Editorial
Decision to go to IMF is appropriate
After series of debates as to whether the country should go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for support, the Government of Ghana has taken the decision that at this time of the global economic situation, the country needs to go for some assistance.
The assistance from the IMF has become necessary because, according to the government, the COVID-19 pandemic together with unfavourable global economic condition has made it difficult for the country to stand on its own, looking at the serious challenges affecting Ghana just like many other countries in the world.
It has been explained that support from the IMF will help the country to get balance of payment to enable it perform better in the days ahead.
The IMF is an international body that has been set up to achieve balance of payment support for member countries which decide to go to it (international body) for assistance. It is a body that plays a useful role in the economic development of member countries, among others.
Under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, every effort has been made to ensure that the economy performs better as regards the welfare of Ghanaians. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic which affected all parts of the world forced the government to spend heavily to save the lives of the people in this country.
The President pointed out that, in the case of economies that were destroyed by COVID-19, it would be possible to revive them whereas in the case of human lives, they could not be revived once lost.
In light of all these, The Spectator is of the view that the people of Ghana ought to support the government, so that at the end of it all, a developmental agenda can be pursued for Ghanaians, irrespective of political affiliations.
We are very much aware that 100 countries have applied to the IMF for one form of bailout or the other. In this connection, therefore, it is clear that the unfavourable global economic situation together with COVID-19 has adversely affected every country in the world.
In view of the unfavourable global economic situation, the IMF threw out invitation to countries that wanted assistance to come forward.
From this perspective, it is appropriate for Ghana to take advantage and go to the IMF for assistance, contrary to its previous position that it would not go for help.
In fairness to the government, this paper acknowledges that from 2017 up to the first quarter of 2020, the economy of Ghana was performing creditably well to the admiration of many countries in the world.
Unfortunately, the sudden emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic ate substantially into the resources country and threw all projections out of gear.
As if this was not enough, the high price of crude oil worldwide, moving far above the $100 mark also added salt to injury and worsened the economic conditions of the country.
As a member of the IMF, therefore, Ghana has every right to seek assistance from this international body, so that the economic situation can be made a bit bearable for the country.
The Spectator, however, wishes to urge the team negotiating with the IMF to prepare adequately and ensure that the best alternatives and options are what are given the country.
The economic situation all over the world in both developed and developing countries has become very unfavourable and harsh, making life extremely difficult for ordinary people.
In this connection, we are urging all Ghanaians to remain calm in the hope that, what comes out from the negotiation with the IMF will be in the best interest of the country.
Dear Editor,
The recent shooting to death of Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old Ghanaian student in Bronx, USA, is a heartbreaking reminder that bullying should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up.
Reports indicate that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to bullying at school before he was fatally shot on his way to class.
While investigations continue and the exact motive yet to be officially established, the circumstances surrounding this tragedy have raised serious concerns about the impact of not checking bullying.
What makes this loss even more painful is that Javits Frimpong, had moved from Ghana to the United States with hopes of a brighter future through education. Instead, his life was cut short at an age when he should have been pursuing his dreams and preparing for adulthood.
Bullying is often viewed as harmless teasing, but its effects can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and, in extreme cases, become entangled in violence.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to schools everywhere. Complaints of bullying must be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed decisively before situations escalate.
Parents, teachers, school authorities, and community leaders all share a responsibility to create safe environments for young people.
Open communication, counselling services, anti-bullying education, and effective disciplinary measures can help protect vulnerable students.
Equally important is teaching young people respect, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
As we mourn the loss of Javits Frimpong, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring that no other child loses their life because warning signs were ignored. The fight against bullying is not merely a school issue; it is a societal responsibility.
Yours faithfully,
Dansoman
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The recent report that 294 teenage girls in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to receive their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a depressing reminder of the gap between medical progress and public trust.
In a focused campaign with 997 girls the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate reached a 70 percent coverage rate. Our public health professionals deserve praise for reaching 703 girls, but the remaining 30 percent pose a serious threat.
This shortfall is not due to a lack of institutional effort, logistics, or resources. The directorate had sufficient logistics, as highlighted by Public Health Nurse Patience Adoli Kporxah. Rather, the barrier was completely human: a lack of parental approval.
In Ghana, one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality for women is still cervical cancer. Ironically, it is also one of the most avoidable. The HPV vaccine is widely acknowledged as a safe, highly effective barrier that, when given early, can prevent up to 90 percent of cervical cancers.
Parents are unknowingly leaving their daughters vulnerable to a virus that they will probably come into contact with in the future by withholding approval.
This initiative was not initiated in secret by the health directorate. They coordinated with churches, mosques, and media outlets, spoke at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and sent letters to schools as part of their broad public outreach efforts. However, around 300 parents continued to withhold their signatures in spite of these multi-dimensional approaches.
Why is this resistance still present? Fear, cultural taboos, and false information about vaccines and reproductive health on the internet are the main causes of vaccine hesitation rather than an intent to hurt a child. When a vaccination is administered to young teenagers in schools, it may cause unjustified concerns about fertility and sexuality.
Our public health initiatives need to change in order to close this gap before the November and December phases.
Letters and the mass media are important, but they are unable to provide precise, worried answers. During PTA meetings, health staff could think about holding direct question and answer sessions so parents may express their worries without fear of being judged.
In order to normalise the vaccine, community elders, religious leaders, and reputable local physicians must do more than simply impart knowledge; they must openly support it.
We must present the HPV vaccine as a standard, life-saving cancer prevention tool that is now completely incorporated into Ghana’s regular immunisation programme.
The entrance is still open, according to public health officials. Daughters who did not participate in the school-based activity can still get the vaccination at no cost by taking them to any government health institution.
We must work together to prevent cervical cancer in the future generation. The infrastructure, education, and dosages have been supplied by public health teams. The trust must now be provided by the parents of Ayawaso West and Ghana as a whole.
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