Features
Reparation for the Slave Trade?
Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, is reported to have asked those nations that benefitted from the obnoxious Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade to pay reparation to the victims.
Nana Addo said this when he took his turn to address the 78th session of the General Assembly in New York recently.
“No amount of money will ever make up for the horrors, but it would make the point that evil was perpetrated, that millions of productive Africans were snatched from the embrace of our continent, and put to work in the Americas and the Caribbean without compensation for their labour,” Nana Addo is quoted as saying.
Avid students of history know that America and some of its European partners advanced and developed on the back of slave labour. We know that in that time human beings, our forebears, became nothing more than commodities in auction markets.
These were Africans in their prime; weavers, fishers, farmers, craftsmen etc. The slave dealers looked out for able-bodied young men and women who could serve as good plantation labourers and studs and wenches to sire their own replacements as they aged in those faraway lands.
As I have written many times, the Church and the Crown took commissions on every slave that was delivered to the Americas. Their complicity in the despicable act cannot be pushed under the carpet. They knew that the black race was the progenitor of all races on earth, yet allowed them to be treated like garbage. It is unconscionable.
At a symposium that I was invited to in New York about a decade ago, the young African-Americans in the auditorium were palpably angry with those of us in Africa. Their reason was that they were sold into slavery by our chiefs and elders and so harboured a disdain for the remainder of us here. Apparently, they were fed this false narrative by their slave masters.
When it was my turn, I agreed that fratricidal and feudal wars among us at that time very likely made it possible to sell off war captives; and our chiefs were the commanders-in-chief of their armies.
I was also quick to say that more than sixty percent of them were abducted by Europeans who can be described as slave raiders. I made them aware that it was more profitable for these raiders or abductors to waylay the people than pay for them.
“You have fifty percent of our story because once you were taken away we did not know anything anymore; and we have the other fifty. Unless we bring these together, others will be in control of the narrative, so holding us in contempt does not help our cause as victims of this organized crime,” I concluded.
During question time, I pointed out that both Africans at home and in the Diaspora should be grateful to Alex Haley whose epic book, Roots, threw the light on our understanding of what might have happened after our forebears left our shores. The story of Gambian, Kunta Kinte, tells our ordeal more succinctly. The Gambia river is called Kambi by the locals.
But whichever way the narrative is, slavery by all standards is a crime against humanity. Up till today, blacks are discriminated against in almost all Caucasian societies. Argentina made it a state policy to not have Argentines of African descent. All blacks in that country after the slave trade was abolished were either exterminated or ‘exported’ from that country.
The call, therefore, for reparation is a good one. Before Akuffo Addo, many African leaders had made a strong case for reparation. To remind the world, Nana Addo stated that money cannot assuage the pain of a continent whose labour enriched the West.Our leaders must be relentless in asking for this reparation.
But first, how will this reparation be quantified? Which countries were most affected by the slave trade? At least, we know which forts and castles served as holding centres for slaves awaiting shipments. My understanding is that the slave ships had detailed manifests of their human cargoes, so getting a near accurate percentage may not be too difficult.
Secondly, what form will this reparation be? Are we asking for money, equitable economic opportunities as in the West or both? Sadly, our African Union cannot agree and speak with one voice, so how do we get started? Already, African leaders are taking different sides in the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza conflicts. A typical African example.
Thirdly, who will manage whatever reparations that may be agreed upon is another matter altogether. If it is established that certain countries lost more persons to slavery, will the reparations come to the countries on a pro rata basis? The more slaves taken from you, the more your quantum of reparation.
The complexity of all this is that Africans were illiterate at the time of slavery and have no records of the families that lost their relatives to the human trade. So, do the respective countries become the beneficiary recipients of reparation on behalf of the people? This might be the plausible way out; and that is where I cringe.
I cringe at that possibility because Africans know too well that their present crop of leaders cannot be trusted to use proceeds from reparation to the benefit of the mass of their people; not by a long shot.
My personal recommendation is for the United Nations (UN) to put together a Trustee of Experts to, first, look at the priority needs of the beneficiary countries and, second, to administer the disbursement accordingly. The moment our politicians get their hands into the pie, zilch will be done for the people.
Then we want to think about our compatriots in the Americas and Caribbean. In the United States they are referred to as African-Americans. When I was a student in the sixties they were Afro-Americans. As direct descendants of slaves, will these blacks also be considered in the reparation package? Admittedly, many African-Americans have done well for themselves, some excelling in their various fields of endeavour.
But the majority of them in the U.S. are under the radar of achievement, resorting to crimes of all shades, drug addiction, prostitution and many more vices. How do they benefit from the back-breaking toil of their ancestors? To exclude them will make them angrier than they ever have been.
What the country of Haiti has been reduced to currently is a case in point. Social order has been turned on its head by gangs in murderous abandon. This is the time to press the reparation button harder so that justice is seen to have been served. Whatever the case may be, our forebears must not suffer and die in vain.
Writer’s email address: akofa45@yahoo.com
By Dr. Akofa K Segbefia
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
