Features
Who is an expert?
The term expert is now becoming a word that is losing its importance in Ghana. In recent times, when an incident occurs such as armed robbery, a fire gutting a building, someone committing suicide etc., it is not uncommon to hear or see depending on which medium you are dealing with, to hear or see a so called expert being invited by media personnel to comment on the issue.
When a careful analysis is made of what these experts present in response to various questions put to them by the various media people, one begins to wonder if, indeed, these people are really experts.
An expert can be defined as “a person who has a broad and deep competence in terms of knowledge, skill and experience through practice and education in a particular field”. There are issues that are critical to national development and which must be explained well to the populace.
Some of such issues even border on national security and, therefore, people who are called to speak to the issues must be people who are knowledgeable enough to address pertinent issues.
We will be doing ourselves harm as a nation by not letting people with the requisite knowledge, of the issues involving in any particular sector of our national life, to talk about them. Media personnel must be admonished to be careful in the selection of people who are called to be panelists in the discussion of topics on their shows.
What worries me are the so- called security experts who have mushroomed all over the place and the eagerness with which the journalists call them onto their shows to seek their opinions on issues.
Recently when the murder of the Mfantseman MP occurred, it became a hot topic on various media platforms. There was suggestion that it was high time personal bodyguards were provided for members of parliament to ensure their safety.
This issue became a debatable one with a section of the populace supporting such a move and a section opposing it. Then comes some of these so-called experts wading into the discussion. The arguments they used in opposition to this move by government were, indeed, laughable to say the least.
I listened to a few of them and the argument was that the UN standard for effective policing ratio of one to 500, has not been achieved in Ghana, hence that should be the focus instead of trying to focus on personal security for the MPs.
What they fail to realise is that these MPs play a very sensitive role in our governance structure and must be given protection just like other arms of government.
Our constitution frowns on discrimination and if the other arms of government are provided personal security, it is only right that the members of parliament are also given the same treatment. Any fair minded person would readily agree that the MPs also deserve their fair share of the largesse of the state given to the other branches of government.
There is the first group of these so-called experts who do not have depth in the particular subject area they claim to be experts in. They come into the discussions with comments and categorical statements that make you wonder the institutions and training they went through to become what they claim to be.
They go about commenting on issues without any deep technical knowledge and do not profess any practical solutions when asked for the way forward on the issue or issues under discussion.
The other group consists people who by their comments show that their party considerations have influenced their comments. This group is made up of two sub groups; those who are always quick to blame everything on the government especially if their party is in opposition and the issue under consideration has to do with a decision taken by government.
Those whose party is in government also see nothing wrong with actions taken by government and their comments betray them. It appears that once someone is in academia the title expert is readily conferred on him.
In election year like the current one and more especially with elections a few weeks away, those for government and against government behaviours are not uncommon.
On a few occasions, we find real experts talking on issues and they are a delight to watch and listen to. Those are the people this country needs and media personnel must be encouraged to do a proper search to identify real experts to invite them to their shows.
Real experts do vote but they do vote based on their careful assessment of policies of political parties and based on sentimental reasons. Such people are very professional when commenting on issues and do not allow any other considerations to influence their comments on issues.
In conclusion, there has to be a way of defining who an expert in a particular field is and a clear criteria lined up. This would go a long way to ensure that journalist would invite real experts in every sense of the word and do away with all manner of people parading themselves as experts in various fields of endeavour.
Laud Kissi-Mensah
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
