Editorial
May the Stars bring laurels home
Dear Editor,
I am writing to add to the numerous congratulatory messages pouring in for the Ghana Black Stars, following their qualification to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
They deserve commendation just as they were chastised for the unimpressive show at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations. Their performance on Tuesday in Abuja was, indeed, an improvement on the effort put in during the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Although the Nigerians had the possession throughout the game, the determined Stars held on until the final whistle. In spite of the massive home support their opponents enjoyed, the technical bench rallied all their arsenals to ensure the team did not fail.
And, now that the bragging Nigeria is out of the way, lot more would be expected when the Thomas Partey-led squad arrives in Qatar later in November this year.
Critics say the victory was as a result of luck or divine intervention and I want the Stars to prove the naysayers wrong when they meet tougher opponents at the World Cup.
With a few months to the world showpiece, the sports ministry, team officials, and individual players must do what it takes to raise the flag of Ghana higher in Qatar.
While at it, I must say the post-match incidents in Abuja are condemnable. Football is not war therefore teams must learn to lose honourably. I am looking forward to the sanctions the Confederation of African Football (CAF) would impose on the Nigerian fans for their hostility towards the Ghanaian delegation.
Probably, the “giants of world football” may be on the way to hinder the progress of the Black Stars in Qatar but I am confident they can still defy the odds and bring laurels home this time.
Farouk Tindani,Cape Coast
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
