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 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
The recent floods in Accra and the neighbouring areas, which were brought on by a heavy downpour, were very catastrophic and caused loss of lives and property damage.
Similar severe flooding and downpours were also reported in other regions, which has caused anxiety and dread whenever it rains.
In a short period of time, the floods had a dangerous effect on entire communities and landscapes. Because of this, a lot of people are now temporarily putting up with friends or family members.
Videos that went viral on social media showed cars and other valuables being swept away by the floodwaters with little to nothing being done to stop them.
Certain organisations, including the New Times Corporation (NTC), publishers of The Ghanaian Times and The Spectator, were not spared because the flood level damaged important documents and swamped their premises.
Even locations outside of flood-prone zones were inundated by the floods.
The rains would intensify along with thunderstorms, according to the Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet), which is tasked with observing, analysing, and disseminating weather and climate information to protect lives, promote economic planning, and maintain public safety.
It is important to remember that increased evaporation and atmospheric moisture due to climate change might intensify rainfall. Furthermore, more catastrophic floods are caused by heavy rainfall and shifting topography.
We discussed the causes of floods and mitigation strategies in our earlier editorial, “Accra floods necessitate change in attitude.”
Although the current flood situation is dire, safety can be greatly improved by being ready and understanding what to do.
The Spectator encourages the public to make an effort to be well-informed about weather predictions and take the required precautions to stay safe because the GMet is now providing accurate forecasts.
Make excellent use of the alert services that you can sign up for these days to get notifications on your phone.
Water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, prescription drugs, crucial documents in waterproof containers, and first aid supplies should all be prepared and kept readily available.
Safeguard your house and offices, relocate valuables to higher floors, and raise electrical appliances off the ground.
Avoid coming into contact with floodwater whenever you can since it might be tainted with chemicals, sewage, and other dangerous substances and also reptiles.
To make sure your neighbours are secure, it is crucial to check on them, especially if they are elderly, disabled, or living alone.
Additionally, parents need to make sure their children do not play in or close to floodwaters.
Let us be careful as there are floods everywhere.
