Editorial
Intimate partner violence against women must stop
All types of violence against women (VAW) have been prevalent for decades, but the rate of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is frightening and is leaving women maimed and dead.
The Ghana Statistical Service’s (GSS) upcoming 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) Report, indicate that two out of every five women between the ages of 15 and 49 had experienced intimate partner abuse.
According to the Service, 35.2 percent of these women had at least once suffered emotional abuse, 22.7 percent experienced physical violence, and 11.2 percent experienced sexual violence.
This is a serious problem that ranks among the most pervasive breaches of human rights. It would be best to stop this IPV against women now to protect their lives.
As the world marks the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) for 2023, with “Unite, Invest to Prevent Violence against Women and Girls” as the theme, the Spectator hopes that conversations will focus on developing solutions for the pressing need to stop IPV.
The 16 Days of Activism against GBV takes place from November 25 to Human Rights Day on December 10.
In fact, in light of these concerning figures, advocates for gender equality, counsellors, private institutions, religious institutions and the government through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), among others should all push for measures to stop this threat.
The Spectator is of the view that because women are treated differently in some societies as they are seen as men’s property, it is necessary to re-examine social standards and destroy the systems that support gender inequity.
In times of abuse, some victims have nowhere to turn, so it is important to provide shelters for survivors and offer counselling services to lessen their difficulties.
The government needs to step up efforts to protect women from IPV by making sure that survivors have access to fair and impartial judicial proceedings.
Any type of violence should be denounced, and it is wise for faith-based organisations to provide post-marital counselling for couples to learn how to strengthen their marriages for peaceful co-existence, following pre-marital counselling.
It is time to step up efforts through education, awareness, and support services to promote women’s empowerment and dispel the harmful myths that encourage violence.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
