Features
The military “invasion” of parliament unwarranted
Call that an “attempted coup d’état” and you might not be too far from right. That was because at the time of the “invasion” of the chamber of Parliament by armed military and police personnel at dawn on January 7, 2021, there was no government in place. God forbid! that would have been a serious constitutional crisis for our dear nation.
The “invasion” of Parliament by armed military and police personnel prior to the election of a new Speaker is a matter which needs serious interrogation and must not be allowed to die prematurely.
Even though there was an intense commotion on the floor of Parliament by the two major political parties, (the NPP and the NDC Parliamentary Members-Elect), the “invasion” by the military and police personnel in the Chamber worsened matters and created a lot of confusion in the House.
We are told that the Chief Justice, Kwasi Anim-Yeboah, who was expected to fill the vacuum created as a result of the dissolution of Parliament and government, as the constitution demands and the Clerk of Parliament were escorted out of the Chamber for fear of their dear lives.
Whoever instructed or directed the military to “invade” the Chamber, is yet to be known by the public, but that is of essence to the majority of the people who gave their mandates to the elected members of Parliament to represent them in the House.
The shameful event that unfolded prior to the election of the Honourable Speaker was despicable, outrageous, criminal and must be condemned outright. It, indeed, put a dent on Ghana’s democratic credentials which are acclaimed worldwide. That nasty incident tended to soil our name as one of the most peaceful countries in the sub-region if not the whole of the African continent.
This article will not be complete if it does not spell out the roles and functions of our military vis-à-vis the Ghana Police Service as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Article 210 of the 1992 Constitution clearly states that “there shall be the armed forces of Ghana which shall consist of the Army, the Navy, the Air Force and such otherwise services for which provision is made by Parliament.”
It further states that “no person shall raise an armed force except by or under the authority of an act of Parliament.
Furthermore, the armed forces shall be equipped and maintained to perform the role of defence of Ghana as well as such other function for the development of Ghana as the President may determine.
Therefore, the primary function of the military is to protect and defend the country and its interest with ground troops, armour, artillery, helicopters, tactical nuclear and other weapons.
Since independence, the armed forces’ mission has been to protect the country’s territorial integrity from foreign aggression and to maintain internal security.
In the case of Ghana Police Service, its function is to uphold and enforce the law impartially and to protect life, property, liberty, human rights and dignity of the members of the public.
It is an administrative machinery of government which is charged with the preservation of the public order and tranquility, the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, the prevention, detection and punishment of crimes in the country.
Indeed, if we are to follow the functions of these two basic administrative institutions to the letter, it appears that the military has a distinct function of protecting our territorial integrity unless the government and for that matter the President directs otherwise in case of emergency situations.
The police on the other hand has the power to maintain law and order as well as ensuring absolute discipline among the citizenry. I.e internal security.
For the past few years, the nation has witnessed few instances in which the military, fully armed, had been used by government to usurp the powers of the police in the enforcement of law and order. We have also witnessed few clashes between military and police personnel in situations that could be described as a show of power. This does not auger well for our fledgling democracy.
It is a fact that we are allowing politics to erode the gains the country had chalked so far by creating unnecessary chaos and tension in our dear nation through the use of brute force by our security agencies.
A case in point was the recent elections in the country which recorded cases of armed security personnel allegedly shooting and killing innocent civilians and maiming others for no apparent reasons. May the souls of these departed ones rest in perfect peace.
Another contributing factor is the vigilantism by the two major political parties, NPP and NDC, using their members to attack each other thereby raising tension in the country. These are matters that were regrettable and must be avoided in the future.
We have chosen the path of democracy which entails a lot; we are governed by constitution with stipulated profound articles which must be followed rigidly if we are to ensure smooth administrative processes of our dear nation, Ghana. Flouting our constitution by doing otherwise will not help the course of our democracy which we cherished so much. Let us guard and uphold the tenets of our democracy which has been the envy of other nations.
The new Parliament headed by the new Honourable Speaker, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin and his able lieutenants and other leaders must gird their loins and investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent disturbances in the Chamber of the House, sanction wherever necessary so that we can avoid that negative and nasty incidents that transpired to enable the country to move forward.
By Charles Neequaye
Features
Preventing the brain’s melting point with BOS
The human brain is a complex and delicate organ, susceptible to damage from various factors, including extreme temperatures.
The brain’s melting point, also known as the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, is a critical concern for individuals seeking to maintain optimal cognitive function.
Fortunately, the Brain Operating System (BOS) offers a revolutionary solution to prevent the brain’s melting point.
Understanding the brain’s melting point
The brain’s melting point refers to the temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade, leading to irreversible damage.
This temperature threshold varies depending on individual factors, such as age, health, and environmental conditions. However, research suggests that the brain’s melting point is approximately 104°F (40°C) to 107°F (42°C).
The role of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
BOS, a cutting-edge technology, plays a crucial role in preventing the brain’s melting point. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, ensuring that it remains within a safe range.
How BOS prevents the brain’s melting point
BOS prevents the brain’s melting point through several mechanisms:
1. Temperature regulation: BOS continuously monitors brain temperature, adjusting neural activity to maintain a stable temperature.
