Editorial
Concerns over rising violence among youth in sports
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to express my deep concern about the increasing incidents of violence among young people during sporting activities in our communities. Sports is usually credited with the promotion of unity, discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition. However, it is gradually becoming platforms for fighting, hostility, and destruction.
In recent times, it has become common to witness youth engaging in physical fights during football matches and other sporting events. What begins as friendly competition often ends in chaos, injuries, damaged property, and sometimes the involvement of weapons.
This worrying trend defeats the very purpose of sports and sends a wrong message to younger children who look up to these players as role models.
Several factors contribute to this problem, including poor discipline, lack of proper officiating, excessive pressure to win at all cost, and inadequate guidance from coaches and community leaders. In some cases, spectators also fuel the violence by provoking players and officials instead of encouraging fair play.
If this issue is not addressed urgently, it may discourage talented youth from participating in sports and could also turn sporting grounds into unsafe spaces for families and fans. Sports should build character, not destroy it.
I, therefore call on sports authorities, schools, community leaders, parents, and the National Sports Authority to intensify education on sportsmanship, enforce strict sanctions against violent behaviour, and provide proper training for referees and coaches.
The youth must be taught that losing a game is not a failure, but fighting is.
Let us work together to restore peace, respect, and discipline in youth sports for the benefit of our society.
Eugene Ampiaw, Takoradi
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Dear Editor,
I write to express concern about the increasing rate of road accidents on the Kumasi–Accra highway, which has become a source of fear for many commuters.
It is one of the busiest roads in Ghana, connecting two major cities and serving thousands of passengers daily. Sadly, almost every week, we hear reports of fatal crashes, injuries, and loss of property along the stretch. Many families have lost loved ones, and several survivors are left with lifelong injuries.
The causes of these accidents are not far-fetched. Over-speeding, reckless overtaking, driver fatigue, poor vehicle maintenance, and disregard for road traffic regulations are major contributors.
In some sections, bad road conditions, faded road markings, and inadequate street lighting also increase the risk, especially at night and during rainy weather.
It is worrying that despite repeated accidents, little seems to change. Drivers continue to overspeed, some commercial drivers drive under pressure to meet unrealistic travel times, and enforcement of traffic laws appears weak in certain areas.
I, therefore appeal to the relevant authorities, including the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) and the Ministry of Roads and Highways, to intensify road safety education, enforce traffic laws strictly, and ensure regular patrols on this highway.
Road signs should be improved, damaged portions of the road fixed promptly, and speed limits clearly enforced.
Drivers must also take personal responsibility by obeying traffic rules, avoiding unnecessary overtaking, and ensuring their vehicles are roadworthy. Passengers should speak up when drivers drive recklessly, because silence can cost lives.
Road accidents are preventable. Let us act now to make the Kumasi–Accra Highway safer for all users before more innocent lives are lost.
By Eugene Ampiaw, Takoradi
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Dear Editor,
THE incident of baby theft at the Mamprobi Polyclinic on Tuesday was quite unfortunate.
It is very sad that a woman that has endured nine challenging months of pregnancy and gone through a Caesarian Section to deliver would go through such an unfortunate situation.
We should be grateful to God that the baby was found and reunited with mother a day after the disappearance.
This is not the first occurrence and I believe may not be the last and is the reason why I welcome the calls for improved security protocols at the various health facilities across the country.
Several speculative narratives are flying all over with calls for a harsher punishment.
As unfortunate as the action of the suspect was, it is important that she is also checked mentally and psychologically. A number of factors may have contributed to this action including an inability to conceive and the ensuing societal pressure and stigma of barrenness.
A lot of women are facing such challenges but have not mustered the courage to attempt such a heinous crime. This should occupy the minds of agencies responsible for women issues to increase awareness on situations like this.
A woman whose marriage is collapsing under the weight of barrenness can be affected psychologically and, in that situation, could arrive at any decision.
Naa Torshie,
Dansoman
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