Editorial
Military training for National Service Personnel a good idea
Dear Editor,
The high level of indiscipline in the country is a major issue that has robbed the society of many good things.
It has also retarded growth over the years. It runs through the top to the bottom of almost every institution, both public and private.
What makes the situation worse is that educational institutions, where the youth are expected to have a sense of discipline instilled in them, have failed to deliver on their mandate. Also, the emergence of social media, has in a way contributed to the rise of indiscipline among the youth.
It is for this reason that I find the decision of the government to ensure that national service personnel undergo some form of military training for a mind-set reorientation programme a step in the right direction.
Some youth who are yet to have their national service have expressed concerns about the whole programme. However, I try to encourage them by letting them understand how it would help them become better leaders.
Ghana would not be the first country to undertake such an initiative. Other countries such as South Korea, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Algeria, and Morocco have all tried this and it has worked.
I know that there are some individuals who may find it difficult to change from a particular behaviour no matter the kind of training you give them.
However, we have to ensure that the majority of those who will undergo this military training would have a sense of discipline instilled in them to become responsible leaders in the future.
Paa. Kasoa.
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
