Editorial
Honour fathers in spectacular way
Fathers Day is tomorrow! Hurray! Celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year, it will be a unique day that is widely observed worldwide.
Father’s Day is an opportunity to honour fathers and express gratitude for the significant impact they have on their children, families, and communities.
Mothers and mother-figures were honoured on Mother’s Day last month, and tomorrow will be another chance to honour biological fathers, father-figures, stepfathers, grandfathers, guardians, and others for their love, support, and guidance in different ways.
On this important day, try to spend time with your father, get him gifts, take him out to eat with you, cook his favourite meal at home, or give him a call if you are unable to visit.
Over the years, some fathers have been portrayed negatively as horrible nuts but this is slowly changing.
In the current generation, fathers are taking on greater responsibility and making many sacrifices to provide food for their children, and a decent accommodation to live, spend enough time raising them, and invest in their education to make life meaningful for them.
Fathers should be honoured for their hard work, sacrifices, and significant impact on their children’s and others’ lives.
Despite years of being single-fathers, some fathers have successfully raised their children to be responsible adults on their own by working hard. What a delight!
This is not to deny that there are still irresponsible fathers in the world. They have no idea what their children eat, what they wear, or even where they sleep. Their children refer to these fathers as “living-dead.”
The Spectator urges people who are hurt to forgive their fathers because two wrongs do not equal a right, In any case, he is still your father, so be brave and take advantage of this day to honour him.
Fathers who have damaged connections with their children should also take the required actions to apologise and mend these ties in order for peace and harmony to exist, since mistakes are inevitable for human beings.
The Spectator also exhorts fathers to keep loving, providing for, guiding, disciplining, and protecting their children as the world prepares to celebrate Father’s Day tomorrow. Mentoring, leadership, counselling, patience, honesty, compassion, fairness, and truth are all necessary for the next generation.
Also, as a husband you will be treated as a king if you show your wife love, respect, and consideration.
To all fathers, “Ayekoo.”
Dear Editor,
I write to raise urgent concern about ongoing construction activities that are dangerously narrowing a lane near Darkuman Circle Station. This lane has already suffered years of encroachment, and the latest developments could block access for fire tenders, cesspit trucks, ambulances, and other emergency responders.
There is an orange storey building on the right side of the lane. Nearly two decades ago, a structure that completely closed off this lane was demolished following pressure from residents and extensive media coverage. However, workers have returned and erected another structure, leaving part of the lane open but still encroaching.
On the left side of the lane, stores are also being constructed. While the owners are respecting the ground boundary, the buildings extend over the wall, further narrowing the passage. If this continues unchecked, the lane could become impassable for large vehicles. In an emergency, lives could be lost simply because help cannot get through. This is not just a planning issue; it is a serious public safety risk.
I have drafted a petition and will be gathering signatures from neighbors by the close of day. We intend to address it to the Accra Director of Fire Service, the Ablekuma North Municipal Chief Executive, and our Assemblyman. We hope the relevant authorities will act swiftly to prevent further encroachment and restore safe access to the lane.
Mama Moli, Darkuman
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Every child, including those with disabilities, has the fundamental right to elementary education and training, enabling them to develop their maximum potential and become self-reliant.
Unfortunately, despite provisions in the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715), children with limb deformities are often denied admission to schools due to their physical conditions, even when they show eagerness and capability to learn.
Limb deformities refer to abnormalities related to the growth and development of the arms or legs. As a result, parents of affected children are advocating for an increase in trained teachers and the provision of facilities in schools to accommodate these learners.
A parent shared with The Spectator that his daughter is highly talented but is being denied admission due to her disability. He also noted the difficulties in accessing health care for children with limb deformities. Another parent highlighted the emotional toll, stating that children are often teased or mocked by peers, leading to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 90% of children with disabilities in low-income countries do not attend school.
The concerns of parents are backed by Ghanaian law, including the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), and the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715). These laws guarantee children with disabilities the right to education, non-discrimination, dignity, social participation, special care, and protection from exploitation and abuse.
Despite these legal protections, implementation gaps due to inadequate monitoring and enforcement continue to deny many children access to education.
Many children can benefit from simple accommodations and modifications in schools, while others may require specialized, individualized support from special education professionals to help them learn and thrive.
Parents play a pivotal role as primary caregivers and advocates, supporting their children’s independence, encouraging mobility, and assisting with practical tasks.
It is also crucial for the government to provide social support by establishing more specialized orthopedic hospitals across the country to ease the burden on parents.
Addressing these barriers ensures that children with disabilities can participate in education and develop holistically, fulfilling their potential while contributing meaningfully to society.
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