Editorial
Ministerial committee solves nothing
Dear Editor,
I went to my village recently and was surprised that the price of a ball of kenkey was not different from the one I buy in Accra.
Previously I could afford kenkey and fish with GH¢ 5.00 cedis but these days, I have to spend GH¢ 7.00 to GH¢ 10.00 on the same quantity.
We all know that high cost of fuel, taxes, among others account for the increasing price of food and other commodities we see recently. That is why I found it laughable when I heard a five-member ministerial committee had been set up by Cabinet to investigate the high prices of food items in the country.
I asked myself “what is there to investigate?” and why does the government want to play the ostrich? Must a committee be formed before we know the cause of the galloping prices in our country?
I wish to state that if the government, indeed, wants to do anything about increasing food prices, it must reduce taxes and prices on petroleum products and, hopefully, things may return to normal. In the meantime, I do not believe a ministerial committees is what citizens need in these crucial times.
Racheal Odum,
Gbawe, Accra.
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
