Features
Misplaced priority: The bane of Ghana
When I started studying journalism, the very first essay I wrote was titled: Misplaced priority. The English lecturer just gave the students the liberty to choose any topic and write about it.
For some of the students, that freedom meant “anything goes.” So, they took the easy way out and wrote on things that had no bearing on journalism, such as: The food I like best. At that level? Yes! I know it because we were made to exchange scripts and read someone else’s essay.
As I pondered what to write about, my instincts nudged me that the lecturer wanted to test how journalistically inclined the students were, and so the assignment must be about universal issues common to humanity.
So, I reflected on the ills in the society and I was surprised at the degree to which priorities were misplaced by all– students, mothers, fathers, governments, churches, and what-have-you.
At the time of the assignment, President Hophouet Boigny of La Cote d’Ivoire was building a miniature model of Rome’s cathedral, that is, St. Peter’s Basilica in Yamoussoukro while his people had a shortfall in affordable housing as well as other critical needs. I saw it as a misplaced priority.
I observed also that as students got their loans for books and other logistics, the first place they headed for was the cafeteria. What for? You see, hard times had deprived many of them of the ability to drink a bottle of beer or two.
So, when they got the money, it was time to get even; it was time to revenge against the system for “making them unable to enjoy small.” Before they realised it, the one or two bottles had moved into overdrive. The party must go on, and it did with everything in the mix – khebab of all types: guinea fowl, beef, and goat meat at the expense of what the money was meant for. Misplaced priority, indeed!
My reflection also brought to mind the imprudent behaviour of some fathers who tarried long at the bottle daily, enjoying a cocktail of drinks with friends while their children’s fees were in arrears. Their personal enjoyment and comfort seemed to be more important than their children’s education. Misplaced priority!
What about women who, in spite of the dire circumstances of their families, and the need to cut their coat according to their size, insist on a new cloth for every funeral to be abreast of the times? I wondered if that was really necessary while the family budget was always under some form of constraint. I saw that as a misplaced priority.
My attention drifted to contractors and how most of them used their mobilisation fee which at the time, was given to them, to, as it were, mobilise some equipment and logistics for the work to begin in earnest.
Instead, many of them opted to buy the latest Mercedes Benz or BMW to flaunt their opulence around their areas of conquest. How could you hire the necessary equipment for the work? Why not finish the work, get the big bucks, and then do all the somersaulting you desire to do? Misplaced priority!
Before long, I had a long list of examples to write about and concluded that the bane of Africa’s development was misplaced priority. That was several decades ago. And to our big shame, it still is.
Accra and other parts of the country have been flooding from Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s time six decades ago, leading to loss of precious lives and extensive damage to property, and no government deems the problem huge enough to be accorded priority status in our development plan. At best, it is ad hoc measures, and they are not paying off.
One word that Ghana used to describe itself was “unprecedented.” Until Egypt, Nigeria, and Cameroun either overtook us in the trophy haul of the Africa Cup of Nations, or equaled our tally, we prided ourselves as the unprecedented four-time champions. Now, Egypt has way overtaken us and got seven, while Nigeria and Cameroun are at par with us.
We have relinquished the title in football but when it comes to flooding, Ghana now seems to be unprecedented leaders in how to maintain the status quo. This is what I call trailblazing in reverse. The Akans would say, “Adikan bedi akyire” meaning “The first shall be last.”
A country that was seen as the beacon of hope for other African countries, has now been overtaken by novices like Rwanda in terms of implementing development targets.
Last Saturday, May 21 2022, this fact was brought to the fore. The rains descended heavily on Accra and its environs, and as expected, huge swathes of land were flooded once again, a ritual that has become the rule rather than the exception.
Various media outlets corroborated one another’s coverage of the disaster with similar reports that the areas worst affected were Kaneshie Lorry Station precincts, the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange, Adabraka, North Kaneshie, Alajo, Tema, and Kasoa.
Homes were submerged and valuable property destroyed, including documents and computers at the head office of the Lands Commission as well as the State Transport Company
Vehicular traffic was impeded by the flood at some locations as the overflow gushed through major roads and highways, causing a major gridlock, especially, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, and bringing business to a halt in many places.
