Features
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah remembered 50 years after his death (Part One)
“As far as I am concerned, I am happy in the knowledge that death can never extinguish the torch which I have lit in Ghana and Africa. Long after I am dead and gone, the light will continue to burn and be borne aloft giving light and guidance to all people”. – Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
Wednesday, 27th April, 2022 marked the 50th Anniversary of the death of indefatigable Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s First President, a Nationalist, a Great Pan Africanist, an intellectual icon with a unique sense of responsibility, a man of vision and foresight, a veritable pillar of truth and moral principles, brave, talented, illustrious and sagacious.
A man of invigorate integrity his personality was vibrant encompassing simplicity and frankness of thought. The purpose of this article is to eulogise this Great Son of Ghana and Africa.
HIS VISIT TO HANOI ON 21ST FEBRUARY, 1966
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah left the shores of Ghana on a state visit to Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital ostensibly to broker a peace deal to end the American war in Vietnam.
THE 1966 COUP D’ETAT – OPERATION COLD CHOP On 24th February, 1966, the Ghana Police and the Ghana Armed Forces aided and abetted by the sinister forces of imperialism took advantage of his absence from the country and staged a bloody coup that overthrew his government.
The coup was code-named “Operation Cold Chop”, and it was led by Major Emmanuel Kwasi Kotoka.
EXILE, DEATH AND BURIAL
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah went into exile in Guinea at the invitation of his friend, President Sekon Toure, the President of Guinea who appointed him Honorary Co-President of his country. He stayed in Guinea for six years.
In 1971, felt sick and he was flown to Bucharest, Romania for treatment. He was diagnosed of Prostrate Cancer and on 27th April, 1972, the life of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, like a candle in the wind, was blown off in this beautiful world.
The Government of Ghana, the National Redemption Council (NRC), under the leadership of Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong engaged in a protracted negotiation for his remains to be flown to Ghana. He was buried in his hometown, Nkroful, in the Western Region on 9th July, 1972.
It is significant to note that the casket that contained his body had this inscription boldly on it. “THE GREAT AFRICAN”, an acknowledgment of the fact that he was truly a Great son of Africa.
RE-BURIAL AT THE MAUSOLEUM
On 1st July, 1992 the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) under the distinguished leadership of Fit.Lt. J.J. Rawlings transferred his remains to The Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, a tomb which was constructed to honour his memory.
It serves as a Tourist Destination. Many visitors all over the world visit this tomb for excursion and educational purposes. Incidentally, that place was the Polo Ground where he declared Ghana’s independence from Great Britain on 6th March, 1957 – “At long last the battle has ended and thus Ghana your beloved country is free forever.”
So ended the life of a man who was imbued with the spirit of patriotism and nationalism, a man whose unbridled passion for the socio-economic development of his country was his priority. A philosopher par excellence, an astute political and social thinker, an avid reader, a prolific writer, an unswerving and irrepressible upholder of the principle of truth, social and ethical justice.
Even when he embarked upon his journey to the undiscovered world of mystery through whose sojourn no man returns, he had achieved the enviable record and unequalled distinction of being the first in the entire black world who with indomitable will and iron determination fought doggedly with a bull-dog tenacity of purpose to lead his country to free itself from the shackles of colonialism and imperialism.
NKRUMAH’s FAMOUS POLITICAL DICTUM
Dr. Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah’s political dictum, “The independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent” was significant in the political history of Ghana and Africa.
Through his personal involvement and absolute commitment to the African liberation struggle, his charm and charisma, organisational acumen, razor-sharp intellect and quintessential display of oratorical excellence he demonstrated a superior combination of effective, dynamic and inspirational leadership which set in motion a hurricane of nationalism which was described by Harold Macmillan then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom as “the wind of change blowing through the continent of Africa”, a nationalism which guided the entire colonial world to gain their own sovereign independence from their colonial masters thus ending the invidious colonial oppression.
After Ghana gained independence in 1957, Guinea followed and gained its independence in 1958. Through his persistent and consistent fight for the emancipation of the African continent, in 1960, 17 more colonies in Africa including Nigeria, and nearly all the French African colonies became sovereign independent nations.
Within four years after independence of his rule, 32 African States which were under the colonial yoke gained their independence. Thus, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s influence became the political anodyne which healed the colonial wound – oppression, suppression and servitude – a colonial system that had done an incalculable harm to the African Continent.
In fact, it is very important to note that Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s political umbilical cord was inextricably linked to the total liberation of Africa and the political unification of the African Continent. Addressing the United Nation’s General Assembly in New York on 23rd September, 1960, he said, “As long as a single foot of African soil remains under foreign domination the world shall know no peace”. …to be continued
The writer is a Former Regional Director,
Ghana National Service Scheme, Takoradi.
By Ken Gyenfi
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
