Shameful Diseases Disappear From Ghana

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Sugar Man 12 years ago

It's good to now and then read something different from the usual topics of Akufo, NPP, NDC, Mahama, Kpegah etc that are the staples of Okoampa, Adofo, Bokor, M. Jackson, Akadu and a few others. Ghana is surely a lot larger t ...
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It's good to now and then read something different from the usual topics of Akufo, NPP, NDC, Mahama, Kpegah etc that are the staples of Okoampa, Adofo, Bokor, M. Jackson, Akadu and a few others. Ghana is surely a lot larger than these concerns and Ghanaweb is supposed to discuss all things.

But you forgot to mention the problems of cripples in our society. In the olden days there were few cripples. There was one "unfortunate" reason for it. In the traditional society deformed newborns were intentionally killed at birth. The traditional midwife inspected every child at birth and if there was any form of deformity, the baby was killed and quickly burried and the news reported as a still birth. Even the mother was not informed. It sounded wicked but it kept deformed people from the traditional society. Of course those who developed illnesses later that deformed them were allowed to live.

Today children are delivered in hospitals and such traditional cleansing methods cannot be allowed for ethical reasons. That's why we know of the births of Siamese twins. In the olden days such unheard of natural occurrences were regarded as tabu or demoniac that will affect the entire society. So they were never allowed to live beyond a few minutes.

Yes we have come a long way. But we still need to improve on many points.

And getting lice was not particularly due to overgrown hair but dirty hair and poor personal hygiene. This can lead to lice in the pubic hair EVEN IN TODAY'S GHANA.
Joni 12 years ago

Interesting observation about the killing off of deformed babies in the past. In certain societies even in the early 19th centuries, twins were left to die in the bush by certain tribes. Didn't we read some of this in Chinua ...
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Interesting observation about the killing off of deformed babies in the past. In certain societies even in the early 19th centuries, twins were left to die in the bush by certain tribes. Didn't we read some of this in Chinua Achebe? Anything that was strange was thought to be bad by ignorant people.

But thank goodness, such practices are no longer possible. They are things of the past like lice(?)
Kb 12 years ago

Thank God for that too.

Thank God for that too.
xyz 12 years ago

Thgis was not for all societies... for example among the Akan and among the Yoruba twins were held in high esteem.

For example in the akan society females were often bethrod to future kings.
For example twins would be c ...
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Thgis was not for all societies... for example among the Akan and among the Yoruba twins were held in high esteem.

For example in the akan society females were often bethrod to future kings.
For example twins would be called Atta(male) or Ataa(female)

Or people say that people used to kill albinos. Thats true but it was not common for every society. Have u heard of the akan God called Kwaku Firii?

One thing i have to say is that Chinua Achebe primarily focused himself to the culture of the Igbo people. So we can not really say that the taboos in among Igbo society was prevalent among the akan.
Sugar Man 12 years ago

No, not all tribes performed similar customs. I think the contributor said "certain societies" and "certain tribes" so he is aware that not all tribes killed twins. Perhaps this didn't happen in Ghana.

No, not all tribes performed similar customs. I think the contributor said "certain societies" and "certain tribes" so he is aware that not all tribes killed twins. Perhaps this didn't happen in Ghana.
Agyeman. 12 years ago

Some of these shameful aflictions may have reduced or disappeared from Ghanal but our hygeine and sanitation seems bad as ever.The stench,the litter/fecal matter and even the polluted ai/water with unknown chemicals means we ...
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Some of these shameful aflictions may have reduced or disappeared from Ghanal but our hygeine and sanitation seems bad as ever.The stench,the litter/fecal matter and even the polluted ai/water with unknown chemicals means we should be ready for an epidemic of cancer and other lifestyle diseases.In short we're in worse shape bcoz lice could not kill you.
OZA 12 years ago

