Editorial
Let’s respect, appreciate work of fire-fighters
Dear Editor,
Over the years, I have observed how most Ghanaians have treated fire-fighters when there is a fire outbreak, after they have been called to help put off fire to save lives and properties.
It is sad to say that most of these fire-fighters are often treated with disrespect; I find it very disturbing.
I witnessed an incident during the recent fire outbreak in Adum, Kumasi, where a young man tried to attack a fire-fighter for reasons best known to him.
The incident has since gone viral on social media.
As a country, we are all aware of the difficult circumstances under which the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) works, a condition people tend to put a blind eye on.
People needlessly chastise them for arriving late to extinguish fire.
There had been a number of issues the fire service faces, such as inadequate fire tenders and other logistics that tend to affect the service they provide.
An uncle of mine, who used to be in the fire service, once told me that most of the fire tenders that were packed at the various fire stations across the country were broken down or not functioning.
Aside the fact that most of the fire tenders were not functioning, access to fire scenes such as markets sometimes become a challenge due to lack of space for tenders to navigate through.
With all these challenges, it becomes unacceptable for Ghanaians to attack fire-fighters during fire outbreaks. What we tend to forget is that most of these firefighters put their lives at risk in trying to put off fires and some of them even get burned and sustain various degrees of injuries in the process.
While I call on Ghanaians to desist from such an act, I would also like to appeal to the government to adequately resource the Ghana National Fire Service to ensure that the security agency works effectively to protect lives and properties.
Also, there is the need for the country to look at how markets are constructed to ensure that there is easy access to them in case of emergencies such as fire outbreaks.
Lilian Osei
Editorial
Parents urged to take responsibility for sex education
Dr. Francis Wuobar, a Gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has urged parents to take the lead in providing sex education to their children, stressing that they were in the best position to guide them through the changes of adolescence.
According to him, sex education remained a taboo subject in most Ghanaian homes, a culture that must change to prevent children from seeking misleading information elsewhere.
“With the evolving nature of society and technological advancements, today’s children will either learn about sex on the internet or from their peers, who may offer wrong advice,” he cautioned.
Dr. Wuobar noted that the health system and society often concentrate on the reproductive stage of life, neglecting the adolescent and menopausal phases.
“When a woman reaches the reproductive period and gets pregnant, everyone rallies around her. But before that stage, during adolescence, there is little attention and guidance, which has contributed to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy,” he explained.
He observed that many adolescents lack access to counseling and adolescent clinics, creating a vacuum that forces them to explore on their own.
“The answers they seek, adults and parents are not willing to provide. Their peers, who are equally uninformed, become their only source of advice. This exploration is one of the major contributors to teenage pregnancy,” he said.
Dr. Wuobar therefore called on parents to create open and confidential spaces for discussion, where children can freely ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships.
He emphasized that parents must help adolescents understand the consequences of unprotected sex, the changes they go through, and what choices were right or wrong.
“Today’s generation is curious and asks questions, unlike in the past when children were silent. Parents should not rebuke them but rather engage them seriously and guide them through this turbulent stage,” he advised.
He further appealed to the health sector to establish more adolescent clinics across the country to give young people safe spaces to seek information and counseling.
That, he said, would help reduce the high incidence of teenage pregnancy and support adolescents in making informed decisions about their sexual health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Editorial
Addressing unhealthy conditions at Akropong Mandela Market
Dear Editor,
The Akropong Mandela Market, a vibrant centre of commerce, has been in a terrible state for over a decade now.
Central to the problem is a public toilet located near the market, which has become a breeding ground for diseases and a source of discomfort for both food vendors and customers.
This toilet, utilised by everyone in the town, is positioned too close to the market, severely affecting the vendors who spend long hours selling their goods.
They are constantly exposed to unsanitary conditions mixed with foul odours emanating from the facility.
Agnes, a vendor at the market is sad about the apparent lack of concern from those responsible for maintaining the toilet. Despite collecting user fees, there seems to be little effort to keep the facility clean and hygienic.
The situation at the Akropong Mandela Market highlights the urgent need for effective waste management and sanitation infrastructure in public spaces.
Authorities must take immediate action to ensure the facility is regularly maintained and cleaned. Vendors and customers deserve a safe and healthy environment to conduct their daily activities.
In the meantime, the vendors are urging local government officials to intervene and find a lasting solution to this problem.
Only through collective action can the health and well-being of both vendors and customers be safeguarded to restore the Akropong Mandela Market to its former glory as a thriving commercial hub.
Addo Sarah Ansah Student,
UNIMAC–IJ(BACS26275)
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