News
The desire to know the future
One of the most common complaints of mankind is that we know so little about the future. To most of us the future is closed, except as it may be predicted in general terms by the experience of the past, and except as it has been broadly outlined in scripture. But so anxious are some to pry into the secrets of specific things to come in their own lives, that they will go to great lengths to consult almost anyone within reach who professes powers beyond the perception of ordinary men. Before Saul ever consulted the Witch of Endor, and perhaps until the last scene of time shall have been enacted, men have tried and will continue to try to wrest from the great unknown, some inkling of what is yet to transpire.
Accordingly, the soothsayer, the fortune teller, the clairvoyant, the crystal-gazer, the reader of the tea-cup, the diviner of cards, have all sold information they do not know; or, if they have such information the source of it will not bear scrutiny. It is true that the scriptures testify: “Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) and it is also true that down through the centuries divinely appointed prophets of the living God have been privileged by the Almighty to foresee events that were yet to transpire, but these prophetic utterances have been proclaimed and recorded by men of God for the knowledge and comfort and warning of all the children of our Father, and have not been sold for silver, nor bartered for gold.
It is natural that men should desire to know something of what lies before them, but if it were good that each of us should have specific fore-knowledge of events to come in our lives, the wisdom of an all knowing Creator would have made such prescience possible, without our resorting to dark places among those who, for a price, conjure up specters and mumble incantations.
In some respects, and to some extent the future may and should be known, For example, science helps us to forecast something as to the future of weather conditions, which is of much value to all of us. To know something concerning the future of private wants and needs, helps the manufacturer and the merchant to avoid some of the hazards of chance, and to this end we have our business forecasts.
The broad lines of the future, so far as the plan and purpose of life are concerned, as well as specific forthcoming events, have often been foretold by the prophets, when the purposes of God were served thereby. But the desire to know the future may become an inordinate desire—so much so that there are some who feel they cannot rest unless they can know the unknowable and see the unseeable, and who, to this end, place their confidence in those who profess, for a price, to tell what irrevocable events the fates have decreed, as revealed in the stars, the tea leaves, in the cutting of the cards, in the crystal, or by some other occult means.
In this twenty-first century we have sometimes given ourselves to believe that we have left witchcraft and mummery and superstition behind, and then we cling to much of it. In the wisdom of God it has not been given to us to pry the lid off the future at our indiscriminate discretion. It has been so ordered that in many things we shall live by faith, and meet the events of life as they come. If the stars were fixed and the pattern of our lives were fixed with them; if the future were already set in its mold, then the next logical conclusion would be that it doesn’t matter how we live or what we do with our livesthe result would be the same anyway. But such philosophy is false and untenable.
If a man cannot be happy and live well with such knowledge as God has chosen to reveal concerning things to come, it would be left to conclude that, among other things, such a man lacks understanding, and also faith, which is a fundamental element in an acceptable life.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
A Professor at the University of Ghana Medical School, Prof. Vincent Boima, has called for a major shift in the treatment and prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Ghana and across Africa, warning that the continent cannot rely on dialysis alone to manage the growing health burden.
Delivering his inaugural lecture at the university’s Great Hall on Thursday, Prof. Boima stated that chronic kidney disease was more common in Africa than in many high income countries, with most patients seeking treatment only when the disease had reached advanced stages.
Speaking on the theme, “From Genes to Mind: Holistic Pathways to Precision Kidney Care for Africa,” he explained that hypertension and diabetes remained the leading causes of kidney disease in Ghana, where many younger and economically active people were being affected.
According to him, the high cost of dialysis, limited transplant facilities and unequal access to treatment raised concerns about whether many cases of kidney failure could have been prevented through earlier interventions.
Prof. Boima proposed what he described as the “Genes–Mind–Community” model, which combines genetics, mental health and community based healthcare approaches to improve kidney care in Africa.
He explained that the “Genes” pillar focused on understanding the role genetics played in kidney disease among Africans, particularly the APOL1 risk variants common in West Africa.
