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Be our best all time to make it a habit
Perhaps most of us give way at times to actions, attitudes and utterances which we well know are below our best. But whenever we depart from being at our best, we must remember that there are at least two things for which we are constantly accountable: One is the effect our attitudes and actions have on us, and the other is the effect our attitudes and actions have on others.
Especially should we be mindful of the effect of our actions and utterances on young and impressionable people. By the time we have become adults, we ourselves may have acquired a solid set of standards from which we may feel that there is not much danger of departing very far, and to which even if we do depart, it may seem rather easy to return—and we may think that occasional small lapses and laxities won’t matter too much.
But while these occasions or periods of letting down may for us be only passing departures, the impressions we implant in others may be permanent. Many a man who has said and done things that didn’t seem to him to change his own well-settled standards and basic beliefs has found that the example of his words and his ways has changed his children and may have led them to permanent departures.
Of course, we may presume privileges which we suppose belong to our years: We may presume that it is all right for us who are older to say and to do things that those who are younger, shouldn’t say and do. But even supposing that we ourselves could, on occasion, stray somewhat (but not too far, we think) from our standards and principles, or from our most acceptable selves, without seeming to hurt ourselves very much, even if it didn’t hurt us (which is doubtful), still we must be mindful of the effects of what we do and say on others, because other people are influenced as much by us when we are at our worst as they are when we are at our best.For this reason, if for no other, it is important to be at our best.
“Rip Van Winkle, in Jefferson’s Play, excuses himself for every fresh dereliction by saying, ‘I won’t count this time!’ Well, he may not count it; and a kind heaven may not count it, but it is being counted nonetheless. Down among his nerve cells and fibres, the molecules are counting it, registering and scoring it up to be used against him when the next temptation comes. Nothing we ever do is in strict scientific literalness wiped out.” These are the words of the celebrated psychologist and philosopher, William James. And he adds: “Could the young but realise how soon they will become … walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct …. We are spinning our own fates, good or evil . Every smallest stroke of virtue or of vice leaves its never so little sear … We are … imitators and copiers of our past selves.” (William James, The Law of Habits)
But our habits, good or bad, weren’t always habits. What we now do habitually we once did first, and then again and then again. And since we become “slaves to our own past performance,” we had better be particular about the first performance, because almost anything done once could become a habit, and obviously the reason we have bad habits is because we did the first time what shouldn’t have been done at all. This may seem to offer little comfort to those who already have habits they want to be rid of.
Fortunately, however, bad habits aren’t hopeless. But it takes more effort to get out of a rut than it does to get in and sometimes the only way to get out is to get out all at once. And sometimes the best way to leave bad habits behind is simply to leave them behind without lingering or looking back. The break has to come sometime. Sometime has to be the last time. And it isn’t likely to be any easier later, because habits, like ruts, dig more deeply with time even though at first we may think of them as trifles as something we can start or stop or take or leave whenever we want to.
An ancient philosopher had something to say on this subject. He once rebuked a person for engaging in a gambling game. And when the person protested that lie had only played for a “trifle,” Plato replied: “The habit is not a trifle.” No potentially potent thing is a “trifle.” And the best time to break a bad habit is before the first time. The next best time is NOW: before the next time.
By Samuel Enos Eghan
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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