Editorial
Loneliness kills, keep social ties intact
According to a World Health Organisation (WHO) research, loneliness is responsible for more than 100 deaths per hour, or more than 871,000 deaths worldwide annually.
The WHO Commission on Social Connection study reveals that loneliness affects one in six people worldwide and has a major negative impact on well-being, economic productivity, physical and mental health.
In the past, people could travel to see friends, family, or loved ones to experience beautiful moments. Despite the countless options for connection, more and more individuals in today’s society feel alone and isolated.
Loneliness can cost societies billions of dollars in lost wages, health care, education, and employment. In addition to having an effect on the person, it also raises the risk of stroke, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and early mortality, among other conditions.
Even more concerning is the fact that, despite the fact that loneliness affects people of all ages, it primarily affects the young people who will be tomorrow’s leaders. This is a warning to check for loneliness.
In time past, there was a vibrant extended family system and a variety of outdoor games for young people to play that greatly reduced loneliness and improved neighbourhood safety. As a result, socially cohesive groups tended to be more crisis-responsive and resilient.
On the other hand, as technology advances, young people are impacted by digital influences like social media; nonetheless, the report warns of the dangers excessive screen time and bad online experiences pose to mental health.
Among the other underlying reasons of loneliness and isolation, it included poor health, low income, a lack of education, living alone, inadequate infrastructure, and weak public policy.
As part of the interventions to address the issue of loneliness at the national level the government must address these issues through policies which include the construction of more recreational facilities, such as parks, libraries, and community centres, as well as mental health support, which can reduce the risk of serious illnesses and prevent early death.
There should also be awareness campaigns and policy changes to create inclusive social infrastructure since loneliness damages social cohesiveness at the society level and results in significant expenses for missed productivity and medical treatment.
At the individual level, The Spectator encourages people to visit friends to check in on them and to be completely involved in talks without being distracted by technology, even though technological advancements have made it easier for people to interact on phones.
It is also essential to interact with neighbours and participate in community events because social isolation results from a lack of sufficient social ties.
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
