Features
Palaver versus the tall men
Whenever I change the picture I use for my column, I get responses from readers. Over the years, I’ve been described as an armed robber, a playboy, a pastor, a dancer, a millionaire, a choir-boy, and a poet. My latest picture, which I started using about three weeks ago, has elicited a single response: people say I look like a boxer.
Looking closely, I’m tempted to agree. It makes me wonder if I am in the wrong profession—I should be training for title fights and dislocating jaws in the ring for pay. I remember my last real fight in Secondary Form One. I was skinny, agile, and felt like I was floating “like a butterfly.” I fought a Form Two bully who had harassed me for two terms. Despite his size and wrestling skills, I won by a technical knockout after a clever dodge caused him to punch a stone instead of me.
Today, with my height and weight, I could be a heavyweight contender. My only problem is that I’ve lost my dancing skills in the ring, though my height remains intact.
This brings me to height and the Tall Men’s Club. A member, J.G.K. Mensah, wrote a rejoinder to my article “Palaver of the Tall Men” (November 4). Unfortunately, not all readers got a copy of the paper, so here’s a recap:
One group recently formed is called the Tall Men’s Club, consisting mostly of Dogo Moros. When an executive invited me to join, I asked whether it wasn’t being formed to mock short people. I expressed that such clubs can indirectly embarrass those who are not naturally tall, similar to if women formed a “Beautiful Women’s Club” or a “Handsome Men’s Club.”
History shows that stature doesn’t determine achievement: Hitler, Napoleon Bonaparte, and many others were short yet influential. Definitions of “tall” vary widely by society—5’2” is considered tall in some places, 6’0” short in others. In some regions, extreme height is even considered undesirable.
The rejoinder
Mr Mensah’s reply was long but failed to make a compelling point. He explained the club exists to collectively negotiate more space in commercial vehicles, king-size mattresses, furniture, and coffins. I find this reasoning weak—these are problems individuals can solve without an association. Most tall people adjust to their circumstances, as demonstrated by Mark, a 6’7” copper still at his post without complaints.
Critique
I maintain that the problems of tall men are not so severe as to justify a Tall Men’s Association. If it were a fun club, it would have attracted little attention. Instead, the rejoinder appears as a rationalization of exaggerated claims. If, as Mr Mensah says, girls like tall men, then these men already enjoy social advantages—they don’t need a club to secure more benefits.
What if women also formed a “Beautiful Women’s Club”? Would that not embarrass women who are naturally less attractive?
For now, I leave the debate here and dare Mr Mensah to respond again.
This article was first published on
Saturday November 18, 1995
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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
