Features
Parliament: Any chance for lasting consensus building?
Ghana’s 2022 budget was rejected by the Minority in Parliament on Friday, November 26, 2021. Four days later, on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, however, the Majority Group in Parliament also overturned the decision and approved the policy document. Mr Joseph Osei Owusu, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who presided, said the rejection of the budget by the Minority was null, void and had no effect.
According to Mr Osei Owusu, the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin erred in presiding over the rejection of the budget “since there was no clear majority in the House during the proceedings.” Mr Osei Owusu said: “The consequence of this unfortunate error is that, it is void and inconsequential since it was done in violation of Article 104(1) of the 1992 Constitution.”
The Minority also claims that the approval of the budget by the Majority is unconstitutional and “an attack on Ghana’s parliamentary proceedings and democracy”. Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader in Parliament says; “the Majority engaged in a constitutional charade.” From the current tussle in Parliament; we reproduce this feature which was published in The Spectator on April 17, 2021, in this very column. I was privileged to have interacted with the venerable Mr Joseph Henry Mensah on a number of occasions and on varied reflective national issues. Affectionately called J.H. Mensah, the quintessential patriot, was very colourful but a controversial politician in the Ghanaian political history. Indeed, J.H. Mensah was not an ordinary Ghanaian politician. He was an international giant in his field of study; economics.
But more or less, he ended up in public life as a full-time politician; holding different portfolios at different times. He was virtually my father. I had the privilege to host him a number of times; on behalf of the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipal Assembly. And he practically contributed to the development of the municipality when I was the Municipal Chief Executive and he, the Senior Minister in President Kufuor’s regime. Incontestably, J.H. Mensah was responsible for Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s Seven-Year Development Plan. He told me: “I was invited from the United Nations in 1961 to take charge of the Planning Commission of the Development Plan. “Kwame Nkrumah was the Chairman and I was the Executive Secretary.
I wrote the plan. I did not just take part, I was entirely responsible for it.” He said: “I was also the Chief Economic Adviser to the CPP government at the age of 33. And I was acting purely as a professional and not a member of the CPP. I never joined the CPP.” Readers, why am I disturbing you about this great man who died recently and was buried here in Ghana? In the Fanti language, it is said that “tekyerema mporo”. Literally translated; the tongue never gets rotten and that any word that comes out from the tongue, is everlasting.
Most often, we quote outsiders to support our arguments in our national development efforts. But today, let’s listen to J.H Mensah. He says, “consensus building in Parliament is one area that must be developed in our present civil constitutional dispensation.” According to J.H. Mensah, when the Progress Party was in power between 1969 and 1972, there was a great deal of consensus in Parliament. He said: “The late Komla Agbeli Gbedemah and later, E.R. Madjetey who became opposition leaders, had direct access to Dr K.A. Busia’s office.
“And in Parliament, the government involved the opposition in the planning of major policies.” According to him: “This runs counter to the present system where the Minority is left in the dark but asked to support government policies.” Mr. Mensah says: “You can’t use Parliament like a rubber-stamp.
So that anytime you want parliamentarians to vote on something; you drive them like sheep,” stressing that, “this is one of the fundamental defects of the democracy we are practising here.” Readers, as a nation we cannot have consensus by declaration. We can get consensus by discussions; involving compromising and bargaining. And is it happening in our Parliament? Otherwise, why should ballot boxes be kicked and “stolen” in Parliament and ballot papers chewed like tiger nuts? And, for example, why should the approval of the fiscal policy of government and ministerial nominees, become intractable bone of contention in Parliament? And why should the Speaker of Parliament be branded as making Parliament an enclave of top opposition figures and fanatics? And why should the General Secretary of the opposition NDC openly claim that the “incompetence” of the current Finance Minister will inure to the benefit of his party; come the 2024 general election; thus, resulting in his recent approval by the Minority as Finance Minister? In effect, as a nation can’t we enhance the development of consensus in Parliament, besides having our national priorities right? And as indicated by J.H. Mensah; in Parliament for instance, can’t the NPP administration involve the NDC in planning some of its major prolicies? Again, per J.H. Mensah’s example; can’t the leadership of the Minority have direct access to the President’s office? Are the two major political parties in Ghana enemies or opponents? Readers, democracy is more than the sum of its institutions.
A healthy democracy depends in a large part on the development of a democratic civic culture. Culture, in this sense, does not refer to art, literature or music but the behaviours, practices and norms that define the ability of a people to govern themselves. So, as a nation, can’t we develop our own democratic civic culture to govern ourselves?
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
