Editorial

A critical look at this year’s Population and Housing Census

Published

5 years ago

October 16, 2021

Provisional figures of the 2021 Population and Housing Census show that Ghana’s population is now 30.8 million with the female population forming 51.3 per cent and the male population at 49.7 per cent.

The provisional data is not likely to be significantly different from the final data which is to be released in November this year.

This has certain implications for the country. If it shows that the female population continues to form more than half of the population, it is an indication that policy makers will have to tilt slightly towards the provision of more resources for the female population, even though the male population is also not to be neglected

Another revelation by the provisional data is that, the Greater Accra Region has shot into the lead as the most populous region, over taking the Ashanti Region. The fourth most populous region after Greater Accra Ashanti and Eastern regions is the Central Region.

These changes have certain implications for policy planners. It shows that policy planner will have to allocate more resources to these regions compared with the other regions in the country with comparative smaller population figures

The provisional data show that there have been population changes in certain districts towards the urban areas. People will, therefore, expect government to shift more resources to these areas.

What is important to note, however, is that if government follows this general pattern it will not be able to check rural-urban drift and the status quo will continue to remain the same.

The Spectator is, therefore, of the opinion that measures will have to be taken to change this drift. For example government should come up with special development projects in the rural areas to serve as an incentive to people who would want to stay in such areas. If this happens, professionals such as trained teachers, medical doctors, pharmacists and all others, will be encouraged to move into the largely rural areas

Again, it is important for us to note that of the housing structures which were counted, about 20 per cent were in non-conventional forms meaning that they were either wooden structures, container kiosks or other structures that cannot be described as decent.

This means that the government will have to fight for resources to bring improvement to the housing area. More people need decent housing structures, so government will have to take this into consideration when undertaking and implementing its development plans

The 80 per cent constituting decent housing is good and commendable, even though there is still room for improvement. In spite of this, however, the nation will have to work hard to provide decent accommodation for people.

Government has encouraged the State Housing Company (SHC) to put up more decent houses throughout the country. The SHC has done very well in this direction, but the challenge here is the cost of housing units that they put up.

This implies that cheaper building materials will have to be found to put up housing units that cost less and can be purchased by most of our poor people. It is a challenge we need to pursue seriously, if we are to overcome the housing deficit in the country.

Editorial

Drug abuse among Ghanaian youth: The silent crisis destroying our future

Published

4 days ago

October 31, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Dear Editor,

On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.

Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.

Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.

Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.

A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.

Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.

This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.

Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.

Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.

The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.

Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.

Richard
Kumasi

Editorial

Fight against breast cancer requires more action than awareness

Published

4 days ago

October 31, 2026

WeeklySpectator

BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.

During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”

However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.

If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.

Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.

A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.

Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.

To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.

A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.

While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.

Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.

Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.

Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.

Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.

They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.

However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.

This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.

Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.

It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.

Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.

By Spectator Reporter

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