Editorial
Let’s create more awareness to fight breast cancer
October is breast cancer awareness month (often known as “pink month”), and as such, there will be a number of events to educate the public, particularly women, on the risks of the disease and how to treat or prevent it.
Women typically dress in pink T-shirts with ribbon embellishments throughout this month to raise awareness of the illness.
This year’s breast cancer awareness month will be marked by a number of events, including walks, talks, and breast cancer screenings, among others.
The Spectator has fervent hope that the screening exercises will not be focused only in the urban centres but also in the rural areas as breast cancer is deadly and is no respecter of persons.
Additionally, October is a good time for breast cancer survivors to inspire people who are presently receiving treatment.
The Spectator encourages both men and women to take advantage of the testing programmes during this awareness creation month to be screened to know their statuses because breast cancer is preventable and treatable when identified early.
As early diagnosis can help to stop the disease from spreading to other parts of the body, it is preferable to be diagnosed early for treatment as opposed to delaying screening in case the unexpected occurs.
According to statistics, the disease claimed the lives of 685, 000 people globally in 2020, and in Ghana, over 4,000 women are diagnosed with the condition each year, making up 3.1 percent of all cancer cases.
Health professionals should arrange counselling sessions for all demographics to give hope to breast cancer patients who are already demoralised by their diagnosis.
Unfortunately, despite increased awareness, some people still hold superstitious views about the illness and believe witchcraft to be the root of breast cancer.
They are adamant that breast cancer is spiritual and can only be cured spiritually, thus they won’t go to hospitals for treatment.
While it is not wholly wrong to ask God for help during illness in the form of miracles, attributing the etiology of breast cancer to spiritual forces is inappropriate.
Unfortunately, people who delay only visit hospitals when there are complications and the sickness has spread to other organs, making it too late for treatment.
Others attempt to treat themselves by ingesting various mixtures, but they only make matters worse.
Therefore, in order to prevent complications, we suggest those who have the disease to seek competent medical care.
Although the cause of breast cancer is unknown health professionals have claimed that there are several risk factors that make people more likely to get the disease. These include, among others, bleaching, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Instead of partaking in these activities, which can have a variety of negative effects on one’s health, it is best to have a healthy lifestyle by monitoring your food, exercising frequently, consuming less alcohol, and avoiding bleaching in order to live longer.
Breast cancer has claimed the lives of many and we must all make a concerted effort to fight the disease through awareness creation seeking regular health check and doing self-breast examination.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
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
