Editorial
Building strong, formidable nation
Nation-Building is a very difficult task, but when all hands are brought on board, the task becomes easy to achieve, even though it may involve some strenuous efforts.
As a country, Ghana needs the support of all to be able to build a strong nation that will compete with the rest of the world. Global competition is not a joke, but when everybody puts in a strong effort, the purpose will be attainable no matter the difficulties encountered.
Strong nations the world over did not emerge overnight. Some of them went through very difficult times, but today they have been able to make it because of the effort they put in even when times were extremely difficult.
Difficult situations make it possible for all citizens to think about new strategies to overcome their problems. This becomes possible when the entire nation agrees to put all efforts together to attain the national goal. The national goal centres on high productivity in all sectors of the economy.
The implication is that Ghanaians must also reflect on ways of ensuring high productivity in all sectors of the economy. This can be possible when we all put our efforts together and encourage one another to overcome the difficulties being faced today.
The difficulties being encountered are terribly irritating because economic conditions are unbearable everywhere. It is this situation that must encourage each and every Ghanaian not to lose hope but stand firm so that together we can make some progress and overcome the challenges ahead of us.
Nation-building, as has been pointed out, is a difficult task because some of the citizens will not put in their best when problems emerge. At the same time, many others can easily lose hope and allow themselves to be overwhelmed by the prevailing difficulties.
However, we encourage each and every person in this country to note that whatever difficulty we are going through can be overcome when we stand firm and support each other instead of encouraging vicious attacks against one another.
Vicious attacks can only worsen matters today and make the future look bleak. If the future is to look bright to the satisfaction of all, then we need to put our heads together and perform every assignment with zeal.
This is possible, so everyone must work toward it. We, therefore, call on the government to do what it can, as well as individuals, organised labour and Ghanaians in general, to play their part as patriotic citizens and support the national developmental agenda.
Do Ghanaians want to rest where they are at the moment or prefer to work harder and establish better lives for themselves? It is strongly believed that Ghanaians are determined people who would want to achieve greater laurels no matter the challenges involved.
It is for these reasons that we call on everybody in all sectors of the economy to refrain from vicious remarks and rather encourage one another in all sincerity and honesty to make the country increase productivity.
When things are done in this way, the sky will be the limit as far as building a strong and formidable nation is concerned, so may God help us all to achieve our national dream.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
