Features
Social media and vaccine hesitancy
Social media platforms are an important outlet for disseminating information in various aspects of life, and many people are using these platforms and virtual meetings to educate their members.
In this era of COVID-19 pandemic, social media platforms are being used widely to share information and education about the disease. This COVID-19 has caused many deaths and made others sick and is, indeed, putting a huge burden on healthcare systems in many countries.
The economic and health effect of the pandemic has hit communities in different ways in many sectors, and initial research has shown that migrants and other minority or marginalised populations, for example, have become more vulnerable.
In Finland, social media platforms are used to circulate information and education among citizens; migrant groups or associations are also using social media to communicate about the disease, its safety protocols and prevention or treatment.
Many migrants, including those in the Ghanaian community, are using those channels to inform and educate their members about the disease.
Adhering to safety protocols
Ghanaian migrants and others continue to make great efforts to avoid becoming infected with the disease by adhering to the safety protocols such as social distancing, not hugging or shaking hands, wearing of masks, regularly washing of hands or using hand sanitisers, etc.
As vaccines are being administered to people, I can imagine how many Ghanaian migrants here have embraced the vaccination, which is to help control or minimise the effect of the virus on patients.
According to key health institutions and experts, vaccines are an important part of mitigating the effects of COVID-19 as they reduce the severity of the symptoms in case one becomes infected.
Some friends here and elsewhere have taken the first and second shots and are doing okay. They are so elated to have had that opportunity. They can have opportunities once they have life, and COVID-19 cannot stop them if they keep safe.
Social media, lies/misinformation, conspiracy theories
It is becoming clear that access to social media is allowing many lay people to stray into areas reserved for experts. Even people who obviously have almost zero knowledge of technical subjects of topics are communicating on the subject and claiming to know it all.
Sadly, there seems to be vaccine hesitancy in Ghana because of conspiracy theories, cynicism, ignorance, and worse of all, sheer mischief by some people. Many videos, audios and written texts paint a picture of scary outcomes should one take the vaccine.
As I wrote some time ago, some people think the vaccines brought to African countries are different from the ones being used in the Western nations; therefore, the ones brought to Africa could be dangerous and meant to depopulate the Black race. Some have even claimed without any proof that the vaccines would leave people with sexual dysfunction.
All this has resulted in doubts about efficacy of the vaccines brought to Ghana and other African countries.
Such conspiracy theories remind me about HIV/AIDS. Conspiracy theories were rife about the disease in Africa with some people claiming that HIV/AIDS had been created in laboratories in the West to kill Blacks.
Eventually, HIV/AIDS saw many infections and deaths in Ghana and other African countries. Today, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most affected region in the world with more than two-thirds (67%) of the about 35 million people living with HIV, according to the UNAIDS.
The way forward
Ghanaian migrants in Finland are generally keeping a positive mind and hoping for things to get better in the near future with the COVID-19 situation.
They are generally adhering to directives by the Finnish health authorities about COVID-19 safety protocols. They are taking the vaccines as a precaution.
I think in Ghana too, there is the need to intensify education about the vaccines to help control COVID-19.
The key stakeholders—government/institutions of state, health authorities, religious leaders, traditional authorities, non-governmental organisations, etc.— should all come in even more strongly than before to educate people in our localities. The media should be one of the leading groups in this endeavour. Thank you.
In every society, there are people who do things their own way, regardless of what others think. Take the man who, by good fortune, acquired a beautiful Benz bus. Rather than becoming a bossy transport owner demanding daily accounts, he chose a different path. He hired a driver—but no driver’s mate. He became the mate himself. The bold inscription on the back of the bus reads: “MAN NO FOOL.”
He’s no fool, having long observed how drivers and mates conspire with daily accounts. He’s far above such tricks.
Domestic Pragmatism
Then there’s the married man enforcing his own version of the division of labor. One morning, he decreed he would handle all daily market shopping because he suspected his wife was “tearing chobo.” Earlier, he had claimed the kitchen ladle as his own, citing dissatisfaction with the portion sizes compared to his “chop-money” contributions.
