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Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 2)
The Bounty and favour of Allah upon mankind
Allah has honoured mankind immensely. He subjugated the heavens and the earth for our benefit. He said: “It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth…”
(Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:29).
“And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth—all from Him…” (Surah Al-Jathiyah, 45:13).
Additionally, Allah gifted man with knowledge, speech, and the capacity for deep reflection:
(He) “Taught man that which he knew not.” (Surah Al-‘Alaq, 96:5).
(He) “Taught him eloquence (speech).” (Surah Ar-Rahman, 55:4).
These gifts of intellect, communication, and innovation have enabled humanity to build civilisations, explore the universe, and manage worldly affairs. Yet, these same gifts can become a source of corruption when not guided by divine values.
Neglecting divine guidance has led to widespread consequences. Instead of using our intellect to preserve and serve creation, mankind has increasingly used it to exploit, pollute, and degrade the environment. Illegal mining (commonly known as galamsey) has destroyed water bodies and farmlands, leaving once fertile lands barren and poisoned with toxic chemicals. Massive deforestation due to illegal tree felling has endangered biodiversity and accelerated climate change.
In urban centres and rural communities alike, many individuals—especially the youth—turn to illicit drugs as a coping mechanism against unemployment, broken homes, injustice, and spiritual void. These actions reflect a deep moral and spiritual crisis. The blessings Allah has granted are being misused, turning opportunities into threats. As Allah reminds us:
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].” (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:41).
Thus, when man abandons the divine compass, he becomes a source of harm to himself, others, and the environment entrusted to him.
Human interdependence and mercy
Allah has decreed diversity in means and status among people to foster interdependence:
“Is it they who apportion the mercy of your Lord? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of this world and have raised some of them above others in degrees so that they may make use of one another for service…” (Surah Az-Zukhruf, 43:32).
This diversity is not to breed arrogance or oppression, but to encourage cooperation and compassion. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught: “Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 2858).
“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 13; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 45).
Islamic teachings emphasise community, mutual respect, and moral uprightness as foundations for a peaceful society.
The Modern Drift: Symptoms of moral erosion
Despite increasing access to religious knowledge and places of worship, the world is witnessing a deepening moral and spiritual crisis. Greed, materialism, corruption, and selfishness have replaced humility, piety, and service to others. The race for power and economic dominance has overtaken the pursuit of virtue and divine pleasure.
Man has made economic success the sole metric of life, neglecting spiritual growth, moral accountability, and ethical behaviour. Families are breaking down, and the dignity of human life is constantly being violated, despite global declarations on human rights. There is a deafening silence about accountability before Allah, replaced by a culture of impunity, where deception and oppression thrive.
One of the most alarming signs of this erosion is the relentless global competition in developing sophisticated weapons of war. Nations are spending billions of dollars on arms rather than investing in peace, health, and education. Recent conflicts such as those in Gaza, Palestine, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Russia, and Ukraine have led to massive destruction and untold human suffering. In Gaza and Palestine, entire neighborhoods have been flattened, hospitals and schools bombed, and basic infrastructure destroyed. The humanitarian toll in Ukraine and parts of the Middle East is equally dire—with thousands killed, millions displaced, and generations of children deprived of education and healthcare.
These conflicts are not just political or territorial—they reflect the spiritual bankruptcy of a world that has forgotten the sanctity of life. As Allah warns: “Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.” (Surah At-Takathur, 102:8).
Pleasure that comes at the expense of justice, peace, and compassion is not pleasure—it is a test. The modern world’s drift from divine guidance is leading to destruction, both spiritual and physical. Humanity must pause and return to the moral compass revealed by Allah
- Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
In a country like ours in which we are aware of our challenges, all that is required is focusing on strengthening our institutional processes by making them more robust and transparent. In this regard, investment in digitilisation must be prioritised since the human element to cut corners is inherent in the psyche of some people and therefore cannot be trusted to do the right things out of their own volition.
Enforcement of existing laws and regulations must be reviewed to see what is working, which ones have to be tweaked to be able to address current challenges, and those that have become obsolete and must be discarded.
