Editorial
Arrest fake dentists to discourage others
The influx of fake dentists in the country should be a concern to many because if left unchecked it would have disastrous effects on the health of those with gum disease and other dental conditions.
The Ghana Dental Association (GDA) claims that these quack dentists work in barbershops and hair salons. This development is concerning since these false medical professionals endanger the lives and health of numerous innocent people.
This concern was brought to light at the 33rd annual general conference of the GDA, on the theme “Strengthening the GDA: An All Inclusive Membership for Tommorrow’s Success,” in Kumasi, in the Ashanti region.
It is clear that these quack doctors prey on innocent people under the pretense of treating dental conditions in order to further their evil goals of getting enormous sums of money.
It comes as no surprise that the GDA is concerned about the trend and is urging the association and security forces to work together to apprehend these quack dentists.
The Spectator is urging those who indulge in these practices to stop since they are damaging the honourable profession of dentistry and putting many people’s health at risk.
It also seems odd to us that individuals would go to the length of using the services of these quack dentists who operate in barbershops and hair salons rather than visiting licensed medical professionals for treatment.
The problem is worrying and we should all exercise caution while using the services of these quack doctors who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of helpless victims.
According to statistics, approximately 70 to 80 percent of dentists are concentrated in the southern region of the country, primarily in Accra and Kumasi, with the remaining 20 percent being dispersed throughout the northern sector.
The Spectator is surprised that the majority of specialist services are concentrated in urban areas. For this reason, we support the request of Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, Minister of Health, that teaching hospitals work with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to enable consultants or specialists at the hospitals to occasionally provide their services to other parts of the country where they lack expertise.
That, we believe, will go a long way to stop people from patronising the services of these quack doctors as some times the signs are clearly written on the walls but people have no other option than to seek medical attention from unregulated practices.
In our view more doctors should be encouraged to enter the field of dentistry to cater for the dental needs of the public as currently, reports say that “As of 2022 there were a total of 570 dentists for a population of 31 million people – a ratio of one to 58,400 people which falls below the World Health Organisations (WHOs) recommendation of a dentist for every 7,500 people.
Meanwhile, we urge the public to seek dental care regularly from qualified dentists not only when they have teeth ailments but to do it as a regular practice to avoid serious conditions in the future.
We also urge the public to try as much as possible to maintain good oral hygiene by heeding to these preventive measures which include, brushing teeth twice a day, using the right brushing technique, flossing regularly, eating healthy food and avoiding sugary drinks.
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable state of the road from McCarthy Hill Junction to Mallam Junction, where the deteriorating road surface is contributing to heavy traffic congestion and making commuting increasingly difficult for motorists.
The affected stretch is an important section of the Accra–Kasoa Highway, used daily by thousands of commuters, commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users travelling between Kasoa and Accra. However, the poor condition of portions of the road forces drivers to reduce their speed significantly, creating long queues, particularly during peak hours.
The situation is frustrating for commuters who already spend considerable time travelling between their homes and workplaces. Commercial drivers also lose valuable working hours, while passengers experience unnecessary delays that affect their daily schedules.
What should ordinarily be a relatively smooth journey often becomes a prolonged struggle as vehicles approach damaged sections of the road. The resulting slow movement disrupts traffic flow and contributes to congestion along an already busy corridor.
The situation also raises concerns about road safety. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes and other damaged portions may make sudden manoeuvres, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Continued use of the affected sections could also lead to damage to vehicle tyres, suspension systems and other components, imposing additional costs on motorists.
While traffic congestion along the Accra–Kasoa corridor may have several causes, the condition of the road between McCarthy Hill Junction and Mallam Junction is an issue that requires urgent attention.
I therefore appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant authorities to inspect the affected stretch and undertake the necessary repairs without further delay.
Improving the road surface would help vehicles move more smoothly, reduce avoidable congestion and improve the safety and convenience of commuters.
The authorities must act promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and provide relief to the thousands of road users who depend on this route every day.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
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A critical viewpoint on the function of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in guaranteeing child safety and upholding discipline in Ghanaian schools is highlighted in the statement made by Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
According to the supporters of this viewpoint active PTA participation bridges the gap between parents and school administrations and acts as a crucial oversight mechanism.
They strongly believe that parents may better monitor school environments, support guidance and counselling, and hold staff members accountable to the Ghana Education Service (GES) code of conduct when they are involved in the basic and second-cycle school activities.
When school administration functions without external supervision, sexual abuse, exploitation, and indiscipline may result. This transparency is thought to be a crucial deterrent.
However, some educational experts point out that although strong PTAs are helpful, more than just parental supervision is needed to prevent deeply rooted problems like sexual misconduct and moral degeneration.
This viewpoint emphasises that the main instruments required to punish perpetrators and discourage future abuse are institutional enforcement, thorough investigations, and strong legal prosecution by state authorities rather than only school-level committees.
Furthermore, detractors frequently point out that if educational rules do not clearly specify the boundaries of oversight, an excessive reliance on PTAs may cause conflict with school administration.
A strong judicial and administrative proceedings shield victims from ongoing pain and intimidation, discourage potential offenders, and stop wrongdoing from becoming the norm.
In order to maintain high enrollment and completion rates among female students in basic and senior high schools, there should be strict implementation of the GES code of conduct to reassure families that schools are safe places.
Although legal analysts and administrative specialists note that speed is crucial, it must be carefully balanced with thoroughness and due process because hurried investigations might result in procedural mistakes that could lead to unfair sanctions.
Therefore, a comprehensive solution necessitates proactive measures like mandatory background checks and professional ethics training for educators.
The Spectator stresses the need to end sexual exploitation in schools while highlighting the continuous debate over the most effective ways for institutions to provide both prompt justice and legally sound results.
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