Editorial
Let’s have hope in our Black Stars
In a few days, the World Cup will begin in Qatar, and looking at all the teams that are taking part in the competition, many Ghanaians are wondering whether the Black Stars will be able to live up to expectations.
It is important for every Ghanaian to note that the players for Ghana are world-class players who are prepared to die for their country. For this reason, Ghanaians need hope to support the team.
Massive support for the Black Stars is what we need at this time. It is only Ghanaians themselves who can support the players, wish them well, and pray for their victory. All 31 million Ghanaians cannot go to Qatar to play in the World Cup. What can be done is for each of us to pray for the Black Stars and their technical team and wish them well so they can give us the victory we need.
It will be good if Ghana emerges the most successful African team in the competition, moving from the group stages and successfully going through the one-sixteenth stage and also a quarter final and moving on further into the semi finals and getting to the grand finale.
What a wonderful achievement it will be for Ghanaians and all Africans! It may sound like an impossible dream, but in this world, every achievement is possible if you plan well.
Ghana has a team that can pull a surprise at the tournament based on the calibre of members of the technical team as well as individual Black Star players. They will face Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay in the group stages. These are tough teams that are likely to put fear into any African team.
What the Black Stars need to do is not entertain fear for any of the competing teams, irrespective of the FIFA ranking they are given. They can remain composed and approach each match with seriousness and strategy.
The Black Stars must do all they can then win their first match against Portugal, irrespective of how difficult it may be, so as to open the opportunity for them to win their remaining matches and qualify for the next stage of the competition.
After winning against Portugal, they can then prepare well and win the matches against Uruguay and South Korea.
This feat can be achieved, so the Black Stars and their technical team must work toward it and make it come to pass.
Everything is possible in this world. In light of this, the team must be courageous enough to overcome all the challenges that they may face. If they are able to do this, the Black Stars of Africa will be placed higher during the tournament.
We also need to pray for the Stars, as has already been pointed out, so that every possible blessing and good luck can come their way. During such tournaments, the decisions of referees and confrontations by the opposing teams during matches are also important, which explains why the blessings of the Almighty God (Allah) will be needed for the Black Stars.
As we enter the tournament, let all Ghanaians go down on their knees and pray for the team so that we can do better for the nation.
This is our goal, and we must do all we can to achieve what is unimaginable for the country.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