The professor noted that studies in Ghana and other West African countries had shown that many people carried high risk APOL1 genes, which increased the chances of developing non diabetic kidney disease when combined with factors such as infections, hypertension and environmental pollution.
However, he cautioned that genetic information should be used responsibly and ethically, stressing that it should improve treatment decisions without increasing stigma or inequality.
Prof. Boima therefore called for more African led research into kidney disease genetics, affordable testing methods for early detection and stronger health systems to prepare for future gene targeted treatments.
On mental health, he indicated that psychological wellbeing was an important part of kidney care because many patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease and those on dialysis experienced depression, anxiety and emotional distress.
He explained that financial difficulties, irregular access to medication and weak follow up systems often worsened the mental health burden on patients, affecting their ability to continue treatment.
To address the problem, he proposed routine mental health screening in hypertension and kidney clinics, together with culturally sensitive counselling and support systems.
Prof. Boima stressed that psychological care should become part of chronic disease management rather than being treated as optional.
Touching on the “Community” pillar, he stated that prevention remained the most effective and affordable strategy for reducing kidney failure, stroke and heart disease in Africa.
He disclosed that community studies in Ghana had shown that large scale blood pressure screening programmes could identify many people living with undiagnosed hypertension.
Despite this, he pointed out that many patients struggled to continue treatment because of transport costs, long hospital waiting times, expensive medication and inadequate financial support.
Prof. Boima proposed decentralising healthcare through community based services and primary healthcare centres, while also empowering nurses, pharmacists and other non physician health workers to assist with prevention and treatment.
He further recommended the use of simple technologies such as text message reminders to help patients take medication, reduce salt intake, exercise regularly and attend medical appointments.
The nephrologist also encouraged the use of family and faith based support systems to improve treatment adherence and continuity of care.
Speaking on the state of kidney treatment in Ghana, Prof. Boima explained that dialysis remained the main form of kidney replacement therapy in the country, although treatment was expensive and available mainly in a few locations.
He observed that many patients paid for dialysis from their own pockets, creating serious financial hardship for families, while kidney transplantation services also remained limited.
According to him, these challenges highlighted the need for Ghana to focus more on prevention, primary healthcare and long term chronic disease management instead of depending heavily on dialysis centres.
He called for expanded National Health Insurance coverage for essential medicines and diagnostic services, improved data systems, stronger primary healthcare and policies to support mental health and ethical genetic care.
Prof. Boima concluded by urging African countries to lead a new era of “precision kidney care” that focused on people rather than only treating diseased organs.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, commended Prof. Boima for his work, stating that the lecture had reshaped thinking on kidney healthcare in Africa.
She noted that the presentation highlighted the hidden financial and social costs of kidney disease and reinforced the need for healthier lifestyles, including reducing salt intake, exercising regularly and taking blood pressure checks seriously.
Prof. Appiah Amfo added that Africa must not only participate in precision medicine but should also help shape its future direction.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that passport applications that remain incomplete for more than two months will be automatically cancelled.
According to a public notice issued on May 15, the new directive takes immediate effect and applies to all passport applications from the date they are first submitted.
The Ministry explained that incomplete applications include cases that require further vetting, missing supporting documents, incomplete biometric capture or applications awaiting biometric re capture.
It warned that applicants whose submissions are cancelled will lose the fees already paid because the payments are non refundable.
Affected persons will therefore be required to begin a fresh application process and pay the required fees again.
“The general public is therefore encouraged to complete applications on time to avert cancellations,” the notice stated.
The Ministry also urged applicants to respond quickly whenever they are asked to provide additional documents or update their biometric information to avoid delays.
Officials explained that the policy is aimed at reducing delays and clearing backlogs caused by abandoned and incomplete passport applications in the system.
The Ministry assured the public of its commitment to improving passport service delivery across the country.
Applicants seeking further information have been advised to contact the Ministry’s 24 hour call centre
By: Jacob Aggrey
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