Features
The Ghana Fumbling Association (GFA)
• Kurt Okraku, GHA President
The country Ghana is an association of fumblers. Given any opportunity, we fumble and make a mess of ourselves. We ask our citizens to give us their votes to serve them only to fumble with the opportunity and turn our failure right back on the voters.
I have always argued against the saying that “opportunity comes but once”. Just like some people, this country has had opportunities on numerous occasions but fumbled each time. This government has had more pecuniary inflows than any other in our history, but has fumbled with the economy.
Even after the monumental COVID cash receipts and our boast that we managed the pandemic better than all other countries, we still blame our current woes on COVID. Given the opportunity to get Finance Minister Mr. Ofori-Atta sacked, our NPP and NDC Members of Parliament who all want him out are fumbling with the issue and Ken remains very much at post and calling the economic shots.
When our Electoral Commission had the greatest opportunity to add to Ghana’s elections distinction, Mrs. Jean Mensa and her team fumbled with varying figures at Election 2020. With the unique opportunity to rubbish the said election fumbling, the NDC also fumbled at the Supreme Court with no clear evidence to prove their case.
Now, let me bring in Qatar 2022 where, once again, Ghana fumbled. In my estimation, the current crop of players is the best yet. They are youthful, hungry for success and determined to go places. But, again, there is a Ghana Fumbling Association in charge. I watched our match against Uruguay and in spite of my belief we could carry the day, my heart skipped a beat when Captain Dede Ayew elected to take that fateful spot kick.
I am aware there is a template for taking penalties, but this was a different environment altogether. First, Ghanaians have been psyched for revenge on what Louis Suarez did to our country at South Africa 2010. Second, though coach Otto Addo said publicly that revenge was not on the team’s mind, the question is how psyched were the players to not have the same mindset on the field of play?
Knowing Dede Ayew was the only survivor of that South Africa debacle, the team psychologist, if there was one, should have asked that he not take a penalty during open play, the template notwithstanding. Dede quickly thought it was payback time when he elected to take that kick. His momentary hesitation at the blast of the whistle spelt doom for the team.
I believe Dede Ayew is not matured enough to have appreciated the enormity of the situation, else he would have given the chance to his younger brother, Jordan or anyone else to effect that kick. I do not blame Dede at all, but that miss told the players, “We’ve been down this road before and here we go again.” I told those watching the match with me that Dede would miss the chance if he took the kick and if he did, Ghana were out of the tournament.
The issue with us is the player turnover rate in our national teams. Only a few of the players who qualified the team for the tournament were in the final selection. Despite being eliminated, everyone admits that Senegal have been a formidable team because the players have been together in the team for a long time. The Black Stars do not have that luxury. Other players with godfathers will be drafted into the team if there is a national assignment tomorrow.
I recollect an interview granted me when I was Deputy Editor of the then Accra Mail by Ali Jaraa. That interview opened a vista for my interest in our football stars. Jaraa mostly touched on his ailment, his frustration at being neglected by some of those who should have cared and his future plans in spite of his extremely debilitating condition.
As a result of this, I have spoken to a lot of footballers, not as a journalist but as an older fellow with an interest in football matters. They easily open up and tell their tales. Almost all the narrative has been confirmed by a documentary I watched on France newfound maestro, Kylian Mbappe, who is making waves at Qatar 2022.
Mbappe hails from Cameroon and his father wanted him to play for the Indomitable Lions, but some officials of the Cameroon FA wanted money before the youngster could play for his fatherland. France saw the potential and Mbappe is on a roll. The documentary says that this lust for money is prevalent in African football, the reason our teams cannot go far. Ghana is no exception. You need a godfather to get on our national teams.
At times you need to pay to be fielded. Not only that, the interference in team selection from influential people is nauseating. There are a minimum of a dozen players of African descent in the French national team, yet their compatriots in African teams do not go far in tournaments on the world stage.
Dede and Jordan Ayew are not known to have played in our domestic league, but they have featured consistently for the national team. Does this explain anything?
Every player of our team at Qatar 2022, save Barnieh, plies their game in foreign clubs, not so? What does this explain?
I heard coach Otto Addo say he has stepped down as the manager of our team. I do not believe he took the decision because he doesn’t like the team any longer. He didn’t take the job because of the money either. He lives in relative comfort. My suspicion is that he might be uncomfortable with the managers of the Football Association. I may be wrong, but what could the matter have otherwise been?
Another news report stated that Otto Addo claims he took the decision because there were negative reactions when he was given the job. This cannot be the case as far as I am concerned. As a Ghanaian, Otto Addo cannot pretend to not know what comes with the territory of managing our teams.
There are over 30 million coaches in Ghana, over 30 million soccer analysts and yet over 30 million football critics in this country. So, managing any of our teams cannot be a walk in the park. It is even possible that the GFA is an enemy of the national teams it is supposed to be in charge of.
The players cannot talk because to do so will reduce their marketability if they don’t feature for the national team. And the managers know this too well and take advantage of the boys….and even the girls.
Whatever it will take to keep Otto Addo and his boys together for as long as it takes, the football authorities must do it. Addo, or any manager so appointed, must be assured of free hands to handle his job without let or hindrance.
What has happened to the development of the game from Colts to Academicals and to the national teams? How long can we allow our national team players to be born and incubated in foreign lands? Then it becomes an issue of begging them to switch their nationality to Ghana.
I check myself for mentioning Academicals. I wonder what Academicals to think of when a dozen students in Senior High School share less than a tin of mackerel at a meal. What energy will they have to engage in games or sports?
The reality is that, as a country, we are in a fix. And something must give.
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
