Editorial
Celebrate Christmas in moderation
THE Christmas season is here again and throughout the world Christians will observe it by reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ to remind them of the mystery of the incarnation – God taking human form in humility and sacrificial love.
It is a season of love, joy and peace with solemn observation reflecting on the importance of the Lord Jesus Christ who was offered to mankind to save the world.
The countdown to the festive occasion has already begun, as Ghanaians gear up to celebrate the festive season in style. As part of the festivities, there will be fun-filled activities where families, friends, loved ones and communities will meet to share food, drinks and dance together.
Reports from The Spectator team who visited the Accra Central Market indicated that there were heavy traffic congestion affecting parts of Accra, leaving many stranded outside shops that opened late. For many, the inconvenience of traffic was seen as part of the season’s tradition.
According to the reporters, “the traffic in town is just chaotic and motorists are being stuck for hours on major roads leading to the city’s commercial districts, while pedestrians struggled to navigate overcrowded sidewalks.”
Across the country, people are rushing to acquire gifts, decorations, foodstuff, and all the trappings of the season.
It is unfortunate that while Christmas should be observed in the spirit of solemnity, some have turned it into a season of engaging in all kinds of untoward behaviour, drinking excessively and spending lavishly which eventually drains their pockets.
The Spectator wants to urge celebrants to observe Christmas in moderation to avoid any chaos. We also advise drivers to be careful on the roads while pedestrians and passengers should be cautious.
Let us not forget that January is a lean season which appears to last longer than expected as people would be expectant to receive their January salaries.
The season calls for love, peace, joy and service to mankind so let us share whatever we have with others, especially the needy to make Christmas more meaningful.
We wish our cherished readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
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Dear Editor,
I’m writing to bring attention to a disturbing situation in Mempeasem, a suburb of East Legon in the Ayawaso West municipality of Accra.
A recent field study by some of my colleagues and I undertaking a “Disaster risk science” course from the University of Ghana’s Geography and Resource Development department uncovered several hazards in the community that could turn into full-blown disasters if not addressed.
The community faces risks like choked gutters causing floods, closely packed wooden houses that could fuel massive fires, open waste dumps breeding diseases, and unsafe waste burning near electrical poles.
These are ticking time bombs.
The hazards identified are not just minor issues but potential catalysts for major catastrophes.
Choked gutters and poor drainage systems can lead to flooding, contaminating water sources and exposing residents to waterborne diseases.
The prevalence of wooden structures in close proximity increases the risk of rapid fire spread, putting lives and properties at risk.
Open refuse dumps and dirty gutters near residential areas are breeding grounds for pests and diseases like cholera and malaria.
The practice of burning waste near electrical poles and transformers also poses a significant fire hazard and possible electrical explosions.
The root causes of these hazards are poor urban planning, weak law enforcement, and economic struggles forcing people into unsafe living conditions.
Mempeasem’s growth has outpaced infrastructure development, leading to haphazard settlements and inadequate waste management.
Weak enforcement of building codes and sanitation laws has allowed these unsafe conditions to persist. Many residents, struggling to afford safer alternatives, are unknowingly increasing their vulnerability to disasters.
To mitigate these risks, authorities must act urgently. Building codes and waste management laws should be enforced strictly. The Municipal Assembly should collaborate with NGOs to educate residents on proper waste disposal and disaster prevention.
Drainage and sanitation infrastructure need improvement to prevent flooding and disease outbreaks.
Food vendors and bakers should be relocated from high-risk areas to designated zones with proper facilities. Community education on disaster risks is also crucial to foster a culture of prevention.
Let’s prevent a disaster in Mempeasem. The authorities, residents, and stakeholders must work together to address these hazards. The time to act is now – let’s ensure Mempeasem doesn’t become Accra’s next disaster hotspot.
Theresa Dzifa Tsetse
University of Ghana
Members of the Times Ladies Association (TLA), a women’s wing of the New Times Corporation (NTC) gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) last Monday, March 9, 2026, a day after the global event.
The purpose of the event, which was attended by management and a few employees of the corporation, was to honour women’s achievements and inspire them to succeed in their roles in society.
International Women’s Day is marked annually on March 8, to celebrate women’s economic, political and social achievements, educate and raise awareness about women’s equality.
This year’s celebration was on the theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” with a global campaign theme “Give to Gain,” a call to deeper service to ourselves and humanity.
Indeed the day is worth celebrating because women are unique, invaluable, strong, brilliant, powerful and resilient. As such they deserve respect, appreciation, kindness and love for the immense role they play in their families, workplaces, communities and the nation as a whole.
The President of the Association called on members to empower themselves academically and take advantage of opportunities to improve their lives and careers.
She acknowledged that over the years members of the Times Ladies Association have worked and continue to work so hard for the progress of New Times Corporation (NTC) despite the challenges they faced.
The Spectator urges the ladies to heed to the president’s advice to maintain healthy lifestyles, go for regular medical check-ups, exercise regularly, and have enough rest and support one another as this will help contribute meaningfully to their wellbeing and others.
In the words of the President: “As ladies we have every right to protect our dignity and empower ourselves to advance in life be it academically, politically, socially or economically.”
The call on women to empower themselves is laudable as it will go a long way to push the agenda of gender equality in every sphere of their lives.
The Spectator urges women to take a cue from the global campaign theme, “Give to Gain” to exhibit the qualities of a true woman; Be hardworking, confident, resilient, responsible, optimistic, patient, compassionate, generous, and be dedicated to your roles at home and at the workplace.”
We believe that to achieve gender equality women must be each other’s keeper and change the slogan, “women are their own enemies.” Whatever roles women play they must be united and contribute their quota to national development.
The Spectator wishes all women a Happy International Women’s Day.
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