Features

Spare Ghanaians this terrible ordeal!

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2022

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A friend of mine called me the last time just after the passage of the controversial Electronic Levy (E-Levy) Taxation Bill on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 by parliament and wanted a confirmation from me about what transpired in parliament on that day because he was not in town that fateful day. His words were, “Editor, I am not at home, but I heard that the E-Levy bill has been passed by parliament without the involvement of the Minority side of the House. What happened and can you brief me about how it happened? I am so saddened because if this is true, then Ghanaians are finished. It will worsen the plight of the already suffering people of this country.”

E-LEVY AND HOW IT AFFECTS PENSIONERS

Another colleague senior journalist, now on retirement, also called, shortly after I had finished talking to the first caller to discuss with me how the E-Levy might affect the electronic transactions of the meagre pension allowance of pensioners under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) Pension Scheme. According to him, since the pension payment involves electronic transactions through the banks, it was obvious that SSNIT would pay the approved 1.5 per cent levy from the beneficiaries’ entitlements to the banks and in cashing the money from the banks, pensioners would also pay another 1.5 per cent, thus bringing the total taxation to three (3) per cent.That, he believes amount to double taxation of the poor and vulnerable pensioner. Based on our discussions and the fact that I have no knowledge about this financial transaction, I have asked an official of the Public Affairs Department of SSNIT to come out and educate Ghanaians about the whole transactions regarding the payment of pensions through the banks which is mandatory.

To the first caller, I explained to him how the bill was smuggled into the chamber under a Certificate of Urgency by the Majority side of the house because it was not part of the Order Paper for that day’s proceedings. The Minority side led by its leader Mr. Haruna Iddrisu, obviously angered, questioned the rationale behind the majority side’s motive to pull such a surprise saying “the E-Levy did not find expression in the business statement”. These were the words of the Minority Leader, “We have time and again warned and cautioned that we never want to be taken by surprise on a major economic policy bill of government and we will not accept that culture”.

MINORITY WALK-OUT IN PARLIAMENT

After returning from a 30 minutes break, the Minority, however, boycotted the chamber, cautioning that they did not want to have anything to do with the E-Levy debate and its subsequent passage. What was funny about the entire process was that whilst the Member of Parliament for Domi-Kwabenya, Madam. Adwoa Sarfo, was absent from the chamber because she had travelled outside the country, the NPP side carried an ailing member, the Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Minister, Mr. Ebenezer Kojo Kum, in an ambulance which was parked outside the chamber in their quest to make up the numbers in time of voting for the passage of the E-Levy bill. That seemed ridiculous and amazing because we cannot sacrifice the health of an MP for that advantage. The NDC Member of Parliament for Assin North, Mr. James Gyakye Quayson, who was embroiled in a court case concerning his nationality, was also not present in the chamber, making the NDC caucus to run short of a member and perhaps that was the reason the NDC caucus walked out of the chamber.

DEALING WITH THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

It is a fact that the economy of our country is seriously descending into the abyss and if care is not taken we will have serious crisis on our hands. The World Bank Country Director, Mr. Pierre Larporte, in his recent lecture, made it clear that the economic situation in Ghana was very serious. According to him, Ghana faces a tough time to restore macro-economic sustainability. He alluded to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic had not helped Ghana but noted that even before the pandemic, there were signs that the situation was getting a little bit challenging and advised the government to be transparent with the people. Aside the World Bank Country Director’s sentiment, a number of good and great economists in our country keep making constructive and concrete suggestions that will help us out of our present predicament, but because of politics, their pieces of advice seemed to be ignored and are not being utilised by government to bring the needed economic recovery.

THE UNBEARABLE ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Today, every Ghanaian can attest to the fact that our nation, Ghana, is in the state of total mess and confusion. Those at the helm of affairs are, indeed, not doing what is expected of them and the country continues to sink. The current hardships are unbearable and most Ghanaians are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Prices of goods and services across the country continue to soar high each and other day, with inflation at the highest level. The Cedi continues to depreciate and has lost value completely as against the dollar. The majority of the citizens find themselves in the poverty bracket while unemployment rate keeps growing.

Indeed, we cannot run away from the fact that the on-going Russian-Ukraine war has further heightened the economic hardship of this country and all other nations that depend on these war-torn countries for their major requirements. Like the President rightly alluded, even though Ghana is not directly involved in the war, issues unfolding, are having a severe impact on our economic activities. Our agriculture and construction sectors are feeling the greatest impact from the terrible conditions in Russia and Ukraine.

