Editorial
Ban live ammunition use at social gatherings
Dear Editor,
I am of the firm conviction that the use of firearms in any form should be banned totally from public gatherings to curb the unfortunate incidents often recorded.
The sudden rise of real firearms, instead of the musketries, at public gathering should worrying to the authorities but why nothing seems to be done about it beats the imagination of all.
Some of these youth that wields these arms appear inexperienced too, often firing in the midst of people instead of firing into the air.
This is becoming a common sight at away from at festivals, funerals and others. It is something the authorities must look at critically.
I don’t need to remind people about some of the unfortunate incidents arising out of the use of firearms during festivals and funerals.
Personally, I had an experience recently in my line of duty as youth wielding guns stood very close to me and fired those guns on two occasions, leaving me momentarily deaf.
As we approach the season of festivals, this would be a common practice and it is important for the Police Service to warn the youth to desist from that.
The chiefs and other traditional authorities must also be seen joining the campaign to get rid of live ammunition from such gatherings.
Agencies like the Ministry of Local Government, Religious Affairs and Chieftaincy as well as the Ghana National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons and the security agencies must all collaborate to bring perpetuators to book.
Victor Buxton,
Tema
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
