Editorial
COMMENT: Let’s give peace chance
The United Nations observed the International Day of Families on Thursday, May 15, and the International Day of Living Together in Peace last Friday, May 16.
The good news is that both festivities call for an action-driven strategy to resolve disputes and advance harmony in order to foster peace, understanding, and unity.
The International Day of Families is a celebration of all kinds of families with the goal of fostering closer ties between them. That the United Nations (UN) plans and encourages a range of events to honour the Day on this unique day is inspiring.
More encouraging is the fact that the celebration contributes to increasing awareness of the various family-related and family-affecting issues, such as gender inequality, healthcare, education, violence, and prejudice.
It is a public holiday in other countries, and the intention is for parents to spend an additional day with their children and extended family, which surely strengthens the bonds within the family. This bolsters the theme for this year’s International Day of Families, “Family-Oriented Policies for Sustainable Development.”
Since living together as a family offers its members warmth, love, friendship, emotional support, and security – especially amongst couples and their children – the celebration should be encouraged.
In a similar vein, the International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed to consistently mobilise the global community’s efforts to advance tolerance, peace, inclusion, understanding, and solidarity.
Every year, May 16 is celebrated globally to support the goal of living and acting as one, unified in variety and differences, in order to create a sustainable world of harmony, peace, and solidarity.
Around the world, people observe a minute of silence at noon on this day. Peace conferences and workshops are arranged to commemorate the day, and others participate in intercultural dialogue.
Saying no to violence, embracing diversity, understanding one another even during disagreements or conflicts, avoiding discrimination, appreciating others, and treating everyone with decency and respect are all necessary for living in peace.
Since unresolved disagreements result in strained relationships, stress, and even mental health difficulties that eventually influence productivity, creativity, and general well-being, every effort must be made to coexist peacefully.
The Spectator believes that an act of compassion, forgiveness, and tolerance that results in the cessation of conflicts is necessary for peace to reign.
Therefore, in order to facilitate the work of the National Peace Council, we implore families, communities, ethnic groups, religious organisations, government representatives, and other parties involved in conflicts to give peace a chance and encourage reconciliation.
A more peaceful and successful society will result from our acceptance of peace since it will encourage collaboration, economic expansion, social stability, improved well-being, less conflict, and trust.
Dear Editor
I wish to express my concern about the recent discussions about the relationship between Ghana and South Africa following the evacuation of some Ghanaian citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks and other security concerns.
Many Ghanaians are wondering why South Africans continue to enjoy business and investment opportunities in Ghana when our own citizens have, at times, faced hostility and discrimination in their country.
While Ghana has always been known for its hospitality and peaceful coexistence with foreigners, some citizens believe that there should be fairness and mutual respect between the two nations.
It is worrying that after Ghana had to evacuate its citizens for their safety, there appears to be little assurance that similar incidents will not occur again.
As a result, many people are asking what benefits Ghana derives from maintaining such an open-door policy toward South African businesses and interests.
However, it is important that any concerns are addressed through diplomacy and dialogue rather than hostility.
Both countries are key partners in Africa and should work together to promote the safety, welfare, and economic advancement of their citizens.
I urge the governments of Ghana and South Africa to strengthen bilateral relations and ensure that citizens of both nations are treated with dignity and respect wherever they reside.
Daisy Owusu,
Accra
Editorial
EditorialTake precautions against water-borne diseases, reptiles invasion in rainy seasonEditorial
The rains have set in again with its attendant problems, especially water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases.
As a result, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is cautioning the public to take preventive measures against water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever.
The GHS claims that these illnesses frequently thrive when it starts to rain. According to a statement signed by the GHS Director-General Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea flooding and unsanitary circumstances during the rainy season frequently contaminate water sources with faeces, increasing the spread of waterborne illnesses.
In order to protect oneself during this season, one must prevent mosquitoes from breeding and make sure that food and water are safe because contracting the aforementioned diseases is a major problem that causes discomfort.
Eliminating standing water near residences is one way to prevent mosquitoes from growing there. This is especially important when it comes to standing water gathered in abandoned containers, old tyres, cans, and other waste objects.
It is also best to use bed nets and insect repellant, drink only boiling or filtered water, and wash your hands frequently under running water with soap.
The Spectator supports GHS’s recommendation that people properly wash fruits and vegetables grown close to water bodies with clean water and salt or vinegar before consuming them because they can become polluted during the rainy season and provide major health concerns.
Some people have a habit of purchasing food carelessly, but they should stop and only purchase food from respectable and hygienic suppliers.
Additionally, food vendors are required to separate raw foods from cooked or ready-to-eat meals, procure food items from recognised sources, and adhere to stringent food safety regulations during food preparation and storage.
It is recommended to get medical help right once if someone exhibits signs of disease.
We implore the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) to make sure food handlers have current health certificates so they can work.
Flooding during the rainy season, which may drive reptiles from their native habitats and increase human contact, is another problem the Service disclosed.
In order to reduce hiding spots for reptiles and other dangerous animals, it is recommending homeowners to keep doors and windows closed whenever possible, remove bushes from their homes, and lift items off the ground.
The Spectator is urging the public to cooperate as the GHS and the Ministry of Health (MoH) pledge to safeguard citizens’ health and welfare in order to help stop disease outbreaks during the rainy season.
