Editorial
Don’t drive under influence of illegal drugs
In view of drunkenness and drug abuse on the part of some drivers, it is necessary to promote sensitisation for road users.
Experts say alcohol dulls parts of the brain that control how the body works. It can interfere with attention, perceptual functioning, and motor skills, as well as decision-making while driving. Drinking, therefore, impairs the ability to drive and increases the risk of causing an accident.
Incredibly, some of our drivers resort to hard drugs and alcohol before getting into their vehicles at the various lorry stations. This behaviour is bad because while they think the drugs they take can make them work hard and not get tired, they rather harm them in many ways.
Though such drivers are able to work throughout the day and at night in order to make more money for themselves, this behaviour is not good but the drivers are ignorant about the effects on their own lives.
The truth is substance use can impair perception, cognition, attention, balance, coordination, and other brain functions necessary for safe driving. Driving under hard or soft drug has been linked to reckless driving, car crashes, and fatal accidents.
In light of this, The Spectator is advising all our drivers to stay away from this behaviour. When they decide to work throughout the night, their bodies get tired and they can easily break down or have accidents on the road.
The result may be unpleasant as lives can be lost. This brings sadness to many families.
As Christmas approaches, many drivers are planning to take advantage of the festive season to make more profit. They must do this through their natural strength, not by any other means.
They should avoid their usual intention to work extra hours by using hard or soft drugs like marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, and cocaine to achieve their goals.
Every driver must abstain from using these drugs.
It is also good that everyone abstains from drugs in order for our society to be free and safe.
Christmas is a season of peace. We must all work to make the season a happy, peaceful, and enjoyable occasion.
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
