Editorial
Local printing of textbooks commendable
Dear Editor,
Last year the Ministry of Education announced the decision to cede the printing of textbooks for pupils in basic schools to local printers.
The directive is currently being implemented with the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) pledging its commitment to work with local printers to ensure that the contract is fully executed.
The idea, as explained by the Education Minister, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, was to empower the local printing businesses. Indeed, we have been calling for this and many other positive initiatives and wish to commend the government for taking such a bold step.
If implemented well, the move would help open doors for local business in other sectors and help boost the economy.
While I urge the government to extend similar gesture to other industries where Ghanaians have a competitive advantage, the local printers should strive to execute the task with all seriousness and deliver on stipulated timeliness.
We have always said “we can” and the time has come to prove that we have the capacity to do more.
Daniel Tenkorang,Nsawam
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
