Those of us who have blood ties with the Central Region are often assumed to have an insatiable sweet tooth and divert funds for our mansions and wealth creation into our bellies. I don’t think this is still true but there are some traits that still exist; a preference for “Ghana” salad instead of a healthy salad and desserts that appear to create the right environment for heart attacks. My thoughts today will however neither dwell on mouth-watering salads nor a mixed platter of meat instead it will be a mixed bag of thoughts not related in anyway.

These days the sun appears to be bluffing too much (courtesy of Rosemary Aboagye Ntim). We all know its might and we are not even arguing with it yet it virtually wants to dry up even our bones and can make life so uncomfortable. I am sure after making this complaint the sun will make today unbearable just to punish me for bringing it up. Climate Change is real and we cannot afford to just sit back and assume all will be well; IT WON’T! We need to take basic steps that do not require the assistance of the animal called government. What if we each planted one tree a month, I can tell you for sure that we will be creating our own ecosystem. We can all do this, we do not need big English made in Cape Coast the seat of “sweet-tooth” to get started.

I often wonder why we need to protect our phones with passwords. If you need to hide something then it probably should not be on your phone or get another phone for “secrets”. There is so much information on our phones that may help save our lives in an emergency but all too often a good Samaritan who may appear on the scene cannot access contacts etc. I believe in ICE; In Case of Emergency and it is important that we all spread this word. Make sure that you have at least three contacts saved on your phone with ICE e.g. ICE Kojo Essel, ICE Frank Addo etc. What this means is once you are found in a situation in which you are unable to help yourself anyone who accesses your contacts will be looking out for those listed under ICE. These people will have a fair knowledge about your health and other matters and will be able to give instant advice or even rush to the scene to help you. It may be LIFE SAVING. Do not only play games, chill on social media etc. but make your phone a potential life-saving equipment. If you haven’t done that already, kindly ICE your phone today.

My final ingredient for today’s menu looks at Stigmatization associated with COVID-19. This is an area that is taken for granted but it is key in the fight against COVID-19. Stigmatization goes to the extent of people not being allowed into spaces where they work long after they have recovered. Such an act leads to poverty, poor nutrition, people feeling isolated and mental health challenges arising. Eventually people delay seeking medical care when they have symptoms suggestive of COVID and we know what that can lead to. Others will still come into common areas including work so that people will not associate them with COVID-19. This could lead to more people being exposed to the virus. Essentially as the pace of vaccinating people in Sikaman strives hard to underperform a snail we need to adhere strictly to COVID-19 PROTOCOLS and need to remind ourselves daily that “ protocols cannot work effectively when there is stigmatization.” Let us all watch our choice of words. “COVID-19 suspects” for instance has a negative connotation and it may be preferable to use “recovering from COVID-19” or “may have COVID-19.”

My 50% Fante blood seems to have been diluted to the extent that kenkey and pepper seems to sit well with my belly unlike a continental breakfast that may cause rumbling and churning in places that would rather remain quiet.

AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel

Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise.

Thought for the week – “By all means start a hobby if you do not have one. It will do wonders to your state of wellness.”