People & Lifestyle
The cultural and socio-economic causes of suicide
The cultural and socio-economic causes of suicide[/caption]
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 1 million people worldwide die each year from suicide. Many readers will be shocked to know that five out of the ten deaths recorded as daily average are caused by suicide. We may wonder as to what drives such a large number of our compatriots, many of them very young, to take their own lives. It seems rather far-fetched for people who have not been touched by the cruel hand of suicidal depression and despair before. For many of these unfortunate people, suicide was never their primary option but a suicidal person can be faced by such inner turmoil that the resort to self-harm or even death, seems a great relief. What is more disturbing is the involvement of young people, some as young as ten or eleven years, in suicides. Underlying social factors Why would someone want to end his or her own life? There are numerous reasons for this terrible situation. They differ on basis of sex, age, culture and level of development in which a person finds his or herself. The easy availability of means and coaching on social media in recent times makes it even more disturbing.
In Ghana, seemingly insignificant things have been known to drive people into suicidal tendencies. Issues that usually escape the attention of friends, close relatives and work colleagues. For instance, certain aspects of our rich Ghanaian culture often trigger the development of mental health problems and suicidal tendencies, especially in young men. For instance, men are supposed to be the stronger partners in marriage. That perception requires the man of the family to behave in a certain way and put on a brave face even when things are not going well socially or financially. A man is expected to exercise power over his wife, be the higher wage earner and bear the lions share of the familys finances. A man is expected to be a high achiever.
Young men who do not live up to these societal expectations often feel unwanted and isolated and think themselves as failures, leading to suicidal thoughts. As powerhouses it is deemed weak for men to seek the needed professional or even friendly assistance. Cultural norms make it difficult for men to open up and seek help with the fear of their privacy being violated. There is a rather archaic Ghanaian philosophy that says ‘men do not cry’. As a result, these issues end up being bottled up leading to serious mental health problems.
The youth Our Ghanaian culture also puts a lot of pressure on young people, particularly teenagers. Our everyday lives keep on changing making it difficult for teenagers to fit in. In Ghana, all teenagers must go to school and be on top of whatever they do. Limited facilities within our institutions of higher learning mean that there is intense competition for admission to the relatively fewer good senior high schools and universities available. This intense competition often leaves girls, in particular into vulnerable positions whereby they must offer sexual favours to unscrupulous adults, especially teachers, with promises of better grades or assistance towards admission to good schools. Many such young girls often become pregnant and in in their attempts to hide their conditions from parents and guardians, resort to unsafe abortions or simply take their own lives, to end it all.
For many teenagers and even pre-teens, the availability of sexually explicit videos and images on social media often lead to experimentations that mess up their schooling, leading to depression and other mental health problems and even suicides. Parental and peer group expectations of certain career paths and social status sometimes lead to lack of personal fulfilment. Such situations can also lead to depression and the resort to self-harm. In other instances, career paths are forced on young people, especially by middle class parents and other family members. Such situations can lead to lack of self -esteem and self-harm.
In some Ghanaian homes the relationships between parents and sometimes among siblings constant fights and yelling, unnecessary comparisons to other siblings or relatives, unceasing arguments with parents and guardians, constantly push young people and teenagers in particular, to the wall. These conditions can lead to bouts of depression, self-harm and suicide.
Religion is an important part of Ghanaian culture. However, certain religious practices like anointing, false prophesies, and deliverance also contribute to mental health challenges and suicide. Charlatans promise young people mouth-watering overseas travelling opportunities which are rarely ever fulfilled, thus leading their victims into depression, mental health problems and suicide. Then there are those who dabble in occultic practices that sometimes lead to depression and suicidal tendencies. Economic factors. Some recent studies have highlighted the role of economic factors like hunger, poverty and unemployment in mental health and of suicidal behaviour. Economic adversities have been found to result in feelings of entrapment, helplessness and hopelessness. These in turn, give rise to depression and suicidal tendencies. In times of economic hardship, many people, particularly men, often find it difficult to meet family needs. The resulting shame and despair, in extreme cases, force people to decide to end their lives.
