Editorial
MARTIN AMIDU’S RESIGNATION
The hopes of people were high when Mr Martin Amidu was appointed to occupy the Office of Special Prosecutor but this, as is now known, did not last for long following his unexpected resignation.
It is very unfortunate that things have gone this way because the fight against corruption or corrupt practices is something that should be detested by all well-meaning Ghanaians.
Corruption has always resulted in the loss of huge sums of money to the state, a situation that makes it impossible for such diverted sums of money to be used for national development for the common good. This is very unfortunate so corruption must be discouraged at all times.
Mr Martin Amidu in his resignation letter pointed out the interference with his work on the part of government, something President Akufo-Addo described as perplexing.
However, information coming out shows that Mr Amidu made too many demands regarding office and other forms of accommodation as well as the personnel to work with and the budget he needed.
Another question that must be answered is, why he kept making demands upon demands for facilities and building to work with. In some cases, after identifying a place for renovation to be used as an office, he turned round almost immediately to refuse his own choice and rather made other new demands.
Whatever it is, it is good that he has tendered in his resignation at this time. The resignation is good because it will give the President an opportunity to appoint a new person to that office to carry on the fight against corruption.
Whoever is appointed to the office of the Special Prosecutor must be willing to work hard so that the people of this country can support him to succeed. There were others who doubted whether Mr Amidu could do the job when he was first appointed, explaining he had a very high temperament and could not easily work with others.
As a nation, we need to work against corruption so the President should keep his calm and look round to appoint a new person who is suitably qualified to occupy that position.
In the view of The Spectator, we need to make corruption as unattractive as possible in this country. This can only come about when we have a reliable or a dependable Special Prosecutor who could be willing to carry through the mandate given him under Act 959.
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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