Thanks Stephen for your nice piece. I think the disapearace of lice is also due to the chemical treatment our women give to their hair these days. The men and boys keep their hair down and clean, while the women constantly ke ...
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Thanks Stephen for your nice piece. I think the disapearace of lice is also due to the chemical treatment our women give to their hair these days. The men and boys keep their hair down and clean, while the women constantly keep beauty and chemical products in their hair. Lice prefer dirty, undisturbed environment.
chokor 12 years ago

The mosquito problems will continue to be prevalent especially in the urban areas as long as we continue to build open gutters. The gutters intended purpose is to carry water runoff but they have become refuse dump locations ...
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The mosquito problems will continue to be prevalent especially in the urban areas as long as we continue to build open gutters. The gutters intended purpose is to carry water runoff but they have become refuse dump locations, which in turn breed mosquitoes
Ajit Babu 12 years ago

Though not supported by any scientific statistics, my friend, you have done well with this write up that is purely based on personal observation. You have done extremely better than what the Ministry of Health would do, if as ...
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Though not supported by any scientific statistics, my friend, you have done well with this write up that is purely based on personal observation. You have done extremely better than what the Ministry of Health would do, if asked. and I bet you they cannot provide any scientific stats if contacted. BRAVO. I also like your humor!
OBIBA JK 12 years ago

BRO YOU'VE DONE A GREAT WORK, LETS PUT ALL HANDS ON DECK TO FIGHT THE REMAINING KILLER/DISGRACEFUL DISEASES.
BRAVO

BRO YOU'VE DONE A GREAT WORK, LETS PUT ALL HANDS ON DECK TO FIGHT THE REMAINING KILLER/DISGRACEFUL DISEASES.
BRAVO

GAWUKO 12 years ago

Very interesting article. It brought back my childhood. Personally I had forgotten about these dieseases because I had come accross them for so long. One shameful disease to try and get rid of will be madness. Not only madnes ...
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Very interesting article. It brought back my childhood. Personally I had forgotten about these dieseases because I had come accross them for so long. One shameful disease to try and get rid of will be madness. Not only madness in the traditional sense but general madness we see each day in the fora. A pat on your shoulder again, Stephen.
Maxwell Iddrisu 12 years ago

A disease is a disease. Some cannot be said to be shameful and thus others palatable. It will surprise you to know that many people still have pubic lice, various forms of skin diseases which are all embarassing to the carrie ...
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A disease is a disease. Some cannot be said to be shameful and thus others palatable. It will surprise you to know that many people still have pubic lice, various forms of skin diseases which are all embarassing to the carrier. Our indifference to environmental degradation and pollution, unhygienic conditions in slum areas,improper nutrition care etc. and most of all, Local and Central government unwise and selfish administrative policies have brought all these untold and incurable diseases to us.
MR. FIGURE - OUT 12 years ago

Atta Wusu should probably apologize to you for making a little joke about stammerers. Else i dont see the reason why this piece is not a brilliant one. By the way did you know that orchitis is the english word for etwo? What ...
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Atta Wusu should probably apologize to you for making a little joke about stammerers. Else i dont see the reason why this piece is not a brilliant one. By the way did you know that orchitis is the english word for etwo? What about louse, the singular form of lice? Anyways this piece is hilarious and educative to good people who want to learn.
James 12 years ago

You have never seen a stammer in Europe for all the years you spent there, right? How did you come by the association of stammerers in europe ?

Arent they stammeres as well? Please clarify.

Very good piece. Quite diffe ...
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You have never seen a stammer in Europe for all the years you spent there, right? How did you come by the association of stammerers in europe ?

Arent they stammeres as well? Please clarify.

