Features
Ghana-Seychelles relations: ‘Windfall’ for Ghanaian teachers?
‘Luck’ seems to be the ‘aroma’ clothing the persona of Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Seychelles, when he recently presented his letters of credence to the President of his host country in Victoria.
Just at the presentation of his letters of credence, Ghana’s new High Commissioner to Seychelles, Mr Charles Asuako Owiredu, ‘instantly’ opened ‘doors’ and ‘windows’ for some Ghanaian professional teachers to be legally employed in the Republic of Seychelles.
Reportedly, the Government of the Republic of Seychelles is urgently seeking to sign an agreement with the Government of Ghana to help shape the educational system of Seychelles.
The request for Ghanaian teachers was made by the President of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, through the Ghana High Commissioner to the island country, Mr Owiredu.
Presenting his letters of credence to President Ramkalawan in Victoria, capital of Seychelles, the Seychelloi President reportedly said, “to enhance the standards of our educational system, we will plead with Ghana to allocate a sizeable number of Ghanaian professional teachers to our country.
“If the agreement is actualised, we strongly believe that the Ghanaian teachers will share their rich experiences with their counterparts in Seychelles, so as to help improve our educational system.”
Reportedly, High Commissioner Owiredu assured President Ramkalawan that he would confer with his home Government to ensure the realisation of his intent.
Dr Yaw Adutwum, Minister of Education is reported to have said in Accra that the Government of the United Kingdom has also expressed interest in engaging qualified professional Ghanaian teachers “to help build the education system in the United Kingdom.”
“With the actualisation of the ‘teaching’ agreement, it is the expectation that between 300 and 500 teachers will be exported from Ghana to Seychelles,” an elated teacher who is praying to be part of the first batch to leave the country for Seychelles has said.
According to him, “apart from being an avenue to broaden the teachers’ horizon internationally, my expectation is that, salary-wise, those who would be selected will be given a standardised and acceptable conditions of service to enable them to give of their best.”
Mr Cephas Inkoom, a pensioner, also says:”If similar agreements could be brokered by some of our missions abroad, it could go a long way in addressing our nation’s unemployment headaches.
“That way, we will not ‘encounter’ Unemployed Graduates Associations in our country.”
Experts say the first function of diplomacy involves representing a state’s interests and conducting negotiations or discussions designed to identify common interests as well as areas of disagreements between the parties, for the purpose of achieving the state’s goals and avoiding conflicts.
The second function of diplomacy involves the gathering of information and subsequent identification and evaluation of receiving state’s foreign policy goals.
According to the experts, the third major function of diplomacy is expansion of political, economic and cultural ties between two countries.
And the fourth function of diplomacy relates to using it as an enforcing vehicle to facilitate the observation of international laws.
Indeed, examining the functions of diplomacy, this column appreciates the diplomatic relations between Ghana and Seychelles and commends the efforts of President Ramkalawan and High Commissioner Owiredu in their readiness to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
Seychelles is described as an Island Republic, in the Western Indian Ocean, comprising about 115 islands, with lush tropical vegetation and beautiful beaches.
Its estimated population is 100,000, making it the smallest population of any sovereign African country.
English, French and Seychelloi are the official languages of Seychelles. It became independent and a member of the Commonwealth in 1976.
The main islands are located about 1,000 kilometres northeast of the northern tip of Madagascar and 1,800 kilometres east of Mombasa (Kenya).
The scenery of the islands is described as unbeatable beauty, exotic and tropical; and the beaches are said to be the best in the world.
Readers, let’s cross our fingers and await the outcome of the initial ‘inspiring’ diplomatic discussions between President Ramkalawan and High Commissioner Owiredu.
Contact email/ WhatsApp of the author:
asmahfrankg@gmail.com (0505556179)
By G. Frank Asmah
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
