Editorial
Dealing with depression
Almost everybody at some point of their lives experiences some level of sadness or inactivity. This moment is often characterised by loss of concentration, social withdrawal, loneliness and all manner of melancholic attitudes. This condition is described as depression.
Depression is a mood disorder rather than serious illness but the good news is that most people with depression may recover completely with the correct treatment and support.
Physical symptoms of depression include persistent tiredness, poor sleep, a lack of appetite or sex drive, as well as numerous aches and pains. In it’s severity it can make you feel as though life is no longer worth living.
It can be triggered by a wide range of factors such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, work or financial concerns.
If relationships fall apart, for example, one is likely to feel depressed, stop seeing friends and family, or start drinking alcohol more. It can make one perform poorly at work, or school.
Research indicates that people may be prone to depression as they get older, and it could be common in people who live in challenging social and economic situations.
Therapy also can be an effective treatment for depression. Lifestyle changes, meditation, challenging negative thoughts are also ways one can treat depression.
Again, having a strong support system and seeing a therapist once a week is one method to keep your mental health in check.
Regina Nyame,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Dear Editor,
I AM writing to draw your attention to the inadequate street lights in some parts of Wawase, a situation that continues to pose serious concerns for residents.
Street lights play a crucial role in ensuring safety and security within a community. Unfortunately, several areas in Wawase are completely without functioning street lights.
This has made movement at night very difficult and dangerous, especially for workers, students, and traders who return home late.
The lack of proper lighting has also created an enabling environment for criminal activities such as theft and harassment. Residents often live in fear, and some are forced to limit their movements after dark. Additionally, poor visibility increases the risk of road accidents, putting both pedestrians and drivers at risk.
It is concerning that despite the growing population and development in Wawase, this basic infrastructure issue remains unresolved.
I would like to appeal to the relevant authorities, including the local assembly and electricity providers, to urgently address this problem by installing new street lights and repairing faulty ones.
Ensuring adequate street lights will not only improve security but also enhance the overall quality of life for residents in the area.
Gwen Mensah, Agona Swedru
Dear Editor,
FOR some time now, I have been deeply concerned about the state of the Kaneshie footbridge, which has over the years developed cracks, exposing some rusted metal parts and raising safety concerns.
It is, therefore, welcome news for daily users of the facility like myself that a team from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), led by the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), visited the facility and announced a temporary closure to allow for maintenance work to be carried out.
While I wish to commend the Assembly for the move, I believe it has been long overdue.
I often find it difficult to understand why, as a country, we sit, wait, and watch for preventable incidents or tragedies to happen before we react. I say this because the issue of the bad state of the Kaneshie footbridge has been one that has been re-echoed by many who use it on a daily basis.
I believe that as the Assembly looks to start the maintenance works on the footbridge, it is also important for it and other Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to pay attention to other footbridges across the country that are in a similar state.
The time has come for Ghana, as a country, to be more proactive than reactive.
I will also urge the assemblies to deploy their respective teams to always check on footbridges across the country to ensure that they are in good shape to avoid any tragedy that could lead to the loss of human lives.
From Fafa, Kaneshie