For example, a young peasant farmer takes a loan to cultivate cash crops. Unfortunately, because of ours is largely rain-fed agriculture, if the rains do not fall adequately, crops fail and our young friend is saddled with debts. For some young people, the shame and stress of indebtedness with no hope of repayment sometimes leads to a resort to suicide.
Then there is the young person whose parents sell the family heirloom to educate him or her hoping that his or her university education would land them a well-paid job. This young person graduates and is unable to find the dream or even the most basic of job, to earn a living in order to attain some level of independence and self-worth. Meanwhile they see their friends, some of whom were less bright than they were moving ahead in life. This often leads to some young women taking to prostitution while others hop from one married man to another, to keep body and soul together. The result for such young people is sometimes bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts.
There are other socio-economic causes of suicide, such as age-related emotional and body pains, breakup of marriages, loss of loved one, rape, examination failure, racism and experiences of discrimination. With all these traumatic events that tend to trigger mental health problems, there are no support systems to help people who become suicidal. Lots of lives have been lost because there are no fall back positions for the unfortunate compatriots who fall victim to these situations.
The primary support system being family and friends have been ripped apart by superstition, social media and societal distractions. We have been so totally engrossed in the rat race that the operating axiom seems to be, ’Each one for himself, God for us all.
Something has got to give. There is the need for public education on this troubling menace. There must be help lines, life lines, anti-suicide advocacy, structured free counselling websites. There is an urgent need for work place discussion groups, school counselling departments and special clinics within hospitals and local areas. New beginning Suicide is probably as big an issue today as HIV Aids was some thirty years ago. It affects people in all strands of society and its effects are particularly devastating among young people around the world. The causes are many and varied. However, many cases of self-harm or suicide could be avoided if those with mental health problems could find the appropriate help.
In Ghana, our culture and lifestyles are largely responsible for a high proportion of the socio-economic issues that drive people to self-harm and suicide. Culture is dynamic, which means we can do away with some of the cultural practices and perceptions that push people to the brink, often resulting in suicide. Our attitudes to everyday life in no small measure contribute to the pressures that lead some people to suicide. We need to do some soul searching as a people so we can begin to see ourselves as part of the problem and therefore necessarily part of the solution as well.]]>
People & Lifestyle
Caradise Ghana Car Rental Facilitates Transportation for Global Christian Forum held in Accra
Caradise Ghana Car Rental has once again successfully facilitated the transportation of over 240 participants from 60 countries across the globe for the recently ended Global Christian Forum in Accra, Ghana.
Numerous buses hauled the various participants from the Airport to their designated hotels from the 12th to 15th of April, 2024. Participants were then transported from their hotels to the conference grounds daily for the gathering of devoted Christians from the 16th to the 19th of April, 2024.
The forum began with a vibrant, joyful worship service held at Accra Ridge Church. The Rev. Dr. Casely Essamuah welcomed participants to Ghana and to the Fourth Global Gathering, and participants spent the day sharing their faith stories with one another across the litany of differences represented.
The forum was climaxed with a dinner and 25th anniversary celebration at the Action Chapel Internation Church hosted by Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams.
After the forum, the participants took the opportunity to visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum where they learnt about the great Pan-Africanist, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Ghana’s journey to inpendence.
The participants also spent a day in Cape Coast where they learnt about the millions of enslaved, dehumanised African men, women, and children at the Cape Coast Castle. Witnessing first hand how Africans were forcibly taken captive to the Americas, Caribbean, and Europe as objects of lucrative trade.
People & Lifestyle
DJ Khaled Announces Second Annual We The Best Foundation Golf Classic On June 12 & 13 in Miami Beach !
GRAMMY® Award-winning, global megastar DJ Khaled proudly announces the return of his annual WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC for the second year in a row.
For 2024, the mega-popular charity event expands to two days on Wednesday June 12 and Thursday June 13 in Miami, FL. Given the demand by countless superstar artists, A-list athletes, and entertainers to participate, he needed to stretch the proceedings over two days!