Very good piece. Quite different from the usual NPP / NDC / Akkufo Addo/ BAwumia /Sir Stupid John etc. nonsense.
princewilly@ymail.com 12 years ago

These two Lice are sitting in Florida. One is shivering like crazy, saying "that has got to be the coldest ride I have ever had in my life!"
"How did you get here?" asks the other Lice.
"I was in the moustache of some guy r ...
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These two Lice are sitting in Florida. One is shivering like crazy, saying "that has got to be the coldest ride I have ever had in my life!"
"How did you get here?" asks the other Lice.
"I was in the moustache of some guy riding his motorcycle down the freeway."
"That is no way to travel to Florida" says the Lice."Here is what you do. Go to the airport and find a lounge. Have a sip of someone's drink so you are relaxed. Find a really pretty girl and crawl up her leg and under her dress.G o inside her panties and you will find a nice warm place to curl up and fall asleep. The next thing you know, you are in Florida! Remember that for next time.We will get together next year and you can tell me how it went!"
The following year, the two Lice are back in Florida and the first
one is shivering like crazy. "That is the coldest fucking' ride to
Florida I have had in my life!!!"
"What happened to the advice I gave you last year?"
"I did everything you told me to do! I went to the airport and found the lounge. I had a sip of someone's drink and I was good and relaxed. I saw this gorgeous girl so I crawled up her leg and under her dress. I went into her panties and found this warm, furry place to curl up and fall asleep. The next thing I knew, I was in the moustache of some guy riding his motorcycle down the freeway!!
Mackinnon 12 years ago

Princewilly kwasia!

Princewilly kwasia!
The Eye Germany 12 years ago

This is one of your ever-green and flag-bearer articles which give us good reading materials aside from the over-blown political diatribes we read from Ghanaian newspapers/web sites everyday.

Congratulations, my brother,S ...
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This is one of your ever-green and flag-bearer articles which give us good reading materials aside from the over-blown political diatribes we read from Ghanaian newspapers/web sites everyday.

Congratulations, my brother,Steve!
AYISAM 12 years ago

It is a good article for public information, but check again your point on GUINEA WORM DISEASE, indications are that no reported case has been documented for over a year or two in the indemic areas of the country

It is a good article for public information, but check again your point on GUINEA WORM DISEASE, indications are that no reported case has been documented for over a year or two in the indemic areas of the country
Edward 12 years ago

Yes, Ghana has interrupted GW transmission and the last case was seen and contained in May 2010. There is a Cash Reward of GHC 200.00 for anyone who sees and reports any hanging worm to the nearest health facility.

Yes, Ghana has interrupted GW transmission and the last case was seen and contained in May 2010. There is a Cash Reward of GHC 200.00 for anyone who sees and reports any hanging worm to the nearest health facility.
Joni 12 years ago

That means three years now without any reports of GW infection. That is great indeed. Is it only Ghana that has eradicated that pest? What about in the neighbouring countries?

That means three years now without any reports of GW infection. That is great indeed. Is it only Ghana that has eradicated that pest? What about in the neighbouring countries?

Atambila 12 years ago

Well done, we have come far as a people.
But i think gout is rather in the increase becuase of modern lifestyles of eating red meat and consumption of bear or alcohol.

Well done, we have come far as a people.
But i think gout is rather in the increase becuase of modern lifestyles of eating red meat and consumption of bear or alcohol.
Honesty-the best policy! 12 years ago

Thanks for writing to remind us indirectly that our independence has not been meaningless as some cynics would want us to believe.We should count the little achievements too and we would not fail to admit that we are not abso ...
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Thanks for writing to remind us indirectly that our independence has not been meaningless as some cynics would want us to believe.We should count the little achievements too and we would not fail to admit that we are not absolute failures.
Gbamido 12 years ago

I lkie this article.For once I have read something which is worth the energy I spent on it.I am happy not have read on either the NPP or the NDC.Thanks my brother.However,I am not too sure if it was only the Central region wh ...
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I lkie this article.For once I have read something which is worth the energy I spent on it.I am happy not have read on either the NPP or the NDC.Thanks my brother.However,I am not too sure if it was only the Central region where salt and fish could be found in the then Gold Coast as you stated. All the same, I am happy to have read something sensible.
JOHN FRIMPONG. CANADA 12 years ago

WHAT A SPECIAL ARTICLE. VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST, WHICH IS POLITICS HERE, POLITICS THERE. STEPHEN YOU ARE GREAT.

