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Ghana, best investment destination in Africa

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• Airport City in Accra

All over the world, investors are competing with one another to set up businesses to promote their interests.

Such businesses are good because they offer employment to various people. Apart from that the goods and services produced help to improve upon the welfare of people.

It is, therefore, necessary that investments are attracted into certain places. For this reason all countries try to attract investors into their fold.

ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES

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It is, therefore, well known that countries around the world are going through serious economic difficulties.

Difficulties prevail everywhere in the world but much depends on the managers of the economy. It is in the light of this that sound economic management is needed to address all challenges facing a country.

Without such sound economic management, it will be difficult for any country to make it to  the top in the world. This is a great challenge facing all  countries and government.

INVESTMENT DESTINATION

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It is not an easy task to see Ghana as the best investment destination in Africa. What this means is that all investors, be they individuals or corporate bodies, can come in to the country for investment purposes.

The truth of the matter is that the country is transparent in its management of national affairs in all sectors of the economy. This builds confidence in the investment climate, by encouraging prospective investors and attracting investors into the country.

COURT SYSTEM

The court system is also working and any investors can be protected under the laws of the country.

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Apart from rule of law, there is freedom of expression and investors are always free to go about their duties without fear or favour provided the laws of the country are obeyed.

It is equally important to note that the economy has recovered from the COVID-19 Pandemic and is doing reasonably well. Indications are that within a short time, the economy will be on a great sound footing in future. Business enties are making profit as expected.

INVESTORS

Many investors are already in the country and doing well in their respective areas of operation. This is what Ghana today has become and that is why many investors are coming into the country from various parts of the world.

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In addition to all this, Ghanaians are also friendly by nature and will be prepared to assist all foreign investors to go about their duties with ease.

There is total peace in the country and this is encouraging all business men and women to go about their duties and operations without much difficulty. This peaceful and conducive atmosphere ought to be maintained at all times.

CHALLENGES

There are, however, a few things that ought to be improved upon to make things better. In the first place we need to tighten the security system in the country. If the security system is improved upon, the people will embrace it with great interest. Also, the issue of traffic congestion will have to be addressed. This will facilitate smooth and easy movement of person and goods from place to place.

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There is no doubt that there are a few challenges facing the nation but the government is working hard to address these challenges or problems facing the country. Conditions in the country are good and satisfactory and that explains why Ghana is now perceived as the best investment destination in the whole Africa.

We need to keep this enviable record for our present and future generations and work hard to improve the situation and  make Ghana one of the most investment destinations in the whole world. This is achievable so we need to work hard towards it.

Contact email/ahatsApp of author:

Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)

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BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH BEDIAKO

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Moral, spiritual responsibility (Final part)

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ALL these forms of responsibility are sustained by one central pillar: spiritual and moral discipline. Without it, knowledge becomes pride, power becomes oppression, and freedom becomes chaos.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6114)

This control taqwā is the root of responsibility. Imam Al-Ghazali (1105) in Ihya Ulum al-Din wrote that the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) is the foundation of all reform. A responsible man disciplines his desires, guards his words, and acts with sincerity, even when no one is watching.

We live in an era of temptation — social media, materialism, and moral relativism challenge our values. But men of faith must rise above these influences and remember that Allah is Al-Raqīb — the Ever-Watchful. Spiritual accountability anchors moral behaviour.

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8. Emotional and psychological responsibility
Responsibility also includes taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being. Many men suffer silently under the burden of expectation — believing that showing emotion is weakness.

Yet, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم shed tears, expressed compassion, and sought counsel.

Psychologist Aaron Beck (1976) in Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders emphasised that emotional maturity begins with self-awareness, recognising one’s feelings, and managing them constructively.

Group counselling sessions like this are essential; they help men share, heal, and grow together. No man should walk alone; strength is not isolation, but the courage to seek support. Let us normalise counselling, mentorship, and brotherhood among men. For in unity, we find healing; in shared wisdom, we find growth.

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9. The five questions of accountability

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about five things:

  1. His life — how he lived it;
  2. His youth — how he used it;
  3. His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it;
  4. His knowledge — how he acted upon it.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2416; also reported in al-Darimi)

This hadith captures the essence of personal accountability — the cornerstone of responsibility in Islam. It reminds every believer that every blessing carries a duty, and every stage of life demands conscious action.

Let’s break it down:

  1. “His life — how he lived it”
    Life is a divine trust (amānah). A responsible man lives with purpose, not pleasure as his goal. He invests his time in doing good, serving others, and seeking Allah’s pleasure.
  2. “His youth — how he used it”
    Youth is the most energetic and creative phase — and thus the most accountable. As Ibn al-Qayyim noted in Madarij al-Salikin, “The strength of youth is a blessing, and blessings invite responsibility.” Men must use their youth to build character, gain knowledge, and resist destructive habits.
  3. “His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it”
    Financial integrity is a key part of manhood. Islam demands transparency, fairness, and generosity. The Qur’an warns against wastefulness: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Qur’an 17:27) A responsible man earns lawfully, gives in charity, and spends wisely.
  4. “His knowledge — how he acted upon it”
    Knowledge is meaningless if not practiced. Imam Al-Ghazali wrote that knowledge without action is a burden, not a blessing. A responsible man translates his learning into character, leadership, and service.

This Hadith teaches that responsibility in Islam is total and it covers time, energy, wealth, and knowledge. It’s not only about what we achieve, but how we live, how we give, and how we grow.

10. Summary
Responsibility, therefore, is not a single act but a lifestyle — one that touches every sphere of life:

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  • Educational responsibility empowers us to think and serve.
  • Marital and family responsibility keeps our homes strong.
  • Environmental responsibility safeguards our future.
  • Civic responsibility builds our nation.
  • Moral and spiritual responsibility sustains our integrity.
  • Emotional responsibility maintains our well-being.

A responsible man is thus an educated mind, a loving heart, a disciplined spirit, and a servant leader. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful.

11. Conclusion
My brothers, as we look toward the future, let us remember the divine reminder:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Qur’an 9:71)

Our communities are counting on us — our sisters, mothers, and children look to us for leadership and example. Let us not disappoint them. When we build responsible men today, we build a Ghana that is peaceful, prosperous, and principled.

Let us be men of knowledge and humility, strength and compassion, faith and fairness. And may Allah grant us the wisdom to lead ourselves before we lead others. Āmīn.

Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katmanso Municipal Chief Imam, governance expert and certified counselor.

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By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai

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Ghanaian/African migrants in Finland, mental health

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Today, I focus on Ghanaian/African migrants in Finland and their mental health. Mental health is an important subject and a huge problem in the world.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), brain health is the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural and motor domains, allowing a person to realise their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders.

Studies have shown that maternal and paternal distress are associated with reduced linear growth of their children. I recently participated in a seminar on mental health among (African) migrants in Finland. We all wondered about the prevalence or incidence of mental illness among migrants in Finland. It will be interesting to know the statistics about mental illness among migrants in Finland.

Mental health in Finland
In Finland, studies have examined how behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress. A correlation is shown between parent and infant psychotherapy on maternal mental health and psychological functioning and children’s welfare.

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There are also research and other reports of social child welfare interventions where at times children are even taken away (child removals) from the parent or parents for safe keeping.

Experts say it is important how parents plan their leaves in order to renew or rebuild their mental strength to be able to take good care of their kids.

Anyway, studies are limited about parent-child psychological distress and situations where children are taken away from their parents among minorities, such as African migrants. It will be interesting to know the figures and other aspects of mental health issues among the migrant group(s) in Finland.

Health and migrant vulnerability
Health experts point out that migrant communities can be highly vulnerable to diseases, especially certain infectious diseases. Experts say those who came to Finland as refugees or asylum seekers and their family members are often in a more vulnerable position in terms of their health (see www.thl.fi).

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Research and media reports have shown in many countries that there are structural or societal/cultural factors that result in quite high rates of infection or ill-health among migrants, when compared to the majority population.

It is suggested that for example language barrier, lack of information, the nature of the work of migrants in professions where working from home is not possible (for example during the Covid-19 pandemic), not accessing healthcare, etc. can present some of the factors for migrants’ vulnerability to diseases and infections.

Childhood disadvantage
Information about the issue. Such a situation was much evidenced to reduce stress and anxiety during the coronavirus situation.

Thus, these associations and institutions become networks that create an important social capital as well as outlets for sharing and gaining information or knowledge.

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Finland is committed to the integration of migrants into the Finnish society, as I keep pointing out. A number of research studies from surveys and other in-depth enquiries have shown a trend of increasing efforts to integrate African and other migrants into the Finnish society.

As the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has pointed out, health and wellbeing are an important part of integration of immigrants in Finland (see www.thl.fi).

There have been studies on whether behavioural risk factors mediate the effects of childhood disadvantage on adult psychological distress and child welfare intervention by social services. Unhealthy behaviours and their associations with subsequent sickness among Finnish young and early midlife employees have been studied.

When it comes to this subject and/or the effect of adult psychological distress on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in Finland, there is limited knowledge.

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We should hope for more information to augment understandings about adult psychological distress and effect on children’s wellbeing among African migrants in order to inform policy directions.

Such studies will help to create awareness among migrants in Finland about their mental health, its effect on them and their children’s wellbeing, as well as where to seek therapy.

Migrant associations, social networks, and information
Migrants associations are already doing much to help in education on mental health and have become important points for securing. Public agencies, migrant associations and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Finland have been publishing information to help educate people about their health and wellbeing.

Generally, migrant associations formally create awareness among their members and other migrants usually in collaboration with some Finnish institutions, and are thus an important tool for several migrants to be positively active and to get their interests and claims heard.

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As I wrote previously, the role of migrant associations acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!

perpetual.crentsil@yahoo.com

By Perpetual Crentsil

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