Features
Africans are our own enemies (Part 1)
The Bible is full of truths expressed so aptly that they encapsulate life’s realities in an explicitly transparent and comprehensible manner.
Take for example this passage from the Old Testament, precisely, Micah 7:6. It simply says: “A man’s enemies are those of his own household.” The Lord Jesus quotes it in Matthew !0:36 to authenticate the Old Testament as He usually does in His teachings.
To put it in context, the scripture deals with the friction and strife that may ensue among family members over Jesus – a kind of schism between those who believe His claims of deity and those who do not.
However, the word household goes beyond the immediate family setting and connotes a more generic meaning. In a broader sense, a household describes people of the same cohort.
It could be classmates, schoolmates, members of a team, a church congregation, members of a political party, workplace colleagues, citizens of the same village, town, country, or continent.
In other words, wherever there is any group with members sharing similar characteristics, aspirations, objectives, ideals, and so on and so forth, if you belong to that body, that is your household.
United we stand, divided we fall, so the saying goes. Therefore, the greatest benefit of belonging to a household is that there is strength in numbers. Consequently, the most sensible and profitable thing to do in that household is to unite on all fronts to mould the group into a formidable force able to withstand and overcome any external aggression.
Ghana’s founding father, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, recognised that need and championed the tenets of Pan-Africanism as a vehicle to galvanise the continent into an impregnable colossus spitting fire and brimstone against the external saboteurs of Africa.
His clenched-fist determination and fierce resolve to lead Africa’s emancipation from the shackles of imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism, bolstered by his political savvy, charisma, oratory, and pervasive influence across Africa, made him a target of the imperialist West, led by the US and Great Britain.
Moreover, he had an expansive and ever-increasing constituency of adherents across Africa, and an unflinching, almost arrogant confidence in the ultimate success of his Pan-Africanist project.
That was during the Cold War between the West and the Soviet Union for greater influence around the world. Africa, in particular, offered more attraction, given its rich natural resources like oil, gold, uranium, copper, rubber, bauxite, diamonds, manganese, cocoa, and many more.
And with Nkrumah’s credentials, coupled with his perceived soft spot for socialism, the West viewed him as Russia’s go-to man in their agenda to spread communism in Africa and win the Cold War.
For that reason, America and its allies regarded him as an enemy and a real threat to their selfish ambitions and economic interests.
In fact, a declassified memo from the Accra station of America’s spying agency, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) described him thus: “Nkrumah is doing more to undermine our interests than any other black African.”
He, therefore, became a prey for the predatory imperialists who figured how to get him. This is where the Bible quotation fits into the equation.
The Western collaborators knew that: one, “a man’s enemies are those of his own household;” two, “a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand,” and, three: they also knew what to do to disintegrate Nkrumah’s mass following across the globe: “Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.”
So, those maxims became the rallying cry of the West as they sought to execute their plot to keep Africa divided, weak, vulnerable, dependent, and subservient.
They needed traitors to help them. Unfortunately for Ghana and Africa as a whole, the enemy has always been within from time immemorial, a situation that the West exploited to execute their diabolic scheme and undermine Nkrumah and Africa for good.
Unknown to Nkrumah, the hierarchy of his army and the police were in cahoots with the CIA, and their British counterparts, M16, planning to overthrow him through a coup d’état.
All was set for the kill. They were only waiting for Nkrumah to travel abroad, an itinerary which they knew was very imminent.
In fact, the very day Nkrumah left on his impending foreign trip, that is, February 21, 1966, Lt. General E.K. Kotoka and his gang met and selected Lt. General J.A. Ankrah as head of the junta thus, the head of state, even before the coup took place. How treacherous the enemy within can be!
The role of the US, and their Western allies, especially, Great Britain, has since been revealed in declassified documents part of which was quoted earlier.
As a matter of fact, Nkrumah was suspicious of the US and, on February 26, 1964, two whole years before the coup, wrote about his apprehensions to U.S. President, Lyndon Johnson, criticising what he described as: “two conflicting (US) establishments” operating in Ghana.
Explaining his point, he wrote: “There is the United States Embassy as a diplomatic institution doing formal diplomatic business with us; there is also the C.I.A. organisation which functions presumably within or outside this recognized body.
“This latter organisation, that is, the C.I.A., seems to devote all its attention to fomenting ill-will, misunderstanding and even clandestine and subversive activities among our people, to the impairment of the good relations which exist between our two Governments.”
And how true his suspicion turned out to be! With the CIA’s help, the junta, led by Kotoka, successfully staged their coup on February 24, 1966, three days after their secret meeting and ousted Nkrumah from office.
He was away to Hanoi in North Vietnam, to broker peace and try to end the Vietnam War. He could never return to Ghana, his homeland, and died as an exile in Guinea in 1972.
It is said that “a prophet is not acceptable in his own country.” And so, Ghana rejected their inspirational leader, but Guinea made him an honorary co-President with all the perks that the office offered him until he died.
And what were the coup plotters promised? Read what Robert W. Komer, a CIA operative deep in the know, wrote to US President Johnson after the CIA got rid of Nkrumah:
“In reaction to his strongly pro-communist leanings, the new military regime is almost pathetically pro-Western. The point of this memo is that we ought to follow through skillfully and consolidate such successes.”
He added: “A few thousand tons of surplus wheat or rice, given now when the new regimes are quite uncertain as to their future relations with us, could have a psychological significance out of all proportion to the cost of the gesture.”
Concluding, Mr. Komer said: “I am not asking for lavish gifts to these regimes – indeed, giving them a little only whets their appetites, and enables us to use the prospects of more as leverage.”
What a shame, Africa! The imperialists did not even deem their co-conspirators, the enemies within, worthy enough of a certain modicum of respect after beguiling them to betray their country. Surplus wheat and rice were what it took to dull the conscience of our educated military and police officers. There is no doubt that monetary inducement was part of the bargain.
Nevertheless, the language of the CIA memo is pathetic. It speaks volumes of how low the enemies within can stoop to destroy their own household. They know no shame. They are still at it.
Remember that the memo from the CIA referred to “these regimes” indicating that the operations of the spy agency and their cohorts are pervasive throughout Africa and other jurisdictions earmarked for their subversive agenda.
Next week, the discussion will centre on how another inspirational African leader, Patrice Lumumba of the Belgian Congo, now Democratic Republic of Congo, was literally hounded in his own country by the Western powers in tandem with his own compatriots.
It was this conscientious African militant nationalist leader who led the struggle to free his country from the tyranny of its colonial power, Belgium while he was only in his 30s.
But the people for whom he sacrificed so much to liberate from colonialism proved to be the enemies within the household just as it happened in Ghana.
By Tony Prempeh
Contact:
teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
The driver stopped the vehicle at the gate of the large, fenced property along the Nsawam Highway, and Kakraba stepped out to meet the several workers who had gathered to wait for him.
He greeted them and went straight to the point.
“Gentlemen, I am glad to see that you have almost completed the clearing of the land. I’m happy to report that we have concluded all arrangements with Nana Serebour, and construction of the palace will start in a few days.
“I will need you to go and level the ground, and then come back to start this project. Some workers from a construction company will come and join us.
“My plan is to build twenty houses in four months. Then we will do twenty more until we reach two hundred.
“I am relying on you to help me deliver good-quality work to satisfy our clients and, as I have already indicated to you, I will reward you for your work.”
After an hour’s discussion, he closed the meeting and moved to drive away. Wofa Yaw drew closer.
“Director, can you please spare me five minutes? I would like to discuss a small issue.”
“Why, Wofa Yaw? Your wife has threatened to leave you?”
“No, Director. My wife will never leave me. This concerns a young niece of mine.”
“I hope it’s something I can help with. Please sit in the car and let me hear you.”
“Boss, my niece, Beesiwa, is a polytechnic graduate, very beautiful and with very good character.
