Editorial
We salute our gallant farmers
In view of the importance of the role of farmers in the economic development of this nation, every effort has been made to recognise and honour our farmers.
Without farmers, there would be no food, and it would be difficult for workers to have the energy with which to contribute their quotas to industry and other sectors of the economy. This shows that agriculture forms the foundation of the economy in this country, just as it does in others.
Farmer’s Day was observed yesterday, and we salute all farmers across the country for the vital role they have played and continue to play.
Farming is a difficult activity, but in spite of this, our farmers continue to work hard to feed the nation and, in some cases, produce raw materials for the industrial sector.
This means that the industrial sector can only grow well if the raw material base receives a boost in terms of high production. The juice factory at Ekumfi, for example, is able to function well because farmers have been able to produce enough raw materials for that factory.
In the same way, fruits or other raw materials can be produced in large quantities to feed factories set up in various parts of the country under the “One District, One Factory” initiative. This is how the industrial base in the country can be strengthened to support its economy.
In like manner, we expect our farmers, with the support of all people, to increase production in the food sector so as to be able to feed the nation and also send surplus food to other countries for revenue for the country.
Thus, we expect the government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, to adequately support the agricultural sector so that the country can be self-sufficient in terms of food production as well as raw material output.
We are also encouraging extension officers to do their best and help all farmers apply scientific methods to increase their yields. This can be done, so every effort must be made in this direction to boost agricultural production.
Another issue is transportation in food-producing areas. We are aware that the government is doing well in the area of road construction to link various parts of our communities.
However, special attention must be paid to the construction of roads in the food-producing areas. This will help transport agricultural products to consumption centres throughout the country, making it possible for the consuming public to buy food items at lower prices.
The Spectator commends all award winners for their good work and urges them not to rest on their oars but continue to work hard to boost output in the agricultural sector to help the country. In the same way, we encourage everyone in the country to show interest in farming by undertaking backyard farming activities.
Even if such activities are undertaken on a small scale as expected, they will go a long way toward making the country self-sufficient in food and raw material production.
Once again, we salute all farmers in the country for their immense contribution to the economy
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
