Editorial
Human capital, youthful exuberance and national development
There is the need for every country to pay critical attention to the people it has and fight hard to develop the skills of such people; so that they can come together to help develop communities and promote national development.
For the most important assets in every country is the human resource base,
The development of this human resource should not just be academic but also the technical, vocational and other skills, so that a balance can be struck for the overall development of the country.
In Ghana today, the youth form a large section of the population and should not be left to go wayward. This means they need to be directed appropriately, so that their visions in life can be realised or achieved.
Without such programmes, the youth will be found wanting by walking about wasting their talents. This must not be allowed to happen because it is the talents that can be utilised to transform the country.
The youth need to be given hope from time to time, so that they can know society thinks and values them also as an important part of society.
The youth of today have an important role to play as they are responsible for the development of the country at present and for the future. Their forefathers had done what they could to bring them to a certain level of development but they also need to play their part in ensuring that the future is guaranteed for the prosperity of all Ghanaians.
It is in light of this that The Spectator is happy for certain ongoing programmes designed to give hope and direction to the youth of this country. We are aware of a programme taking place in Kumasi which will be under the chairmanship of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene. This is an important programme that must be encouraged, so that the youth will know that they are not left to fend for themselves but be guided to know what it takes to delve into what is good for them and be able to come out with what they can do to shape up the country.
The programme organised under the theme, “The youth, our future hope” signifies the importance of the youth segment of this country and the fact that they need to know that all is not lost. The programme comes off on Friday, April 29, 2022, at the Great Hall of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The programme is not meant for only the youth in that institution but all other young people in Ghana.
The National Youth Authority deserves high commendation for organising such an event and it is the expectation of everyone that its objectives will be achieved, so that the country as a whole will be the ultimate beneficiary within the context of national progress and development.
Long live the youth of this country
Long live Ghana!
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
