Editorial
Caution; the watchword this Christmas
All too soon, the year 2022 is gradually but surely coming to an end. And as Ghanaians, we can all testify that the year has been a difficult one, especially in the area of finance.
However, we did not lose sight of the fact that God’s plan for us is always the best even in this economic turbulence we find ourselves in. I want to quote from the Holy Writ to support His divine presence from Romans 8:28 that says “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according his purpose .”
Despite the challenges we experienced, the season of Christmas can never go without the usual celebration. This season goes with a lot activities and preparations, most importantly the movement from one place to another.
Very often, the ugly and undesirable road accidents we witness must be reduced to the bearest minimum if not entirely eradicated. Usually, the aftermath of this road crushes leave so much to be desired as dear lives and properties are lost. And dependants left behind with so much pain while others become orphans overnight at very tender ages.
On this note, l wish to sincerely advise drivers, especially the long distance commercial drivers to be very cautious on the road.
The temptation to speed with the hope to return for another trip before the day ends will be high in oder to make some extra money. But please remember that it is only when you are alive and well that you have the chance to go many rounds even after the Christmas season. Therefore, ensure to obey all traffic regulations. Don’t forget the slogan “ Don’t drink and drive and Don’t drive and drink”.
Again, some passengers may also urge drivers to speed for them to meet certain goals they set for themselves. Please desist from this bad attitude and allow the drivers behind the steering wheel to do what they know best.
Passengers should not look on while the drivers are speeding unnecessarily or making wrongful overtaking. Who knows if an accident occurs the driver may survive but you can die.
My appeal also goes to the Drivers’ Unions to organise some in-service training for their members to refresh their memories and some forgotten ethics regarding their profession. The Road Safety Authority must be proactive and well strategised seriously as we enter the month of December to curb avoidable road crushes during this Christmas period.
They must not sit aloof or only be heard or seen to be profering solutions on radio or television but be practical about the road safety issues. There is no doubt that the core mandate for Road Safety Authority is to protect life and property on the road. So if the opposite is the case, what are their existence for? They should not fail to apply the necessary sanction where it must. The rewards might not be immediate but generation yet unborn will recognise their contribution towards national development.
I think we cannot leave the Driver and vehicle Licensing Authority out in this crucial crusade. All hands must be on deck to fight road nuisance which has been depriving motherland, Ghana of her precious human resources for development. If my memory serves the right, in the same period in the year 2000, three experienced neurologists lost their lives on Techiman-Kintanpo Road in a tragic road accident.
We all know how hard it is to come by these specialists but Ghana lost three at a go through a needless road crash, the consequences to the nation the least said the better.
Finally, I urge religious leaders including Imams and traditional authorities to provide education on this road menace to their followers anytime the opportunity presents itself. The various followers of these religions believe in their leaders and any advice they give through sermons and other forms of interaction will go a long way to sanitise our roads. Let me use this rare occasion to wish all Ghanaians, especially our drivers a happy safe Christmas in advance.
By Godwin Anthony Nkunu
Public Relations Officer
Upper East Regional Coordinating Council – Bolgatanga
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
