Features
Ghanaian migrant women in Finland and distance mothering
Recently, I wrote about how Ghanaian migrants living in Finland generally pursue their wellbeing. I outlined the many ways in which they pursue and enhance their wellbeing.
I have also been thinking about the phenomenon of Ghanaian migrant mothers here in Finland and how they are mothering their children left behind at home in Ghana.
Research indicates that in migration, family structures back in the home country usually provide a unique platform for the fulfilment of mothering responsibilities across international borders.
Strategies and resources
Ghanaian migrant mothers resort to various strategies, including how to financially support themselves and their families, both in Finland and Ghana. That is, they use resources that are available in order to fulfil their parenting responsibilities.
As I wrote some time ago, many Ghanaian migrants in Finland have acquired huge expertise, knowledge and resources (academically, economically, technically or technologically, etc.).
Many of them, like other migrants in Finland, who may have been professionals and highly educated in their original countries find themselves working as cleaners, waitresses and bouncers at restaurants and pubs, considered to be low paid jobs.
Demeaning as this may suggest, they are nevertheless happy to find a source of income in order to survive and be able to send some support to their relatives and to cater for their children in Ghana.
Guardianship and fostering
Usually, Ghanaian migrant mothers who have left their children back home in Ghana may not have to worry much about getting someone to care for the children. This is because of the culture and tendency for kin members to live in households with extended family members.
Guardianship or the fostering of young relatives is very common and shows the sharing of responsibilities and the encompassing nature of families in Ghana. Women (and also men) usually live with and are the guardians of a sister’s or brother’s child with ease, and is often done voluntarily.
Fostering is usually without much difficulty and is based on the con sent of the parents of the child. Ideally, kin members foster children in the larger family, although in some circumstances children from poor homes can be fostered by strangers.
For the Ghanaian migrant mothers in Finland who have children back home in Ghana, there is much at stake. They are actively engaged in supporting their children’s lives back home, such as meeting their needs in education, healthcare, etc.
A major say in children’s lives
Even though the children are lucky to live with relatives in Ghana, their parents abroad, particularly the mothers, have major say in the lives of the children.
I remember some time ago when a lady friend here in Helsinki requested my help to find a place in Winneba for her son who had gained admission to go to the university.
From the discussions we had, I could see she was in total control of affairs of the son. It was not only that she released the funds for the son’s fees and upkeep. She also discussed the major part of the son’s education directly with the young man.
Why children can’t join them
You may ask why mothers leave their children behind instead of taking them along.
A number of reasons have been identified. Research on African migrant mothers in some parts of Europe has shown that some mothers leave their children behind so that the children would receive culturally appropriate education in the home country.
Other mothers have no other option than to leave their children behind because they may not have been able to secure them travel permits.
Struggles and the way forward
The Ghanaian migrant mothers face struggles as they balance work, their own wellbeing and mothering from a distance.
They admit that it can put pressure on them and feelings of guilt and regret for being spatially absent from their children.
All the same, the efforts by the Ghanaian migrant mothers to ensure effective mothering of their children from a distance indicates their ability to ensure their wellbeing as well as good parenting. They are determined to push forward and achieve the best results.
Thank you!
By Perpetual Crentsil
Email: perpetualcrentsil@yahoo.com
Features
The Palestinian martyr-Little Hind Rajab
THE wickedness of some people in our world is gradually getting out of bounds. From local arena to international arena, reports of wicked acts that defies logic, is on the rise.
Russia has attacked Ukraine and as a result, the economies of many countries have been negatively impacted. Residential apartments which have no military purpose. Just sheer wickedness and cruelty.
After this came the Brutal attack on Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. Hospitals were bombed, buildings were razed down and civilians were deliberately targeted which is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention.
The IDF will release pamphlets in the skies informing them to move to certain specified areas. They move there with their families only to be bombed again without warning.
It was one of such movement from one place to another that, the family of a 5 year Palestinian girl called Hind Rajab and her family, travelling in a vehicle, were shot at by an IDF Tank.
This wounded girl managed to call emergency services to come and save them.
The sad thing is that while this brave little girl kept talking to the emergency response person on the phone, telling them that they should come quickly and that she was afraid.
She further told the response team on phone that any time she tries to speak, blood comes into her mouth and it soils her dress and she dies not want her mum to scold her so they should come quickly.
The response team rushed as usual to her location but they were also shot and killed, the driver and his assistant, in a vehicle clearly marked as an ambulance. Ten days later when they got to her location, Hind Rajab and her family were dead and their vehicle was riddled with 335 bullets.
The wickedness with which the IDF waged the war against Hamas, the administrative authority in Gaza, was unbelievable, given the damage to civilians both collateral and in most cases deliberate.
There are reports of some Doctors from the US and other countries, who have described how children they attended to, who were brought in dead, had evidence of sniper bullets.
A report by one of the media platforms, indicated that one of the IDF snipers who died recently, had bragged about shooting children in the abdomen so they will suffer before dying.
What baffles me in all these atrocities, is why Jews who have been saved by a collective action of the world, from Hitler and his Nazis from destruction, infamously known as the Holocaust, is now visiting mayhem on others, namely the Palestinians.
One begins to wonder if Hitler was right after all and that he saw something that the rest of the world did not notice about the Jews. I must admit that it is not all Jews that are racist. It is the Zionist who are the problem with their Talmud which teaches that Jesus is burning in hot feaces.
They deliberately teach their children to hate other people who are not Jews especially the Palestinians. They do not consider the Palestinians as humans and therefore they believe they have the God given right to treat them anyway anyhow.
Hind Rajab’s death has pricked the conscience of the world and countries which used to blindly support Israel, are now putting pressure on them to observe a ceasefire as part of a peace negotiation.
Let the world through the UN show that it does not support barbarism and that the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel, must come to an end.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Features
Angioplasty: A comprehensive overview of the procedure and its applications
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter, a small tube, into the affected artery, followed by the inflation of a balloon to widen the artery. In some cases, a stent, a small mesh tube, may be placed to keep the artery open.
Indications for Angioplasty
Angioplasty is often used to treat conditions such as:
1. Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
2. Peripheral artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs or arms.
3. Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to narrowing or blockage.
The Angioplasty Procedure
The angioplasty procedure typically involves the following steps:
1. Preparation: The patient is given local anesthesia and may be sedated to help them relax.
2. Insertion of the catheter: A small incision is made in the skin, and a catheter is inserted into the affected artery.
3. Guidance: The catheter is guided to the affected area using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or angiography.
4. Inflation of the balloon: The balloon on the catheter is inflated to widen the artery.
5. Stent placement: A stent may be placed to keep the artery open.
6. Removal of the catheter: The catheter is removed, and the incision site is closed.
Benefits of Angioplasty
Angioplasty offers several benefits, including:
1. Improved blood flow: Angioplasty can help improve blood flow to the affected area, reducing symptoms such as chest pain or leg pain.
2. Minimally invasive: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that it requires only a small incision and can reduce recovery time.
3. Reduced risk of complications: Angioplasty can reduce the risk of complications associated with more invasive surgical procedures.
Potential Risks and Complications
While angioplasty is generally a safe procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including:
1. Bleeding or hematoma: Bleeding or bruising at the incision site.
2. Artery damage: Damage to the artery during the procedure.
3. Restenosis: Narrowing or blockage of the artery again after the procedure.
Conclusion
Angioplasty is a highly effective procedure for treating narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. While it carries some risks and complications, the benefits of improved blood flow and reduced symptoms make it a valuable treatment option for many patients.
References:
1. American Heart Association. (2020). Angioplasty and Stenting.
2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020). Angioplasty and Stent Placement.
3. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Angioplasty: What You Need to Know.
4. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2019). Angioplasty and Stenting in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of angioplasty, including its indications, procedure, benefits, and potential risks and complications.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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