News
The 43rd Anniversary of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and its Impact
Distinct from any other revolution in contemporary world politics, the Islamic Revolution in 1979 was a major turning point in world history as it introduced into, as well as veered the global geo-political and economic order into a completely unforeseen direction. Iran, a country of 10,000 years’ history had, in the past centuries been reduced to almost a satellite-state for one world power or the other until the success of the People’s Revolution (the Islamic revolution) led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Al Musawi Al Khomeini on the 11th of February 1979. The result of the success of this revolution was that, Iran transformed from a foreign monarchy to an independent republic built upon Islamic tenets.
World and regional powers –the US at its helm- which had lost a milking cow in the form of the now toppled but previously submissive monarchy of Iran, scrambled in oval and rectangular offices to draw up new ways by which to return Iran into being once more a submissive subordinate: The culminations of this was the full scale invasion of Iran by the dictatorship of (and with the financial and logistical support of the US, the Soviets, Europe and other regional powers) by Saddam Hussein in 1980, until 1988. Shortly after which crippling economic sanctions were imposed upon Iranians who were just recovering from the eight-year long war while also fighting domestic and foreign terrorism. The Islamic republic has not only survived these and many other deliberate and calculated impediments, it has strived and continues to do so in spite of 43 years of economic and military pressure, domestic terror and media misrepresentation.
Today, under all of these challenges, the Islamic republic can yet boast of strides never achieved by previously unchallenged governments. To list a few:
- Literacy rate. The literacy rate in 1976 amongst Iranian adults was 36.52% and 48.1per cent in 1977. while by 2016 it had grown to 85.54 per cent and furthered to 96 per cent in 2020.
Literacy rate amongst women was 28per cent in 1977 but had grown to 90 per cent in 2020 as reported by the Financial Tribune on 5th February, 2020, https://financialtribune.com/articles/people/102038/iran-literacy-rate-at-96
- Science and healthcare
Iran is the fastest scientifically developing country in the world, growing at a rate that is eleven times more than the global average (according to Science-Metrix)
The number of scientific articles published in Iran in 1970 were 669. by 2018, it had grown to 55,509. which represents an 8,200 per cent increase in that regard. (web of science)
Iran was ranked 5th in the Middle East in 1996 in the number of citable documents, but in 2017 it was ranked 1st ahead of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel (SCImago, (n.d.). SJR — SCImago Journal & Country Rank [Portal]. Retrieved Date you Retrieve, from http://www.scimagojr.com)
Medicine:In medicine, iran ranked 58th in the world in 1996 in medical research publication, but ranked 16th in 2020.
Life expectancy has risen from 50 years before the revolution to 75 years after the revolution.
Infant mortality of children under 5, has reduced from 185 per 1.000 to 14.9 per 1000 births.
The number of specialist doctors have grown from 5890 specialists before the revolution to 36,000 in 2017.
According to the World Bank, in 2009, Iran ranked 21st in quality and number of hospitals. In 2017, it ranked as the second country in controlling contagious diseases. Iran’s status in sanitation and medical advances has attracted gratitude from UNICEF
In Nanotechnology, Iran ranked 58th out of 66 countries in 1996, in 2020 it ranked 16th out of 121 countries in the world, while ranking first in the Middle East in 2020.
In aerospace, Iran has grown from ranking 45th in 1996 to 11th in the world in 2020 in the field of publishing scientific articles in aerospace research and production while ranking first in the Middle East.
Iran has launched several home grown satellites into space.
Nuclear science and engineering, in 1996, Iran ranked 11th out of eleven countries in the Middle East and 86th out of 86 countries in the world in nuclear science, in 2020 Iran ranked 1st and 11th respectively in the same category. (SCImago, (n.d.). SJR — SCImago Journal & Country Rank [Portal]. Retrieved Date you Retrieve, from http://www.scimagojr.com)
In Agriculture and Biological Science, Iran ranked 76th in 1996 and it ranked 14th in 2020.
In terms of defence the military might of Iran is one of the most autonomous in the world today while before the revolution, Iran barely manufactured any defense systems on its own. The number of home grown defence systems, from drones to missiles and supersonic jets as well as anti-ballistic missile defence systems, naval and air defence systems, cyber defence and counter espionage has also catapulted Iran into a self-reliant and defence capable country not to be bullied into submission.
We could, therefore, say that, the Islamic Revolution is perhaps the most successful and most enduring revolution in recent history. The impact of this revolution can be felt throughout the world, many people across the world who are lovers of self-determination and perseverance in the face of arrogance, bullying and colonialism see in Iran ‘the ideal’ state and the ultimate inspiration to continue on the path of self-Reliance.
Millions of people today, not only identify with the Islamic republic politically and ideologically but also spiritually and morally, since this republic is modeled in the image of the great moral and spiritual aspirations of the noble Prophet of Islam.
The uniqueness of the Islamic republic lies in its appeal to people of all walks of life and of all religions and races through a universal brotherhood in humanity, humility, patience, tolerance, determination, perseverance and self-awareness. But above all, through solidarity with the downtrodden of the downtrodden.
The future of this great revolution lies in its dynamism and adoptability to practical life situations. And its Continuous success lies in its support of the common people and of the peoples support for this path.
From Cultural Consulate of Islamic Republic of Iran in Accra.
By A. S. Saeed
News
‘Nipahiamoa’ residents cry for basic social amenities
Residents of a farming community in the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East Region are living under conditions that directly reflect or connote the name of the township, Nipahiamoa.
The name of the town, Nipahiamoa, when translated directly means ‘humans need help.’
Despite the contribution in ensuring there is sufficient food in not only the region but the country at large, Nipahiamoa lacks basic social amenities to make life enjoyable after their farming activities.
water for the people of Nipahiamoa
According to some of the members of the community that The Spectator spoke to during a visit to the area, they lacked basic needs such as potable water, health post, among others.
This, they claimed, was impacting negatively on their general wellbeing and appealed to authorities to come to their aid.
The Unit Committee chairman of Nipahiamoa, Mr James Najohnbo, told this paper on Thursday that successive governments have neglected the town over the years.
“It is the reason we are where we are today in this era of development. Some people poke fun that our condition is a reflection of the name of the town but I don’t believe that. We have been neglected by governments over the years. There are no government initiatives here,” he explained.
The community, inhabited by over one thousand people, mostly settlers, is located on the Techiman-Kintampo stretch of the Trans-ECOWAS highway which connect from Tema to Mali.
Mr Najohnbo, who conducted this reporter around, revealed that a borehole constructed for the community by the former Member of Parliament for Nkoranza North, Major Derrick Oduro, had since broke down, compelling the people to turn to the Bono manso waterfalls which they trek several kilometres for their source of water.
Mr Najohnbo stated that their children are not left out in this challenges as they had to trek to either Manso or Dweneho, about two kilometres to access healthcare and education.
He added that a wooden structure constructed in 1994 currently serves as the only primary school for the community.
“Our kids had to trek several kilometres to Manso to attend school which come at cost to most parents.”
A 30-year old hairdresser, Rebecca Dibenpong, also appealed to authorities to come up with income generating activities to boost economic lives of the people.
She alleged that politicians often claimed they don’t have enough numbers to attract development, hence such initiatives were directed to bigger communities.
Like the name suggest, Nipahiamoa, the community needs urgent attention to make life meaningful for the people who contribute to the national economy by way of their farming activities.
From Daniel Dzirasah, Nipahiamoa
News
Maternal mortality rate increases in Ashanti Region
The Ghana Health Service has revealed a staggering statistic of 1,000 women losing their lives during childbirth in the Ashanti Region between 2020 and 2024.
This alarming number, according to the Regional Health Director, Dr Frank Adomanko Boateng, highlights the persistent challenge of maternal mortality in Ghana, despite efforts to improve maternal healthcare.
Dr Adomanko Boateng, therefore emphasized on an urgent need for stronger interventions to curb the high rate of maternal deaths.
Speaking at the 2024 Regional Health Forum, he indicated that “Ghana is struggling to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing maternal mortality to 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.”
Dr Boateng stressed that time was of the essence, saying, “The clock is ticking, and we must double our efforts.”
He called for intensified measures over the next six years to bridge the gap and prevent further loss of lives.
Ghana’s maternal mortality ratio, he noted, has been declining from 760 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 310 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2017.
However, “the country still faces significant challenges in reducing maternal mortality, particularly in regions like Ashanti.”
To address the issue, he said, Ghana has been working to improve maternal healthcare through various initiatives, including the Network for Improving Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
The country aims to reduce maternal mortality by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to quality care, and enhancing community engagement
From Kingsley E. Hope,
Kumasi
