Editorial
Let’s embrace the joy, love and goodwill of Christmas
All too soon, Christmas, a joyful time to spend with loved ones and exchange goodwill greetings, is here again.
Every year on December 25, billions of people throughout the world celebrate Christmas, a festival that honours the birth of Jesus Christ, even though it is unclear exactly when Jesus was born.
The most significant thing is that Christ was born, and this festive season should serve as a reminder to embrace love unconditionally.
It is a season of happiness and introspection that unites individuals from all walks of life. Whether a person celebrates with religious rituals, food festivals, or the straightforward act of charity, the core of Christmas is creating a universally felt sense of love, compassion, and togetherness.
It is a time to show kindness to one another, embrace the giving spirit, and find happiness in the little things in life. The celebrations are a treasured time for Christians around the world, with customs like gift-exchanging, decorating Christmas trees, and dining with loved ones among others.
The custom of exchanging gifts is based on the Magi’s gifts to the baby Jesus, which stand for giving and showing affection. By lending a helping hand and giving food and clothing to the less fortunate, Christians can also demonstrate compassion.
The Spectator exhorts families to treasure their time spent together, particularly during this joyous time of year, in order to strengthen family ties, spread happiness, guarantee harmony in the home, and strengthen brotherhood.
It is time to set aside differences and unite in celebration of life’s blessings, especially as the end of the year approaches.
Additionally, a medley of joyous and spiritual sounds permeate the air as a result of the season. Music has the capacity to arouse feelings, foster a sense of community, and intensify the festive mood during this time of year.
Amidst all the festivities, Christians must remember that Christmas is an opportunity to spread Christ’s profound message to others, helping them to connect with and comprehend His teachings during this unique time of year.
We ask people to enjoy the festivities in moderation and ask drivers to drive carefully to prevent accidents during Christmas.
Let us all embrace the pleasure, love, and kindness that Christmas represents and offer same to others.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Spectator to its many readers.
Editorial
Indiscipline in schools worrying, need to address it
In recent years there has been growing concern over the behaviour of Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana.
Notable among them is indiscipline, disrespect for authority, sexual immorality, substance abuse, betting, cheating during examination among others.
Recently, parents were stunned when the headmistress of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School, Mrs. Dorothy Adentwi-Hayford, displayed seized condoms, pills, and unauthorised items from students at the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting in Cape Coast.
Reports say that in a firm stance against growing indiscipline in the school, she placed the confiscated items on the high table as a visual illustration of the moral and disciplinary challenges some students posed.
Although the Headmistress declined to name the culprits, she assured parents that appropriate disciplinary actions, alongside counselling would be taken.
According to the Headmistress while the majority of students were disciplined a persistent few students continued to exhibit deviant behaviours that undermined the school’s standards.
Citing examples she noted that sneaking out without exeat, bullying, stealing, truancy, and general apathy towards academic work, was the order of the day.
What is so disturbing is that some parents attack the school verbally and place curses on school authorities for disciplining their wards without verifying the facts.
Such behaviour is uncalled for and the Spectator wants such parents to desist from that, instead they should collaborate with school authorities to find the best way to deal with indiscipline among students.
Parents must also take an active interest in their children’s welfare beyond just providing for their material needs and investigate issues when their children return home with complaints before jumping into conclusion.
These days the school’s structure has changed and with the increasing numbers without any corporal punishment school authorities find it difficult to discipline the children.
The behaviour of majority of students in schools is very disheartening. While some students take their studies seriously, others have taken to the use of drugs, sex, occultism, betting and all kinds of bad behaviours.
Corporal punishment has its own advantages and disadvantages and if the Ghana Education Service (GES) is not ready to reintroduce corporal punishment, then school authorities must be extra vigilant and put in stricter disciplinary measures to restore order in schools.
Most SHS students are in their teenage stages, a stage characterised by all kinds of behaviours and peer pressure activities so they must not be left alone, rather they must be guided as they explore the world.
The Spectator urges all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to check indiscipline and moral decadence in schools.
Editorial
Bring back Osu Street Carnival
Dear Editor,
I write to passionately appeal to the authorities bring back one of Accra’s beautiful events, the Osu ‘Oxford’ Street Carnival.
It produced a dazzling celebration of music, dance, food, and business. The Osu Street Carnival was more than a festive street event.
It was a unifying force that brought together people from all walks of life-Ghanaians and tourists alike to celebrate the beauty of our culture.
The festival had costumed dancers to vibrant street performances and delicious local cuisine while local manufacturers display their wares.
Sadly, in recent years, the carnival has faded into memory.
The absence has left a void for fun lovers who trouped the event in their numbers.
This appeal goes to the authorities in charge to reintroduce it as a way of boosting our tourism and the local economy.
Esinam, South La Estates
