Editorial
Dealing with challenges of step-parenting
Dear Editor,
Attaining the status of a step-child is not a choice, but one that comes as a result of changing scenes of life and time.
Sometimes, two people meet and out of love or attraction, become intimate, leading to the production of an offspring.
Attracted to each other, as the two partners may have been, the by-product of their one-time intimacy may bring to the world a child though unplanned actions.
However, there is an instance where some children live with other children and new parents, who are not their biological parents or siblings due to divorce, separation or death.
One challenge confronting step-children is that at times, they have to deal with the ‘needless wrath’ of their step-parents. What is troubling is that when this occurs, their biological parents are not able to defend them.
Some step-parents are good, but words cannot describe others. I become dazed when some biological parents are not able to defend but rather ‘sacrifice’ their children for the love of their new spouses.
I believe it is time society looked at problem of step-parenting and collectively find suitable antidote to the challenge.
Parents, especially fathers, must ensure that children do not become ‘innocent’ victims of “broken relationship.” Parents should be responsible for the children they bring into the world.
Akua Beduwah Gogoe,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
