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Remember Lot’s wife
Monuments are structures erected to commemorate a person, group, or an event whose memory is deemed significant and worthy of preservation. They come in various forms like statues, war memorials, parks, and historical buildings.
Cape Coast,for example, boasts of several monuments such as the Castle used to hold slaves before they were loaded onto ships and sold in the Americas, especially the Caribbean. The “Gate of No Return” at the Castle through which captured slaves, the virile ones, of course, were herded to waiting vessels,was the last stop for these poor souls before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to be sold. The sad history has turned the Cape Coast Castle into a focal point of Pan-African history, and a venue of cultural and spiritual pilgrimage for Africans from the diaspora who troop in periodically to honour the memory of their ancestors.
There is also the Victoria Park which is said to hold the distinguished honour of being the first official grounds to host association football in Ghana, then known as the Gold Coast, and under British colonial rule. It was named after the British monarch at the time, Queen Victoria,said to have acceded, at least, in part, to a request by some Gold Coast patriots, to be granted access to some lands. As a token of appreciation, they established the park and erected the queen’s bust at the entrance.
One monument whose construction I cannot fathom is that of a huge crab at the city centre.The crustacean is the adopted mascot of Cape Coast,and it sits atop a huge platform erected near the London Bridge whose name deceives people until they visit the popular place and realise, to their chagrin, that it is nothing more than a culvert boldly emblazoned with the inscription: London Bridge. Back to the crab. Why that mascot? If you observe crabs in a container displaying their character, you would not recommend that anthropoid as a mascot. They all have PhDs.While one tries to climb to the top, another will pull him down. Under that circumstance, none of them makes it to the top.
In, perhaps, the shortest sermon He ever preached, Jesus points humanity to one monument whose significance transcends time into eternity. “Remember Lot’s Wife,” He said. What is it about Lot’s wife that we need to know? What has it got to do with all that I have been writing aforehand about monuments? What lesson do we have to take to heart about Lot’s wife?
First, God turned her into a monument in a split second for disobedience. A living, walking being was turned into a pillar of salt in a twinkling of an eye to remind succeeding generations of the abomination of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the punishment of those who have the slightest inclination towards those cities and what they represent.
For the sin of homosexuality, God literally rained fire on those cities and destroyed all except Lot, his wife, and three children. As Lot’s family were led out to safety,they were instructed not to look backward towards the doomed metropolis. But Lot’s wife disobeyed that instruction and paid the ultimate price for her action.Remember that she was not even a lesbian. She only showed an inclination towards the doomed cities. Of how much sorer punishment do you think practitioners are worthy?
Did you know that the word “sodomy” originated from the name of that city? From time immemorial, God has been frowning on the practice and has spelt out the penalty for those who brazenly flout His commandment.
When Ghanaians feared the Lord in days past, this shameful practice was alien to our culture. Of course, there was “supi,”a form of lesbianism among some girls in some secondary schools.Men with men doing the abominable was more under wraps in the closet. Now, that has changed. Everything is in the open and surprisingly, people who should know better are claiming that everyone has the right to love whoever they want. In accents louder than words, many respected people in academia, politics, media, and the legal profession among others, have lent their support to the aberration with their overt and subtle consent.
But the scriptures unequivocally declare that homosexuality is sin and punishable by eternal damnation. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practise homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, ESV.
In another passage, it is stated unambiguously: “For this reason, God gave them up to dishonourable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done …Romans 1:26-28, ESV. What could be clearer than this?
God says because men do not want to acknowledge His authority, He has given up on them to do what they want. But even then, once a person turns from it, God is more than willing to forgive and pardon.
To those who assault the integrity and trustworthiness of the Bible and argue that the story is just a fable, or a myth, may I submit that the authority, inerrancy, and sufficiency of the Bible is without debate. It is God’s literal words given to men by the inspiration of His Holy Spirit over different periods of time to record for humanity. It is for instruction in righteousness, correction, and reproof. In that respect, the Bible speaks with infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches, including homosexuality. Everything we need to know about God, about life – past, present, future – about eternal salvation and damnation, all these and more are contained in the scriptures.
Such people would do well to know that Jesus was a historical figure who alluded to Lot’s wife as well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by literal fire. Besides, any time He makes a reference to an issue whose origin dates back to the Old Testament prophets before He appeared on the earth, He is authenticating the record. In fact, the Bible says if people refuse to believe its submissions, their unbelief would not invalidate the facts.
But why remember Lot’s wife?The Bible has become the focal point of the devil’s constant and relentless assault. Crass falsehood is spreading like wildfire and causing widespread rejection of the truth of God’s Word, leading to a pervasive deception of the masses by popular culture.
In view of the emerging liberal and non-literal interpretation of the Bible, and its attendant deception of the world, the words of the Lord Jesus Christ become all the more relevant for these ominous days.
The serpent is back in the garden spreading doubts and lies. The first question in the Bible was posed by the devil. When God specifically and explicitly warned Adam and Eve not to eat a particular fruit, the devil came and deceived the woman with a dubious question enquiring, “Has God really said?”He is at it again telling those who want to hear that God does not restrict the gender of their sexual partners to the opposite sex, and that man to man is just right with the Almighty.
Thank God for real men like Honourable Sam George the MP for Ningo/Prampram and the lead sponsor of the proposed anti-gay bill dubbed: The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021.
Let it be trumpeted loud and clear that no amount of name-calling and threats emanating from a minority and their international partners can ever intimidate the right-thinking people of Ghana and compel them to condone that evil.
The proponents of that evil agenda allude to democracy and all its so-called freedoms, but they leave out the fact that under parliamentary democracy, the minority in a vote count accede to the majority. That is the rule, and it will apply in any vote concerning the issue.
Supporters of the LGBTQI are even arguing about rights. How audacious for mortal man to talk about rights in the kingdom of the great God who declares forcefully that the earth and all its fulness belong to Him! He is an absolute monarch and has set His rules to govern His kingdom.
To think that God would condone same-sex marriage is an illusion and trance. It is the foulest delusion that ever cheated the hopes of men. With submissions impossible to refute, the Bible reduces the argument to an absurdity.It is Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Period!
“For the sin of homosexuality, God literally rained fire on those cities and destroyed all except Lot, his wife, and three children. As Lot’s family were led out to safety,they were instructed not to look backward towards the doomed metropolis. But Lot’s wife disobeyed that instruction and paid the ultimate price for her action. Remember that she was not even a lesbian. She only showed an inclination towards the doomed cities. Of how much sorer punishment do you think practitioners are worthy?”
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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