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.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