“Unfortunately, her parents virtually forced her into a relationship with an idiot based in the US, which affected her badly. She has now recovered from that experience and, Boss, I am respectfully asking if you would find a job for her.
“I promise you that you will never regret it.”
“Well, Wofa Yaw, let me meet her and speak with her. I may be able to help, maybe not in the way you expect, but let me meet her.
“I will not be back here for another week, but I will be at the office throughout next week. You can come with her.”
On Monday morning, Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa were seated at the office by nine o’clock. Three young ladies welcomed them warmly, offered them soft drinks and assured them that Kakraba would be there shortly.
They then returned to their desks and sat behind computers with large screens displaying various building designs.
Kakraba walked in and greeted them warmly. After chatting briefly with the three ladies, he ushered Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa into his office.
“Director, this is my niece, Beesiwa. I mentioned her to you when you came to Nsawam.”
“Yes, indeed. Madam Beesiwa, you are very beautiful, just as your uncle said. Wofa Yaw is my colleague.
“We have just started a building project that will take about three to four years. He mentioned that you have a small problem, so I said I would like to meet you and see how I can help.
“So, Beesiwa, please tell me a little about yourself.”
Beesiwa described her childhood, her school experience, her brief work at the bank and the nasty episode with Sammy Abrokwa, which shattered her peaceful life. She also explained how she had been recovering from the experience.
“I am really sorry to hear this,” Kakraba said. “Now, here is what we are going to do.
“We are a small but very busy company. The three ladies out there spend most of the day on site and come back to report on their work in the morning.
“I have three main projects. The big one is an estate project in Nsawam, where your uncle is one of my main colleagues. I need a personal assistant who can take care of my activities, especially when I am not in town.
“Now, we will have to start with trust. Based on what I know about Wofa Yaw, and based on what you yourself have told me, I think we can start on a sound basis.
“So, Wofa Yaw will take you to my home. You can move into one of the four guest rooms.”
“Sir, I have taken some computer lessons, and I have even done graphics and web design,” Beesiwa said.
“Fantastic! I will give you a good phone and a laptop. I will also arrange computer lessons for you.”
“Now, Wofa Yaw, take her home. My sister, Kuukuwa, will meet you and show you around, and then you can return to Koforidua.
“When would you like to start work?”
“Sir, I would like to start today, but I would need to go and bring my things.”
“No problem. Take a taxi to my house, meet my sister, and let me know what you decide.”
Later that day, Kakraba and the three ladies met with some bank officials to conclude the sale of the three buildings at Adabraka.
They closed at five-thirty and, after rewarding the ladies for their hard work, Kakraba got home just after dark.
He was surprised to find Kuukuwa and Beesiwa sitting at the table enjoying supper.
“What’s happening here?” he asked. “Beesiwa, I thought you would return to Koforidua.”
“She changed her mind,” Kuukuwa said. “We went to the mall and bought a few things for her. Then we came back to cook. She has made some nice changes to your bedroom and cooked a couple of interesting dishes. Sit down; we will serve you.”
“Well, I certainly can’t refuse that. It’s been a busy day.
“So, what’s the plan now? Will Beesiwa go to Koforidua tomorrow, gather her things together and come down?”
“No, I will stay here for a while,” Beesiwa replied. “Kuukuwa bought me the things I need, so I may go back next week. I’m ready to start work. What would you like me to start with?”
“Well, you can come to the office tomorrow morning, meet the three girls and get a feel for what we do.
“Since you are living here, at least for now, we can discuss the plans for the next few weeks.
“Sometimes there are gaps when I travel up north. You can take care of things from now. I think the girls would like having someone like you around.”
By Ekow de Heer
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A frequent question following breast surgery is whether human tissue possesses the regenerative capacity to restore an excised organ.
From a strict physiological standpoint, a completely removed breast cannot regrow. Unlike certain organisms that can regenerate complex limbs or organs, adult human tissues—particularly specialised glandular structures—lack the cellular machinery required to rebuild an entire organ after its total surgical removal.
