Editorial
Let’s create more awareness on HIV/AIDS
Dear Editor,
I am writing to alert the relevant authorities and stakeholders on the increasing numbers of persons living with the HIV virus.
The numbers coming from the regions, especially the Western Region is very alarming and requires immediate attention.
It is frightening how quickly HIV/ AIDS is beginning to spread in the country again.
It means we have a very youthful society actively engaged in unprotected sex, likely with multiple partners.
According to data from the Western Region, a higher proportion of the community’s members have been infected with the virus. Similar statistics have been reported from other regions ahead of the December 1 World Aids Day celebration.
There has been a lot of awareness on abstinence and avoiding unprotected sex but it appears the youth are not mindful of that.
S, with the low success rate, I wish to urge the relevant authorities, especially the Ghana Aids Commission to distribute a lot of condoms; make them accessible so that those that would not abstain would have safe sex.
It appears the prices of condoms have also been on the high, a factor that must be considered when finding solutions to curb the spread.
Additionally, persons who wish to be in sexual relationships must go for HIV/AIDS test at a hospital to ascertain their safety.
Public education on the dangers associated with having sexual intercourse with multiple partners must also be considered as a way of reducing the spread of the disease
I believe when this is done, it will help curb the fast spread of the disease and also reduce the associated high death rate.
Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon
Accra _ Dzorwulu.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
