Features
Why we need more revenue through e-levy
Even without the COVID-19 pandemic, it was not easy for countries to enhance the generation of their income to finance their developmental needs as well as improve upon the welfare of their people.
Many countries found it difficult to generate enough revenue to satisfy their needs and to portray themselves as self sufficient and independent of other countries. While many developed countries have been able to generate more revenue to finance their own projects, many developing countries on the other hand have not been able to do same for which reason such developing countries tend to depend on the rich developed countries for assistance.
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND INCOME GENERATION
If developing countries are, therefore, to make it in the world by way of adequate income generation and satisfy their own needs without depending on others, then they need to find new ways of finding their own revenue to meet their own needs. It is in the light of this that developing countries must work hard in the direction of income generation to be able to finance their ever increasing demands.
President Akufo-Addo has told Ghanaians about Ghana-without-aid. This is a concept that seeks to challenge all Ghanaians to think of depending on their own selves rather than depending on other countries for assistance. The programme will take time to achieve but we need to start from somewhere, that is, be able to increasingly generate more revenue for our developmental needs so that with time we will become less and less independent on foreign donors.
If this is done, Ghana will be able to depend on its own efforts in the long run. This is the goal of Ghana-without-aid and we all need to support it in its pursuance to bring it to the required logical conclusion and tell the world that Ghana has become of age as far as economic independence is concerned.
SUPPORT FROM ALL GHANAIANS
The Akufo-Addo administration intending to achieve this objective wants support from all Ghanaians, not just a section, to bring this into fruition. This will be possible when we all pledge in sincerity and become highly committed to implement such a programme.
The main objective of the introduction of the E-levy in Ghana, therefore, is to generate more revenue and be able to undertake as much development as possible and also generate enough employment in the country.
STRIKES
Many lecturers in our tertiary institutions, including professors and senior lecturers are often seen embarking upon strikes to demand for research allowances and better conditions of service. Other workers in the public sector are also often seen embarking on the same demands.
Again, we need to care for our health needs to satisfy all Ghanaians in various parts of the country. Apart from health needs, the educational sector also needs rapid development so that our future leaders will not be let down in the process.
From time to time we also hear of disasters in various parts of the country. They include fire outbreaks, explosions, motor accidents, etc. All these require immediate attention from the government through National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO). For NADMO to be effective, the government must be able to support it with enough financial resources to address all disasters including damage by storms to buildings.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION
One other thing we cannot forget about is the construction of roads which is needed in both rural and urban areas. As of now, people are demanding good roads in all parts of the country but these cannot be built without money. European countries are beautiful because of the taxes they are able to impose on their people for development.
In the same way, the E-levy ought to be accepted by the people in this country to enable us finance all our needs without relying on foreign donors for support. If we are unable to do this, then we will have no choice but consider ourselves second-rate citizens who will always have to depend on others for support.
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) was given the exclusive rights for both radio and television broadcasts regarding the 2021 AFCON. This became possible because the government contributed substantially to the sponsorship to top up the little amount that GBC was able to raise. The sponsorship was good, even though Ghana did not perform well, because it helped to project the national broadcaster as a capable broadcasting network that could live up to expectation.
NEED TO EMBRACE THE E-LEVY
Thus, it is clear that without the generation of adequate revenue to undertake relevant projects, the country will not be able to go far and if this is the case, then Ghanaians need to embrace the E-levy and help government to depend on our own financial resources to address the ever-challenging needs of the country.
This is where we need to put aside partisan politics and think about the country first before anything else. If we all move along this path of progress, all developmental challenges, indeed, most of them would be overcome and Ghanaians as a whole will be the winners.
As a country, we need to think about ourselves as to whether we want to stay where we are today or move ahead to a higher level where the economy can cater for the needs of everyone without discrimination. If God created all men equal, then what others have been able to do by way of socioeconomic development in Europe, Japan, Canada, United States, etc, can also be done by Ghanaians.
The trick is simple, that is, coming together to mobilise resources from within our country and using them to transform the socioeconomic needs of our people.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander so let us come together as one people to strive hard to transform the needs of society and make it better for all.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
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
