Editorial
Kudos to all physically challenged farmers’ awardees
Last week Friday, Ghana held its annual Farmers’ Day celebration when farmers and fishers across the country were awarded for their contributions in farming, fishing and local food production.
Nana Owusu Achiaw from the Sekyere Central District of the Ashanti Region was crowned the overall National Best Farmer for the year and received an amount of GH¢1million sponsored by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB).
Among the awardees were some physically challenged who through their resilience and commitment had also contributed immensely to farming, despite their physical handicap to advance food security.
Notable among these awardees is Mr John Nii Arday Ofoliquaye, a 49-year-old aquaculturist from Mamprobi in the Greater Accra Region (GAR), who was awarded the Best Physically Challenged Farmer by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA).
Also, Mr. Stephen Addo from the Sene West District in the Bono East Region was adjudged the National Best Physically Challenged Farmer for 2024 at the awards dinner held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra last Friday.
In the Kasena Nankana West District in the Upper East Region, Chiravero Addah James, a physically challenged farmer, was recognised as the Best Disability Farmer of the Year for his dedication to mixed cropping.
Similarly, 16 physically challenged best farmers from the regions were also honoured and awarded with certificates at the dinner night.
They received various awards of essential farming tools and supplies during the 40th National Farmers’ Day celebration, held on Friday, November 8, 2024.
What is most intriguing is that they did not use their physical challenges as an excuse to beg for alms but engaged in a profitable venture such as farming to make a living for themselves, their families, communities and the nation as a whole.
They had proven that physical limitations need not hinder success thus their condition did not impede their dreams and vision.
Their success should be a shining example to other physically challenged individuals to disregard societal stigmatisation and have confidence in their abilities. Their example should spur the abled to work harder to achieve laurels in their various fields.
To the physically challenged who resort to begging on the streets this should be a clarion call for them to reconsider their decision to be permanent beggars begging amidst vehicular traffic which poses great danger to their lives.
Instead they should rather find something lucrative to do for as the saying goes disability is not inability.
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to express my growing concern about the increasing display of adult content on some television stations in the country.
These programmes, often aired during hours when children are most likely to be watching, pose a serious threat to their moral development and general well-being.
Television remains one of the strongest influences on young people, and stations have a responsibility to ensure that their content reflects the values we seek to instil in our society.
Unfortunately, some channels appear to prioritise sensationalism and profit over public safety and decency.
Such content not only exposes children to material they are not prepared to process but also undermines parents’ efforts to guide their behaviour.
I call on the National Media Commission (NMC) and other regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring and enforce stricter guidelines to protect viewers, especially minors.
Broadcasters must be reminded of their duty to promote responsible and wholesome programming.
Our airwaves should uplift, educate, and inform — not endanger the moral fabric of the next generation.
Eugene Ampiaw,
Accra
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Dear Editor,
I AM writing to share my thoughts on the ongoing issue at Wesley Girls’ Senior High School, which has attracted national attention after the Deputy Attorney General released a statement in court.
The matter is about whether Muslim students are being denied the right to freely practice their religion, and whether they are being compelled to follow practices that go against their faith.
To me, this is not just a legal issue but a question of fairness and respect in our schools.
While the Constitution guarantees every student the right to practice their faith, schools also have traditions and rules that must be respected. As the saying goes, “When you go to Rome, you do what Romans do.” If a teacher is teaching, it is not right for a student to suddenly leave for prayers. That disrupts learning.
Instead, schools should provide a clear time and place for worship, so that students can honour their faith without disturbing academic work. There is time for everything; time to learn, and time to pray.
Wesley Girls SHS can continue to uphold its Methodist heritage while also respecting the rights of Muslim students.
This compromise will protect unity and ensure that our schools remain places of both discipline and inclusion.
Princess Wonovi
Accra
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