Editorial
Kudos to Electoral Commission
The performance of the Electoral Commission (EC) during the December 7, 2020, presidential and parliamentary elections shows that the election management body performed creditably well not only to the admiration of Ghanaians but the world as a whole.
The impressive performance of the Commission started long before the elections in December 2020.
During the registration of voters, the Commission provided regular updates to the electorate to make them aware of what was going on. These updates provided useful information to everyone in this country.
Under what was known as “Let the citizens know”, the Commission provided regular information on the registration, pointing out the number of people registered in various parts of the country. In fact, by the end of the exercise people had an idea as to what the total number of registered voters would be.
During the voting, in December, the EC provided more service points at the polling stations to reduce such time. This also helped to reduce the frustrations of people during voting exercises. Indeed, many voters expressed their joy at the 2020 general elections claiming that the experience encountered, was the best compared with previous ones.
Additionally, there was continuous engagement of the EC with political parties. This was prior to the election itself. The openness on the part of the Commission provided a high degree of transparency for the exercise.
Again, the voting machines worked efficiently and effectively. This also helped to speed up the process, an undeniable fact acknowledged by both local and international observers.
What is more, the tallying of the election results was done smoothly as was confirmed by various observer groups, namely, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Observer Mission, African Union Mission and the European Union (EU) Team. Another group that monitored the election was the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO).
All these observer groups confirmed that the entire process, that is, the start of voting, the general conduct of the election officials, the ending of the voting and the counting, was highly satisfactory.
Ghanaians must take pride in this successful exercise and share in the glory with each and everyone in the country, knowing the exercise has been successful because of the contributions of all stakeholders.
Last but not least, the provision of materials for the protection of voters in line with the COVID-19 safety protocols requires special commendations.
Before the registration of voters and the voting, some political elements in the country threatened mayhem and stated that the exercise would be a failure, because, according to them, the COVID-19 pandemic would worsen matters and infect many people. They, therefore, called on the EC not to undertake the exercise.
The Spectator is grateful that the exercise has been successful to the admiration of Ghanaians, local election observers as well as the international community.
Kudos to Mrs Jean Mensa, the other Commissioners and, indeed, the entire Electoral Commission as well as all other well-meaning Ghanaians.
Dear Editor,
On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.
Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.
Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.
Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.
A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.
Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.
This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.
Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.
Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.
The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.
Richard
Kumasi
By Spectator Reporter
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BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.
During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”
However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.
If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.
Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.
A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.
Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.
To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.
While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.
Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.
Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.
Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.
They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.
However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.
This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.
Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.
It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.
Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.
By Spectator Reporter
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