Editorial
Speed up progress to create a healthier, malaria-free future
World Mosquito Day offers a chance to bring attention to the threats posed by diseases spread by mosquitoes and the continuous fight against the deadliest animal on the planet.
The yearly event honours Sir Ronald Ross, a British physician who proved in 1897 that mosquitoes are the vector of malaria.
According to Sir Ronald Ross, the malaria parasite was found to be spread by Anopheles mosquitoes.
In honour of this significant finding in the battle against malaria, every year, August 20 is observed as World Mosquito Day.
The theme for World Mosquito Day 2025 is “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World,” which emphasises how critical it is to remove obstacles to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malaria, particularly in underprivileged and vulnerable areas.
Despite medical improvements, millions of people still suffer from mosquito-borne illnesses every year, especially in tropical countries and prevention remains the best defense against these infections.
However, experts contend that eliminating this species would be morally wrong because mosquitoes, like other living things, have inherent value. Similarly, pest control experts say that whereas female mosquitoes bite day and night, male mosquitoes do not bite and instead feed on plant nectar and other sugar sources.
Despite their ecological importance as pollinators and food for other animals eliminating mosquitoes is essential to preventing nuisance bites and the pain and death of hundreds of millions of people.
In light of this the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) joined the global community last Wednesday in bringing attention to the pressing need to eradicate malaria and advance health equality.
AMMREN is a registered non-governmental organisation made up of African journalists and scientists working together towards the control and elimination of malaria.
According to AMMREN every life counts, and by working together, we can bridge the gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,
AMMREN therefore calls on everyone to unite together to speed up progress and create a healthier, malaria-free future.
In solidarity with AMMREN, The Spectator encourages people to support community initiatives and concentrate on preventative measures such as using treated mosquito nets, repellent and making sure the surroundings are sanitary.
Individuals and groups can also fight for legislation that prioritise the eradication of malaria, raise awareness and support organisations that seek to control the disease.
Dear Editor,
I AM writing to draw your attention to the inadequate street lights in some parts of Wawase, a situation that continues to pose serious concerns for residents.
Street lights play a crucial role in ensuring safety and security within a community. Unfortunately, several areas in Wawase are completely without functioning street lights.
This has made movement at night very difficult and dangerous, especially for workers, students, and traders who return home late.
The lack of proper lighting has also created an enabling environment for criminal activities such as theft and harassment. Residents often live in fear, and some are forced to limit their movements after dark. Additionally, poor visibility increases the risk of road accidents, putting both pedestrians and drivers at risk.
It is concerning that despite the growing population and development in Wawase, this basic infrastructure issue remains unresolved.
I would like to appeal to the relevant authorities, including the local assembly and electricity providers, to urgently address this problem by installing new street lights and repairing faulty ones.
Ensuring adequate street lights will not only improve security but also enhance the overall quality of life for residents in the area.
Gwen Mensah, Agona Swedru
Dear Editor,
FOR some time now, I have been deeply concerned about the state of the Kaneshie footbridge, which has over the years developed cracks, exposing some rusted metal parts and raising safety concerns.
It is, therefore, welcome news for daily users of the facility like myself that a team from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), led by the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), visited the facility and announced a temporary closure to allow for maintenance work to be carried out.
While I wish to commend the Assembly for the move, I believe it has been long overdue.
I often find it difficult to understand why, as a country, we sit, wait, and watch for preventable incidents or tragedies to happen before we react. I say this because the issue of the bad state of the Kaneshie footbridge has been one that has been re-echoed by many who use it on a daily basis.
I believe that as the Assembly looks to start the maintenance works on the footbridge, it is also important for it and other Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to pay attention to other footbridges across the country that are in a similar state.
The time has come for Ghana, as a country, to be more proactive than reactive.
I will also urge the assemblies to deploy their respective teams to always check on footbridges across the country to ensure that they are in good shape to avoid any tragedy that could lead to the loss of human lives.
From Fafa, Kaneshie
