Features
Cholera outbreak
Last Sunday as the MC was announcing the programme outline for the service, she mentioned that a medical doctor from a health facility nearby was going to give us a brief presentation.
At the tail end of the service, the doctor was introduced and she started by saying that there is currently a cholera outbreak and so the Ministry of Health has decided to announce it to the public and to educate people regarding preventive measures and also what to do if one suspects she or he has cholera.
I had already heard from the news the outbreak at various parts of the country and so it was no news to me. What engaged my attention however, was the fact that cholera which should not be mentioned among us now has become an issue. I thought it had been dealt with a long time ago but apparently it is still around, all because of our inability to deal with insanitary conditions around our dwellings, shops, market stalls etc. as well as deliberate and senseless dumping of garbage in drains.
The neglect to improve sanitation in our communities is what has triggered karma against us. We cannot treat our environment with careless abandon and expect to live healthy lives.
Cholera according to medical people, is caused by a bacterium known as Vibrio Cholera which is transmitted through contaminated food or water. This bacterium is usually found in faecal matter and therefore one of the main human activities that contributes to this cholera outbreak is open defecation.
When a fly moves from dirt containing faeces and settles on any food item, the item gets contaminated and anyone who consumes the food, is at risk of getting cholera.
Therefore anytime someone goes to defecate in an open space, note that he or she is creating the necessary conditions for cholera outbreak. If you engage in defecation in the open, i.e. near a rubbish heap, beach, near bushes surrounding uncompleted properties etc., please note that you are a potential murderer.
Wrong behaviour of open defecation can result in someone getting infected with cholera and dying as a result hence making people who engage in such acts potential murderers.
Personal responsibility is another aspect of this whole cholera issue that has to be looked at. Just like in the days of COVID-19, personal hygiene practices like washing of our hands under running water, sanitising our hands after getting off a public transport, sanitising our hands after coming out of an office where the door knob was handled etc. must be part of our daily lives.
It is like nature is waging a war against humanity for the harm we have inflicted on it over the years.
The coastal communities are the group with the greatest risk of infection due to open defecation that is rampant. The doctor who gave the presentation in our church, which is in one of the coastal communities in Accra, mentioned that there had been 14 reported cases at her polyclinic.
Given the lack of beds in our health facilities, this outbreak is going to put a huge strain on our already constrained health facilities in terms of resources. The community leaders have a herculean task at effecting change of attitude among their subjects or members of their community.
A very concerted effort needs to be made at educating members of such communities to ensure that they abandon this negative behaviour that negatively impacts their own health.
The education should start from the schools, from the kindergartens, through the lower primary and upwards. Enforcement of local laws must be prioritised to deter recalcitrant members in our society so we can effectively prevent cholera outbreaks
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
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
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