SELF-INFLICTED HARDSHIPS

However, it is important to state that the hardship being experienced by the people cannot be placed wholly on the on-going war in Russia and Ukraine. Most of these problems are self- inflicted and can be handled by ourselves. The extravagant lifestyles of some of our ministers and those in high positions of authority must be seriously checked. While those in authority expect the people to tighten their belt in the face of the economic challenges, some of them live affluently, riding in the most expensive cars such as V-8, Landcruisers, Mercedes Benz among others. Besides, the corruption in most of the public institutions in our country which is causing the nation to lose huge sums of money, should be dealt with so that the nation can rake in the needed and necessary revenue to prosecute its developmental goals.

For over five months now, the passage of the controversial E-Levy bill by parliament has been a mirage because Ghanaians were apprehensive and also of the opinion that its passage would affect their living conditions and deepen the woes of the already suffering people and push the unemployment rate high. However, the government feels that without the E-Levy, it cannot address the challenges of the country. Indeed, whether we like it or not, the bill has now been passed and Ghanaians would expect the government to use funds generated to address the economic challenges and bring the nation on a sound footing as it has promised.

GIVING GHANAIANS A HEARING

It is important to remind our various governments that without the people, they cannot rule or govern this nation. That is why it is necessary and prudent to always give the people a listening ear whenever they make their input in the governance of this our dear nation. It will be suicidal if governments try to force their ideas in whatever forms down the throats of Ghanaians to suffocate them.Ours, is a democratic rule not a dictatorship governance where people are forced to swallow the pill no matter how bitter it would be. Yes, the economic challenges are enormous but we must resolve as a team to deal with them squarely to bring our dear nation back on track.

Contact email/WhatsApp of author:

ataani2000@yahoo.com

0277753946/0248933366

By Charles Neequaye

Features

MPs, churches, bad dressing

Published

5 days ago

September 12, 2026

WeeklySpectator

GHANA’S Parliament is a peaceful one. The arguments on the floor of the House can be fierce, but the House doesn’t catch fire. Ghana’s democracy has passed the acid-test of constitutional pluralism, and her legislature is a model of democratic beauty others are learning from.

Sikaman Palava

Sometimes it is edifying following proceedings in Parliament and you are likely to catch the voice of Honourable Alban Bagbin in full flight. He doesn’t talk much. His English vocabulary does the talking.

Last week, I heard another MP talking on bad dressing, and I must congratulate him on his brilliant exhibition of vocabulary, delivered in Westminster tradition.

Such explosive delivery titillates the floor of the House and brings joy to members and Mr Speaker.

In the parliament of some countries, there is no need for such niceties. The floor of the House is regarded as a battle ground. Others, including lady members, see it as a boxing ring, where the spoken word is often jettisoned and supplanted with punches and upper-cuts.

PART-TIME

So the average parliamentarian trains part-time as a boxer, in case boxing skills will be needed in the House to iron out knotty points.

The ladies’ pedicure and manicure are carefully designed to fulfil a dual purpose. One is to showcase trendiness and the other is to scratch the faces of opponents in the House whether they are ladies or gentlemen.

Sometimes, the Speaker has to keep shouting and banging for well over 15 minutes as a recalcitrant MP dashes across and grabs the tie of another MP, thus precipitating a free-for-all brawl. Some MPs return home with a half nose, a missing left ear and a double forehead.

None of the offending parties is sanctioned because brawling in parliament is seen as a democratic process, since some MPs are so stubborn that only a sidekick to the ribs can mellow them. Meanwhile, a free-for-all is good exercise for the MPs, some of whom have grown too fat due to over-feeding.

Fortunately, the parliament of Sikaman has a civil democratic culture and debates get fierce but punches are not unleashed. For comic relief however, MPs do some break dancing once in a while.

When ROPAB was passed into law, some MPs caused a stir by bursting into song and dance. Mr. Speaker was be wildered, but obviously pleased that his announcement of the passage of the bill had brought joy to the House.

Others were not happy, though. The bill and the debates had caused them enough distress. As for the passage, it was like cutting their throats. They groaned in their hearts. No punches, no karate. That is democracy in its maturing stage. It is tempered with reason and civility. One day, it will be their turn to laugh and dance.

Now, the MP who spoke on bad dressing did a good job by all standards and added value to his delivery by going highfalutin. He wanted a law to be enacted against bad dressing, because it was not good for society.

What constitutes bad dressing? That is a very difficult question. Judging what is good or bad as far as dressing is concerned will obviously depend on the setting or context.

