Editorial
Prevent youth from excessive gambling
Young people are increasingly becoming hooked to gambling, and once they do, it may be difficult for them to stop since they may view it as a quick method to get money or a way to reduce their anxiety symptoms.
Participating in a game or activi¬ty where you risk money or a valued item in the hopes of winning money is referred to as gambling.
Some young people gamble, through lotteries, betting, card games, casino games, bingo, and other activities, for fun, excitement, or financial gain, but others do it to escape from stress.
The Spectator is concerned about youths who gamble too much. Some claim that gambling helps them become more perceptive, helps them learn skills while playing, and keeps their brains engaged.
However, appealing as it may seem, gambling has a number of drawbacks since it raises the risk of the youth disengaging from friends, family, and school or engaging in risky behaviour that results in psy¬chological and behavioural prob¬lems.
In addition, it may also result in low self-esteem, criminal activity, domestic violence, tension, and even suicidal thoughts.
In light of this, The Spectator backs the acting Amomole chief and head of the Okortsoshishi family in James Town, Accra, who pleaded with the authorities, the clergy, and the chiefs to take drastic action to curtail youths’ excessive gambling and betting.
He claimed that it was normal to see the numerous gaming and gambling establishments packed to the gills with students and idle adolescents.
He warned that it might endan¬ger their future.
Nii Ashittey Tetteh made the appeal recently, during the Homowo festival celebrations by the Okort¬soshishi families from both home and abroad.
He claimed that if the govern¬ment gave these idle young people employable and self-sustaining work, the problem of gambling addiction might be reduced or even eliminat¬ed. He complained that “some use their school fees to gamble.”
Such a family get-together during the Homowo celebrations, according to Nii Ashittey Tetteh, provided an ideal opportunity to educate the youth about the perils of gambling and other vices including stealing, using drugs, prostitution, and other social vices.
The Spectator wants to reaffirm its call to the government, Non-gov¬ernmental organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, and religious author¬ities to monitor youth activity.
We implore young people to take up new hobbies, like sports, to keep them busy and to participate in oth¬er physical activities that will keep them engaged.
Dear Editor,
THE media landscape has been dominated recently by concerns about the way plantain chips are prepared for consumption.
Plantain chips have become a popular snack for Ghanaians and they are patronised by both young and old, although it is very common with the younger generation.
For those that are making a life out of it therefore, one expects them to go about its preparation hygienically, having best practices and standards in mind.
It becomes disturbing therefore if recent claims that those who prepare it for sale use unorthodox ways like the alleged use of polythene or rubber to make it crispier.
A lot of vendors have come out forcefully to reject those allegations but, like the popular saying goes, “there is no smoke without fire.”
As a regular consumer, I don’t think those that made the allegation said it out of nothing. Personally, I have interacted with a number of people, some of who confirmed that it was done.
I would therefore support the intended investigation to be carried out by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to make sure only good and healthy plantain chips remain on the market.
Naa Koshie, Achimota
Dear Editor,
I WISH to use your respected platform to congratulate my Muslim brothers and sisters for beautifully observing the period of Ramadan, which is a sacred observation in Islam.
The truth is that it is not a period people must take lightly because of its spiritual implication.
And staying away from food and other desires of the flesh for a month is no child’s play and is therefore important to congratulate each other for a yeoman’s job done.
It is sad that sometimes the behaviour of our brothers tends to cast dents on the celebration with the behaviour they put up during the celebration; riding motorbikes and driving recklessly sometimes.
This has gone on for years as the youth pays no heed to advice to desist from them and, in the process, recording a few fatalities.
It, however, appears the menace has reduced in the past few years with our brothers and sisters choosing to celebrate in moderation. That is the best thing to do so that their actions would not bring untold hardships to family and friends in situations of injuries.
The focus should rather be on the essence of the celebration; giving a lending hand to the poor and vulnerable in society.
As our brothers conclude another period of fasting, all I ask from Allah is to bless them and answer the various prayers that have been said.
For those that couldn’t observe the period through certain circumstances, may Allah strengthen them and enable them to be part of the next session.
Alex, Maamobi
