Editorial
Make oral health priority
GHANA celebrated World Health Day 2026 last Tuesday, April 7, with the theme “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” emphasising data-driven treatments, science-driven decision-making, and improved laboratory systems to control infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.
As part of the key highlights, the Ministry of Health emphasised using data and research, adopting a “One Health” approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health systems.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) partnered with stakeholders at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences to build public trust in the healthcare system. The celebration served as a call to action for community-centered care and research to improve Ghana’s healthcare systems.
One area of emphasis was the Oral Health Initiative (OHI), which was commemorated earlier. The GHS and Unilever Pepsodent collaborated on the “Do The 2” campaign to encourage brushing teeth twice a day, which included events in Parliament House to bolster policy support for oral health.
The events included partnerships with organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) in order to support National Action Plans for Health Security.
Increasing public awareness of oral health is essential because it affects productivity and general quality of life by facilitating healthy eating, speaking, and self-assurance. According to reports, oral health problems affect more than 70 percent of Ghanaians.
Untreated tooth decay is the most prevalent health condition worldwide. There is an urgent need for education and prevention because “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life.” Thus, encouraging daily brushing, free screenings, and public education will aid in the fight against the high prevalence of dental disease.
Gum disease and tooth decay can be avoided by prioritising proper oral hygiene. According to experts, it directly improves general physical health by lowering the risk of major illnesses like diabetes, pneumonia, heart disease, strokes, and oral cancer. It also enhances self-esteem and lowers future dental expenses.
Besides making oral health a priority, The Spectator urges everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, managing their emotions, exercising frequently, avoiding undue stress, and getting regular check-ups.
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.
