Features
The obituary of Ghana soccer(Part1)
It is very easy to handle a ball of kenkey. As my bosom friend Reverend (self- appointed) Kofi Kokotako put it, it is the kind of ball that almost every fool can manage. You only have to get some pepper and ‘fish-head’ and then your massive jaws can take care of the rest.
A revolution is not a tea party, said Mao Tse-Tung. In simile, a football revolution is not a kenkey party. If anybody had thought that organising a disciplined, winsome team was synonymous to organising a kenkey festival, then of course they were living in a fool’s paradise.
We shall come back to that later on but for the moment, let’s recast what happened on the first day the Black Stars played a game.
If you noticed carefully, you’d have realised that somehow the squad was not prepared and the handlers should literally have asked for the postponement of the entire tournament. They were too many foreign-based players invited to come and joke.
Anyhow, I was really impressed by how the professionals looked. They appeared well-fed and well-paid and Nii Odartey Lamptey looked very beautiful in a jelly curl jerry hairdo. Probably just before he entered the dressing room, he had spent quite some time under the dryer.
No wonder he looked like a participant of a beauty pageant. It really was going to be a beauty contest for the Sikaman boys while the Guineans came to play football.
And the Guineans really stretched the Stars full-length till international star C. K. Akunnor, who played with all his might and soul, set the stadium ablaze with a bullet- shot to remind his compatriots that it was no beauty palaver in Tunisia ‘94. That was our saviour and it came in the last minutes.
Earlier, Odartey Lamptey who had consistently not fared well in any Black Stars match was elected to take a penalty kick when more experienced players could have done the job spick and span. When I saw that it was Odartey going in for the kick, I just felt inside me that it was either going to be ‘over the bar’ or something worse.
LESS-EXPERIENCED
Fortunately, the ball did not go over bar, but neither did it enter the net. The keeper made light-work of it, having realised that we weren’t serious after all.
In fact by allowing a relatively less-experienced player like Odartey to take that kick showed clearly that the squad was either unprepared or that there was no seriousness in the team. Anyhow, Nii cannot be blamed for our quarter-final tragedy because he did not play in that match. What about strategy and being wise? The Lord Jesus Christ has always admonished us to be wise as the serpent. In Tunisia, we didn’t exhibit the kind of wisdom and prudence Jesus talked about.
When Prince Polley scored against Senegal, everyone rejoiced and only a few realised that it was our doom. Losing or drawing against Senegal would have been the last remarkable genius of the century knowing very well that a win would mean clashing with an arch-rival Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-final.
To deliberately lose in some matches is part of strategy used by teams worldwide to wriggle their way through to the final spot. It was not that Cote d’Ivoire was not unbeatable, but it was certain that they would be more of a problem than Zambia as far as Ghana was concerned.
WISDOM
As it were, if the handlers had displayed the wisdom of the aged, they would have pep- talked the boys to lose that match or draw, having at the back of the mind that not all that glitter is gold. As it turned out to be, a win over Senegal was more of a tragedy than the comedy all thought it was.
Now, the entire campaign to win the cup in Tunisia became a non-starter the moment George Arthur was dropped. And when he lobbied and was recalled to join the team, it was the beginning of tragic instances that beset the Stars’ team.
In fact, when George was dropped, I was unhappy about it and complained. But when he was given the green-light afterwards, I was shocked. I reckoned that it was very improper for many reasons.
First, it meant that the coaches and technical men were impotent and were being manipulated like a marionette to do against their wish. Secondly, to be a big embarrassment to Kofi Mbeah who was going to be told that “the big men say they should drop you-o! They say George Arthur is soccer-god. If we drop him our chop money will be in jeopardy.”
I wonder how Kofi Mbeah, my idol, took that message. What an embarrassment to a budding star. The psychological trauma and all that!
Certainly his patriotism is going to be affected and I wonder if he would be willing to play for his country at any future date. If it happens, should the GFA not accept blame?
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