Once again, the event will be sponsored by Jordan Brand, and all proceeds support the We The Best Foundationand its numerous efforts to bolster education. Stay tuned for the multitude of exciting confirmed guests, and more.
Khaled created a cultural groundswell and personally appeared on ESPN’s SPORTSCENTER to break the news of the second installment of the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC today. Watch HERE.
Regarding the return of the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC, he commented, “Last year, the WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC brought out so many friends and family to make a difference, play some great golf, and have an incredible day for a great cause. This year, we’re going even bigger, and we thank everyone for their continued support. TEE UP AND BLESS UP!”
Last year, the inaugural WE THE BEST FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC hosted Serena Williams, pro golfers Michael Block and Bubba Watson, Odell Beckham, JR., Shannon Sharpe, Victor Cruz, Jalen Rose, Terrell Owens, Marcus Jordan, Jeezy, Quavo, The-Dream, Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, Fat Joe, Cedric The Entertainer, Joey Fatone, and more. The foundation raised over $500,000 which benefited the enrichment of children and youth through educational programming, scholarships, and extracurricular activities.
More guests and partners for 2024 will be unveiled soon.
People & Lifestyle
Ghanaian activist hugs over 1,100 trees in an hour to set record
An environmental activist and forestry student from Ghana has set a new world record for the most trees hugged in one hour. (more…)
People & Lifestyle
BEING A JUDGE FOR THE MODEL INTERNATIONAL IS A BIG PORTFOLIO – EX MP BARBARA AYISI ASHER
Former Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North constituency in the Central Region, Barbara Ayisi Asher, took on the prestigious role of judging the Cape Coast Audition for The Model International, adding yet another feather to her cap of accomplishments. Not only did she oversee the audition, but she also secured her place as a guest judge on the show itself, solidifying her position as not just a politician but a prominent figure in the world of fashion and entertainment.
The Cape Coast Audition, which served as a gateway for aspiring models in the region, marked the beginning of an exciting journey towards discovering West Africa’s next top talents in modeling. However, the spotlight now shifts to the bustling city of Accra, where the next round of auditions is set to take place.
Scheduled for Saturday, the 4th of May 2024, the Accra audition will be hosted at the prestigious Gold Coast Restaurant, conveniently located near Rockstone’s Office, Cantonments. Doors will open at 10 am, welcoming female West Africans between the ages of 18-26, residing or schooling in Ghana, to showcase their flair and passion for the runway, the camera and the screens.
Registration for the audition comes at a nominal fee of GHS100.00, providing participants with a chance to compete for the coveted title of The Model International, mouth-watering contracts and $2000.00 cash prize. To secure a spot in the audition line-up, aspiring models can register online at www.themodelinternational.com/register or seek assistance by contacting Esther, via call or WhatsApp on +233 50 890 6222.
The Model International promises to be a spectacle of talent, elegance, and glamour, captivating audiences across the nation. Set to premiere on Metro TV from the 1st of June 2024, viewers can tune in every Saturday at 8 pm to witness the unfolding drama and excitement of the competition.
As the anticipation mounts and the countdown to the grand premiere begins, the stage is set for an exhilarating journey towards declaring the next face of West African modelling and fashion. With Barbara Ayisi Asher involved, The Model International is poised to redefine standards of cat walking with grace, elegance in front of the camera and shaping the future of the fashion industry one runway at a time.
Watch Video below
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6OPjrVNN6C/?igsh=MW55ZWt4YXFkOXNyaQ==
People & Lifestyle
African Development Bank appoints Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as Special Envoy for Middle East and North Africa and Gulf Region
The President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina has appointed career diplomat Ambassador Jalel Trabelsi as his Special Envoy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region.
Ambassador Trabelsi brings to the role over 30 years of experience as a highly accomplished and distinguished diplomat.
As Special Envoy for MENA and the Gulf Region, Ambassador Trabelsi will help to foster diplomatic and strategic engagements within the MENA and Gulf Region, focusing on the Bank’s strategic priorities, strengthening partnerships and mobilizing public and private sector resources at scale to deliver transformational projects in Africa.