For example, going virtually naked on a holiday beach is considered good dressing. But when a man and his wife storm a church room in their birth-time suits (naked) the pastor and his deacons will surely take cover. It means a sartorial revolution has precipitated and only the Holy Spirit can hold tempers at bay.

STYLISH

In the streets of Sikaman, a lady with a very short skirt is admired by some as trendy and stylish. Others would think she is indecent and a bad influence. But the question that arises ultimately is this: Don’t people have the right to wear what they want to wear, so long as the unseemly parts of their bodies are not laid bare?

Certainly, nobody will go totally naked in the streets, unless the person is either in-sane or is a Black Stars supporter painted in the national colours. Even then, he’d be in what is called ‘pioto,’ with his ‘instrument’ well-positioned. That is called proper dressing.

So in the streets, this kind of dressing will be considered good or bad depending on the setting and the extent of exposure of the private parts (breasts, thighs, lower back, buttocks, etc).

Personally, I feel the churches should be very scrupulous about the dressing of those who go in to worship. The ushers should be tasked with ushering away badly-dressed worshippers. Incidentally, they are the worshippers who like the front pews, and the pastor is so distracted he can’t preach any meaningful sermon.

However, a law on dressing is something I won’t advocate, for the simple reason that, first, there is no clear definition of what is bad dressing and second, society must be left to evolve its own dress culture so that fashion and creativity in fashion design will not be stifle Any law to regulate dressing will kill such creativity.

This article was first published on Saturday July, 2006

Features

The body under siege: how long-term stress wears you down

Published

5 days ago

September 12, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Most people think stress is just in your head. When you feel overwhelmed, overworked, or emotionally drained, you might think you just need a good night’s sleep or a quick mental break.

However, science and biology show us something entirely different. Chronic, long-term stress is not just an emotion—it is a full-body physical condition. When you live in a constant state of survival mode, pushing past your limits without real rest, your body pays a very heavy physical price.

Here is a clear, step-by-step look at how ongoing stress physically breaks down the human body, explained simply.

Step 1: The endless flood of stress chemicals

What happens normally: When you face a sudden emergency, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. They give you a quick burst of energy, speed up your heart, and help you react fast. This is a great survival tool for short bursts.

How stress breaks you down: If you never truly relax, your body never turns off that alarm. Your bloodstream stays flooded with cortisol and adrenaline day after day. Over time, having these chemicals constantly sloshing around acts like a slow poison. It damages your blood vessels, raises your blood pressure, messes with your metabolism, and even wears down your DNA, making you age faster.

Step 2: The silent internal fire (Chronic Inflammation)

What happens normally: When your brain senses danger or stress, it assumes you might get hurt, so it tells your immune system to cause inflammation (swelling and heat) to fight off germs and heal injuries.

How stress breaks you down: When stress lasts for months or years, your immune system gets confused and leaves that “fire” burning permanently. Instead of healing an injury, this silent internal inflammation starts attacking your healthy cells, joints, and organs. Over time, it paves the way for serious health issues, heart trouble, and total body fatigue.

Step 3: Turning your muscles into armor (Fascial Hardening)

What happens normally: Your body is wrapped in a web of strong connective tissue called fascia that holds your muscles, bones, and organs together. When you face pressure or trauma, that tissue automatically tightens up to protect you like a suit of armor.

How stress breaks you down: If you stay tense for years, that tissue never softens back up. It freezes in place, creating tight, painful physical knots (often called emotional lesions). Blood and oxygen can’t flow easily through those locked-up areas, leaving you stiff, aching, and physically unable to truly let go of tension.

Step 4: Burning out your body’s engine (Nervous System Overdrive)

What happens normally: Your nervous system has two main gears:

The Gas Pedal (fight-or-flight mode for dealing with emergencies).

The Brake Pedal (rest-and-digest mode for healing and repairing your body).

How stress breaks you down: Chronic stress forces your foot down hard on the gas pedal 24/7. Your heart beats faster than it should, your digestion shuts down, and your body is denied the deep rest it needs to repair itself. Eventually, your heart and nervous system run completely out of fuel from sheer exhaustion.

Reclaiming your health and sovereignty

Chronic stress wears you down slowly by keeping your body chemically toxic, inflamed, and locked-up in physical armour, and running on empty.

By understanding that stress is a physical breakdown rather than just a bad mood, you can stop glorifying endless endurance. It allows you to recognise when your body is screaming for a reset, helping you shift away from burnout and back toward true physical calm, balance, and sovereignty.

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