Features
Dr Emmanuel Quarshie: Retired dentist and well-respected
Dr Quarshie
Today, I start with Dr Emmanuel Quarshie in my focus on personalities in order to highlight their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
Dr Quarshie is a retired dentist in Finland and a well-respected member/ elder in the Ghanaian community in Finland. He studied dentistry finishing with a doctorate degree in dentistry, which he got in 1979 from the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany and worked at the University Clinic in the department of Kariology and Parodontology.
Dr Quarshie moved to Finland with his family in 1980, and went to the University of Turku to do a three-month course, to be eligible for a license in dentistry and to be able to practise dentistry in Finland.
He also took a course in social medicine at the University of Tampere (Finland). These were mandatory courses before he got the license to practise dentistry until his retirement from the City of Vantaa (Finland) dental health services in 2014.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS A DENTIST
It is only fair to give to readers Dr Quarshie’s accomplishments, as I wrote the last time, as part of the success stories of various personalities of Ghanaian descent in Finland and to highlight their exploits both in the Ghanaian migrant community and in the wider Finnish society.
During his working life, Dr Quarshie was an accomplished dental surgeon. He got a number of awards and honours. At a point, he was the only Black or African dentist in Finland. He felt the pressure on him to perform well in his field in order not to attract any negative criticism, especially from his superiors.
When Dr Quarshie finished his doctorate degree, he initially worked as a dentist assistant in Germany where he met his Finnish wife who was also a medical student. Dr Quarshie excelled in his short time work as assistant dentist after his studies in Germany.
They worked in Germany from 1982 to 1987. Dr Quarshie’s professors were actually impressed with his work output, and he was willing to stay except that in those days in the 1980s, things were simply not easy.
Therefore, after his wife completed her own studies, they moved to Finland (his wife’s country) where Dr Quarshie took two courses in order to secure the license to practise as a dentist. He worked for almost two years in the western part of Finland.
After that, he moved to the south with his family and worked at the Terveyskeskus Health Centre.
In all, Dr Quarshie worked for 28 years in Vantaa and other places in Finland. He worked with many top dentists in Finland and successfully performed complicated dental surgeries.
Dr Quarshie advises people to go for medical and dental check-ups as often as recommended in Finland. “Even if you think you do not feel any pain, you still have to check it and seek attention from the expert”, he says.
LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT
March 2024 will be 11 years since Dr Quarshie retired as a dentist. Initially, he was consulted even immediately after his retirement.
He now lives in Vantaa with his wife. Born in Accra (Otublohum), he moved to Germany to pursue further studies and married his Finnish wife whom he met in Germany. Now in his late 70s, Dr Quarshie devotes most of his time to his two grown-up children, and his grandchildren.
He also engages in farming during the summer periods in order to keep active and have organic farm produce.
ACTIVE IN THE GHANAIAN COMMUNITY
Dr Quarshie has been very active in the Ghanaian community. He is very active in the larger Ghana Union Finland, and has chaired many functions organised by the Union, which is a non-governmental organisation for the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland.
He has also been an active member of the Suomen-Ghana-Seurary (Finnish-Ghana-Friendship Association), another non-governmental organisation for the welfare of Ghanaian migrants in Finland.
Dr Quarshie has been a counsellor and mentor, and has guided many young Ghanaian migrants on their career paths.
By Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetualcrentsil@yahoo.com
In recent years, the term “female rage” has gained significant traction, symbolising a collective shift in how women’s emotions are perceived and addressed.
This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a profound movement rooted in centuries of systemic injustices, personal betrayals, and societal expectations.
As women increasingly reclaim their anger, it is imperative to understand the multifaceted nature of female rage, its causes, and its implications for individuals and society at large.
The historical context of female anger
Historically, women’s emotions have been subject to dismissal, ridicule, and pathologisation. The term “hysteria,” originating from the Greek word for uterus, was used to describe women’s emotional states as irrational and uncontrollable.
This legacy of silencing and shaming has contributed to a culture where women’s anger is often suppressed or stigmatised.
However, with the rise of feminist movements, women are challenging these narratives, asserting their right to express anger and demand change.
The anatomy of female rage
Female rage is not a monolith; it is a complex and multifaceted emotion driven by various factors, including:
1. Societal expectations: The pressure to conform to traditional roles of passivity, politeness, and emotional labour.
2. Gender inequality and pay gaps: Frustration stemming from systemic discrimination in the workplace and beyond.
3. Sexual harassment and abuse: Trauma and anger resulting from pervasive violence and objectification.
4. Emotional labour and burnout: The unsustainable burden of managing emotions and responsibilities in personal and professional spheres.