In the hardest hit areas, residents had no option but to evacuate their homes to seek refuge on higher ground elsewhere, including homes of friends, relatives, and just anywhere they could find shelter.
Even residents of areas like Adenta, Teshie, Nungua, Madina, and Spintex, which did not flood, had to grapple with currents of the surge from the drains that had brimmed over.
A timely warning by the Ghana Meteorological Agency and the Ghana Police Service served to avoid serious casualties. The public safety tips by the police for people to avoid certain areas proved particularly helpful.
Years back, a female medical officer tragically lost her life along the La Beach-Kpheshie Lagoon Road towards Teshie/Nungua stretch during a similar downpour as she was sadly swept off while driving.
Social media platforms were awash with videos, still pictures of the flood as well as comments about what government is doing about the situation and when Ghanaians will be free from this torment.
The government cannot pretend to be ignorant about how to solve the problem. And everybody knows that people have built unauthorised structures over waterways, preventing the free flow of water when it rains.
And these structures are still springing forth left and right as if there were no regulating authorities to oversee development planning. What are the assemblies doing? What is the central government doing? What is the problem? Is it lack of political will? Definitely! Is it misplaced priority? Of course!
For the sake of political gain, government after government has turned a blind eye to this crime, fearing that they would lose votes if they demolished such unauthorised structures.
Given the inaction of the authorities, the encroachers have concluded, and rightly so, that the government is just a toothless bulldog. It barks on end without ever biting. Consequently, they have been emboldened to continue their trespass with impunity without fear of retribution.
The solution is simple, and the authorities know it. Show some steel. Flex your strong muscle. Use all the arms of government – the Executive, the Judiciary, and the Legislature to do the right thing. And that is, demolish, demolish, demolish!
If the perennial problem of flooding in Ghana, especially in Accra, does not deserve to be accorded priority in our national development agenda, what other problem qualifies for premium attention? If this albatross is not removed from our neck, it will sink us like lead dropping to the bottom of the sea.
The police warning explained that the flood in certain areas was caused by the high level of the Odaw River which is dredged periodically. So, what shall it profit the nation if we dredge the lagoons and desilt the drains without tackling the root causes of the problem?
That is putting the cart before the horse. Unless we do the first things first, all the dredging and desilting would amount to nothing. They would just be an unnecessary dissipation of our scarce resources.
Apart from demolition, the government must ban plastic bags. They are non-biodegradable and are disposed of indiscriminately into drains, on the ground, and just anywhere. When it rains, they choke the drains and cause them to overflow and spill into the streets, leaving in their wake a huge trail of garbage.
Parliament and the assemblies must enact laws that impose heavy sanctions on people who dump garbage anyhow, especially plastics. That would stem the tide initially. Then, draining would work; then the demolitions would finish the job. Stop barking and bite.
Contact: teepeejubilee@yahoo.co.uk
By Tony Prempeh
The driver stopped the vehicle at the gate of the large, fenced property along the Nsawam Highway, and Kakraba stepped out to meet the several workers who had gathered to wait for him.
He greeted them and went straight to the point.
“Gentlemen, I am glad to see that you have almost completed the clearing of the land. I’m happy to report that we have concluded all arrangements with Nana Serebour, and construction of the palace will start in a few days.
“I will need you to go and level the ground, and then come back to start this project. Some workers from a construction company will come and join us.
“My plan is to build twenty houses in four months. Then we will do twenty more until we reach two hundred.
“I am relying on you to help me deliver good-quality work to satisfy our clients and, as I have already indicated to you, I will reward you for your work.”
After an hour’s discussion, he closed the meeting and moved to drive away. Wofa Yaw drew closer.
“Director, can you please spare me five minutes? I would like to discuss a small issue.”
“Why, Wofa Yaw? Your wife has threatened to leave you?”
“No, Director. My wife will never leave me. This concerns a young niece of mine.”
“I hope it’s something I can help with. Please sit in the car and let me hear you.”
