Friday, March 11, 2011

NADIA BUARI - GHANA'S SILVER SCREEN SUPER STAR WITH IMPECCABLE AND ELECTRIFYING BEAUTY


When Nadia Buari stepped foot at the glamorous University of Ghana a few years ago, little did people know she would be an instant hit and super movie star of domestic and international  repute. Her calm physique and model-like gestures in movies  and auriferous silky voice could be recognized by many people from slumber.

EARLY LIFE OF OUR STAR:
Nadia Buari is a Ghanaian actress born on 21st November 1982, in Takoradi, Western Region, to an equally great ALHAJI SIDIKU BUARI of MUSIGA and SID theatre fame (an accomplished musician) and Hajia, a beautician. Her father's achievements as an accomplished producer, director, musician, actor, and a heavy-weight in entertainment politics in Ghana and beyond have influenced her right from elementary school days when she was a member of the drama and dance groups.

She studied PERFORMING ARTS at University of Ghana and now holds a BFA degree in Fine Arts. Her mother's profession has been streamlining her outlooks since her infancy.

ACHIEVEMENTS
She premiered in the Ghanaian TV series, GAME PEOPLE PLAY in late 2005. In 2006, together with VAN VICKER and JACKIE APPIAH, she acted as ANITA in MUMMY's DAUGHTER. Still in 2006, she acted
Beyonce in the movie, Beyonce: the President's daughter. Her sterling performance endeared her to many a fan across the face of Ghana and Africa and beyond. Her motivation in life ( or to say in her fast rise in the movie industry) is self-motivation and sticking to good AFRICAN morals and having the opportunity to educate people in different spheres of life through movies. She also starred in DARKNESS OF SORROW and RETURN OF BEYONCE. In 2007, she starred in IN THE EYES OF MY HUSBAND, SLAVE TO LUST. In 2008, she starred in AGONY OF THE CHRIST, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, BEYONCE AND RIHANNA, HIDDEN TREASURE, TOMORROW MUST WAIT, WICKED INTENTIONS. In 2009, she has starred in LOVE, LIES AND MURDER, MY LAST AMBITION. Other movies she has starred in are ROYAL SCANDAL, LOVERS CREEK, DANGEROUS MISSION, SPANISH GUITAR, TRUE COLOURS, MY SISTER'S HUSBAND. The list goes on and on.

NOMINATIONS, AWARDS, FESTIVALS ATTENDED, CONTRACTS OF NOTE
A. GHANA MOVIE AWARDS
 - 2010, she won BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (ENGLISH, Checkmate)

B. AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS
- 2007, she received nomination in AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS (AMA-A) as BEST ACTRESS IN LEAD ROLE (BEYONCE, the President's Daughter).
- 2009, she received nomination  in AMA-A as BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE (AGONY OF THE CHRIST)



C. FESTIVALS ATTENDED
- In February 2011, she attended the opening night  Gala for the 19th annual PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL
Black Oscar De La Renta gown she wore during the opening GALA of the 19th annual Pan African Film Festival

held at the CULVER PLAZA THEATRE, Los Angeles, California.

D. CONTRACTS OF NOTE

Since, being shot in limelight from 2006, Nadia has starred in many Ghanaian and Nigerian movies. For Ghana, she has appeared in most movies of VENUS FILMS. For Nigeria, the movie production companies are many.


Recently, according to the dad of NADIA, she has signed a 2 months contract to shoot a movie in USA, that explains why she could not make it to the ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY of her sister, SHAIDA, the 2002 Miss Ghana, beauty pageant.


PRIVATE LIFE
The ever glamorous silver screen superstar has allegedly been in relationship with sports super-star, MICHAEL ESSIEN of CHELSEA fame, and just recently, DEDE AYEW. Irrespective of the veracity or otherwise of it, I think I would respect her notion she wouldn't talk about her privacy.


You are invited to send your numerous comments about our star and movie goddess, NADIA.