One issue that needs to be given priority attention is remuneration. A former President is alleged to declare that we pretend to pay workers and they also pretend to work. This indeed sums up the quandary facing government after government. Workers’ salaries are crucial in the fight against corruption. A realistic living wage must be given to workers; otherwise, they will seek avenues to address their personal budget deficit.
On day one, what should engage the attention of government is Energy, making it available and affordable. The industrialisation agenda cannot be successfully executed without power that is readily available, reliable, and affordable. Solar energy must be factored in the quest for affordable and reliable power for industry.
The fuel sector issues must be urgently addressed so that it can impact positively on the transportation sector, which plays a key role in the supply of goods and services. The railway infrastructure plan linking places like Boankra Inland Port to prolong the lifespan of our roads and to fast track distribution of goods from the Capital City to the inland areas of the country should be a top priority item.
A well-structured system linking industry to academia must be quickly established to serve as a catalyst towards the industrialisation drive. Research findings from the universities must be channelled to captains of industry in a timely manner. Effective channels of communication should be established to facilitate shorter product-to-market times.
An effective mechanism for fishing out needy but talented children must be established, as well as a sponsorship package for talented individuals who are needed for certain critical areas of the economy — what I term critical investment in education.
Certain changes must be made in the constitution, particularly the appointment of the heads of certain constitutional bodies or institutions. This is to ensure that the Executive arm of government does not wield too much power to ensure accountability and checks and balances really work.
The Attorney General’s Office must be detached from the Executive arm of government. The Nolle Prosequi provision must also be amended to compel the Attorney General to give an explanation of why he or she is declining to prosecute a particular case or discontinue it. The provision that protects sitting Presidents from prosecution must also be reviewed.
The punishment for some of our laws needs a review. We must review the removal of CJ provision to ensure the independence of the Judiciary.
Above all, there must be a mindset of change, i.e., a paradigm shift from inability to capability. Inferiority complex must give way to a pacesetters mentality, and all will be well. God bless.
NB: KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
BY LAUD KISSI-MENSAH
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Features
The impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures
Abstract
THIS comprehensive review aims to explore the impact of emotional surgery and emotional elysium on neurological and neurosurgical procedures. We examine the scientific literature on these approaches, including their definitions, theoretical frameworks, and applications. Our analysis highlights the potential benefits and risks of these approaches and discusses their implications for practice.
Introduction
Neurological and neurosurgical procedures are complex and delicate, requiring precision and accuracy to achieve optimal outcomes. Emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of these procedures. Emotional surgery involves the use of art and other creative techniques to promote relaxation and reduce stress, while emotional elysium focuses on cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being.
The Role of Emotional Surgery in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional surgery has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety and stress in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, emotional surgery can help patients prepare for procedures, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
The Role of Emotional Elysium in Neurological and Neurosurgical Procedures
Emotional elysium has been shown to be effective in promoting emotional balance and resilience in patients undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By cultivating positive emotions and promoting emotional well-being, emotional elysium can help patients cope with the stress and trauma associated with these procedures, leading to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life.
Benefits of Emotional Surgery and Emotional Elysium
The benefits of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures are numerous. These approaches can:
- Reduce anxiety and stress: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients manage anxiety and stress, leading to improved outcomes and faster recovery times.
- Improve emotional regulation: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can help patients regulate their emotions, leading to improved mental health and well-being.
- Enhance patient experience: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium can improve the patient experience, leading to increased satisfaction and improved outcomes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emotional surgery and emotional elysium are two innovative approaches that have the potential to enhance the success of neurological and neurosurgical procedures. By reducing anxiety and stress, promoting emotional balance and resilience, and improving patient experience, these approaches can lead to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for patients undergoing these procedures.
Recommendations
- Further research is needed: More research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of emotional surgery and emotional elysium in neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
- Integration into practice: Emotional surgery and emotional elysium should be considered for integration into practice, as they may offer a valuable tool in the treatment of a range of neurological and neurosurgical conditions.
By exploring innovative approaches like emotional surgery and emotional elysium, we can improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing neurological and neurosurgical procedures.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPSON
