Editorial
Ensure right material are used for storey buildings
Dear Editor,
I write to draw to your attention to a growing phenomenon in our society and the country as a whole.
Growing up, I only saw a few storey buildings around the country. Most buildings I saw were ground structures that housed families.
I am now becoming a bit worried about the rate at which storey buildings are being built across the country.
While putting up a storey building helps in the effective utilisation of natural resources such as land, it could also lead to the loss of lives and properties if the right building materials are not used.
In Ghana, we have witnessed a number of storey buildings, including shopping malls and church buildings collapse, leading to loss of lives.
Often, investigations conducted by regulatory authorities in the building and construction sector have revealed that those buildings collapse because the right material was not used in the building process.
Although there have been calls from a section of the public for authorities to inspect storey buildings in the country to prevent disasters, I think those calls have fallen on deaf ears, considering the fast pace at which individuals and businesses are putting up storey buildings in the country.
Some of these storey buildings that are near completion or abandoned by its owners and cited in close proximity have even developed cracks, which poses threat to the lives of those who lived around.
I, therefore, as a matter of urgency, urge the duty bearers and regulatory authorities in the building and construction sector to ensure that those storey buildings are inspected and the contractors held accountable, to prevent another Melcom disaster.
Osei Kuka,
Accra
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
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