Features
Ghana needs rebirth
I have always been fascinated by the idea of the being ‘BORN AGAIN’ philosophy or the underlying principle or creed of the Christian faith as espoused in the book of the Apostle John, Chapter 3: 1-6 on the ‘New Birth’.
It is written that “now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (member of the Sanhedrin) among the Jews, who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi (Teacher), we know (without any doubt) that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonders, these attesting miracles) that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again (reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified), he cannot (ever) see and experience the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, and unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot (ever) enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh (the physical is merely physical), and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
As a layman in spiritual things, I will only consider what I find fascinating about the whole philosophy of ‘REBIRTH’ or ‘NEW BIRTH’ as it does not connote a new or second physical birth; but more of a ‘rebirth of the soul or spirit; a renewed existence,activity or growth; a renaissance or renascence; revival; renewal; reawakening; resurgence; revitalisation; resurrection; regeneration; rejuvenation; restoration; reincarnation; metempsychosis; or ‘new beginning’.
As we approach three decades of Fourth Republican experimentation or journey of life as a nation and as a people since 1993, I am left in doubt that, the time has come for us all to step back and have an INTROSPECTION of how we want to live the next 30 years of our lives or what legacies, we would wish to bequeath our children and children’s children.
This is exactly why we need to consider the story of Nicodemus at this point in time, considering what we witnessed in our Parliament few days ago.
For someone, who believes in the whole idea of DESTINIES as being an integral part of our DNA, that which carries the genetic information necessary for the organisation and functioning of most living cells and controls the inheritance of characteristics, I believe it is not for nothing that we had a HUNG PARLIAMENT in the 2020 General Election. It is for the same reason that the events of Friday, 26th November, 2021, was necessary for us to pause and consider the issue of REBIRTH, otherwise posterity will judge our generation badly because we did not take the necessary steps for a renewal, revival, reawakening or renaissance of that which gave us the Fourth Republic.
And, it is not about one of the legacies of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
We will recall that, in pursuance of the Consultative Assembly Law 1991 (PNDC Law 253) after several agitations for return to constitutional rule, the Provisional National Defence Council set up a Consultative Assembly to prepare a draft Constitution for the administration of Ghana.
Consequently, the Consultative Assembly submitted the draft Constitution for the Republic of Ghana to the P.N.D.C. on 31st March, 1992.
The said draft Constitution was submitted to a National Referendum held throughout Ghana on 28th day of April, 1992, the draft Constitution was approved by the people of Ghana as the Constitution for the administration of Ghana and in pursuance of the PNDC Law, 1991 (PNDC 253) the Constitution came into force on the 7th day of January, 1993 with the election and swearing-in of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings as the first President and Head of State of the 4th Republic.
I believe until Prof. John Evans Atta Mills (God bless and rest his soul) assumed office as the third President of the 4th Republic, after the tenure of John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor, there had been lingering thoughts and murmurings for the need to tweak the 4th Republican Constitution a bit.
Maybe, Prof. J. E. A. Mills saw what we are seeing now, the compulsive need for a certain REBIRTH of this nation, starting with a review of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. He, on assumption of office in January, 2009, invoked the powers conferred on him by Article 278 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana to establish a Commission of Enquiry into any matter of public interest. The President set up a Commission of Enquiry to review the operations of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.
My interest in the historic antecedent is not whether we need to revisit the Report of the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) with its accompanying WHITE PAPER but to take us all to other occurrences in the country, agitations upon agitations for all kinds of matters; issues of Galamsey and its dire consequences on our environment and our future; issues of armed robberies; the issue of first time in the history of the 4th Republican dispensation a Budget of a Government is ‘rejected’(forget the reverse mirroring antecedent that the Finance Minister’s father once engineered the rejection of Amon Nikoi’s Budget statement years back and for which the latter resigned)for whatever reason (s); issues of ‘unfair’ or unequitable distribution of the national cake, issues of ethics and values; issues of who we are as ‘GHANAIANS’; issues of such petty things as we take for granted years past yet now are big matters leading to offensive, derogatory, demeaning and belittling language on the airwaves; issues of what impact all these matters are having on our children; issues of ‘WHAT IS THE TRUTH’ now as against ‘LIES BEING FORCED DOWN OUR THROATS’everywhere as the new truth in all spheres of our national lives, including the church – where did we get it so wrong as a people and as a nation?
As we approach the 30th anniversary of the 4th Republican dispensation, I want to be like Nicodemus and ask: “HOW CAN GHANA BE BORN AGAIN?”How can we make the effort at changing the narrative, which seems to be staring us in the face as if to ask: CAN’T WE LEARN ANYTHING FROM OUR PAST MISTAKES?
As we start the countdown to SATURDAY, 7th JANUARY, 2023, to celebrate THREE DECADES OF THIS DISPENSATION, my prayers include the fact that for once we would not organise and host a PARTISAN NATIONAL AWARDS NIGHT – where the organisers award themselves and their family members only with the medallions; that we would set up a bi-partisan REVIEW COMMITTEE to assess the work done by Prof. J. E. A. Mills’ CRC with its White Paper for a proposed referendum by June 2022 so that we could begin the REBIRTH of our country, where our children will now be taught and would in turn inculcate the NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PLEDGE into their daily lives as ‘PROUD GHANAIANS’; and where this reawakening will give birth to the ‘NEW GHANAIAN’ as Nicodemus was taught by Jesus Christ.