If you want to be my follower and want to be alerted each time I write interesting articles, then each time, you enter my blogging website, www.donabrahamsagoe.blogspot.com, look for  FOLLOW at the TOP LEFT CORNER of my blog, click and be a follower. On seeing you are follower, you will receive regular updates. I like AMAZON and their products, so if you are interested, you may add extra time to check on them.

DR ABRAHAM SAGOE SENIOR



Sunday, March 6, 2011

POEM FOR ANAS AREMEYAW ANAS - Keep it up

ANAS!
Anas!
What a gift to mother Ghana?
As selfless as the first president of Ghana,
Dr Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.
The power behind your investigative journalism sends us waves of coma.
The length and breadth of the nation has heard of you,
But none has seen you before
Excepting New Crusading Guide's staff.
With disbelief, I always laugh
At your unpredictable and profound capabilities.
O yes like INTERPOL's capabilities.


When US President, Barack Obama was in Ghana at the early stages  of his term,
Your subtle name popped up like how leaves dance their waists on a tree's stem.
The parliament house shook.
O yes it really shook.
Your diminutive stature is not only misleading
But is a deterrent to those feeding
On anything criminal.
The seminal
Fluid that  carried you to your mom's eggs had indeed got guts.
Talking of guts -
Who in Ghana today could risk his life to expose Chinese sex trade in Ghana.
This exploit was almost every media's banner.



Talk of the smuggling of COCOA a t the borders
Your team broke borders
To let the president and the nation and the whole world know better about this menace.
Not to forget about  the CEPS expose - a revelation of a furnace
For burning off Ghana's revenue.
At the CEPS expose, we see how men and women of all ages enjoy the corruption menu
With unbridled and annoying impunity;
To the extent that people indicate which Ghana currency notes they want at the least opportunity.




So when will Ghana get to the status of MALAYSIA, Singapore, South Korea and the rest.
Some of us believe that with the help of journalists like ANAS and the best of the best
Brave investigative journalists - known
And  unknown,
Ghana will reach the promised land
Where all shall stand
Tall enough to be seen wherever we set out feet.
O God, help us achieve this noble feat.
Keep it up, Anas
Aremeyaw Anas.


By Dr Abraham Sagoe (6th March 2011)

Friday, February 18, 2011

QUESTION TIME ON THE TALK ON DIET AND THE MIDDLE AGED

MD OF RHEMA LTD, OPERA ACCRA CENTRAL (ALSO ONE OF THE CHURCH DEACONS)

RHEMA MD

PEMEF DISTRICT LEADER, ACHIMOTA DISTRICT (ELDER DOMTEY)
Q AND A SECTION at the talk on diet and the middle aged at the PEMEF WEEK at ACHIMOTA CENTRAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST == check also my facebook page

PERSON 1
Q1. A young man stays in the house with this 77-year old man who has cultivated moringa tree in the backyard. He, the young man, has been observing that from time to time, the old man has been harvesting the leaves of the plant, dries and makes certain drinkable meals from. Now his question is what does this moringa tree or for that matter, the leaf and what about it attracts the old man to it almost all his life?

ANSWER:
Moringa is one of the best naturally occurring substances ever given to mankind to solve our problems. It is very good for our health especially if it is pure and unadulterated. It reduces BP and pulse and reduces unhealthy fats deposits in our bodies. it also improves our immunity. So this has contributed to the old man living that long and continuing to bubble with youthful exuberance, and him continuing to adhere to this tree and its leaves.

Q 2. How is the moringa leaf powder mixed for our health benefits especially in the case of this old man?

ANSWER:
First and foremost, for anyone to go near commercial moringa product, one should endeavor to see that in fact, the sign or an emblem of approval from the FOOD AND DRUGS BOARD is on the container or the canister. If you don't see it, irrespective of the enticing name given to the product dump it in the refuse dump. Now, in the case of the old man cultivating the tree in its own house, it is mandatory that only pure moringa leaves are harvested, washed, dried thoroughly, ground to powder and put in a clean, dry canister. This done, to administer the moringa leaf powder, your BP and pulse should be checked before. Take a small spoonful of the moringa powder and then put it in an average jug or cup of water boiled for about 1 minute. Mix thoroughly and drink as tea. At the onset, let the frequency be once daily. The next morning check your BP and pulse, you will realize there is a drop in both BP and pulse. If you are obese too, regular intake of the moringa leaf powder will help you slim



PERSON 2

Q 3. Another person asks about whether pregnant women can take moringa leaf powder tea!

