Editorial
Filth at market places unbearable
Dear Editor,
A Key feature of a progressive nation is its level of sanitation and waste management. Zoomlion and other corporate organisations, have over the years, worked to ensure our cities remain clean but it appears some indiscriminate conducts keep eroding their efforts. Some parts of the Greater Accra Region, including markets at the Kaneshie, Accra Central and Kasoa are engulfed in filth daily with traders liable for the mess. Some of them deliberately dispose waste at unapproved places, arguing that they pay market tolls, therefore, someone else is supposed to keep the market tidy. Recently, I witnessed heap of rubbish being carried away by heavy rains at the Kasoa market as the traders stood helplessly. I thought that would inform them to change their habit but greater volumes of the garbage
emerged the following day. A glance at roads leading to some big markets show plastic waste and heaps of rubbish as pedestrians, drivers and traders struggle to find their way through. It is sad to discover that both young and old condone this unhealthy practice. I, therefore, wish to encourage city authorities to
impose hefty fines on traders who dispose waste haphazardly to serve as deterrent to others. I believe the market places could be tidy but for the recklessness of some of these lawless merchants.
Priscilla Efriyie Anakpong Student,
University of Cape Coast
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
