Features
The role of hot water in maintaining good hygiene
The importance of good hygiene cannot be overestimated. Good hygiene which entails keeping the hands, nails, hair, and body clean crucial for stopping the spread of germs from entering the body to cause illness.
Good hygiene involves the daily routine tasks of brushing the teeth and flossing to maintain good dental care, washing the hair regularly, and also taking daily baths with hot or warm water, especially when the body has been exposed to dirt and germs in the cause of work or play.
Another important aspect of hygiene is the washing of hands especially in this pandemic season which ensures that the hands are germ-free and clean as often as possible.
Bathing with warm water from a good source of heated water allows the expansion of the blood vessels to promote better blood circulation in the body especially to areas of injuries on the skin for proper healing. This enhances the healing process, allowing for bruises on the skin to heal faster thereby preventing infection.
Experts also opine that washing the hair with hot water opens the pores of the scalp for deep cleansing and also allows for the scalp to absorb oils and moisture good for hair growth.
Cosmetic dermatologists also acknowledge that warm water promotes healthier skin and encourages hair growth and vitality while people who have aged gracefully attest to the drinking of hot water and lemon to help in the fight against the body’s internal and external aging processes.
Washing of the hands with warm water especially after touching a face mask is essential as well as washing of all cloth face masks with hot or warm water. Cleaning napkins with hot water and dishes with warm water will help maintain a clean and hygienic environment in your home giving little room for viruses and bacteria to thrive.
Washing clothes, bathtubs and floors with warm water from water heaters are also known to not only clean them more effectively but weaken and eliminate bacterial and viral elements on these surfaces.
In our everyday lives, hot water helps us maintain a hygienic environment.
Research shows that bathing with hot water makes for a cleaner and more thorough bathing experience. This is because hot water melts out the dirt and oil from the skin more effectively than cold water.
Hot water is more effective in washing dishes and clothes as well as surfaces and mopping floors. Hot water is not just a luxury but a necessity in every home to maintain hygiene and ensure cleanliness, hence water heaters have become an indispensable and must-have gadget in every home.
Hot water in most ways has helped us live a more hygienic life. Taking hot baths at various stages of our lives have helped us relax better while helping our skins and hair grow and grow healthily.
Hot water has helped us clean our environment more effectively thereby helping us live healthier and more hygienic lives. It is, therefore, advisable to invest in quality water heaters such as Ariston water heater, et cetera, to keep your home clean and hygienic.
By Bernice Ama Asiadey
Conflict at work is more common than you might think. According to 2022 research by The Myers-Briggs Company, more than a third of the workforce reports dealing with conflict often, very often, or all the time in the workplace. The same report found that managers spend an average of four hours per week dealing with conflict, and nearly 25 per cent of people think their managers handle conflict poorly or very poorly.
Addressing a dispute might feel tense or awkward, but resolving the conflict is typically well worth it in the long run. Whether you’re trying to mediate conflict between colleagues or are directly involved, here are seven steps you can take to manage workplace conflict.
1. Don’t put it off
Facing conflict head-on is hard. However, waiting too long to address it can negatively impact your emotional well-being, focus, and the entire office environment. If you’re feeling angry, letting that emotion fester can also escalate it over time. This can make you less responsive to other points of view and make it harder to resolve the issue.
The sooner you can address the conflict, the better it will be for you, the person you disagree with, and your entire team.
2. Learn all you can about the problem
It’s important to determine the type of conflict you’re dealing with. Begin by considering the cause of the conflict. For example, ask yourself whether someone said something that upset you or if you have emotions of anger and resentment that stemmed from something that happened.
Then try to identify if it’s a task, relationship, value, or team conflict. Once you know what type of conflict it is, you can work to resolve it with specific tactics for that situation.
If you skip this step, you may waste time or escalate the situation further by trying to address issues irrelevant to the real conflict.
3. Actively listen
Listen attentively when people share their side of the story. Active listening is one of the most valuable professional skills you can possess. This type of listening involves not only hearing what the other person is saying but also listening to understand their point of view.
No matter your role in conflict, it’s easy to begin sharing your opinion with little regard for the other people involved. However, it’s important to learn about all sides of a disagreement to make well-informed decisions before drawing conclusions.
To reach a resolution, you must step back and prioritize listening over talking. Ultimately, that will encourage the other person to do the same when it’s your turn to speak. –source: betterup.com
Today, I focus on the Temple Of Praise Ministries International (TOP Church) in Helsinki, as I continue my description of personalities or institutions and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The TOP Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments that must be made known to the public. 
Some history
The Church was established in Finland in September 2016. Since its inception, it has steadily grown both spiritually and numerically, by the grace of God, as disclosed to me by Mr Matthew Anini Twumasi, the Presiding Elder of TOP’s branch in Finland. The TOP Church has other branches across Africa, Europe, and America.
The Church in Finland was founded with a vision to create a welcoming and dynamic community where people could experience God’s love and grace (see, www.topchurchfinland.org). According to Presiding Elder Matthew, the TOP Church operates within a unique environment where Christianity coexists with what is seen as a largely secular society.
Despite this, he submits, there are significant opportunities for outreach, unity, and demonstrating the love of Christ through service and community engagement.
Activities
Church services at the TOP Church are typically held on Sundays for the main worship. In addition, there are mid-week prayer sessions, Saturday prayer services, and a half-night service held on the last Friday of every month. “We also organise quarterly programs”, Elder Matthew added.
His impression of the Church so far has been positive. “It is a vibrant and welcoming community where members are committed to worship, fellowship, and supporting one another in faith”, he stated.
In sum, Elder Matthew said the Church continues to grow by God’s grace. “We remain hopeful and committed to spreading the Gospel, strengthening the faith of our members, and making a positive impact in society”, he continued.
Achievements
The TOP Church has a number of achievements and achievements. Some of the strengths include strong community bonds, cultural diversity, and deep commitment to spiritual growth.
I also remember that during the COVID-19 period, I heard that the TOP Church was one such bodies that hugely supported its members and others to cope with the situation.
According to Elder Matthew, the challenges facing the church include “adapting to cultural differences, engaging the younger generation, expanding outreach in a secular society, and securing a permanent place of worship”.
Role in the Ghanaian community in Finland
The TOP Church plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the TOP Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
The Church also has mechanisms in place to support its members who are bereaved as a way to commiserate with them in times of death and funerals.
The Ghanaian community has played a vital role in the growth of the Church. Their strong sense of fellowship, dedication to worship, and active participation have helped build a solid foundation and attract others to the ministry, according to Elder Matthew.
Integration
By its activities, the TOP Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society.
This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process.
The role of migrant associations and groups such as TOP Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
