Features
Odartey’s marital saga: Is it the case of ‘fear women’?
Many Ghanaians are still expressing ‘hot’ anger over the contents of Gloria Appiah’s writs attempting to claim substantial part of her former husband’s cash and properties.
‘Unfortunately’ , some Ghanaians including some women, also describe the conduct of Gloria Appiah, per her writs, in unprintable phrases while others simply say, she exhibits traces of ‘stupidity’ and ‘shamelessness’.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘shamelessness’ as, insensible to disgrace and having no shame.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary calls a shameless person, audacious, bold, brash, brazen, unprincipled, outrageous and immodest.
Wikipedia also defines ‘stupidity’ as, a behaviour that shows a lack of good sense or judgement. Synonyms for stupidity include, absurdity, silliness, idiocy, foolishness and asininity.
Readers, who is Gloria Appiah? She is the former wife of Ghana’s football icon, Nii Odartey Lamptey.
Reportedly, the Supreme Court on 2nd March, 2022, upheld an earlier Appeal Court decision ordering Gloria Appiah to vacate Odartey Lamptey’s seven-bedroom house located at East Legon in Accra.
Odartey says:” I have been in a rented accommodation in Accra for so many years now since the first court ruling, while my ex-wife is still living in my seven-bedroom house , in addition to the four-bedroom house she has been given by the court.”
Odartey adds:”Sometimes , I shed tears in pain when I’m alone in my room.”
Records indicate that in September 2013, Gloria Appiah filed a writ at an Accra High Court asking the court to dissolve the marriage between her and Odartey Lamptey.
In the writ, Gloria Appiah stated that her marriage with Odartey had irreparably broken down due to the violent behaviour of her husband.
She accused Odartey of subjecting her and her children to grave emotional and psychological abuse, besides having extra-marital affairs.
Gloria Appiah told the court that she could no longer live with her husband because of his constant false accusations of adultery against her.
Consequently, she asked the court to order Odartey to pay her a lump sum of GH¢ 500,000.
She again urged the court to equitably divide or distribute a number of landed properties and cash in various bank accounts of Odartey.
In response to Gloria Appiah’s writ, Odartey accepted the fact that the marriage had broken down beyond reconciliation.
He, however, laid the blame on the infidelity of Gloria Appiah and supported his claim with a DNA report on paternity test , which confirmed that he was not the father of all the three children of the 25-year-old marriage.
In its ruling on 14th June, 2017, the High Court established the fact that the marriage had, indeed, broken down beyond reconciliation.
The court established that the three children of the marriage were not the biological children of Odartey.
The court then ordered Odartey to pay GH¢ 200,000 to Gloria Appiah as financial settlement, besides giving her a- four-bedroom house at Dome in Accra and two vehicles.
For Odartey himself, the court gave him back his seven-bedroom house.
According to court records, Gloria Appiah disagreed to the decision of the High Court and moved upstairs to the Court of Appeal.
She urged the Court of Appeal to rule that she did not engage in adultery, regarding the conception of the three children of the marriage, insisting that Odartey was very much aware that “the children were not his biological child
urged the Appeal Court to re-examine the distribution of the properties as per the High Court ruling.
The Court of Appeal stated that the alleged adultery of Gloria Appiah was not a factor in determining the equities of the case.
Nonetheless, the Court of Appeal said, due regard must be given to the fact that Odartey was not the biological father of the three children and had expended huge sums of money on them over the 21 years of marriage; providing food, shelter and education, besides being with him as he worked and travelled to Holland, Belgium, Italy and the United Kingdom, attending private schools.
On whether Gloria Appiah committed adultery, the Court of Appeal stated that “the Petitioner (Gloria Appiah) during cross examination insists that the children were conceived by a process other than sexual intercourse” with Odartey Lamptey.
However, she flatly refused to answer any further questions on how she conceived her children and told the court that she did not want to talk about the paternity of the children, claiming the issue was a very delicate one.
So, in effect, the fact that Gloria Appiah’s three children were conceived through adultery was not contradicted by her per any court record on evidence.
Gloria Appiah disregarded the ruling of the High Court and the Court of Appeal and refused to vacate Odartey’s seven-bedroom house after many years of the dissolution of the marriage by the court.
Public reaction on social media to the latest court ruling still in favour of Odartey Lamptey, has been spontaneous and acerbic.
Readers, let’s read a few of them: (1) “The fear of women is the beginning of knowledge; God is not a woman”. (2) “When Odartey’s wife meets Jezebel, what notes will they compare?” (3) “It’s not easy to win a fight with a woman, not any woman, but a Delilah kind of a woman.”(4) “With Odartey’s painful experience, ‘fear women’ must be a wake-up call for some Ghanaian men.”
Indeed, dear readers, with Odartey’s painful experience ; can it be said that unknowingly, many married men in Ghana are living with and looking after ‘sons and daughters’ who are sincerely not their biological children?
Readers, kindly examine the aforementioned ‘simple’ question and attempt to answer it.
My dear readers; I wish you happy, happy, happy EASTER celebration.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
By G. Frank Asmah
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
