Editorial
COVID-19 is real; let’s be up and doing
The world today has been plagued with the COVID-19 pandemic which has threatened the lives of people on earth and destroyed various forms of businesses, making it difficult for the entire world to move on peacefully as expected.
It is in the light of this that various pieces of advice have been thrown out to people in this country to know that the pandemic is not imaginary but real.
Many people have died from it as a result of negligence or accidental contact with infected persons.
The Spectator is, therefore, of the view that the time has come to intensify the campaign against the disease, so as to minimise its effect on people in this country.
By so doing, we will be enjoying life better than what can be enjoyed under the ‘atrocities’ of the pandemic.
Ghanaians and the rest of the world have been informed about contraction of the disease by Most Reverend Palmer Buckle, the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Cape Coast. This man of God wants all Ghanaians in the world to know that COVID-19 is real for which reason we should all be up and doing.
Being up and doing simply means that we should know that the disease is real and can affect us when we come in contact with people who have been infected.
It is a well-known fact that Ghana has been hit with the second wave of the pandemic, leading to a surge in the positive cases being recorded.
This explains why day in day out our health professionals keep advising us to observe all the safety protocols as a way of helping to contain the disease or bringing it under control.
Even though the entire country needs to be protected from the pandemic, we are told that certain parts of the country are endangered with more positive cases than others. The Greater Accra Region leads in the case counts with the Ashanti Region coming second.
What this means for the whole country is that everyone must seriously observe the health safety protocols in order to avoid infection.
The dangers associated with contracting the disease is such that, we need to bring the disease under total control to ensure that, we are kept safe at all times. We do not have to panic, but be very conscious and avoid negligence, so as to avoid coming in contact with the disease.
This is important because even for those who have been infected and subsequently recovered from the disease, their systems have been affected adversely in one way or the other such that, some of them may not be as healthy as they used to be. Rigid observance of all the safety protocols is, therefore, non-negotiable.
Another issue that must not be overlooked is self-medication. Here, self-medication is dangerous so people should desist from that since it adds to risks of COVID-19 mobility.
The acting Director of the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre (GIDC), Dr Joseph Adjetey Oliver Commey, has advised the public against self-medication and rather seek early medication to help avert the rise in the rate of fatalities from the COVID-19.
This advice must be complied with to avoid worsening situations for anyone in the country.
The time to be serious about the disease is now, so we all need to contribute our quota in ensuring that COVID-19 is really brought under control in the interest of the nation.
Dear Editor,
On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.
Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.
Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.
Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.
A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.
Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.
This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.
Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.
Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.
The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.
Richard
Kumasi
By Spectator Reporter
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BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.
During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”
However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.
If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.
Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.
A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.
Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.
To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.
While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.
Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.
Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.
Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.
They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.
However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.
This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.
Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.
It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.
Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.
By Spectator Reporter
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