Features
WHEN GHANA STOOPED LOW!
Democracy is a profound word with a sound meaning that reflects the will and aspirations of people in a nation. It is a political system that allows people to select their governments by voting for them in elections.
Simply put, it is the best option of governance because the citizens have their representations in government unlike military rule with dire consequences of dictatorship.
Nations, including the United States of America (USA), Germany, United Kingdom, France and a host of others that have adopted democratic system of governance can attest to the fact that it is a smooth system governed by constitution instead of decrees under military dictatorship. They have strengthened and advanced their economies through this system of governance.
Our country, Ghana, is no exception to a democratic system of governance for many years when it freed itself from military dictatorship which sent the nation backwards.
We are in our Fourth Republic and systematically the country is trying to build on its structures so that we can rub shoulders with nations that have taken the lead in building their economies through the democratic system of governance.
It appears that in recent times, choosing our leaders under this system, for selfish or obvious reasons, is creating problems for us as it has generated a lot of anxiety with a resultant tension in the country, especially among the citizens.
The recent elections in the country which saw the incumbent President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the New Patriotic Party, emerge the winner, to lead the people for his last term of four years has, indeed, heightened tension in the country.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by its leader, John Dramani Mahama, is opposed to the victory of President Akufo-Addo, describing the election as a stolen verdict and, therefore, he is in court challenging the outcome of the presidential election. Rightly so, that is what the constitution prescribes and Mr Mahama is entitled to the path he has chosen to seek redress for his grievances.
While the case is pending before the court, it will be a breach if the conditions under the constitution are not followed to the letter to form a government duly sworn-in to administer the affairs of the nation, hence the swearing-in of the President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Speaker and members of Parliament to steer the affairs of the country.
The drama and nasty incidents that took place during the election of the Speaker is worth noting and condemnable by every right thinking Ghanaian. Of course, we have been witnessing rowdy situations in many parliaments within nations across the globe, but not to this extent where honourables who are expected to exhibit exemplary qualities to their electorate would stoop so low by showing qualities that made the people to question their legibility in governance and whether they deserve to be called honourables.
Parliamentary rules were abused and thrown to the dogs as matured men and women elected to serve their constituents behaved in a “childish” and awkward manner. We can forgive them for the sitting arrangement of MPs which was flouted because both parties -the NPP and NDC, claimed they obtained the same margin of 137-137 seats of MPs elected and, therefore, any of them could sit where they preferred.
However, the voting of a Speaker with its attendant disturbances of kicking ballot boxes, heckling of the Clerk of Parliament and snatching of some ballot papers by an MP were unheard of in the history of Ghana’s democratic dispensation and should be condemned outright.
How could an MP harbour the notion of snatching ballot papers from officials when they were being counted and bolted with them? In fact, it was the Chamber of Parliament that saved the situation, otherwise it would have been disastrous and bloody if that episode happened at the forecourt or anywhere outside the parliament house.
The invasion of military personnel inside the Chamber was another matter to be considered in the future. Thank God no casualty was recorded whatsoever but that was a matter worth recording for history.
The drama has ended and the constitutional requirements have been fulfilled for the nation to move forward while the substantive case of challenging the presidential result is before court waiting for determination so that the right thing would be done for peace to prevail in the country.
All that the millions of Ghanaians are wishing for is that, this shameful spectacle which seemed to have dented our image in the international arena and has made the outside world to harbour the feeling that our nation would not be safe for business and other transactions, should be rectified within the shortest possible time.
It is also important to establish a consensus building in parliament where the two parties can relate effectively between each other so that the business of the house can be run smoothly in order not to retard the nation’s progress. This is exactly so because of the circumstances surrounding the election of the Speaker from the opposition NDC.
While Ghanaians wait patiently for the outcome of the election petition in court, it will be advisable for absolute peace to prevail in the country.
This is the only dear country we have and should there be any war, God forbid, we would perish in our entirety; therefore, we need to tolerate one another in order to preserve the nation’s peace and restore its original status as the beacon of democracy.
By CHARLES NEEQUAYE
The driver stopped the vehicle at the gate of the large, fenced property along the Nsawam Highway, and Kakraba stepped out to meet the several workers who had gathered to wait for him.
He greeted them and went straight to the point.
“Gentlemen, I am glad to see that you have almost completed the clearing of the land. I’m happy to report that we have concluded all arrangements with Nana Serebour, and construction of the palace will start in a few days.
