Editorial
Digital, satellite broadcast: NCA must be proactive
Dear Editor,
Somewhere last year, we heard the story of two teenagers who allegedly murdered a playmate at Kasoa. According to preliminary investigations, a fetish priestess had asked them to bring human parts for money rituals.
When the incident was widely condemned, a section of the public blamed television and radio stations allocating airtime to fetish and occult groups.
The National Communication Authority (NCA) subsequently shut down some unlicensed television stations and others that aired disgusting and misleading content thus bringing some sanity to digital broadcast platforms.
During the Christmas holidays, I scanned channels and noticed stations that were still projecting the activities of ritualists. I spotted at least two channels running commentary on a so-called “brotherhood” and boldly displayed contact numbers to entice viewers.
I do not want to name the channels that are culpable of this practice but I believe the NCA is aware of television stations that continue to breach its broadcast and compliance guidelines.
I, therefore, wish to remind the monitoring unit of the NCA to step up efforts to scrutinise programmes aired on digital platforms and blacklist those that are not up to standard.
Citizens deserve good content and regulatory bodies must ensure that only digital and satellite channels with great content are maintained on our airwaves.
Jones Kamasah,
Tetegu.
Dear Editor,
I write to express deep concern about the increasingly harmful influence social media is having on children in our communities. What was once intended to be a tool for learning, creativity, and connection has now become a major source of distraction, pressure, and moral decline among many of our young people.
Today, children spend countless hours on platforms that expose them to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and harmful trends. Instead of focusing on their studies, developing social skills, or engaging in healthy activities, many are glued to their screens—losing sleep, losing confidence, and sometimes even losing their sense of reality.
The rise in cases of depression, anxiety, peer pressure, and poor academic performance among young people can no longer be ignored. Even more worrying is how quickly harmful content, violence, explicit material, and dangerous challenges can spread across these platforms, reaching children faster than parents or teachers can intervene.
It is evident that while technology has its benefits, the lack of proper regulation and supervision has left our children vulnerable. Parents must become more proactive in monitoring what their children consume online, schools must strengthen digital literacy education, and authorities should consider stricter policies to protect minors from harmful online exposure.
We cannot sit back and watch the future generation be shaped by uncontrolled digital influences. It is time for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that social media becomes a safer, more positive space for our children.
— James Brown,
Akosombo
Dear Editor,
Please permit me to use your respected medium to commend the Ghana Police Service (GPS) for the decision not to grant leave requests for personnel during the Christmas season. This annual ritual is a clear demonstration that the service is mindful of the need to observe the yuletide in a serene and peaceful atmosphere devoid of difficulties and crimes.
It may not be a pleasant piece of news for the men and women in uniform, but they would be the first to appreciate the fact that the nature of the celebration requires their presence at all times.
My concern, however, is that despite the police visibility, crimes were still perpetrated at certain places. This means that whenever the police take such decisions, criminals also find their way around. My observation is that because personnel are stationed at specific locations, perpetrators carry out their activities where police visibility is low.
I want to suggest that the police administration intensify patrols in areas identified as crime zones to avert attacks. I also wish to advise all agencies responsible for maintaining law and order not to go to sleep. They must be awake to control pubs, drinking bars, eating joints, beaches, and other public gathering spots.
Citizens must also put up their best behaviour to ensure that we have a peaceful Christmas season and reflect on the reason for the celebration.
— Sandra Owusuaa,
Kasoa
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