Editorial
Don’t force drivers to stop at unauthorised places
Dear Editor,
Drivers are mostly blamed for road crashes that are recorded in the country. They are mostly blamed for over-speeding, overtaking, and non-adherence to road traffic rules and regulations.
However, the attitude of some passengers also contribute to such incidents.
One of such attitudes that I have observed is the ‘pressure’ that passengers put on drivers to stop at unauthorised places because they think it is closer to their destination rather than where the authorised bus stop is located.
I recently had an argument with a passenger in a car. This passenger was virtually shouting on the driver to just stop at an unauthorised bus stop for him to alight.
When I asked this passenger why he was doing that, his response was that, “the authorised bus stop is two junctions away from my house.”
I found his response very funny and at the same time disturbing. I tried to let him know that what he wanted the driver to do was not the right thing, but he was not ready to listen.
Thankfully, the driver did not succumb to his demand and stopped at the authorised bus stop for him to alight.
I believe it is about time some passengers allow drivers to do the right things. That is the only way we can build the peaceful and disciplined society we all crave for.
Maame Esi, Dodowa
Dear Editor,
AS an alumnus of the University of Education, Winneba, (UEW) I am deeply concerned about the increasing number of student deaths being recorded at the institution.
It is very disturbing to hear of young, vibrant individuals losing their lives within a space that is meant to nurture, protect, and prepare them for the future.
The University is supposed to be a place of safety, growth, and academic excellence. However, the frequent reports of tragic incidents has raised questions about adequate health, safety, and welfare measures put in place to protect students.
Parents entrust their wards to the University with the hope that they will return not only educated but also healthy and safe. Sadly, these recurring deaths undermine that trust and paint a worrying picture.
I believe urgent steps must be taken by the University authorities, government agencies, and all stakeholders to investigate the causes of these deaths and to implement preventive measures.
Whether the problem is linked to poor healthcare facilities on campus, lack of emergency response systems, stress-related issues, or other underlying factors, it demands immediate attention.
As a proud alumnus, I cherish the institution and want to see it flourish. But this can only happen if the well-being of students is treated as a top priority. Every life matters, and we cannot afford to continue losing brilliant young minds to preventable circumstances.
Eugene Ampiaw, Accra
The United Nation’s (UN), Child Nutrition Report 2025 indicates that 188 million children now live with obesity globally, a figure that has tripled since 2000.
According to the new report for the first time in recorded history, obesity among school-age children and adolescents has overtaken underweight.
The figures are stark: since 2000, obesity rates have tripled, with 391 million children and adolescents overweight and nearly half of them classified as obese.
This signals a troubling change in global health with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) describing it as a red flag that must not be ignored.
Hitherto, the central concern for children was malnutrition; today, over consumption of junk foods such as pizzas, burgers, fizzy drinks, noodles, etc are emerging as a far greater threat.
Junk foods and fizzy drinks are aggressively marketed across schools, shops and digital platforms thereby displacing the craving for balanced diets.
Childhood obesity is strongly linked to conditions such as type-two diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, among other ailments that were once largely confined to adulthood.
Beyond the human cost, the economic toll is projected to exceed $4 trillion annually by 2035 if urgent steps are not taken.
UNICEF is therefore calling for firm action from government and stakeholders which includes mandatory food labelling, restrictions on advertising to children, and stronger safety nets to ensure families can afford nutritious meals.
These are practical measures that governments can implement. More broadly, there is a need to rethink food environments that currently put profit above children’s health.
It is important to note that underweight has not disappeared, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where malnutrition remains a pressing concern.
But the wider picture now shows obesity as the more dominant challenge across most regions. That dual burden of too little food in some places and too much unhealthy food in others reflects the failures of global food systems.
It is important for parents to include fruits, vegetables and proteins in the meals given to children. This will help support their immune system, prevent disease, and improve their digestive health.
Families alone cannot be expected to fight a tide of advertising, cheap calories and limited access to healthier options.
Governments, industry and communities share responsibility for correcting this course. Regulation, public education and support for affordable alternatives are essential.
Addressing childhood obesity is not simply about diet, it is about safeguarding future generations from preventable diseases and giving them the chance to thrive. The time for action is now.
