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Discrimination; a social canker
In the cause of ups and downs, life has many unbalances and bias situations that have brought many to tight corners that is destroying the stages of progress and breeding dooms.
During a refracted form of peace and genuine thoughts, ideas and actions, the pressures of life has caused many to fall to the tricks of uncertainty and discrimination of every aspect of life.
There have been situations where people do not have the privilege to express their stands, feelings and support without biases although there is freedom of speech to everyone.
Man, in the wisdom of the creator was created without any form of indifference. Yet men opt to generate the root of differences amongst themselves without any form of sympathy but rather hardship and sorrows to their fellows.
The world now has the heart of wickedness that seems to bear and breed bitterness in the minds and hearts of many. The insecurity among fellow colleagues, friends and relatives is bleeding. Of which this has rooted into jealousy and aggressiveness for selfish gains and luxury.
When the weak cries, the powerful rides on it to greatness; our love for one another has no value nowadays which is causing more fear and panic in the world we live in.
At a point in time, one will no longer have the right to praise and cherish the good deeds achieved by their fellow members for transmission of success and morals but rather there will be silence and suffering that will take place in the bosom of the then Meek’s heart.
And when the piano wails for help, the horns and trumpets will sound the agony of pain, sorrow and bitterness that lead to hatred and dislike amongst our love. When this happens the strong then seem to zip the lips that play the sound from the horns and trumpets.
They rather compare the pains with rugs and broken jugs that cannot be mended and restored. Then the Meek who seems to be a lion fights bravely on the inside and sound like the “meow” of a cat on the outside.
And its strength is ridden upon as a horse that grows wings to fly above the sky without any discipline and principle. This tends to kill the ants that gather food for survival and dries up the blood of the mosquito that bites the body of man for survival.
If we do not take solid care of our actions toward preservation and perseverance, the ice cubes that were frozen and has been of great benefits shall lose its value of coldness that chills and cools the heart of pain.
Then the canker of discrimination shall grow its wings and fly like never before.
www.spectator.com.gh
Your Weekend Companion
By Berryvet Medenu
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
