Features
Why vilify Jean Mensa? (Final part)
Jean Mensa & John Mahama
There is no doubt that Ghanaians are very proud of themselves as people who hail from a noble country and would therefore not want any group of non-Ghanaians to sneak into the country and vote alongside Ghanaians in national elections.
Elections help to decide on the preferences of people as far as the management of a country is concerned. If the election is entrusted to the hands of leaders who are not competent enough to meet the challenges of the times, it will be difficult to make progress as far as socioeconomic development is concerned. This explains why it is wrong to allow non-Ghanaians to take advantage of the voting system to decide on the future of the country.
If things go well, the world will praise Ghanaians as hardworking people, but if the country fails in its socioeconomic development, Ghanaians will be seen by the world as disappointing and as a group of people incapable of managing their own affairs.
At independence, the first national leader made it clear that Ghanaians were now prepared to manage their own affairs. If Ghanaians are prepared to manage their own affairs, then they ought to be allowed to do so in an honest and peaceful manner.
In light of all this, is anyone justified in the vilification of Mrs. Jean Mensa?
When Mr. John Mahama and his team went to court to challenge the results of the 2020 election, they insisted that the EC Chair be brought into the witness box to answer certain questions. The Supreme Court judges, however, felt that this was unnecessary because the NDC had not been able to justify its position. Even non-lawyers who followed the case realised that the NDC itself did not have any evidence to prove its case.
They had decided to go to court as a way of calming down their agitated supporters. Against this background, the party should be very careful about how it conducts itself in all future elections. The use of force and the absence of respect for opponents during elections would not help matters in any way.
What Ghanaians are prepared to hear are programmes that would transform their lives and attain higher levels of socioeconomic development? All parties must therefore take this advice and behave well during elections.
Again, quite recently, Dr. Bossman Asare and some EC officials went to parliament in response to a request by the legislative body for an interaction with them. On arrival, the parliamentarians asked them to go back, explaining that it was Madam Jean Mensa herself that they wanted to meet. All this was about the intended CI, which seeks to make the Ghana Card the only form of identification for voter registration.
As has been pointed out already, voter registration will not be a general one but rather a limited form of registration. This limited registration will give an opportunity to those who have just attained the age of 18 and want to register as voters. In the light of all this, it is clear that the EC means well and should be supported by all Ghanaians. If any group of people means well, they will quickly have to revise their notes to ensure that they have good intentions but not to be antagonistic and force their will on the country, whether right or wrong.
As has been pointed out already, the NDC should go back to the IPAC and take part in every deliberation so that they can make very strong arguments against things they do not support. In doing that, they must be well informed that they are doing so with the other political parties in the interest of the country. The use of intimidation in the form of “akakabensem”, “atuotuosem”, “bugabuga”, etc, will not work in this country.
Let us decide to do what is right for the country. Ghana is the only country for Ghanaians, so let us work hard and do well to preserve its dignity.
We must establish our country as a unique nation that is moving towards rapid socioeconomic development to enhance the welfare of the people. No one will come to Ghana to do this for us, so the earlier we put our heads together to do this for ourselves for the progress of the country, the better it would be.
It is programmes of development that are needed to convince people to vote in a certain way. This means that Ghanaians must feel free to make their choices based on alternative programmes that are presented to them. These programmes of development must be credible and acceptable to the people. If this is the case, then a major challenge facing political parties is the design of good products that will influence people to move to a certain area as far as voting is concerned.
There may be serious economic challenges today, but these can be well embraced by people who understand the issue at hand and will be prepared to support a government even in the face of certain challenges.
Let us come together as a people to streamline our behaviour and let the rest of the world know that we have come of age and are prepared to conduct ourselves in a mature way without unleashing needless attacks on people who have the responsibility to handle the election management body in the country.
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
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