2. Heat dissipation: BOS enhances heat dissipation through increased blood flow and sweating.
3. Neuro protection: BOS protects neurons from heat-induced damage.
Benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point
The benefits of BOS in preventing the brain’s melting point are numerous:
1. Prevents brain damage: BOS prevents brain damage caused by excessive heat.
2. Maintains cognitive function: BOS ensures optimal cognitive function by maintaining stable brain temperature.
3. Enhances brain resilience: BOS enhances brain resilience to temperature fluctuations.
Real-World applications of BOS
BOS has various real-world applications:
1. High-performance computing: BOS enables high-performance computing by maintaining optimal brain temperature.
2. Medical applications: BOS has medical applications, such as treating heat-related illnesses.
3. Space exploration: BOS is crucial for space exploration, where extreme temperatures pose a significant risk.
Conclusion
BOS is a revolutionary technology that prevents the brain’s melting point, ensuring optimal cognitive function and overall well-being. By leveraging advanced neural interfaces and artificial intelligence, BOS monitors and regulates brain temperature, protecting against heat-related damage.
Glossary:
1. BOS: Brain Operating System.
2. Brain’s melting point: Temperature threshold beyond which brain tissue begins to degrade.
3. Neural interface: Connects human brain with digital devices.
Contact Information
virginvtech@yahoo.com
Additional resources:
1. BOS research: Explore scientific studies.
2. Neural interface resources: Discover books and articles.
3. Brain-computer interface communities: Join online forums.
Future directions
As BOS technology continues to evolve, we can expect:
1. Improved temperature regulation: Enhanced temperature regulation mechanisms.
2. Increased cognitive enhancement: Advanced cognitive enhancement capabilities.
3. Expanded applications: New applications in various fields.
By harnessing the power of BOS, individuals can safeguard their brain health and maintain optimal cognitive function, even in extreme environments.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Lotto wahala and Tuobodom palaver
In Sikaman lotto is not a game. It is a profession, a noble career which people aspire to. It is the highest paying profession after armed robbery and the most widespread job on this side of the Atlantic.
In places like China, lotto is a disease that has no cure. Once you are infected, no doctor on earth can cure you. May be Kofi Larteh, Ghana’s most celebrated magician, can help ease the symptoms, but no definitive cure will be forthcoming.
Coming back to Sikaman, lotto has been the financial messiah of many. That is how people look after their large families, pay school fees, marry two wives and do their own ‘monkey things.’
If you are very poor and you win a lottery, chances are that you will die before you even collect the money. You’ll die out of excitement or you’ll start day-dreaming in the streets and an articulated truck will hit you.
As such, very heavy wins are not recommended for poor people, lest they get listed too soon in the obituary columns.
The sad story is told of a heavy-duty caterpillar driver who had a very heavy lotto windfall of several millions, his first big win after several years.
CATERPILLAR
He was driving the caterpillar home when he saw his son running towards him, shouting. “All your numbers have dropped! All your numbers have dropped! He could not believe his ears.
All the four numbers he had staked had dropped and his son, who had gone to stake them for him, was himself over-excited. The poor caterpillar man just could not handle the good news. He suddenly stepped on the brakes and the caterpillar jolted him a trifle too violently, throwing him off. He landed right in front of the still moving heavy-duty machine and it crushed him flat.
I don’t think the bloke would have died if he had won a smaller amount. Sometimes too much cash is not good for the health.
Seldom, people get too confident and that can also result in a wake-keeping, like that of a man who used his lifetime savings and borrowed extra money to crack the machine with a two-sure that the compiler must compulsory drop or the world will end.
Even the shadows of the numbers or their counterparts were nowhere near the winning numbers. His shock-absorbers crumbled under the weight of the heavy disappointment. He crashed to the floor and started foaming at the mouth. He was declared dead on arrival at the nearest clinic.
WINDFALL
Recently, there was a countrywide lotto windfall, and in Kumasi it was more than a festival. Most stakers had between ¢30m and ¢40 million on two-sure that the lotto magicians had predicted at least three weeks earlier,
Kejetia chop bars were besieged with overnight millionaires, carrying huge appetites induced by Opeimu Bitters popularly called Opeimu Peters. All the meat and mudfish got sold out within an hour and procurement agents had to double up to restock.
While some were celebrating, others were weeping and gnashing teeth. The problem was that, three weeks beforehand, the two sure numbers were declared by all the lotto sorcerers, dreamers, magicians, tellers and all the self-appointed and self-promoted forecasters.
Everybody including 10-year-olds, who staked and lost. The following week, they were advised to continue staking. The faithful did continue but the faithless stopped. All of them lost. In the third week or so, a good number of confident stakers had lost faith in the two numbers. That was when the number landed.
So the windfall was for only those who had the unshakeable faith in the numbers. See what faith can do? It can move dollars. Don’t waver, so saith the holy scriptures.
The faithless indeed gnashed teeth. The winners on the other hand celebrated with a song that is as controversial as the business of lotto. It is a song played by the group called Nkasei and has something to do with a town in the Brong Ahafo Region called Tuobodom whose capital we hear is Jinijini.
I hear it is a derogatory song and the queen mother of Tuobodom got charged and breathed out electric current during her protest on air. She allegedly ended up demanding a mobile phone from Nkasei so that she could communicate with them to settle the matter peacefully, lest wahala.
Well, the song is rising up the charts and Nkasei are making the dough, but should it be at the expense of a whole townsfolk, their forebears and generations to come?
WATERPROOF
Waterproof, the famous comedian, was allegedly given hefty slaps at the Kumasi rail station by some Frafra jingoists who felt he was deriding their tribe. And Bob Okala had to run with his tail between his legs when he was confronted and realised that slaps were going to be visited on his lean face.
Let’s not use words and lyrics to cause discomfort to others.
This article was first published on Saturday July 9, 2005