A Tunisian citizen, Ambassador Trabelsi’s diplomatic career is marked by significant roles and contributions. He served as Minister Plenipotentiary for African Affairs, and was the Ambassador of Tunisia to Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Sierra Leone, and the Economic Community of West Africa (Ecowas). He also served as the Dean of the Council of Arab Ambassadors and in other roles as an Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the National Commission for Tunisia’s candidacy to the Presidency of the African Development Bank.
He is also a specialist in international law and taught Diplomatic International Law at university level.
Ambassador Trabelsi holds an Advanced Master in Maritime and Aviation Law from Belgium’s Université Libre de Bruxelles, where he undertook his undergraduate degree in political science and international relations and passed with the highest honors. He also holds a Master’s degree in political science from the University of Tunis. He is multilingual with fluency in English, French, and Arabic.
Commenting on his appointment, Ambassador Trabelsi said: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed by Dr. Adesina to this role. As an African, I am motivated to continue to serve our continent and to contribute to the African Development Bank’s transformational work under the visionary leadership of Dr. Adesina. I will work to ensure the Bank maintains and further strengthens its excellent and fruitful cooperation and partnership with Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Gulf Region.”
Dr. Adesina said: “I am delighted to have Ambassador Trabelsi as my Special Envoy for a region that holds a lot of promise for the Bank’s and Africa’s economic transformation. He has a strong track record and expertise in international relations and cooperation as well as international negotiation. He brings extensive knowledge in African, Arab, and European affairs and a deep understanding of the activities of the Bank, as well as other regional and international financial banking institutions.”
People & Lifestyle
KFC Ghana Introduces the “Streetwise Wings Meal” for ONLY GH¢30, KFC will also Embark on Donating 500 Streetwise Wing Meals Every Month to Basic Schools!
KFC Ghana is excited to announce the latest addition to their Streetwise menu: the “Streetwise Wings Meal.” This new offering is a perfect blend of KFC’s signature crispy wings paired with a side of delightfully spicy rice, all for an affordable price of GH¢ 30.
The “Streetwise Wings Meal” is a flavorful adventure meant to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank. The meal consists of three juicy and perfectly fried chicken wings, coated in KFC’s famous blend of herbs and spices. To complement the crispy wings, the meal includes a generous serving of spicy rice—a hearty side that packs a punch and ensures a fulfilling dining experience.
“KFC Ghana is always looking for ways to deliver value and satisfaction to our customers,” said the Digital and E-commerce Manager of KFC Ghana. “We believe that the Streetwise Wings Meal does just that, providing a balanced and flavorful meal at a price point that is accessible for everyone. It’s a perfect choice for a quick lunch or a delicious dinner on the go.”
The Streetwise Wings Meal is now available for order through the KFC Ghana App, with options for delivery, in-store pickup, or dine-in. The App is designed to provide the utmost convenience for customers, allowing for seamless ordering and payment. You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and get your meal with just a few taps on your smartphone.
KFC assures that all meals are prepared following the highest standards of quality and hygiene, ensuring that customers not only get a delicious meal but also a safe one.
So, whether you’re in the mood for a quick snack or a full meal, the new Streetwise Wings Meal is here to make your day a little more flavorful. Head to the nearest KFC or get the app now to enjoy this spicy new treat!
In addition to offering the delectable “Streetwise Wings Meal,” KFC Ghana is expanding its community support by announcing a generous donation campaign and will be donating 500 Streetwise Wing Meals at selected basic schools every month across the country. This initiative invites customers or social media users to nominate a school for a chance to enjoy this amazing offer, illustrating KFC Ghana’s commitment to giving back to the community. With the addition of this charitable action, KFC Ghana reinforces its reputation as a brand that not only provides value through its meals but also invests in the welfare of its community and its employees. Updates will be communicated via KFC Ghana’s social media platforms. Don’t forget to follow the social media pages and nominate a school!
Facebook: KFC Ghana
Instagram: @KFCGhana
X: @KFC_Ghana
TikTok: @KFC_Ghana
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