Editorial
Let us respect our men in uniform
A few weeks ago, we heard of an incident at Ashaiman about the murder of a young soldier who had come all the way from Sunyani for training in Accra.
Unfortunately, some people at Ashaiman attacked and killed him for no justified reason. This was very unfortunate.
As a result some soldiers with the permission of the Military High Command descended on Ashaiman to look for the people who committed this dastardly act. In the process, some innocent residents were maltreated.
Many people have condemned the action of the Military even though it was carried out in response to an unjustified action by some criminals at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.
The Spectator does not support any violence perpetrated by the Military or any group of people in this country.
However, in judging the issue, we need to be fair to all parties involved. We have already stated that we do not support any acts of violence by the Military. This is not to say that civilians should also misbehave towards our men in uniform. These men in uniform must be respected at all times because they are the people who protect us.
If things continue this way, a time will come when our men in uniform will not be willing to sacrifice their lives in defence of poor civilians.
When this happens, it will be disastrous for everyone in this country. To prevent this from occurring, we need to be disciplined and as well behave well towards one another in the country.
The time has come for everyone to be disciplined. The irresponsible killing of Major Mahama has not been forgotten and the case is still pending in court, not knowing when it will end.
Whenever unfair treatment is meted out to civilians by soldiers people are always quick to condemn the Military, calling for compensation for the victims.
The late Major Mahama, like any other person had the right to live but was murdered in cold blood.
In the same way the 21-year-old soldier who was killed at Ashaiman also had the right to live so when issues like these happen, let us be fair in our judgement.
We need peace in this country so no one should misbehave in a manner that will result in disturbances and slow down the clock of progress.
Let us respect one another for positive development of our Motherland, Ghana.
Dear Editor,
The recent shooting to death of Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old Ghanaian student in Bronx, USA, is a heartbreaking reminder that bullying should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up.
Reports indicate that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to bullying at school before he was fatally shot on his way to class.
While investigations continue and the exact motive yet to be officially established, the circumstances surrounding this tragedy have raised serious concerns about the impact of not checking bullying.
What makes this loss even more painful is that Javits Frimpong, had moved from Ghana to the United States with hopes of a brighter future through education. Instead, his life was cut short at an age when he should have been pursuing his dreams and preparing for adulthood.
Bullying is often viewed as harmless teasing, but its effects can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and, in extreme cases, become entangled in violence.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to schools everywhere. Complaints of bullying must be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed decisively before situations escalate.
Parents, teachers, school authorities, and community leaders all share a responsibility to create safe environments for young people.
Open communication, counselling services, anti-bullying education, and effective disciplinary measures can help protect vulnerable students.
Equally important is teaching young people respect, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
As we mourn the loss of Javits Frimpong, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring that no other child loses their life because warning signs were ignored. The fight against bullying is not merely a school issue; it is a societal responsibility.
Yours faithfully,
Dansoman
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The recent report that 294 teenage girls in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to receive their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a depressing reminder of the gap between medical progress and public trust.
In a focused campaign with 997 girls the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate reached a 70 percent coverage rate. Our public health professionals deserve praise for reaching 703 girls, but the remaining 30 percent pose a serious threat.
This shortfall is not due to a lack of institutional effort, logistics, or resources. The directorate had sufficient logistics, as highlighted by Public Health Nurse Patience Adoli Kporxah. Rather, the barrier was completely human: a lack of parental approval.
In Ghana, one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality for women is still cervical cancer. Ironically, it is also one of the most avoidable. The HPV vaccine is widely acknowledged as a safe, highly effective barrier that, when given early, can prevent up to 90 percent of cervical cancers.
Parents are unknowingly leaving their daughters vulnerable to a virus that they will probably come into contact with in the future by withholding approval.
This initiative was not initiated in secret by the health directorate. They coordinated with churches, mosques, and media outlets, spoke at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and sent letters to schools as part of their broad public outreach efforts. However, around 300 parents continued to withhold their signatures in spite of these multi-dimensional approaches.
Why is this resistance still present? Fear, cultural taboos, and false information about vaccines and reproductive health on the internet are the main causes of vaccine hesitation rather than an intent to hurt a child. When a vaccination is administered to young teenagers in schools, it may cause unjustified concerns about fertility and sexuality.
Our public health initiatives need to change in order to close this gap before the November and December phases.
Letters and the mass media are important, but they are unable to provide precise, worried answers. During PTA meetings, health staff could think about holding direct question and answer sessions so parents may express their worries without fear of being judged.
In order to normalise the vaccine, community elders, religious leaders, and reputable local physicians must do more than simply impart knowledge; they must openly support it.
We must present the HPV vaccine as a standard, life-saving cancer prevention tool that is now completely incorporated into Ghana’s regular immunisation programme.
The entrance is still open, according to public health officials. Daughters who did not participate in the school-based activity can still get the vaccination at no cost by taking them to any government health institution.
We must work together to prevent cervical cancer in the future generation. The infrastructure, education, and dosages have been supplied by public health teams. The trust must now be provided by the parents of Ayawaso West and Ghana as a whole.
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