“I will need you to go and level the ground, and then come back to start this project. Some workers from a construction company will come and join us.
“My plan is to build twenty houses in four months. Then we will do twenty more until we reach two hundred.
“I am relying on you to help me deliver good-quality work to satisfy our clients and, as I have already indicated to you, I will reward you for your work.”
After an hour’s discussion, he closed the meeting and moved to drive away. Wofa Yaw drew closer.
“Director, can you please spare me five minutes? I would like to discuss a small issue.”
“Why, Wofa Yaw? Your wife has threatened to leave you?”
“No, Director. My wife will never leave me. This concerns a young niece of mine.”
“I hope it’s something I can help with. Please sit in the car and let me hear you.”
“Boss, my niece, Beesiwa, is a polytechnic graduate, very beautiful and with very good character.
“Unfortunately, her parents virtually forced her into a relationship with an idiot based in the US, which affected her badly. She has now recovered from that experience and, Boss, I am respectfully asking if you would find a job for her.
“I promise you that you will never regret it.”
“Well, Wofa Yaw, let me meet her and speak with her. I may be able to help, maybe not in the way you expect, but let me meet her.
“I will not be back here for another week, but I will be at the office throughout next week. You can come with her.”
On Monday morning, Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa were seated at the office by nine o’clock. Three young ladies welcomed them warmly, offered them soft drinks and assured them that Kakraba would be there shortly.
They then returned to their desks and sat behind computers with large screens displaying various building designs.
Kakraba walked in and greeted them warmly. After chatting briefly with the three ladies, he ushered Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa into his office.
“Director, this is my niece, Beesiwa. I mentioned her to you when you came to Nsawam.”
“Yes, indeed. Madam Beesiwa, you are very beautiful, just as your uncle said. Wofa Yaw is my colleague.
“We have just started a building project that will take about three to four years. He mentioned that you have a small problem, so I said I would like to meet you and see how I can help.
“So, Beesiwa, please tell me a little about yourself.”
Beesiwa described her childhood, her school experience, her brief work at the bank and the nasty episode with Sammy Abrokwa, which shattered her peaceful life. She also explained how she had been recovering from the experience.
“I am really sorry to hear this,” Kakraba said. “Now, here is what we are going to do.
“We are a small but very busy company. The three ladies out there spend most of the day on site and come back to report on their work in the morning.
“I have three main projects. The big one is an estate project in Nsawam, where your uncle is one of my main colleagues. I need a personal assistant who can take care of my activities, especially when I am not in town.
“Now, we will have to start with trust. Based on what I know about Wofa Yaw, and based on what you yourself have told me, I think we can start on a sound basis.
“So, Wofa Yaw will take you to my home. You can move into one of the four guest rooms.”
“Sir, I have taken some computer lessons, and I have even done graphics and web design,” Beesiwa said.
“Fantastic! I will give you a good phone and a laptop. I will also arrange computer lessons for you.”
“Now, Wofa Yaw, take her home. My sister, Kuukuwa, will meet you and show you around, and then you can return to Koforidua.
“When would you like to start work?”
“Sir, I would like to start today, but I would need to go and bring my things.”
“No problem. Take a taxi to my house, meet my sister, and let me know what you decide.”
Later that day, Kakraba and the three ladies met with some bank officials to conclude the sale of the three buildings at Adabraka.
They closed at five-thirty and, after rewarding the ladies for their hard work, Kakraba got home just after dark.
He was surprised to find Kuukuwa and Beesiwa sitting at the table enjoying supper.
“What’s happening here?” he asked. “Beesiwa, I thought you would return to Koforidua.”
“She changed her mind,” Kuukuwa said. “We went to the mall and bought a few things for her. Then we came back to cook. She has made some nice changes to your bedroom and cooked a couple of interesting dishes. Sit down; we will serve you.”
“Well, I certainly can’t refuse that. It’s been a busy day.
“So, what’s the plan now? Will Beesiwa go to Koforidua tomorrow, gather her things together and come down?”
“No, I will stay here for a while,” Beesiwa replied. “Kuukuwa bought me the things I need, so I may go back next week. I’m ready to start work. What would you like me to start with?”
“Well, you can come to the office tomorrow morning, meet the three girls and get a feel for what we do.
“Since you are living here, at least for now, we can discuss the plans for the next few weeks.
“Sometimes there are gaps when I travel up north. You can take care of things from now. I think the girls would like having someone like you around.”