Instead, the body heals the surgical site through processes such as scar tissue formation and re-epithelialisation rather than complete cellular regeneration.
What a mastectomy actually removes
To understand why natural tissue regeneration does not occur, it is important to examine the surgical scope of a mastectomy.
Depending on the type of procedure and the medical reason for surgery, a mastectomy may involve the removal of:
Glandular architecture: The milk-producing lobules and ducts that form the functional core of the mammary gland.
Adipose tissue: The fatty tissue that contributes to breast volume, projection and contour.
Other breast tissue: The extent of tissue removal varies according to the type of mastectomy and the need to achieve appropriate surgical clearance.
Because specialised breast structures are physically removed, the body does not rebuild a complete mammary gland. Instead, healing occurs through tissue repair and scar formation.
Distinguishing residual tissue from “regrowth”
Patients or observers may notice changes in the chest area after surgery, sometimes leading to misconceptions about tissue regeneration.
Skin- and nipple-sparing procedures
Modern breast surgery may preserve the outer skin envelope or, in selected cases, the nipple-areola complex. Small amounts of breast tissue may remain depending on the surgical technique. Any changes in remaining tissue due to hormonal fluctuations represent residual tissue responding to the body, rather than the regrowth of a completely removed breast.
Adipose accumulation
Weight gain after surgery can increase the amount of subcutaneous fat across the chest wall. However, this is part of general body fat distribution and does not represent the regeneration of a mammary gland.
Modern reconstructive pathways
Because a completely removed breast does not naturally regenerate, modern medicine offers reconstructive options aimed at restoring physical symmetry, contour and body image.
The two main approaches are implant-based reconstruction and autologous, or tissue-based, reconstruction.
Implant-based reconstruction
Implant-based reconstruction uses synthetic medical devices, typically filled with silicone gel or saline, to rebuild the breast mound following a mastectomy.
The two-stage process: This approach may begin with the placement of a temporary tissue expander to gradually create space and stretch the surrounding tissues. A later procedure may then be performed to place a permanent implant.
Recovery profile: Implant-based reconstruction generally involves a shorter initial surgery and recovery period compared with procedures that require tissue to be harvested from another part of the body.
Long-term considerations: Breast implants are not lifetime devices and require ongoing medical monitoring. Some patients may need additional procedures over time because of complications or changes in the implant or surrounding tissue.
Autologous or tissue-based reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own living tissue to create a new breast mound. Tissue may be transferred from another part of the body, commonly the lower abdomen, using procedures such as a DIEP flap.
Natural look and feel: Because the reconstruction uses living tissue, it can provide a natural warmth, texture and softness. The tissue may also change with the patient’s body weight over time.
Long-term durability: Once healing is complete, autologous reconstruction can provide a long-lasting result without the need to replace an implant. However, some patients may still require further procedures.
Complex surgery: This option usually involves a longer operation and recovery period. In microsurgical procedures, surgeons may need to reconnect tiny blood vessels to establish blood flow to the transferred tissue.
Direct comparison
When choosing between these two reconstructive pathways, patients and their surgical teams must consider several physical, medical and lifestyle factors.
Surgical burden: Implant surgery is generally less invasive, while flap reconstruction involves surgery at both the chest and the donor site.
Foreign material versus native tissue: Implants involve the use of a medical device, while autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue.
Recovery: The recovery timelines and rehabilitation requirements differ significantly between the two procedures.
Recovery and physical rehabilitation
Recovering from breast reconstruction requires patience, careful pacing and, in some cases, structured physical rehabilitation.
Because implant-based and autologous tissue-flap procedures involve different surgical techniques, their healing timelines and physical therapy milestones can vary considerably.
Understanding these differences is important for patients considering reconstruction, as the choice involves more than restoring physical appearance. It also requires careful consideration of recovery, long-term monitoring, lifestyle and individual medical needs.
Part 2 will examine recovery timelines, physical therapy milestones and other factors patients should consider when choosing between reconstructive options.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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