Features
The Obuasi mine issue
A picture I saw and an attached post caused my heart to miss a beat. I said to myself “oh no, not again” The story was about some illegal miners who had breached the fence around Anglogold Ashanti Mine and had entered the property and had been shot by military men protecting the property.
This is not the first time such an incident had occurred in Obuasi and it is about time a solution was found to it. When such incidents occur, powers that be suddenly switch to fire fighting mode and start to initiate all sorts of directives but within a few weeks when things have blown over everybody goes to sleep.
No permanent solutions are outlined and a few years later, the issue rears its ugly head again.
It was announced that school children should not attend school for a couple of days and just imagine the number of children who will be staying at home due to this incident?
Again consider parents who will be inconvenienced by this directive as they have to make arrangements for people to look after their kids who would normally be in school, allowing the parents to go to work.
There are reports of destruction of property belonging to Anglogold Ashanti by some persons believed to be friends of the murdered men.
In fact a statement has been issued by Anglogold Ashanti, warning its employees to avoid wearing work uniforms in town till further notice. This is to ensure their safety as there is a possibility the illegal miners who are on rampage might attack them since they want to take revenge on anything Anglogold Ashanti.
The stress this issue brings to bear on employees is not helpful, given the environment in which these employees especially those working underground operate in.
One needs to have a sound mind to work underground otherwise serious injury or even fatality could occur so these incidents which brings stresses should be avoided.
The causes of these incidents must be carefully identified and effectively dealt with. Without delving deep into the matter, what is a notoriously evident is the political game being played by some politicians and more recently journalists who instead of sticking to their profession, are also indulging in unprofessional conduct by meddling in the Obuasi issue, nudging the illegal miners to trespass on the Obuasi Mine property.
The basic thing people should know and understand is that, mining properties are by law, restricted areas and you cannot enter without authorisation, especially working areas.
With my knowledge as a mining engineer and someone who once worked at Obuasi mine, l know the danger breaches of certain areas can create for the employees underground.
There is the need to recognise that no investor would allow their investments to be put at risk especially investment in the mining sector which can run into hundreds of millions and in some cases billions of dollars.
It is therefore imperative for stakeholders to try and promote a certain level of understanding between the mine and the Obuasi community.
These deaths that occurred were needless, they should never have happened, they were avoidable.
Trespassing is a crime under our criminal code and therefore opinion leaders within mining communities should make the effort to educate the youth about the need to stay off the property of mining companies if they have not been authorised.
This is the surest way to prevent the unfortunate incident which happened at Obuasi.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Features
The Palestinian martyr-Little Hind Rajab
THE wickedness of some people in our world is gradually getting out of bounds. From local arena to international arena, reports of wicked acts that defies logic, is on the rise.
Russia has attacked Ukraine and as a result, the economies of many countries have been negatively impacted. Residential apartments which have no military purpose. Just sheer wickedness and cruelty.
After this came the Brutal attack on Gaza by the Israel Defence Forces. Hospitals were bombed, buildings were razed down and civilians were deliberately targeted which is a war crime according to the Geneva Convention.
The IDF will release pamphlets in the skies informing them to move to certain specified areas. They move there with their families only to be bombed again without warning.
It was one of such movement from one place to another that, the family of a 5 year Palestinian girl called Hind Rajab and her family, travelling in a vehicle, were shot at by an IDF Tank.
This wounded girl managed to call emergency services to come and save them.
The sad thing is that while this brave little girl kept talking to the emergency response person on the phone, telling them that they should come quickly and that she was afraid.
She further told the response team on phone that any time she tries to speak, blood comes into her mouth and it soils her dress and she dies not want her mum to scold her so they should come quickly.
The response team rushed as usual to her location but they were also shot and killed, the driver and his assistant, in a vehicle clearly marked as an ambulance. Ten days later when they got to her location, Hind Rajab and her family were dead and their vehicle was riddled with 335 bullets.
The wickedness with which the IDF waged the war against Hamas, the administrative authority in Gaza, was unbelievable, given the damage to civilians both collateral and in most cases deliberate.
There are reports of some Doctors from the US and other countries, who have described how children they attended to, who were brought in dead, had evidence of sniper bullets.
A report by one of the media platforms, indicated that one of the IDF snipers who died recently, had bragged about shooting children in the abdomen so they will suffer before dying.
What baffles me in all these atrocities, is why Jews who have been saved by a collective action of the world, from Hitler and his Nazis from destruction, infamously known as the Holocaust, is now visiting mayhem on others, namely the Palestinians.
One begins to wonder if Hitler was right after all and that he saw something that the rest of the world did not notice about the Jews. I must admit that it is not all Jews that are racist. It is the Zionist who are the problem with their Talmud which teaches that Jesus is burning in hot feaces.
They deliberately teach their children to hate other people who are not Jews especially the Palestinians. They do not consider the Palestinians as humans and therefore they believe they have the God given right to treat them anyway anyhow.
Hind Rajab’s death has pricked the conscience of the world and countries which used to blindly support Israel, are now putting pressure on them to observe a ceasefire as part of a peace negotiation.
Let the world through the UN show that it does not support barbarism and that the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel, must come to an end.
NB: ‘CHANGE KOTOKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO KOFI BAAKO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Features
Angioplasty: A comprehensive overview of the procedure and its applications
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure used to widen narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. The procedure involves the insertion of a catheter, a small tube, into the affected artery, followed by the inflation of a balloon to widen the artery. In some cases, a stent, a small mesh tube, may be placed to keep the artery open.
Indications for Angioplasty
Angioplasty is often used to treat conditions such as:
1. Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart.
2. Peripheral artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs or arms.
3. Atherosclerosis: Buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can lead to narrowing or blockage.
The Angioplasty Procedure
The angioplasty procedure typically involves the following steps:
1. Preparation: The patient is given local anesthesia and may be sedated to help them relax.
2. Insertion of the catheter: A small incision is made in the skin, and a catheter is inserted into the affected artery.
3. Guidance: The catheter is guided to the affected area using imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy or angiography.
4. Inflation of the balloon: The balloon on the catheter is inflated to widen the artery.
5. Stent placement: A stent may be placed to keep the artery open.
6. Removal of the catheter: The catheter is removed, and the incision site is closed.
Benefits of Angioplasty
Angioplasty offers several benefits, including:
1. Improved blood flow: Angioplasty can help improve blood flow to the affected area, reducing symptoms such as chest pain or leg pain.
2. Minimally invasive: Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, which means that it requires only a small incision and can reduce recovery time.
3. Reduced risk of complications: Angioplasty can reduce the risk of complications associated with more invasive surgical procedures.
Potential Risks and Complications
While angioplasty is generally a safe procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including:
1. Bleeding or hematoma: Bleeding or bruising at the incision site.
2. Artery damage: Damage to the artery during the procedure.
3. Restenosis: Narrowing or blockage of the artery again after the procedure.
Conclusion
Angioplasty is a highly effective procedure for treating narrowed or blocked arteries or blood vessels. While it carries some risks and complications, the benefits of improved blood flow and reduced symptoms make it a valuable treatment option for many patients.
References:
1. American Heart Association. (2020). Angioplasty and Stenting.
2. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2020). Angioplasty and Stent Placement.
3. Mayo Clinic. (2020). Angioplasty: What You Need to Know.
4. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. (2019). Angioplasty and Stenting in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of angioplasty, including its indications, procedure, benefits, and potential risks and complications.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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