Features
Mobile Consular Services for Ghana immigrants in Finland
Ghanaian immigrants in Finland recently benefited once again from a mobile con sular service conducted in Helsinki by the Ghana Embassy in Oslo.
The mobile consular services was organised from January 21to 24, 2023 by the staff of the Ghana Embassy in Oslo.
The team, made up of the Head of the Con sular Section of the Embassy, Nana Antwi Baffour and Mr. Arthur Mills, Counsellor/ Political & Economic Desk, worked tirelessly to serve the over 200 applications presented to them during the exercise.
A similar service was first conducted in Hel sinki in September 2021 by the Embassy where they served over 300 applications for the bio metric passports.
At that time, the huge number of applications could largely be attributed to the COVID-19 situation with its attendant problems such as the lockdowns which prevented people whose passports had expired as well as babies who had been born around that period from travelling or initiating the process to secure new passports.
The recent exercise still saw a huge number of applicants and the team was under immense pressure to serve them all.
The first-ever mobile services took place in Oc tober 2018 when staff from the Ghana Embassy in Denmark, which at that time had concurrent accreditation to Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, organised the exercise in Helsinki.
The Ghana Embassy in Oslo has continued with the consular services ever since it took over from the Ghana Embassy in Denmark and the accredi tation to Finland and Iceland.
The mobile consular exercise is organised peri odically to bring consular services to the door-step of immigrants Ghanaians in Finland and help them with services such as securing biometric passports which would eventually replace the machine-readable ones. The exercise is hailed as a huge benefit to many people.
Generally, the mobile consular service involves immigration issues such as the issuing of pass ports, visas, authentication, renunciation and dual citizenship, travelling certificates, among others.
The recent exercise, however, mainly concentrated on applications for biometric passports, which seemed to dominate applicants’ concerns.
Many people later gave very positive and high ly appreciative feedback about the exercise, especially because of the time and money saved.
To them, it could have been very costly, inconvenient and difficult if they had had to travel or post their documents to the Ghana Embassy in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
Many of them admired the professional, excellent and very helpful service rendered by the efficient staff in such a commendable way.
They wished that the mobile consular services would be arranged regularly to make things easy for those who want to access the consular services. Thank you.
Email: perpetualcrentsl@yahoo.com
By Perpetual Crentsil
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
