead this development.This is a positive development that must be vigorously pursued so that the common national agenda of being able to produce the COVID-19 vaccine for Ghana can be realisable within the shortest possible time.This is possible so Ghana must pursue this national agenda with all the might and vigour that it has.
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
