Editorial
Urgent call for action to clean choked gutters
A choked gutter
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the appropriate authorities on choked gutters in major areas of the capital city, particularly along the stretch from Accra Newtown to Circle.
The gutters are choked with plastic waste and filth which makes it difficult for water to flow freely.
The stagnant water in these gutters has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects, putting the health of our community at risk.
The lack of proper waste management and regular gutter cleaning has led to this crisis. It is unacceptable how residents and traders in the area litter the environment at the detriment of their own health.
I implore the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this issue. Regular gutter cleaning and maintenance, coupled with public education on proper waste disposal, can go a long way in mitigating this problem.
I hope this letter brings attention to this critical issue, and I look forward to seeing swift action taken to resolve it.
Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon,
Accra
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
