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,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
