Editorial
Stop indiscriminate bush burning
One of the biggest hazards to the environment is indiscriminate bush burning, which has detrimental consequences on the ecosystem, destroying homes, and agricultural land.
In addition, the quantity of smoke in the air might lead to respiratory disorders and other health concerns.
According to a report from our regional correspondent, young people in Ghana’s Northern Region are increasingly burning indiscriminately through the bush in pursuit of rodents, especially during the harmattan season.
According to the report, the majority of these youths light grasses on fire in an attempt to locate and chase after rodents.
However, in the process, the fire gets out of control, destroying nearby buildings and commodities. Due to this improper behaviour in the area during the dry season, the majority of people have lost their farms and other belongings.
The issue is becoming increasingly worrying, particularly in light of the government’s actions but its seeming inability to find long-term solutions.
The Northern Regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manager, Mr. Abu Iddrisu, claims that despite his organisation’s efforts to raise community awareness of the dangers of bush burning through radio and occasionally television, the locals continue to disregard the advisories.
The Spectator expresses worry over this practice and calls on the government to outlaw it in order to protect people, property, and the environment.
We completely agree with Mr. Iddrisu’s request that the government bring legal action against those who break the law in order to discourage others from doing the same.
Additionally, funding is required for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to educate the public about the risks associated with careless bush burning in the many villages within their purview.
Farmers should get bushfire management training from the EPA in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other stakeholders in order to contain bushfires.
To prevent careless bush burning, especially during current harmattan season, all hands must be on deck in order to protect people and property.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
