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Food for All Africa, Street Academy clean beaches to observe World Earth Day
Food For All Africa, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has urged Ghanaians to adopt environmentally friendly practices to prevent the destruction of the earth.
According to the Operations Manager of the organisation, Mr Nelson Agboba, while the government was expected to develop policies to protect and preserve the environment, citizens also have a responsibility to play their part.
He, therefore urged the public to eschew practices such as improper waste disposal, illegal small-scale mining, and other activities that pollute and degrade the environment.
Mr Agboba made these remarks in an interview with The Spectator on Saturday, during activities organised by Food For All Africa in partnership with the Street Academy to mark this year’s World Earth Day.
The event, observed on Wednesday, April 22, was held under the theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.”
Activities undertaken by the NGO, with support from volunteers and partners, included community and beach clean-up exercises, fun games, food sharing, and networking sessions with community members on the need to protect the environment.
“As an organisation, we believe that the government alone cannot ensure the protection of the earth, but we, as citizens, have an equal responsibility to take care of our environment. If we do so, it makes the government concentrate on other aspects of the economy,” Mr Agboba said.
While urging citizens to act responsibly, he also called on the government to rigorously enforce existing environmental policies.
“We have the policies, but implementing them is what matters. We have agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are to ensure that our environment is protected, but the policies are not being implemented,” he stated.
“So, what I will say is that the government should enforce and ensure that the policies are implemented,” he added.
Mr Agboba further noted that the organisation had developed a programme that converts organic waste into fertiliser, which is then processed into poultry feed for farmers.
He called for support from corporate organisations, government, and individuals.
The Founder and Executive Director of Street Academy, Dr Ataa Lartey, said his organisation prioritises environmental protection through activities such as waste recycling, which help instil good habits in children.
He, therefore, welcomed the partnership with Food For All Africa, describing it as a strategic and impactful move to ensure the protection of the earth.
Residents around the Arts Centre in Accra who participated in the clean-up exercise expressed gratitude to the organisers and called on other organisations to undertake similar initiatives.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
Muslims across the country celebrated this year’s Eid-ul-Adha in a colourful and spiritually uplifting atmosphere under the theme, “A Season of Sacrifice, Solidarity and Spiritual Renewal.”
The celebration brought together Muslims from diverse backgrounds in a remarkable display of faith, unity and cultural heritage.
The occasion was marked by special Eid prayers at various designated grounds, the slaughtering of rams in homes for sharing among family members, friends and the less privileged, as well as musical concerts and recreational activities including horse riding.
Leading the celebration was the Chief Imam, Dr Sheikh Osman Sharubutu.
While the national celebration was held at the Black Star Square where President John Dramani Mahama was the Special Guest of Honour, similar gatherings took place at different centres across the capital and other regions of the country.
A visit by The Spectator to some celebration grounds revealed Muslims, both young and old, elegantly dressed in colourful jalabiya and other Islamic attire, reflecting the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
The celebration also portrayed the spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the country, as a number of Christians joined their Muslim counterparts to mark the occasion.
Muslim leaders and government officials used the opportunity to call on the faithful to uphold the teachings of the Holy Quran, renew their spiritual commitment and refrain from acts capable of undermining the peace, unity and security of the nation.
They further urged Ghanaians to continue to live in harmony and support one another for national development.
By Linda Abrefi Wadie
Dear Obaa Yaa,
During Eid-ul- Adha celebration, I decided to spend the weekend at my boyfriend’s place since we were planning towards our marriage.
To my surprise, what keeps me wide awake, restless and frustrated every single time is that he snores loudly like a generator running on full power, and I genuinely cannot get any rest
At a point, I thought it was just a normal thing, but I have realised it is something he does with ease and doesn’t see anything wrong with it.
When he steps out in the morning, I try to get enough sleep because I may not sleep in the evening.
The most annoying thing is that, he always wants to cuddle me. These two things are a no for me and a red flag.
We are about to get married, what should I do?
Enam, Keta.
Dear Enam,
The snoring and constant cuddling are frustrating, but you don’t have to choose between sleep and closeness.
Start with the snoring: check if it’s worse when he sleeps on his back, cut out alcohol before bed, try nasal strips or a humidifier, and see a doctor if he pauses while breathing.
For quick relief, foam earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones help a lot.
Separate blankets, a bigger bed, or sleeping apart on some nights often makes couples rest well and feel closer overall.
Bring this up before the wedding .Tell him you want to wake up next to him for years to come, but sleep deprivation makes you both miserable.
Test earplugs and side-sleeping this weekend, and if it’s still unbearable, bring in a doctor. Good sleep matters more for your marriage than staying glued together all night.
