Editorial
Create enabling environment for families to live in peace
Yesterday was the International Day of Families (IDF), a global celebration of families and their significance that aims to increase awareness of social and economic challenges.
Every year on May 15, the United Nations observes IDF, a day that emphasises the value of families in social development and advocates for family-friendly legislation.
The UN General Assembly created the Day in 1993 to bring attention to economic, demographic, and social issues that impact families, such as urbanization, digital transformation, and climate change.
Because of this, the government, local communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) utilise this day to advocate for family-oriented policies like childcare and financial assistance to strengthen communities and advance health and education.
Children must live in a positive home setting that offers affection, love, care, support, pleasant relationships, discipline, and fairness since they are vulnerable and require assistance in a variety of ways.
In support of this year’s theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” The Spectator thinks that providing this supportive atmosphere for children will help advance their wellbeing.
In the meantime, today, May 16, is the “International Day of Living Together in Peace,” which aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in variety and differences, in order to create a sustainable world of harmony, solidarity, and peace.
This year’s theme, “Living Together in Peace: Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation,” is appropriate since the day serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to promote compassion, understanding, and connection despite differences.
“Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect, and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way,” according to UNESCO.
In order for peace to prevail, individuals must choose to listen to and uphold the dignity of those whose experiences, opinions, and histories may differ from their own. We must recognize that coexisting peacefully is a practical endeavour rather than an abstract one. And in order for peace to prevail, individuals must decide to pay attention and uphold the dignity of those whose backgrounds, experiences, and opinions may differ from their own.
Respecting people’s opinions is important because it fosters trust and improves relationships. After a quarrel, most people find it hard to make amends, but The Spectator encourages people to talk, which is one approach to mend broken relationships. Tensions are reduced and the circumstances for peace are established through dialogue.
Each of us has a part to play in creating peaceful environments therefore as the theme draws attention to the daily work of peace in diplomacy, in institutions, families, schools, workplaces, communities, places of worship, and public life, let us uphold peace in high regard.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
