Connect with us

Editorial

Effects of climate change on fishing sector

Published

on

Dear Editor,

Climate change has been a pressing issue as it reshapes our oceans and threatens marine life and coastal communities who rely on it.

Climate change, which results from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, leads to global warming. None­theless, the rising sea temperature and ocean acidification, which are some effects of climate change, have had a great impact on fish.

The warming of the ocean and the increased acidity of its waters have disturbed the habitat of marine eco­systems and had an impact on their population.

Advertisement

This has caused alterations in the way fish migrate, the availability of their food, and their overall produc­tivity.

Fish populations, a primary protein source for billions, are migrating to cooler waters for survival, leaving traditional fishing grounds barren and fishermen’s nets empty.

This imposes economic hardship on coastal communities as well as the local economy as it contributes to about some percentage.

In Ghana, fisheries contribute 4.5 per cent to the annual gross domestic product (GDP) and indirectly support the livelihoods of 2.2 million people in Ghana.

Advertisement

This speaks volumes of the effect this global phenomenon is having on people who feed directly on this sec­tor and their dependents.

It has affected fish stock. The little they get is not enough to support their families.

Interacting with a section of these fisher folks, they all appear to be fac­ing the same issues of smaller harvest and catching fingerlings more than the matured ones.

On the market, people find them unattractive and costly. As a result, they end up selling them at low pric­es, leading to substantial losses.

Advertisement

Some children have dropped out of school because their parents are un­able to pay their school fees because of this development.

Clearly, climate change has cast a huge shadow over marine life and coastal communities, altering their way of life.

This is the time for us to see posi­tive outcomes from the many interna­tional meetings and workshops trying to find a solution to this.

Gloria Tettey

Advertisement

gloriatettey808@gmail.com

UNIMAC-IJ (Faculty of Journalism)

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Editorial

Unhygienic food selling environment: A serious concern that must be addressed

Published

on

Food stuff being sold near an open gutter

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Editorial

Provide adequate protection for footballers

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending