Editorial
Laugh often to reduce stress
Stress and its associated issues are partially to blame for the high occurrence of unexpected deaths.
Many people experience a variety of circumstances, including poor health, the death of a loved one or the illness of a loved one, fear of dying or losing their work, difficulties with money, and restricted access to necessities.
Though each person handles the circumstance differently, they always result in annoyance, stress, perplexity, and depression, among other negative emotions.
Stress is frequently brought on by novel or unexpected experiences that undermine our sense of self or by situations over which we feel powerless.
While everyone handles stress differently, failing to learn healthy coping mechanisms can result in a host of illnesses, including hypertension, which can cause a heart attack, stroke, or even death.
Many people fail to manage their stress and concern throughout the day, which has an adverse effect on their emotional, psychological, physical, social, and mental wellbeing.
The Spectator expresses concern over the trend, but Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel, a physician with a specialisation in lifestyle medicine, suggests “setting aside 10 minutes each day to worry instead of allowing worry to eat you up all day.”
“Write down any worries you have as soon as they arise. This calms you down because it acknowledges that the “object of worry” will be handled,” he advised.
According to Dr. Essel, who also specialises in fitness nutrition, remedial exercise, and exercise therapy, “If at WORRY TIME the point listed is no longer an issue, GOOD. Go on and live your life. If the issue continues, try to think about your options; you might be able to handle it alone, with help, or there might be nothing you can do. Accept each decision that you make.”
In addition, it is advisable to keep a daily routine, take regular breaks from work, and engage in activities like reading, learning a new skill, playing an instrument, or gardening to avoid stress and its related problems.
Moreover, utilise every resource at your disposal, such as phone calls, emails, messages, and videos, to stay in touch with loved ones.
In order to stay in the greatest possible shape, it is also advised that you get enough sleep and rest, exercise frequently (try deep breathing, stretching, or brisk walking), eat a balanced diet, and drink lots of water.
To help your brain relax, stay away from excessive alcohol consumption and enjoy some nice music. Engaging in leisure pursuits like touring tourist destinations to experience the essence of nature can also aid in de-stressing.
Above all, remember to recognise your blessings and express thanks to others, as thankfulness frequently serves as a magnet drawing wonderful things into our lives.
As advised by Dr. Essel, “remember it is a priceless gift to know your numbers; blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol (BMI) and always laugh often, ensure hygiene, walk and pray everyday.”
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
