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Construction crew or demolition squad? Part 2
In part one of this article, I recalled the days of yore when Ghanaian pupils in the elementary school studied civics. For the benefit of those who had no idea about the subject, I explained that the course was all about responsibilities and obligations of the citizens of a country, usually categorised into the good and the bad, depending on their behaviour. Then, I inferred that the whole concept boiled down to the idea of the Construction Crew and the Demolition Squad. Beginning with the government, the article dealt with the various instances of injustice that most Ghanaians, especially the rural folk, are made to endure perennially by government after government. I paraphrased George Orwell’s satirical novel – Animal Farm – juxtaposed it with the situation in Ghana and submitted that after independence our motto, Freedom and Justice seems like a mirage. It is still my contention that justice has taken a back seat and the motto has remained, at best, a mere rhetoric. I continue from where I left off.
In the previous article, I asked three questions and I repeat them. Does Animal Farm ring a bell in Africa? Does it sound familiar in Ghana? Do you see those who have now put on airs?
Just a casual glance around the corridors of the Ghanaian society is enough to reveal that themes of Animal Farm continue to reverberate in every aspect of our body politic. Where is the justice when scholarships meant for poor and brilliant students somehow find their way to children of the rich who can afford everything without sweat? I am not talking about free senior high school.
It is on record that the Scholarship Secretariat has now decentralised its operations, initially, to the regional level in the 2018/2019 academic year, and then all the way down to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District levels in the 2019/2020 academic year. Good enough, at least, on paper!
According to the Secretariat, this has led to “significant strides or achievement in the increase of scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students pursuing higher education in the local tertiary institutions, both public and private. More than thirty thousand (30,000) Ghanaian students in the locally accredited tertiary institutions benefitted from the scheme in the 2019/2020 academic year.”
Now, the question is: How many of those 30,000 scholarships were given to applicants under the categories of Merit Awards, Hardship Awards (that is, for needy but brilliant students), and the Presidential Independence Day Awards? And how many qualified from the districts? Are they not the children of rich politicians and other affluent people in the cities – those with connections – who still benefitted despite the noise about decentralisation?
If the process were transparent, the records would be readily available and easily accessible at the District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies for all to find. By the way, how many farmers in the villages have even been notified by their respective assemblies that they can access scholarships for their needy but brilliant children who qualify for such grants? Transparency, indeed!
Where is the justice when the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer? Is it not criminal that the poverty-stricken masses are saddled with loads of care in the form of high transportation cost, utility bills and other encumbrances while those who can virtually afford everything get them free of charge? Do not tell me they are the perks that accompany certain positions. The truth is these benefits are just an icing on the cake, yet majority of the citizens do not have any cake to eat at all. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, and rightly so, that “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
After cajoling the longsuffering masses to vote you into office, whether as Assembly Members, Union Leaders, Members of Parliament, or having been appointed Ministers, do you now behave like Napoleon the pig, (Animal Farm) and think only of your welfare and that of your family?
Are you accessible to your constituents? Can they reach you on your phone? No! And they can neither come to your house because the preventive duty of your trained, wild dog is well defined and noticeably advertised. Under the guise of deterring criminals from attempting any mischief against your property, you have conspicuously hung the sign: “Beware of wild dogs.” In reality, however, it is a coded message directed at perceived intruders from your constituency. The sign echoes an implicit message loudly: “Do not dare to approach this house; you are not welcome here.” How will anyone venture a visit under such circumstance?
These patient citizens live in resource-filled parts of the country yet do not have potable water in this day and age. Their school buildings are dilapidated and at the mercy of the elements. While their gas, oil, gold, bauxite, and other resources are extracted for the collective good of the country, they, as the custodians of these assets, have little or nothing to show for their potential prosperity all these years.
Maybe, the right person is nominated for the position of M.C.E. or D.C.E. to help administer and, hopefully, transform the various constituencies.But as an assembly man or woman, you see the confirmation process as an opportunity to dig gold. You, therefore, insist on a token, a euphemism for bribe, else you would not vote to approve the nominee. Meanwhile, your constituents put you up there to help them get their fair share of the national cake. Where do you belong, the “Construction Crew” or the “Demolition Squad?” What happened to your civics lessons?
Dear Civil Servant, thank you for all the hard work you put in despite the paltry salary. But I have a problem with those who pretend that somebody’s file is missing only for them to dramatically recover it from the “sinkhole” into which it dropped.
“Eureka! I have found it,” he would exclaim, just after his palms are not only greased, but lubricated well. Otherwise, not even the most powerful laser – Light Amplification by Simulated Emission of Radiation – can track and retrieve the missing document needed urgently to transact legitimate business for the mutual benefit of the client and the nation. This is the modus operandi of the “Demolition Squad.” No nation can develop with this attitude.
Sadly, this brazen exploitation has become so systemic that it has degenerated into a contagion of epidemic proportions permeating every fibre of the Ghanaian society. Just apply for a passport or try to register a company at the Registrar-General’s Department. You may also attempt to obtain a driver’s licence. You would not only understand what I am saying but you would also be amazed at the scope of rottenness prevailing in the system.
Issuance of passports was decentralised decades ago to enable Ghanaians to access travel documents easily, affordably, and speedily. But what was meant to be a division of labour to boost productivity, has evolved into the decentralisation of corruption. In the past only those in Accra had the chance to indulge in the practice. Now, it is “EGLE” – Every Ghanaian Living Everywhere. Did you know that once upon a time there was a political party by that name? Ei! Ghana! Trailblazers in everything!
Anyway, at the various passport offices spread over the country, they have rates of bribe that applicants must pay before they secure their passports, depending on how badly they need them. The faster you want it, the more you pay. Now that new regions have been created, I would not be surprised if people have started lobbying to be sent there. And why not? After all, the fastest and easiest means to make it in Ghana is ready for grabs.
Mr. Immigration Officer and Matthew, (a customs officer who became Jesus’s disciple), why did you enter these service institutions, to join the Construction Crew or the Demolition Squad? Why do you insist that your pot must be sweetened before you do what you are paid to do? It is no longer a gift if you demand it. It becomes a bribe. Plain and simple! Matthew repented and became, not just a disciple but one of the twelve apostles. Over to you!
A stitch in time saves nine!
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
BY TONY PREMPEH
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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