Editorial
Let’s practise national anthem
In the history of the country, gaining independence is a momentous occasion that is commemorated annually to remember the sacrifices made by freedom fighters.
In keeping with that, last Thursday, Ghana celebrated its 68th Independence Day with a modest event held at the seat of government, Jubilee House with the theme “Reflect, Review, and Reset.”
Celebrating the Day is significant because it promotes national unity and patriotism following nearly 70 years of independence from British colonial authority on March 6, 1957. So far, it has been years of unity, freedom, and progress.
Given that our ancestors fought for our independence, what are we doing to leave a legacy for future generations?
We can confidently say that the Ghana National Anthem is a wonderful song that asks God to bless Ghana and make us powerful and great. It is an exhortation to serve Ghana with all of our heart and strength.
The question is how can we be great and strong when we fight each other? Everywhere, there are isolated incidents of violence and assaults, particularly among the youth, which is concerning for our nation. Let us keep in mind that using violence to serve Mother Ghana is not acceptable.
The song “Yen Ara Asaase Ni” reminds us that Ghana is where we were born and exhorts us to be unselfish and look out for one another’s well-being every day in order to bring peace and prosperity to our country.
Also, the Ghana National Pledge exhorts us as citizens to hold in high regard our heritage, which was won for us through the blood and labour of our fathers, and to work toward a better future. Another song for reflection is, “Land of our birth we pledge to thee, our love and toil in the years to be, when we are grown and take our place as men and women with our race.”
We must learn, recite, comprehend, and live out the words of the national anthem and the national pledge.
We strongly exhort the populace to work hard for the nation’s success and to abstain from all sorts of indolence, backbiting, jealousy, and hostility. To raise the flag of our nation, we must be tolerant, patriotic, focused, disciplined, diligent, accountable, self-assured, and prayerful.
Additionally, let us exhibit humility, honesty, loyalty, serviceability, and unity. Together, we can create our nation by pursuing these characteristics, for power rests in togetherness. Once more, to make Ghana a better place for us to live let us defend the vulnerable, assist those in need, forgive others, show love for all people, and serve God with all of your heart.
May God grant us success as we commit to doing everything in our power to protect and preserve Ghana’s reputation.
Cheers to the 68th anniversary of independence!
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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