Editorial
Avoid clashes at festivals over traditional rites
Dear Editor,
The recent clash between Navy Officers and some youth in Tema over traditional protocols is something that must begin to occupy the minds of well-meaning Ghanaians as we approach the period of festivals.
The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of two people with others injured.
The cause of that infraction was definitely over misunderstanding. I believe if the two groups had understood each other, we would not have lost the two bread winners.
I am concerned about this because as we enter the season of festivals among the various ethnic groups, a lot of such incidents could occur because there may be more and more traditional rites.
Usually, what happens is that some unscrupulous youth take advantage of the few tensed moment created by chieftaincy disputes in the area to cause commotion.
It is the reason why our security services are employed to vantage points to maintain law and order and safeguard the public property as well as protect lives.
However, in the performance of some of these rites, a few would go overboard and in the process attract either the police or military whose interventions are sometimes misrepresented as unnecessary interference and results in chaotic scenes.
Situations like this happen every year despite the several warnings to the people to ensure a peaceful celebration.
The Tema incident was an unfortunate one but I feel it should be a wake-up call for the various traditional authorities to engage with the various security agencies, especially the police to explain their workings with each other to circumvent such sights.
That would give a better understanding of what is required from each other and also ensure that no one crosses a certain boundary.
Gregory Amuyaw,
Nungua
Editorial
Don’t use polythene bags to store hot, oily foods
Ghanaians have been advised to refrain from putting hot or oily foods in plastic bags because it poses major health risks.
The warning states that storing hot foods in polythene bags, especially ones that are not made for food storage can cause dangerous chemicals to leak into the food, which could be dangerous for one’s health.
Professor Esther Sakyi-Dawson, an Associate Professor of Food Science at the University of Ghana, gave this warning at a World Food Safety Day celebration in Accra on Tuesday.
With the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action,” this year’s World Food Safety Day focused on the critical role that scientific knowledge plays in guaranteeing food safety and fostering confidence in the food supply.
According to Prof. Sakyi-Dawson, when plastics are heated, toxic substances can seep into the food, contaminating it and raising the risk of several chronic illnesses, including hormone imbalances, reproductive problems, and even some types of cancer, which are on the rise in the nation.
According to estimates from the World Health Organisation (WHO), food contamination causes over 400,000 deaths annually and 600 million foodborne illness cases.
Also, a third of all deaths worldwide are caused by foodborne illnesses, which affect at least 91 million people in Africa each year. Of these, 40 percent are in children under the age of five.
Given the concerning statistics, there is an urgent need to raise awareness that eating hot foods like banku, rice, waakye, or “koko” (porridge) wrapped in plastic is extremely harmful to one’s health.
It is more important to avoid putting food in black plastics, which are not food quality and are typically used for carrying items. Similarly, white polythene should not come into close contact with food.
Despite the warning, Ghanaians have been urged to watch out for food-grade plastics, which are frequently thick, to use for food packing and storage as needed
Since “to be forewarned is to be forearmed” The Spectator advises consumers to put their health first by making the appropriate choices about what they put into their bodies for their own safety.
Editorial
Ensure safety of children during rainy seasonfacilities

Dear Editor,
I write to express concern about the safety of school-going children during these unpredictable weather conditions.
Many children walk long distances to get to school on roads which are mostly poorly drained.
Also, the combination of low visibility, slippery surfaces, and increased vehicular traffic during rains presents real risks to their health and safety.
While I urge local authorities to improve road infrastructure and pedestrian protections around schools, I wish to especially appeal to parents and guardians to take proactive steps in safeguarding their children during this season.
Parents should ensure their children are dressed properly in waterproof or warm clothing, including raincoats, boots, and umbrellas where possible.
Also, parents should accompany younger children to school when it is raining or overly windy, or arrange for responsible adults to do so.
Again, I urge parents to teach their children basic road safety and help them identify the safest routes to school.
In my view, I think it will be prudent to delay leaving the house when rain is heavy or visibility is poor, even if it means arriving at school later and safer.
It is important to remember that safety begins at home. While schools and government agencies have a role to play, parents and caregivers, must not leave the protection of our children to chance.
I believe that with shared responsibility between the state and the family, avoidable accidents could be prevented and ensure every child makes it to school and back home safely.
Abui, Korle Gonno