Editorial
Environmental protection is essential
The planet Earth has been created to ensure balance among various elements that exist as components that help sustain it.
When we limit the argument to the earth, we notice that the living beings, comprising animals, plants and humans; the forests, the water bodies, the rocks, the atmospheric gases, and many other things are necessary for the sustenance of this earth. Without this, there will be no ecological balance, and living things will be threatened.
In addition, the quality of life on earth will be lowered or made worse to the disadvantage of every living thing.
In light of this, any threat to the environment will be hazardous to everyone. Environmental degradation is something that should not be encouraged.
One form of environmental degradation comes about as a result of illegal mining. Illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey”, has attracted many young people in the country.
As a result of this illegal mining, forests and plantations have been destroyed. In effect, food output and other forms of agricultural production are adversely affected, which in turn lead to hunger and loss of employment in the agricultural sector.
Besides, water bodies have also been destroyed, making it difficult for the people in this country to get access to clean and enough water.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is experiencing high cost of production by saving drinking water to serve the needs of people in various communities.
The chemicals used in mining in water bodies have polluted the water, raising the cost of ensuring safe treatment of the water.
Another danger is that chemicals like mercury used in illegal mining in water bodies have serious health effects. The health effects include heart diseases, destruction of other internal organs in the human body and skin rashes.
The time has therefore come for each of us to contribute our quota towards saving the environment. If this is done, we will all be guaranteed good health and safety on this earth.
Laws on the environment must be rigidly enforced by relevant authorities. Our district assemblies should take this matter up and seek collaboration with the police to prosecute offenders. If we pursue this matter in a serious manner, environmental degradation will stop.
Let us protect the environment to make life more comfortable for all people on this earth.
Dear Editor
I wish to draw attention to the increasing number of children begging for alms on the streets of the capital.
This has become a common sight at traffic lights, markets and busy intersections.
Many of these children should be in school, but instead they spend long hours under the hot sun and in dangerous traffic.
Sadly, they are sometimes found in the company of their parents, the same people expected to ensure that these minors spend those hours in school.
These children are usually exposed to accidents, exploitation and abuse. The situation does not only affects their future but also reflects poorly on our society.
I appeal to parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for their children.
I also urge the government, the Department of Social Welfare and other relevant agencies to intensify efforts to rescue these children, provide them with education and support their families where necessary.
I also wish to employ the ‘Samaritans’ who gives money to these children to also spend a few seconds to ask these children why they beg for alms on the street and not going to school.
Getting these children off the street must now be seen as a shared responsibility.
Every child deserves a safe home, quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential. By working together, we can reduce street begging and give these children a brighter future.
From Eugene Ampiaw,
Dansoman
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