“Boss, my niece, Beesiwa, is a polytechnic graduate, very beautiful and with very good character.
“Unfortunately, her parents virtually forced her into a relationship with an idiot based in the US, which affected her badly. She has now recovered from that experience and, Boss, I am respectfully asking if you would find a job for her.
“I promise you that you will never regret it.”
“Well, Wofa Yaw, let me meet her and speak with her. I may be able to help, maybe not in the way you expect, but let me meet her.
“I will not be back here for another week, but I will be at the office throughout next week. You can come with her.”
On Monday morning, Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa were seated at the office by nine o’clock. Three young ladies welcomed them warmly, offered them soft drinks and assured them that Kakraba would be there shortly.
They then returned to their desks and sat behind computers with large screens displaying various building designs.
Kakraba walked in and greeted them warmly. After chatting briefly with the three ladies, he ushered Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa into his office.
“Director, this is my niece, Beesiwa. I mentioned her to you when you came to Nsawam.”
“Yes, indeed. Madam Beesiwa, you are very beautiful, just as your uncle said. Wofa Yaw is my colleague.
“We have just started a building project that will take about three to four years. He mentioned that you have a small problem, so I said I would like to meet you and see how I can help.
“So, Beesiwa, please tell me a little about yourself.”
Beesiwa described her childhood, her school experience, her brief work at the bank and the nasty episode with Sammy Abrokwa, which shattered her peaceful life. She also explained how she had been recovering from the experience.
“I am really sorry to hear this,” Kakraba said. “Now, here is what we are going to do.
“We are a small but very busy company. The three ladies out there spend most of the day on site and come back to report on their work in the morning.
“I have three main projects. The big one is an estate project in Nsawam, where your uncle is one of my main colleagues. I need a personal assistant who can take care of my activities, especially when I am not in town.
“Now, we will have to start with trust. Based on what I know about Wofa Yaw, and based on what you yourself have told me, I think we can start on a sound basis.
“So, Wofa Yaw will take you to my home. You can move into one of the four guest rooms.”
“Sir, I have taken some computer lessons, and I have even done graphics and web design,” Beesiwa said.
“Fantastic! I will give you a good phone and a laptop. I will also arrange computer lessons for you.”
“Now, Wofa Yaw, take her home. My sister, Kuukuwa, will meet you and show you around, and then you can return to Koforidua.
“When would you like to start work?”
“Sir, I would like to start today, but I would need to go and bring my things.”
“No problem. Take a taxi to my house, meet my sister, and let me know what you decide.”
Later that day, Kakraba and the three ladies met with some bank officials to conclude the sale of the three buildings at Adabraka.
They closed at five-thirty and, after rewarding the ladies for their hard work, Kakraba got home just after dark.
He was surprised to find Kuukuwa and Beesiwa sitting at the table enjoying supper.
“What’s happening here?” he asked. “Beesiwa, I thought you would return to Koforidua.”
“She changed her mind,” Kuukuwa said. “We went to the mall and bought a few things for her. Then we came back to cook. She has made some nice changes to your bedroom and cooked a couple of interesting dishes. Sit down; we will serve you.”
“Well, I certainly can’t refuse that. It’s been a busy day.
“So, what’s the plan now? Will Beesiwa go to Koforidua tomorrow, gather her things together and come down?”
“No, I will stay here for a while,” Beesiwa replied. “Kuukuwa bought me the things I need, so I may go back next week. I’m ready to start work. What would you like me to start with?”
“Well, you can come to the office tomorrow morning, meet the three girls and get a feel for what we do.
“Since you are living here, at least for now, we can discuss the plans for the next few weeks.
“Sometimes there are gaps when I travel up north. You can take care of things from now. I think the girls would like having someone like you around.”
By Ekow de Heer
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A frequent question following breast surgery is whether human tissue possesses the regenerative capacity to restore an excised organ.
From a strict physiological standpoint, a completely removed breast cannot regrow. Unlike certain organisms that can regenerate complex limbs or organs, adult human tissues—particularly specialised glandular structures—lack the cellular machinery required to rebuild an entire organ after its total surgical removal.