By Ekow de Heer
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A frequent question following breast surgery is whether human tissue possesses the regenerative capacity to restore an excised organ.
From a strict physiological standpoint, a completely removed breast cannot regrow. Unlike certain organisms that can regenerate complex limbs or organs, adult human tissues—particularly specialised glandular structures—lack the cellular machinery required to rebuild an entire organ after its total surgical removal.
Instead, the body heals the surgical site through processes such as scar tissue formation and re-epithelialisation rather than complete cellular regeneration.
What a mastectomy actually removes
To understand why natural tissue regeneration does not occur, it is important to examine the surgical scope of a mastectomy.
Depending on the type of procedure and the medical reason for surgery, a mastectomy may involve the removal of:
Glandular architecture: The milk-producing lobules and ducts that form the functional core of the mammary gland.
Adipose tissue: The fatty tissue that contributes to breast volume, projection and contour.
Other breast tissue: The extent of tissue removal varies according to the type of mastectomy and the need to achieve appropriate surgical clearance.
Because specialised breast structures are physically removed, the body does not rebuild a complete mammary gland. Instead, healing occurs through tissue repair and scar formation.
Distinguishing residual tissue from “regrowth”
Patients or observers may notice changes in the chest area after surgery, sometimes leading to misconceptions about tissue regeneration.
Skin- and nipple-sparing procedures
Modern breast surgery may preserve the outer skin envelope or, in selected cases, the nipple-areola complex. Small amounts of breast tissue may remain depending on the surgical technique. Any changes in remaining tissue due to hormonal fluctuations represent residual tissue responding to the body, rather than the regrowth of a completely removed breast.
Adipose accumulation
Weight gain after surgery can increase the amount of subcutaneous fat across the chest wall. However, this is part of general body fat distribution and does not represent the regeneration of a mammary gland.
Modern reconstructive pathways
Because a completely removed breast does not naturally regenerate, modern medicine offers reconstructive options aimed at restoring physical symmetry, contour and body image.
The two main approaches are implant-based reconstruction and autologous, or tissue-based, reconstruction.
Implant-based reconstruction
Implant-based reconstruction uses synthetic medical devices, typically filled with silicone gel or saline, to rebuild the breast mound following a mastectomy.
The two-stage process: This approach may begin with the placement of a temporary tissue expander to gradually create space and stretch the surrounding tissues. A later procedure may then be performed to place a permanent implant.
Recovery profile: Implant-based reconstruction generally involves a shorter initial surgery and recovery period compared with procedures that require tissue to be harvested from another part of the body.
Long-term considerations: Breast implants are not lifetime devices and require ongoing medical monitoring. Some patients may need additional procedures over time because of complications or changes in the implant or surrounding tissue.
Autologous or tissue-based reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own living tissue to create a new breast mound. Tissue may be transferred from another part of the body, commonly the lower abdomen, using procedures such as a DIEP flap.
Natural look and feel: Because the reconstruction uses living tissue, it can provide a natural warmth, texture and softness. The tissue may also change with the patient’s body weight over time.
Long-term durability: Once healing is complete, autologous reconstruction can provide a long-lasting result without the need to replace an implant. However, some patients may still require further procedures.
Complex surgery: This option usually involves a longer operation and recovery period. In microsurgical procedures, surgeons may need to reconnect tiny blood vessels to establish blood flow to the transferred tissue.
Direct comparison
When choosing between these two reconstructive pathways, patients and their surgical teams must consider several physical, medical and lifestyle factors.
Surgical burden: Implant surgery is generally less invasive, while flap reconstruction involves surgery at both the chest and the donor site.
Foreign material versus native tissue: Implants involve the use of a medical device, while autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue.
Recovery: The recovery timelines and rehabilitation requirements differ significantly between the two procedures.
Recovery and physical rehabilitation
Recovering from breast reconstruction requires patience, careful pacing and, in some cases, structured physical rehabilitation.
Because implant-based and autologous tissue-flap procedures involve different surgical techniques, their healing timelines and physical therapy milestones can vary considerably.
Understanding these differences is important for patients considering reconstruction, as the choice involves more than restoring physical appearance. It also requires careful consideration of recovery, long-term monitoring, lifestyle and individual medical needs.
Part 2 will examine recovery timelines, physical therapy milestones and other factors patients should consider when choosing between reconstructive options.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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