WHAT A SPECIAL ARTICLE. VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE REST, WHICH IS POLITICS HERE, POLITICS THERE. STEPHEN YOU ARE GREAT.
Dr. Kologah 12 years ago

The only educative piece i've read from an ashanti,the rest are all evildoers.

The only educative piece i've read from an ashanti,the rest are all evildoers.
Kwasi Obeng 12 years ago

Ii is true. I saw a man with elephantiasis when I was young and I took to my heels too.

Ii is true. I saw a man with elephantiasis when I was young and I took to my heels too.
Joshua Apenteng 12 years ago

A great article. Very educative indeed. We should salute our medical researchers.

A great article. Very educative indeed. We should salute our medical researchers.
Sam Akuetteh 12 years ago

How I wish HIV will also disappear. Nice article.

How I wish HIV will also disappear. Nice article.
Oti Akenteng 12 years ago

Interesting article well done Stephen and keep it up.

Interesting article well done Stephen and keep it up.
Paul Amuna 12 years ago

1. Goitre is a general term used to describe the 'thyroid swelling' and although most cases are benign, please note that some thyroid disorders may be cancerous.

It is true that most goitres are caused by chronic iodine d ...
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1. Goitre is a general term used to describe the 'thyroid swelling' and although most cases are benign, please note that some thyroid disorders may be cancerous.

It is true that most goitres are caused by chronic iodine deficiency, and although less often seen these days, be reminded that especially in iodine-deficient hinterlands in the country, the condition is still common. Iodine deficiency disorders remain one of the major global nutritional disorders and please try not to create the impression we are over it.

Yes rickets is less common now and it is largely due to improvements in vitamin D status and overall better diets.

I am surprised you report that gout has also somehow gone down. Where do you have your statistics from? Gouty arthritis is a condition associated with "affluence" and increases in energy and in particular animal protein intake. With the rising levels of obesity in our society with the concomitant increase in diabetes and other chronic non-communicable diseases, it is highly unlikely that gout would be excluded from these NCDs?

All I am saying is that in trying to educate the public about health issues, please ensure your facts are correct and balanced and also put in the right context. You are in danger of misleading people if you do otherwise.

Joni 12 years ago

... and you seem to be an expert. It is good that you have put up the caveats and reminders so that the general reader will be better informed. That is the spirit!

Thanks for that, Paul, but when you said NCD, I was going ...
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... and you seem to be an expert. It is good that you have put up the caveats and reminders so that the general reader will be better informed. That is the spirit!

Thanks for that, Paul, but when you said NCD, I was going to say: oh, not again, this has nothing to do with NDC or NPP. Then I went back briefly and saw with relief that you were not referring to our parties...
kwame 12 years ago

You forgot BURULI ULCER. It is still seen in Amansie West

You forgot BURULI ULCER. It is still seen in Amansie West
Dr Adu-Aninkorah 12 years ago

Thanks for this well researched and educative piece. Some of us are tired of this dirty politics and tribalistic tendencies. Instead of us reading and informing ourselves, look at what some of us are writing.
thanks once aga ...
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Thanks for this well researched and educative piece. Some of us are tired of this dirty politics and tribalistic tendencies. Instead of us reading and informing ourselves, look at what some of us are writing.
thanks once again
Frank 12 years ago

Thanks Papa for this piece. Your science knowledge still intact

Thanks Papa for this piece. Your science knowledge still intact
Dr Adu-Aninkorah 12 years ago

Thanks for this well researched and educative piece. Some of us are tired of this dirty politics and tribalistic tendencies. Instead of us reading and informing ourselves, look at what some of us are writing.
thanks once aga ...
read full comment

Thanks for this well researched and educative piece. Some of us are tired of this dirty politics and tribalistic tendencies. Instead of us reading and informing ourselves, look at what some of us are writing.
thanks once again
Kobby 12 years ago

Hmm story of our lives !!!

Hmm story of our lives !!!
Ya0 12 years ago

Ghana has future

Ghana has future
Seth, USA 12 years ago

Good job....my brother. You are a great asset to Ghana. Keep it up!

