Editorial
Bringing up a child the right way
The world is facing many social problems today because of the improper upbringing of children in society.
Some of the problems are stealing, armed robbery, indiscipline, teenage pregnancy and general dishonesty. Others are drug addiction and threats to life and property of neighbours.
These problems did not emerge overnight but over a long period due to the neglect by parents to ensure that children are brought up to follow rules of discipline and love.
Parents and society ought to have time for children, so that their concerns can be adequately addressed from time to time.
If this is done on a regular basis, the adult members of society will help the children to grow up into responsible citizens. Irresponsible parenthood is a serious problem in society.
Some women are now parents as a result of teenage pregnancy and unpreparedness to work hard and cater for their children.
Some of the children are also left at the mercy of peer groups which may be good or bad. If a particular peer group happens to be good, it will influence a child to adopt good behaviour and become a responsible citizen.
On the other hand, if a child falls into the hand of a bad peer group, he or she will be influenced to behave in an unacceptable way. It is, therefore, necessary for parents and society to pay attention to the upbringing of a child, so that this child will be taught the right way to behave well in society.
Today, the government has introduced free education in terms of Senior High Schools as well as Technical and Vocational Schools. It is necessary for parents to complement this opportunity to ensure that children are well catered for in the house, and provided with basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.
If this is done, it will be difficult for any children to go wayward and follow bad company. Indiscipline in society among the youth comes about when the children are left alone to fend for themselves anyhow. If the children are well catered for, waywardness on their part can be easily prevented.
Adults should always know that it is not just enough to bring forth children when they are not ready to carry on with the responsibility of caring for them.
Childcare is an enormous task that cannot be taken for granted. It involves working hard to earn a living and also getting adequate quality time to cater for the needs of these children.
Many social problems have come about because of irresponsible parenthood, so we must all work hard to put an end to this negative practice.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
