Editorial
Let’s respect, appreciate work of fire-fighters
Dear Editor,
Over the years, I have observed how most Ghanaians have treated fire-fighters when there is a fire outbreak, after they have been called to help put off fire to save lives and properties.
It is sad to say that most of these fire-fighters are often treated with disrespect; I find it very disturbing.
I witnessed an incident during the recent fire outbreak in Adum, Kumasi, where a young man tried to attack a fire-fighter for reasons best known to him.
The incident has since gone viral on social media.
As a country, we are all aware of the difficult circumstances under which the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) works, a condition people tend to put a blind eye on.
People needlessly chastise them for arriving late to extinguish fire.
There had been a number of issues the fire service faces, such as inadequate fire tenders and other logistics that tend to affect the service they provide.
An uncle of mine, who used to be in the fire service, once told me that most of the fire tenders that were packed at the various fire stations across the country were broken down or not functioning.
Aside the fact that most of the fire tenders were not functioning, access to fire scenes such as markets sometimes become a challenge due to lack of space for tenders to navigate through.
With all these challenges, it becomes unacceptable for Ghanaians to attack fire-fighters during fire outbreaks. What we tend to forget is that most of these firefighters put their lives at risk in trying to put off fires and some of them even get burned and sustain various degrees of injuries in the process.
While I call on Ghanaians to desist from such an act, I would also like to appeal to the government to adequately resource the Ghana National Fire Service to ensure that the security agency works effectively to protect lives and properties.
Also, there is the need for the country to look at how markets are constructed to ensure that there is easy access to them in case of emergencies such as fire outbreaks.
Lilian Osei
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