ANSWER:
Even though the moringa leaf powder is good, it won't be good for the pregnant woman because for a pregnant woman, they are too or more entities whose needs are physiologically interconnected. The pregnant woman needs to eat well for her self and the fetus (i). Nothing should be taken that should be suppressing the BP and pulse unduly. There is however a pregnancy condition called pregnancy induced hypertension or a more serious co-morbidity, pre-eclampsia or an even more serious one, eclampsia. For pregnant when with those kinds of problems, they should visit their OBSTETRICIANS or doctors regularly at the agreed frequency of attendance. All such patients should as a matter of precaution desist from taking moringa and leave their medical management directly with their doctors


PERSON 3


Q 4. Is it good to mix heavy meals and fruits. He is wondering whether the fruits wouldn't cause any fermentation of the food in our bodies and cause any disease.

ANSWER
From the time we get up from bed till we recline to sleep at night, we should take very good note of our nutrition. We should eat light meals in the mornings, heavy meals in the afternoons and between light and heavy meals in the evenings. Now it will be good to intersperse the 3 main eating times with ingestion of good fruits e.g. banana, apples, grapes, guavas, etc. This in so doing helps us to get balanced diet and become well nourished and healthy. Now, the question here is whether it is good to mix fruits with heavy meals. If the heavy meals are taken in the afternoon and fruits also taken, then I think, there is no problem. But ideally, we should be in the habit of eating the fruits as part of desserts, in between meals.




QUESTION 5. For those dealing in plastics used in covering food along the streets, is it good? Are there no health hazards. Should we patronize such foods at all?

ANSWER

Under hygienic conditions and with approval of food and drugs board, where necessary, for foods packaged in plastic receptacles or coverings, there is no problem in patronizing them. However when those foods are not in any sheltered environment, and kept under the sun, certain chemicals may leach into the foods and may be harmful to the prospective consumers over time. So we should be in the habit of  avoiding those food items  parceled in plastics displayed in the heat of the sun. However, if the foods are kept in a clean sheltered environment, then why not, we can patronize.



PERSON 4, A CHURCH DEACONESS
Q 6. A church women's leader called deaconess asks that when they were in northern Ghana, their families used to be mixing moringa in soups. They were also mixing agushie and other vegetable delicacies in the soups. She asks whether it is good and at the level of consumption, whether there is adverse reaction to the consumer?



ANSWER:
It is natural and coincidental to note that people taking particular food ingredients over time have realized that taking certain food supplements should be in moderation because they have the notion that too much of everything is bad. With this I am saying that a lot or our people in the hinterlands are used taken food supplements in moderation; that explains why to some extent they have been living for very very long number of years before dying.


PERSON 5, CHURCH ELDER

Q 7. How regular should Medical check ups be and is it good to have regular checkups?

ANSWER
Regular medical check-ups are extremely important; in that certain diseases may be diagnosed by accident and sometimes the timely treatment of such problems may go a long way to to prolong human life. For women in their late 20s and beyond, they be do pelvic scans and uterine fibroids may be diagnosed; for those with hypertension ECG may diagnose MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION or other complications of hypertension, etc.

Ideally, checks every 3-6 months will be good.

Now after certain checkups and diagnoses of certain chronic diseases are made, there will be the need to heed to the advice of your doctor. He or she will tell you for instance, for your HYPERTENSION or diabetes, every month come for review and new set of medicines. Sometimes if the BP is so high, he may say come for review in 2 weeks time.



Q8. Sometimes for some of us depending on the nature of our occupations, we may be in the habit of eating late at night. How do we solve such problems. If we should eat late at night, at which ideal time should it be?
Should we eat late at night, what do we do?


