Features
Reorganising life after Easter
By the grace of God, the people of Ghana, together with the rest of the world have celebrated Easter shared in the joy of that occasion which to Christians serves as a salvation period for mankind which aims at bringing about peace to humanity.
Many a time, this occasion though always celebrated, is taken for granted without critically and comprehensively examining its essence to society and mankind. It is an important occasion that must be thoroughly examined in other to understand its purpose and importance or significance.
Even though we have been celebrating Easter since our childhood, we do not seem to really understand what it stands for and how we can use it as a guide for our social, economic and political life.
ESSENCE OF EASTER
As a nation, Ghana and its people ought to reflect on the essence of Easter and bring it close to heart as a way of guiding all activities in society to maximise its benefits for the good of society. It is only when this is done that, we can boast of having maximised the benefits from Easter.
Easter is usually celebrated on Sunday and this occasion is referred to as Easter Sunday. However, Easter is not a one-time occasion but is preceded by events all of which contribute in a relevant manner to that occasion which has become known as Easter Sunday.
The preparation for Easter begins a week before and this is known as Palm Sunday. On this occasion, the saviour of the world is hailed in a vociferous manner by people who follow him, pointing out to the world that the saviour ought to be accepted and praised. This praise was carried out in a genuine manner throughout that period and everyone present accepted that the Lord our saviour indeed deserves to be praised.
GENUINE COMMITTMENT
It is for this reason that he was given a donkey to ride on to show how genuinely committed to the people. The treatment given to the saviour on this occasion also showed that he was a great person who ought to be treated with respect and revered by all.
Interestingly, not long after this, the Lord Jesus Christ was betrayed by his own people. On holy Thursday for instance, he became sad because he knew he was going to be betrayed by his own people. This was a very unfortunate situation.
After being rejected by his own people, he was crucified on Friday and because of the shedding of blood to save mankind that occasion became known as Good Friday. It was an occasion that marked the salvation of men and women on this earth. How sweet this day was!
Being a true son of God and created for this special purpose, Jesus Christ did not stay in death but had to rise again after three days. This is what makes him a unique person. He was special because he did not stay in death but had to resurrect to prove to the world that he was indeed wonderful and brought into the world for a special purpose.
EASTER MONDAY
This special purpose was celebrated in various forms and on Easter Monday, which was declared a holiday in many countries, Christians took advantage on the Monday to celebrate this occasion in various ways. It is widely known that picnics were usually organised by churches and other groups of people to engage in enjoyment of special social activities meant to celebrate the occasion. On such occasion, people bring food to share with friends and loved ones after which games are also played with each other.
The Easter festivities were meant to give us useful lessons which when properly adopted can make our lives better. Not only can personal lives be improved upon, but society can also be turned round for the better. The first lesson which can be learnt from the period of Easter is that it is not everyone who praises you who must behave as genuine. This is because the very people who shout “Praise him! Praise him!!” are the same people who will turn round and say “Crucify him! Crucify him!!”. This is often done to our political leaders some of whom sacrifice their lives to make things better for the country.
Even before the occasion of Palm Sunday, Christians go through a period of lent. This period teaches Christians a big lesson, to deny themselves of some comfort to appreciate the sufferings which other people go through. When you deny yourself of the pleasures of life and fast or even abstain from sex as married couples, it makes you realise the difficulties that people go through when they have no food to eat. Even though it purges the body of excess food and prepares a person for a new life, the pain and discomfort encountered help to teach us useful lessons about life.
DENIAL
Again, Jesus Christ was denied by one of his own disciples in the person of Judas. There is a Judas in every home, household, or country and this teaches us that every leader must be prepared to undergo disappointment in this way. As a son of God who existed in human flesh, his human nature might have made him very sad after being denied by Judas who was very close to him as a friend.
Earlier before this incident, Simon Peter had also vowed never to deny Jesus of any support. Unfortunately, before the cock crowed, Peter had denied him “three times”. Again, it tells us that man, no matter what can never be dependable.
However, the good news is that Easter had brought us real joy and made us stand for what is good. If we are to stand for what is good then we need to appreciate one another and remember what society has done for us, not forgetting about the great contributions made by our leaders, so that together we can appreciate one another and make society a better place for all.
In our national politics, we need to be genuinely committed to one another and to show genuine love to all manner of people irrespective of political affiliation, social status, religion, or ethnic background. We must not show pretense when within our heart we do not like certain things being done to us. At the same time, those of us who criticise us for one reason or the other should not be marked down for hatred, punishment or discrimination.
NEW SOCIAL LIFE
The old way of doing things must give way to a new social life. This new social life must be pleasant, positive, impactful and bring all of us together for the common good. This common good when promoted is what will bring progress to all manner of people in society irrespective of their familiar and unfamiliar backgrounds.
Ghanaians must therefore not go back to the old way of doing things after Easter but rather turn on a new leave for the rapid progress of the country. We want to see much more cordial relations in parliament between the majority and minority but not the usual negative ways of doing things over there. Political parties and other groups and professionals must also exhibit genuineness and sincerities in all things done, so that we can find it easy to depend on one another.
We must also be prepared to help those who are in need in our neighborhood so that life, even if not perfect, can be bearable and made more pleasant than it is today. Those are the positive changes we want to see after Easter, but not to move on “with busines as usual.”
The world has taught us useful lessons, whether in the past or present. In the light of all these problems, challenges and daily issues we become confronted with, we need to reorganise ourselves after celebrating the Easter to make our country a pleasant place for all.
By Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Bediako
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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