- The author is a Land Economist & Appraiser,
Events Architect & Planner and Sport Business Consultant
By Magnus Naabe Rex Danquah
Features
The global challenge of medical malpractice
Introduction
Medical malpractice is a significant concern worldwide, with far-reaching consequences for patients, healthcare providers, and the overall healthcare system.
It is defined as a deviation from the standard of care that results in patient harm, and can take many forms, including misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and inadequate patient care.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the issues surrounding medical malpractice, its consequences, and potential solutions.
The prevalence of
medical malpractice.
Medical malpractice is a widespread problem that affects patients in many countries. According to a study published in the Journal of Patient Safety, medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States, resulting in an estimated 251,000 deaths per year. Similarly, a study published in the British Medical Journal found that medical errors are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK.
Types of medical
malpractice
Medical malpractice can take many forms, including:
1. Misdiagnosis: Failure to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment.
2. Surgical errors: Mistakes made during surgery, such as operating on the wrong body part or leaving instruments inside a patient.
3. Medication errors: Prescribing or administering the wrong medication, dose, or route of administration.
4. Inadequate patient care: Failure to provide adequate care, including neglecting to monitor patients, provide necessary treatment, or respond to patient concerns.
Consequences of medical malpractice:
Medical malpractice can have severe consequences for patients, including:
1. Physical harm: Patients may experience pain, suffering, and long-term health consequences.
2. Emotional trauma: Patients and their families may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
3. Financial burden: Patients may incur significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.
Solutions to medical malpractice:
To address the issue of medical malpractice, many countries have implemented reforms aimed at reducing the number of claims and improving patient safety. Some potential solutions include:
1. Tort reform: Limiting the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases.
2. Alternative dispute resolution: Using mediation or arbitration to resolve disputes outside of court.
3. Communication and Resolution Programs (CRPs): Encouraging open communication between healthcare providers and patients, and providing fair compensation for injuries.
Conclusion
Medical malpractice is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address.
By understanding the prevalence, types, and consequences of medical malpractice, we can work towards creating a safer and more compassionate healthcare system.
Potential solutions, such as tort reform, alternative dispute resolution, and CRPs, offer promising approaches to reducing medical malpractice claims and improving patient safety.
References:
[1] Makary, M. A., & Daniel, M. (2016). Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ, 353, i2139.
[2] Vincent, C., Neale, G., & Woloshynowych, M. (2001). Adverse events in British hospitals: preliminary retrospective record review. BMJ, 322(7285), 517-519.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
Features
Life is like a quiz competition
I watched a quiz show on TV last Sunday, between two schools, Okuapeman and I think University Practice. After the first round, University Practice was leading with about 30 points and Okuapeman had nothing.
Then comes the second round of the intended four rounds of competition and at the end of the round, surprise, surprise, Okuapeman had 60 points and University Practice had either zero or 10.
In the final analysis, Okuapeman won the competition with 95 points to University Practice’s 90 or 93 points. Such is life and the mysteries of life, are difficult to fathom.
There are classmates that we thought could not amount to much in life and yet we become pleasantly surprised as time passed, about the vast improvement in their lives.
There were other mates who were obviously destined for the top, based on their academic prowess but became complete failures later on in life.
When I was in the primary school, there was a classmate who most of the time came first in the end of term exams. He was very brilliant and so he going further up the academic ladder through Secondary school, Sixth form and ending up at the University was a forgone conclusion.
However, life’s mystery set in and he ended up as a teacher in a technical school owned by his brother-in-law. He did not amount to much, became an alcoholic and eventually passed away.
The day I heard that he had passed away and his general circumstances, I felt so sad. Such is life and sometimes it is like the quiz competition I witnessed, full of uncertainties.
There was another senior in Middle School, who also was very brilliant. In fact he got a score of 254 out of 300 in the Common Entrance Examination. Many years later, in my early years at the University, I met this guy at the Tarkwa Train Station and got the shock of my life. This guy was wearing a dirty, loosely fitting singlet and his state was pitiful.
Naturally after expressing pleasantries, I asked him what he was doing in Tarkwa after telling him that I was a student at the university. He then narrated how he was dismissed from the most prestigious Secondary School in the Kwahu area after some smoking and going out without exeat issue.
He further indicated that as a result, he was then hustling and doing Galamsey to make ends meet. I would have had a hard time believing that he was doing Galamsey and not working in a reputable organisation or institution if it was told me by someone. Indeed life can sometimes be like a quiz competition, if God is not involved.
Since we are not God and therefore do not have knowledge of what the future holds, we need to treat people who come across our paths well because you never know.
When I went for the funeral of one of my aunties, on my father side, with my SUV many years ago, a lot of my relatives were surprised because they never imagined that.
When it comes to say wealth, it has nothing to do with one’s academic qualifications. We have some of the wealthiest people who were school dropouts and so we need to be careful how we treat people, because life is like a quiz competition and you never know until the competition comes to an end.
I have seen someone who was not that nice looking, the nose being flat and all, and then 12 years later, such a huge natural transformation; so never write anybody off, because life is like a quiz competition. God bless.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