5. Hormonal fluctuations: The impact of hormonal changes on emotional states, often overlooked or dismissed.
The power of anger: Reclaiming female rage
Far from being a destructive force, female rage can be a catalyst for change. When acknowledged and channelled constructively, anger can drive advocacy, policy reform, and resistance against inequality.
The #MeToo movement, women’s marches, and increased representation in politics are testaments to the power of collective female anger.
Addressing the Stigma: Towards a more inclusive dialogue
To fully harness the potential of female rage, society must address the stigma surrounding women’s anger. This involves:
1. Validation and recognition: Acknowledging women’s emotions as legitimate and worthy of attention.
2. Creating safe spaces: Providing platforms for women to express anger without fear of backlash.
3. Education and awareness: Challenging stereotypes and promoting understanding of women’s experiences.
4. Support systems: Offering resources and support for women dealing with trauma and systemic injustices.
Conclusion
The age of female rage is a moment of profound transformation, where women’s anger is no longer silenced but celebrated as a force for justice.
By understanding the roots of female rage and addressing the societal structures that fuel it, we can move towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
The journey is complex, but the destination-a society where women’s emotions are respected and their voices are heard is worth the struggle.
References:
[1] Chemudupati, P. (2022). _The Rage of Women: A Historical Perspective_.
[2] Traister, R. (2018). _Good and Mad:
By Robert Ekow Grimond-Thompson
Features
From panic to pass: how parents, teachers can help children beat BECE, WASSCE exam phobia- Part 1
Walk through any Junior High or Senior High compound in Ghana as BECE or WASSCE approaches and you will see it.
A bright girl suddenly quiet. A boy who led class debates now sleeping at his desk. A Form three student with stomach pains every Monday morning.
This is not laziness. This is academic stress. When left unaddressed, it hardens into exam phobia-overwhelming dread that pushes children into burnout, avoidance, and sometimes silence.
As a mental health professional who sits with these children and their parents at Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Adenta Oyarifa-Teiman, I see the pattern clearly.
Research confirms it. Putwain and Daly (2014) found that high test anxiety predicts lower grades independent of ability. Zeidner (1998) showed that chronic academic pressure raises cortisol, weakens memory recall, and increases school dropout risk. The brain under fear cannot retrieve what it studied.
Understanding the storm: What academic stress really looks like
Exam phobia is not just “being nervous.” It shows up as headaches before mocks, sudden anger when books are mentioned, night-time insomnia, or perfectionism that ends in blank scripts.
Some children over-study until 2 a.m. and forget everything by 9 a.m. Others avoid books completely, scrolling phones instead. Both are distress signals. Dr Kenneth Ginsburg, a paediatrician specialising in adolescent resilience, notes: “Stress is not the enemy; feeling alone with stress is.” Too many Ghanaian children feel alone with it.
The home front: How parents and couples become safe havens, not extra pressure
The first antidote is at home. Structure beats shouting. Set a predictable study slot-same time, same place, with water and a light snack. Then protect sleep like you protect school fees. A tired brain fails faster than an unprepared one. Use the “15-minute start rule”: “Just sit for 15 minutes. If you still can’t, we close and try after a walk.” Often, starting is the hardest part.
Couples must watch their language. “Don’t disgrace us” plants fear. Replace it with “We see your effort. What part feels hardest today?” Praise process, not only position: “You revised three topics and asked for help—that is maturity.” Research by Dweck (2006) confirms that process praise builds resilience while outcome praise increases anxiety.
For caregivers, check your own anxiety. Children borrow our nervous system. If BECE makes you panic, they will panic. One parent grounds—keeps meals, prayer, and bedtime steady. The other pivots—talks to teachers, adjusts timetables, arranges counselling. Both protect rest. An empty cup cannot pour calm.
Resources
– Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC): Award-winning Clinical Mental Health and Counselling Facility, accredited by the Ghana Psychology Council.
– School-Based Support: Speak to Guidance & Counselling units, or licensed school counsellors. E.g. Counsellor Blessing Offei – 0559850604 (School Counsellor).
– Contact CPAC for Parent Coaching/Counselling & Student Therapy: 055 985 0604 / 055 142 8486