ANSWER:
Jobs of today sometimes release us late to recline in our beds. We can also not go to sleep at night on empty stomachs. Now, when we are caught in this web of eat, late at night, the solution is simple. First and foremost, the food should not be heavy and after eating too we should be strolling the hall or be perambulating between corners of the house just to while away time to help digest food at least after 30-45 minutes or more before we finally sleep. If we don't hang out before sleep, the food may hardly digest, we have constipation, we develop gastritis and if HELICOBACTER PYLORI infection sets in, then we may get full blown peptic ulcer.

However as much as we can prevent eating late at night let's try and prevent it.



Q9.Drinking sachet water, is it good; if it is not good what do we do?


ANSWER
Drinking sachet water in itself is not bad. However, before drinking the water, we should try and inspect and see that the GHANA FOOD AND DRUGS BOARD sticker is on and that we watch the end that the seller held out the sachet to us so that we hold a different end. Chances are that the seller may contaminate the sachet at his or her end. If the seller's hands are contaminated by SALMONELLA typhi then we may as a consequence be heading towards developing enteric fever or typhoid.





PERSON 6

Q10.Some Ghanaians mix food supplements foreign with local and repackage and sell to us. It good? Should we patronize such goods.


ANSWER
Ii is true. A lot of people have been parading through our streets with concoctions or admixtures in canisters with strange names and that have the effrontery to mount on vehicles to disturb our ears. Majority of such charlatans have no FDB inscriptions. Now, once you are fully sure after inspecting the product and you don't see any sign or emblem of the FDB, never buy the product. When I was in the medical school, level 700 we were doing ward rounds when we got to a patient with distended abdomen, tender right hypogastrium, yellow eyes, etc. Such a person hard liver failure. Now, listen very clearly, when we were trying to inquire whether he had taken anything that might have precipitate the disease, everything proved futile - he was not HEPATITIS B or C positive, no history of alcohol intake or drug abuse, etc. The gentleman however said he was taken a certain concoction he had bought from the drug store and that after taken the concoction for some time, the condition started.The consultants and the student doc tors were of the strongest view that the herbal mixture had caused the liver failure and that the more he was taking it ignorantly, the more the condition was getting worse. What this means is the concoction was containing hepatotoxins (chemicals very dangerous to the liver). So a word to the wise is enough


PERSON 7
Q11. High and low blood pressure, which is dangerous? What are the symptoms of hypertension? How is hypotension treated?


ANSWER
A. Both hypertension and hypotension could be potentially dangerous. However, one is more dangerous than the other. For somebody with hypertension who reports early if the BP is high for instance 160/90 and beyond, sometimes at the hospital or clinic, sub-lingual nifedipine is given and that brings the BP down. For stroke patients, BP is not be brought down too fast otherwise for hemorrhagic strokes, bleeding episodes may be worsened and the patient may die. For someone with hypotension (BP 90-100/50), iv infusions may be given. Other co-morbid conditions should be checked (e.g. diabetes - blood sugar, etc) so that infusions rather don't worsen patients condition. Hypotensive patients may fall into coma and administration of iv infusions may be a frightful exercise because by so doing we may be overloading the lungs. For such people it may be difficult to manage. For hypertensive patients with cerebral complications, iv dexamethasone is part of their treatment regimen and this dries out the fluid over load in the brain. From these analyses, I think it is more dangerous to be hypotensive than hypertensive

B. SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTENSION
= Symptomless
= frontal headaches => occipital headaches
= chest pains (angina pectoris, ischaemic attacks, myocardial infarction)
= right heart failure symptoms (e.g. swelling of feet and sometimes lower extremities, abdominal swelling and discomfort)
= left heart failure symptoms (e.g. breathlessness - with exertion and on lying down, intermittent breathlessness at night, wheezing, cough productive of frothy sputum which might sometimes be blood stained, fatigue)
= stroke
= etc



C. Hypotension management: Right iv fluids and other medications deemed fit by the doctor


PERON 8
Q12. Is it good to be taking oranges at night?

ANSWER
It is not good to be eating oranges at night; the reason being that orange is an acidic fruit and if you are an ulcer patient, frequent ingestion of orange may make it worse especially at night when there may be poor digestion of food and absorption of the nutrients.

_________________________________________________________

This Q AND A SECTION at the talk on diet and the middle aged at the PEMEF WEEK at ACHIMOTA CENTRAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST. Talk was organized on 17th FEBRUARY 2011 by MD OF RHEMA LTD, OPERA, ACCRA.

Friday, February 11, 2011

DIET AND THE MIDDLE AGED MAN

A man's health starts with his observance of good habits namely healthy thoughts, choices, and actions that include moderate eating, proper and adequate rest and sleep, adequate exercise and sunlight exposure, ingestion of natural supplements, and adoption of harmonious and excellent human relations.


Healthy Eating Habits:
Eat foods that are high in fibre. Fibres have cholesterol-lowering properties and are present in most fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains. A balanced diet includes carbohydrates, proteins, and fibres. Reduced sugar intake will help prevent glucose intolerance, and tooth decay. Since middle-aged men are salt-sensitive, use less salt and sauces in cooking as salt causes body to retain water, which may lead to high blood pressure. Use spices and herbs to flavor food instead of soya, tomato, or chili sauces. Avoid canned or salted foods. Instead, use fresh meat and vegetables. Eat less fatty food to reduce risk of heart disease. Trim away all fat and skin from meat before cooking. Do not eat more than 2 to 3 eggs a week. Boil, bake, grill, roast or stew food instead of deep-fry. Use margarine in place of butter the reason being that margarine is made up of vegetable fat whereas butter is made up of animal fat. The human body needs fibre for healthy digestion. Eating more cereals, fresh fruits, vegetables prevent constipation. Avoid creamy cakes and pastries.
Drink at least eight of 8oz. of water daily to help flush out impurities from the systems. Limit alcohol intake to moderate. Alcohol abuse is the culprit behind high blood pressure and heart disease. It must be noted that 1 tot of hard liquor is equivalent to 25mL or 1 ounce of beer.

Ingestion of Natural Dietary Supplements
Food nutrients are essential for cell growth for the body to function efficiently. Daily calcium supplement is a critical factor in the prevention of osteoporosis in men. Beans, and dried peas, bean curd and soya, and green leafy vegetables are good sources of calcium. Middle-aged men have greater risks in developing cardiovascular diseases. A daily supplement of vitamins C and E, carotenoids, as well as omega-3 fish oil promotes healthy cardiovascular functions, and normal cell growth. Physicians of Channing Laboratory at Brigham and Women Hospital reported in the Nov. 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine that men who take beta-carotene supplements for an extended time have less cognitive decline and better verbal memory than those who do not. Dark green, yellow-orange fruits and vegetables such as apricots, carrots, peaches, spinach, and sweet potatoes provide the required dietary beta-carotene.
Other natural supplements beneficial to a man’s health are present in dried fruits and green leafy vegetables. Cabbage, broccoli, Lima beans, and green peas are good sources of iron, which helps make hemoglobin that transports oxygen to the body tissues. Extracts of ginger and turmeric boost the body’s resistance to both mental and physical stress. Whole, fresh garlic is beneficial to the immune system, against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

Having Regular Exercise:
Heart disease is lesser among men who are physically active than in those who are sedentary, overweight or obese middle aged men. Cardiovascular fitness slows the process of hardening of the arteries, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, keeps weight down and reduces the risk of diabetes, reduces bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol level, and puts aging at bay.
A good exercise begins with 5 minutes of stretching exercises and ends with 5 minutes of cooling-down stretches. Remember, the aim is to exercise 3 to 5 times a week, 15 to 60 minutes each time to build strength. Choose an exercise according to your body strength, endurance, mobility, and cardiovascular-pulmonary performance. Start slowly and gradually increase the amount and duration of the workout.