Good job....my brother. You are a great asset to Ghana. Keep it up!
Stoph 12 years ago

Great Job "Dr" Owusu

Great Job "Dr" Owusu
Joanna Owusu (daughter) 12 years ago

Great article Papa! I took my time to actually read it twice. What i kept wondering about what the difference between disorders and diseases. Your topic was mainly about diseases and i dont see how stammering is part of it? I ...
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Great article Papa! I took my time to actually read it twice. What i kept wondering about what the difference between disorders and diseases. Your topic was mainly about diseases and i dont see how stammering is part of it? I mean it is a speech disorder yes, but why is that considered to be as if a person was ill? or did i misunderstand? And stammering i realised when i went to ghana was still common, atleast i met many or maybe it has reduced and i just happened to meet many at this time. My personal view about why stammering could be more common in blacks than whites. I think it bows down also to culture. The whites read books a lot to children, like bedtime stories whereby in africa bedtime stories i doubt is common? Ofcourse stories are told but there are difference in reading a book to a child than telling stories. And the african culture is more strict than the european culture. A child is not necessarily allowed to talk freely whenever. And also in europe they do a lot of speech therapy and have regular checkups on the development of a child. I think these could be reasons to why maybe stammering is more occurant in blacks? About the hygiene part, if people dont change their habits how do u expect a country to be clean? I think it about the mentality and actually trying to do something. But you will see people throwing trash around because there is poor system of disposing of trash and also recycling and they end up in gutters and it gets chocked and insects start to come around. And yes it is also a lot about the government doing something, but even if they put trash bins all around and the mentality of the people doesnt change do u think those trash bins will ever be full? nope its the gutters. Anyway but i have written a lot and i hope it is not too long to read, but i enjoyed the article.
ghanaman 12 years ago

For starters, what a pleasure to read an article on a pertinent issue, by a friend whom I recognize to be the "Doyen of Ghanaweb Op-Eds". Even more so -a source of pleasure- is to note that his daughter takes time to not only ...
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For starters, what a pleasure to read an article on a pertinent issue, by a friend whom I recognize to be the "Doyen of Ghanaweb Op-Eds". Even more so -a source of pleasure- is to note that his daughter takes time to not only read the article but also (herself) become actively involved in the discussion. True, that in Africa the need to express oneself (thus one's independent opinion) is constantly suppressed. Even more damaging is the lack of reading to kids. No expert on these factors and their role in child education, but I do agree with you, Naana, that they (points) may very well explain the more frequent occurrence of stammering in Ghanaian (probably African?) communities. uncle bones
Oheneba of Simpa 12 years ago

Really enjoyed reading this one. Keep it up, Old Boy.

Really enjoyed reading this one. Keep it up, Old Boy.
YAFFA YAFFA UK 12 years ago

BRAVO BRO, LETS KEEPOUR ENVIRONEMENT CLEAN ALWAYS TO ENJOY A HEALTH LIFE.TRY TO ADVISE GHANAIANS TO BE PRACTICAL CHRISTIANS AND NOT VERBAL OR CHURCH GOERS.LASTLY HOPE OUR HEADS IN GOVERNMENT WILL BE MORE CREATIVE OURSELVES OT ...
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BRAVO BRO, LETS KEEPOUR ENVIRONEMENT CLEAN ALWAYS TO ENJOY A HEALTH LIFE.TRY TO ADVISE GHANAIANS TO BE PRACTICAL CHRISTIANS AND NOT VERBAL OR CHURCH GOERS.LASTLY HOPE OUR HEADS IN GOVERNMENT WILL BE MORE CREATIVE OURSELVES OTHER THAN DEPENDING ALWAYS ON WHITES FOR EVERYTHING.MAKE GOOD USE OF OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCSES IE SUNLIGHT,RAINFALL, WIND AROUND OUR COASTS. ENCOURAGE APOSTLE SARFO TO DO MORE TO UPLIFT GHANAIAN INTELLIGENCE.

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Shameful Diseases Disappear From Ghana

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