Instead, the body heals the surgical site through processes such as scar tissue formation and re-epithelialisation rather than complete cellular regeneration.
What a mastectomy actually removes
To understand why natural tissue regeneration does not occur, it is important to examine the surgical scope of a mastectomy.
Depending on the type of procedure and the medical reason for surgery, a mastectomy may involve the removal of:
Glandular architecture: The milk-producing lobules and ducts that form the functional core of the mammary gland.
Adipose tissue: The fatty tissue that contributes to breast volume, projection and contour.
Other breast tissue: The extent of tissue removal varies according to the type of mastectomy and the need to achieve appropriate surgical clearance.
Because specialised breast structures are physically removed, the body does not rebuild a complete mammary gland. Instead, healing occurs through tissue repair and scar formation.
Distinguishing residual tissue from “regrowth”
Patients or observers may notice changes in the chest area after surgery, sometimes leading to misconceptions about tissue regeneration.
Skin- and nipple-sparing procedures
Modern breast surgery may preserve the outer skin envelope or, in selected cases, the nipple-areola complex. Small amounts of breast tissue may remain depending on the surgical technique. Any changes in remaining tissue due to hormonal fluctuations represent residual tissue responding to the body, rather than the regrowth of a completely removed breast.
Adipose accumulation
Weight gain after surgery can increase the amount of subcutaneous fat across the chest wall. However, this is part of general body fat distribution and does not represent the regeneration of a mammary gland.
Modern reconstructive pathways
Because a completely removed breast does not naturally regenerate, modern medicine offers reconstructive options aimed at restoring physical symmetry, contour and body image.
The two main approaches are implant-based reconstruction and autologous, or tissue-based, reconstruction.
Implant-based reconstruction
Implant-based reconstruction uses synthetic medical devices, typically filled with silicone gel or saline, to rebuild the breast mound following a mastectomy.
The two-stage process: This approach may begin with the placement of a temporary tissue expander to gradually create space and stretch the surrounding tissues. A later procedure may then be performed to place a permanent implant.
Recovery profile: Implant-based reconstruction generally involves a shorter initial surgery and recovery period compared with procedures that require tissue to be harvested from another part of the body.
Long-term considerations: Breast implants are not lifetime devices and require ongoing medical monitoring. Some patients may need additional procedures over time because of complications or changes in the implant or surrounding tissue.
Autologous or tissue-based reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own living tissue to create a new breast mound. Tissue may be transferred from another part of the body, commonly the lower abdomen, using procedures such as a DIEP flap.
Natural look and feel: Because the reconstruction uses living tissue, it can provide a natural warmth, texture and softness. The tissue may also change with the patient’s body weight over time.
Long-term durability: Once healing is complete, autologous reconstruction can provide a long-lasting result without the need to replace an implant. However, some patients may still require further procedures.
Complex surgery: This option usually involves a longer operation and recovery period. In microsurgical procedures, surgeons may need to reconnect tiny blood vessels to establish blood flow to the transferred tissue.
Direct comparison
When choosing between these two reconstructive pathways, patients and their surgical teams must consider several physical, medical and lifestyle factors.
Surgical burden: Implant surgery is generally less invasive, while flap reconstruction involves surgery at both the chest and the donor site.
Foreign material versus native tissue: Implants involve the use of a medical device, while autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue.
Recovery: The recovery timelines and rehabilitation requirements differ significantly between the two procedures.
Recovery and physical rehabilitation
Recovering from breast reconstruction requires patience, careful pacing and, in some cases, structured physical rehabilitation.
Because implant-based and autologous tissue-flap procedures involve different surgical techniques, their healing timelines and physical therapy milestones can vary considerably.
Understanding these differences is important for patients considering reconstruction, as the choice involves more than restoring physical appearance. It also requires careful consideration of recovery, long-term monitoring, lifestyle and individual medical needs.
Part 2 will examine recovery timelines, physical therapy milestones and other factors patients should consider when choosing between reconstructive options.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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