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 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
