Editorial
Evacuation of Ghanaian students from Ukraine
As a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, students studying in Ukraine have been seriously affected.
Due to the precarious situation in Ukraine many students who have gone to that country for studies but want to return home are being evacuated to Ghana for safety. Many of the students, fearing for their lives, have requested to be evacuated home.
Unfortunately, some of the students have stated that they will prefer to go to other countries rather than coming back home and the government of Ghana has made it clear that it will convey only those who are willing to come home. A few of the students have decided to join their friends in other countries instead of coming home, but the majority of them have stated that they will prefer to be evacuated back home to Ghana.
In view of this development, the Government of Ghana has done what it can to bring the students home. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has met some family members of the students in Accra to answer questions on the safety of the affected Ghanaian students.
This is a good effort by government but as usual, some propagandists have also decided to play politics with the issue by spreading false news that some Ghanaian students have been shot dead in Ukraine. This is a great lie and The Spectator is appealing to all political opponents who see themselves as not being in government to desist from such unhealthy practice.
Ghana is the only country we have so we must treasure it and ensure that as much as possible claims made by anybody about the country is nothing but the truth. We cannot continue to behave as if we are living in the jungle, only concerned about destruction of our motherland.
We thank God for the safe arrival of the students and hope that more of them will be brought home safely to reconcile with their families before going back to continue their studies if there is cessation of hostilities.
On this note, The Spectator commends the government for acting swiftly to bring our dear students back home safely. At the same time, we wish to appeal to Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine and give peace a chance.
The world today needs lasting peace and this can be brought about by all countries irrespective of where they are on this earth. Russia must listen to the call for peace and stop the aggressive acts it has embarked upon.
We would again want to thank all those individuals and groups, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the efforts made in bringing the students home safely.
Following the closure of airports in Ukraine, the students had to be assisted through surrounding countries such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and others before being brought home, so we thank all those who helped in various ways to make their evacuation possible.
Editorial
Indiscipline in schools worrying, need to address it
In recent years there has been growing concern over the behaviour of Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana.
Notable among them is indiscipline, disrespect for authority, sexual immorality, substance abuse, betting, cheating during examination among others.
Recently, parents were stunned when the headmistress of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School, Mrs. Dorothy Adentwi-Hayford, displayed seized condoms, pills, and unauthorised items from students at the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting in Cape Coast.
Reports say that in a firm stance against growing indiscipline in the school, she placed the confiscated items on the high table as a visual illustration of the moral and disciplinary challenges some students posed.
Although the Headmistress declined to name the culprits, she assured parents that appropriate disciplinary actions, alongside counselling would be taken.
According to the Headmistress while the majority of students were disciplined a persistent few students continued to exhibit deviant behaviours that undermined the school’s standards.
Citing examples she noted that sneaking out without exeat, bullying, stealing, truancy, and general apathy towards academic work, was the order of the day.
What is so disturbing is that some parents attack the school verbally and place curses on school authorities for disciplining their wards without verifying the facts.
Such behaviour is uncalled for and the Spectator wants such parents to desist from that, instead they should collaborate with school authorities to find the best way to deal with indiscipline among students.
Parents must also take an active interest in their children’s welfare beyond just providing for their material needs and investigate issues when their children return home with complaints before jumping into conclusion.
These days the school’s structure has changed and with the increasing numbers without any corporal punishment school authorities find it difficult to discipline the children.
The behaviour of majority of students in schools is very disheartening. While some students take their studies seriously, others have taken to the use of drugs, sex, occultism, betting and all kinds of bad behaviours.
Corporal punishment has its own advantages and disadvantages and if the Ghana Education Service (GES) is not ready to reintroduce corporal punishment, then school authorities must be extra vigilant and put in stricter disciplinary measures to restore order in schools.
Most SHS students are in their teenage stages, a stage characterised by all kinds of behaviours and peer pressure activities so they must not be left alone, rather they must be guided as they explore the world.
The Spectator urges all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to check indiscipline and moral decadence in schools.
Editorial
Bring back Osu Street Carnival
Dear Editor,
I write to passionately appeal to the authorities bring back one of Accra’s beautiful events, the Osu ‘Oxford’ Street Carnival.
It produced a dazzling celebration of music, dance, food, and business. The Osu Street Carnival was more than a festive street event.
It was a unifying force that brought together people from all walks of life-Ghanaians and tourists alike to celebrate the beauty of our culture.
The festival had costumed dancers to vibrant street performances and delicious local cuisine while local manufacturers display their wares.
Sadly, in recent years, the carnival has faded into memory.
The absence has left a void for fun lovers who trouped the event in their numbers.
This appeal goes to the authorities in charge to reintroduce it as a way of boosting our tourism and the local economy.
Esinam, South La Estates
