Editorial
Check operations of Chinese warehouse owners around Latebiokoshie
Dear Editor,
The past few years have witnessed a phenomenon around the Latebiokoshie area in Accra that must be checked.
This has to do with the increasing number of warehouses that had been rented out to mainly Chinese nationals to operate in various businesses, including the production of travelling bags and shoes.
I worked with one of these Chinese companies and realised that they don’t treat us with respect. They spoke to us in a rude manner and always wanted to throw the first blow when there was a misunderstanding.
They smoke in open places with no regard to the person next to them.
The call by the MCE for the Ablekuma Central Municipal Assembly, Mr Frank Nkansah, to invite operators of these warehouses for queries following the fire outbreak at Latebiokoshie, involving a Chinese warehouse, is a good one.
These are business people and they play a role in making sure the youth get some jobs to do but it does not mean they should treat people anyhow or go about their operation without regard to the environment and the human resource.
Fiifi Neto,
Latebiokoshie
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Editorial
Kudos to Black Stars fans
Dear Editor
I write to congratulate Ghanaian football fans for turning up in their numbers to support the Black Stars on Monday when the team played the Eagles of Mali in a World Cup qualifier.
The team had surprisingly drawn 1-1 with the whipping boys of the group Chad, four days earlier and fans had expressed disappointment at the result.
And with the cut-throat gate fees announced, it left many in a state of wonder as to how fans would react for the Mali clash.
But the fans showed their love for the national team by coming out in their numbers to support the team.
This message should be clear to the playing body and handlers of the team, to know as long as they keep delivering, Ghanaians would support them.
All we are asking for is hard work and commitment from the players to ensure that Ghana qualifies for the 2026 football showpiece.
Mercy Noi, Accra
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Editorial
Make sickle cell treatment affordable and accessible
People with sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder, endure unhappy lives due to its numerous problems, yet, they can manage their illness and lead happy lives if they receive regular medical care and have access to medications.
Unfortunately, advanced treatments for SCD are very expensive, and therapies that can cure the disease are still out of reach.
Sickle cell disease is a dangerous genetic condition as red blood cells with the shape of a sickle block blood flow, causing severe pain, organ damage, life-threatening illnesses, and possibly early death.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, acute chest syndrome, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana SCD, affects about three in every 100 newborns.
It was against this backdrop that health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) to enable patients benefit from gene therapy which has been developed in recent years, as a potential cure.
According to Dr. Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea, a decade-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life-threatening complications in SCD patients.”
He said that the medicine, that is swallowed, makes red blood cells work better and is thought to be safe and successful.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably,” he urged.
The expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana” stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
The Spectator supports the expert’s argument that expanding access will offer short-term respite as the nation develops the necessary infrastructure, educates experts, and obtains the funds to support curative treatments in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease each year in Ghana, Dr. Osei Tutu issued a warning, pointing out that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
In light of this, the Spectator suggests that people obtain genetic testing in order to determine their carrier status.
A genetic counsellor can also explain the inheritance concerns and go over ways to keep their children from inheriting the illness if both partners are carriers.
To prevent passing on sickle cell disease, couples who are at risk of having a child with the condition can decide to adopt a child or live child-free.
Churches should require that prospective partners know their current status in order to decide whether or not to continue their relationship.
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