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,
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