From that day, he became the chief cook, while his wife became the steward. When the soup was ready, she would call him to allocate the meat. He called it “domestic pragmatism.”
The Dancing Kiosk
Consider a couple who ran a kiosk and, to protect their goods from theft, chose to sleep there each night. Last week, during heavy rains, they were asleep when the downpour started. Both began dreaming they were dancing at a jamboree—an uncanny simultaneous dream.
When they awoke, reality hit: their kiosk was afloat, doing a Michael Jackson-style dance in the floodwaters. They were lucky to survive. Others were not so fortunate.
That Tuesday, 24 residents of Accra lost their lives in the heaviest rains in 59 years. Property was destroyed, animals drowned, and the city experienced its worst traffic jams ever.
Floods and “Neck Insurance”
During the rains, waist-deep waters forced residents to become human transport, carrying others for a fee. I was spared, though I imagined my weight would have made “neck insurance” a must!
The aftermath left offices soaked, radios swimming on carpets, and workers struggling to salvage belongings. My office radio survived after drying, perhaps imbued with some holy-ghost luck—it seemed to walk on water.
A Call for Action
Mr. Nat Nunoo-Amarteifio, AMA boss, later appeared on the air to explain the floods, citing rising sea and lagoon levels. While informative, action is key. Years of warnings by veteran journalist Tom Dorkenoo—a man of prophetic environmental insight—have highlighted Accra’s vulnerability to floods. Two years ago, he outlined the risks, and the warnings proved accurate.
It is not enough for authorities to merely announce intentions to address drainage issues or unauthorized buildings. They must act decisively to prevent recurring disasters. Floods, property losses, and fatalities are preventable with proactive planning and strict enforcement of environmental regulations.
The Lesson
The saga of the dancing kiosk reminds us of human resilience, absurdity, and tragedy. While humor can lighten the story, the underlying message is serious: Accra’s flood challenges require urgent, sustained action.
Let us hope future rainy seasons bring fewer dancing kiosks and more effective city planning.
By Merari Alomele
Spectator
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Starvation is a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including food availability, economic stability, and government policies. Understanding the mathematics of starvation involves analyzing calorie requirements, food distribution, and nutritional needs to ensure individuals receive sufficient sustenance for survival and health.
Calculating Nutritional Needs
To understand the scale of starvation, it is crucial to determine the daily caloric requirements of individuals based on age, sex, weight, and activity levels. For example, populations like that of the Gaza Strip require a specific number of calories per person per day to prevent malnutrition and starvation.
Food Distribution and Availability
Equally important is assessing food distribution and availability. This includes calculating the total food needed to meet nutritional requirements and ensuring it reaches those in need. In Gaza, Israel controls food inflow and determines the number of calories Palestinians require. However, the actual amount of food allowed into the territory often falls far below minimum nutritional needs.
Consequences of Inadequate Food Supply
Inadequate food supply leads to severe consequences such as malnutrition, starvation, and death. For instance, between March and June, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into Gaza—less than a quarter of the territory’s minimum needs during that period.
Global Perspective
Starvation is not unique to Gaza. Millions worldwide face food insecurity due to conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Understanding the mathematics of starvation enables policymakers and humanitarian organizations to devise strategies that target the root causes of hunger effectively.
Key Factors Contributing to Starvation
- Poverty: Lack of resources limits access to sufficient food.
- Conflict: Wars disrupt food production and distribution networks.
- Climate Change: Extreme weather reduces agricultural yields.
- Economic Instability: Market fluctuations hinder access to food.
Addressing Starvation
Combating starvation requires addressing its underlying causes:
- Food Aid: Provide sufficient, targeted food assistance to those in need.
- Economic Support: Promote economic stability to improve access to food.
- Conflict Resolution: Resolve conflicts to restore production and distribution networks.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adopt sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security.
In conclusion, the mathematics of starvation underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to food insecurity. By understanding nutritional needs, calculating food distribution, and tackling the root causes, societies can work towards a future where hunger is no longer a daily threat.
BY ROBERT EKOW GRIMMOND-THOMPON
Spectator
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