Healthy Relationships and Social Interactions

“Distress promotes poor health habits and heart disease,” says Researcher Peter P. Vitaliano, PhD, of the University of Washington in the May issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.
Healthy relations bring about extra benefits. It enables a man to function at a high level of emotional health.
It is absolutely necessary to  spend time with your family. Try to learn new hobbies and skills. Ballroom dancing, bonsai gardening, kayaking, or origami making are skills that make a man interesting and sociable.
Perform voluntary works. A good work is a clear statement of a vivacious spirit. Keep the mind active. The challenge for the middle-age man is to stay in touch with current events, to adapt to life, and to aspire for achievements—endeavors that are within his reach.
Healthy living helps reverse stress, and frustration that are part of middle age. Healthy relationships and social interactions can motivate men to practice healthy habits.



 IMPORTANCE OF ADOPTING GOOD HEALTHY LIFESTYLES
 - FAILURE could lead to development of DIABETES: Check a case study by DIABETES UK, titled Middle-aged Men Twice As Likely To Have Diabetes As Women (PUBLISHED JULY 2009)

According to the report, men aged 35-54 are almost twice as likely to have diabetes compared to their female counterparts.

Key statistics on diabetes shows that 2.4 per cent (around 92,960) of men in England aged 35-44 have diabetes compared to 1.2 per cent (around 47,000) of women of the same age, and 6 per cent (around 197,050) of men aged 45-54 have diabetes compared to 3.6 per cent (around 120,670) of women their age.

Statistics also show that diabetes has risen four times faster in men aged 35-44 over the last 12 years compared to women of the same age, and that, consistently, more men are overweight than women.

Approximately 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which is strongly linked to lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity levels. The condition can be genetic, but many people are overweight when they are diagnosed.

Simon O'Neill, Diabetes UK's Director of Care, Information and Advocacy, said: "It's very worrying that men of this age are developing diabetes at such an alarming rate compared to their female counterparts. Most of them will have Type 2 diabetes, which is genetic but is also strongly linked to lifestyle and can be prevented in many cases by eating a healthy balanced diet and doing regular physical activity.

"Women should not rest on their laurels, either. They may tend to develop the condition later in life, but the risk of death from heart disease associated with Type 2 diabetes is about 50 per cent greater in women than it is in men - not a statistic to be ignored.

"Diabetes UK is calling on everyone carrying extra weight to reduce their chances of developing Type 2 diabetes by leading a healthier lifestyle. We must take action now to tackle Type 2 diabetes head-on."

Research shows that losing weight can reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes in those at high risk by 58 per cent and physical activity can reduce the risk by 64 per cent.

Risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include: - being over 40 years old ; - or over 25 if you're Black, Asian or from an ethnic minority group ; - having a large waist ; - being of Black or South Asian origin and having a family history of the condition.

Type 2 diabetes can be undetected for 10 years or more and around half of people already have complications by the time they are diagnosed. At risk waist measurements are 37 inches or more for men, except those of South Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.

- Failure could lead to development of other lifestyle related diseases
NB: Lifestyle diseases (also sometimes called diseases of longevity or diseases of civilization interchangeably) are diseases that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialized and people live longer. They can include ALZHEIMER's disease, atherosclerosis, asthma, cancer, chronic liver disease or cirrhosis (following chronic alcohol intake), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(following chronic smoking habits), Type 2 diabetes,(already discussed); heart disease, hypertension and other complications including stroke), metabolic syndrome, Crohn's disease, nephritis or chronic renal failure, osteoporosis, depression and obesity.


This is only the tip of the iceberg. More posts are going to come after this. With any one with lifestyle challenges, don't hesitate to contact me through this blog or email me through: abrahamsagoe2003@gmail.com or call me on 00233 206 52 92 75; 0204 1888 17. DR ABRAHAM SAGOE, MBChB, Dip (USG). Dundee Consortium, making the world a better place. You can be a follower on this blog. To all middle aged men and women, let your friends be introduced to my blog www.donabrahamsagoe.blogspot.com. All that you have to do is once you get to the blog, read an article related to your health, once you are interested, you click on follower and you follow the instructions then you become a follower. You can also catch me live on facebook. Just type ABRAHAM SAGOE SENIOR into facebook search side. CATCH YOU.