Features
The verdict on ‘Akwapim Poloo’: ‘Parental care and motherhood consideration’?
There is a ‘very active’ young Ghanaian actress popularly called “Akwapim Poloo’. Her real name is said to be Rosemond Brown. She has recently been in the news; not for good reasons, anyway.
The actress got herself into trouble after taking a ‘disturbing’ nude picture of herself, together with her six-year-old innocent son , ‘to celebrate his birthday.’
A single mother, Rosemond Brown pathetically shared her nude photo , together with her son on social media in the name of celebrating her son’s birthday.
Really, Poloo’s nude photo posted on social media, ‘elicited’ huge public condemnation . And Child Rights International, a non-governmental organisation, dragged her to court on three charges, including violating her son’s rights to dignity and privacy and reckless endangerment to a minor.
Initially, Poloo pleaded not guilty and reportedly told the court that she was pregnant but pregnancy test ordered by the court proved otherwise.
Later, she changed her plea to ‘guilty’. She was then sentenced to three-month jail term by an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Her Honour, Mrs Christina Cann.
When Poloo moved to a High Court in an attempt to have her 90-day custodial sentence quashed, the court presided over by Justice Ruby Aryeetey, upheld the decision of the Circuit Court and ordered that Rosemond Brown must serve the full sentence in jail.
Still not satisfied with the decision of the High Court, Poloo moved her case to the Court of Appeal . And ‘interestingly’ all the three male judges who adjudicated the case concluded that a fine of GH¢12,000 was rather enough punishment for her, instead of the 90-day custodial sentence.
According to the ruling of the Court of Appeal judges, they considered the interest of Poloo’s six-year-old son and the fact that he would need ‘parental care’.
The panel of judges again considered the fact that the convict ” is a single mother”.
Indeed, Poloo had been standing trial for many months until the court presided over by Justice Anthony Koffie, Justice Eric Baah and Justice Bright Mensah set aside her 90-day jail term , just a couple of days ago.
So, reportedly, the GH¢12,000 fine imposed by the court on Rosemond Brown is said to have been fully paid. Consequently, Poloo is now out of jail and a very free person now.
Interestingly, the ruling of the Court of Appeal has generated a-near national conversation.
Some critics claim that all the male panel of judges at the Court of Appeal took “parental care and motherhood” into consideration while such considerations did not seem to influence the two women judges.
Such critics are of the view that because Poloo is a ‘young mother’; without a husband and has a six-year-old child; the judges who insisted on her custodial sentence are women and mothers; they could have been swayed by Poloo’s gender and her child to have been lenient on her.
Others also argue that probably, the women judges might have considered the ‘depravity’ of aspects of social media and how some people ‘born from the bowels of women’ degrade ‘womanhood’ and ‘manhood’ with impunity on such world-wide platform.
They contend that many Ghanaian youth post a lot of obscene materials on social media to corrupt their peers and, therefore, they see the 90-day custodial sentence as ” the best punishment” the women judges handed Poloo to serve as practical deterrent to others.
Some critics also argue that the “popularity” and ” notoriety” of Poloo on social media could “influence” some “benevolent” and ” philanthropic” persons to pay off the GH¢12,000 fine imposed on Poloo without she herself, experiencing any sweat.
The critics say, it is such notion , probably held by the two women judges that might have swayed them to insist on the imposition of custodial sentence on Poloo, instead of a fine.
The critics add that the women judges are “child bearers” and “women educators” in their homes; “so, aside from the law , they know how to ‘discipline’ ‘spoilt’ and ‘recalcitrant’ girls so as to make them change for the better,” hence the imposition of the custodial sentence.
However, in the case of the three appellate court judges , some of the critics claim that , “they may be pampering their “spoilt girls” in their homes while being “hard” on their “spoilt” male children, instead.
They asked: “Otherwise, aside from the law, why should they quash Poloo’s custodial sentence and replace it with a fine? “
They urged the three male judges to go on-line and see things for themselves, contending that “as soon as Poloo was released from prison, she somersaulted onto the social media platform to continue doing her own thing.”
Meanwhile, the year 2022 is almost here with us. It is “gingerly” waiting to embrace us all. Really, it is barely 10 days more, for us to step into the New Year.
As we anxiously await 2022, I wish readers of this column, a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, in advance.
May the New Year, 2022, bring us good tidings; understanding, peace, unity of purpose, tolerance and cooperation, so that we agree to disagree while discussing diverse issues confronting our nation; in the true spirit of building our own ‘Ghana-made’ civic democratic culture to guide us in our chosen democratic path.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
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
