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Editorial

Mr Speaker, condemnation not enough

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Mr Alban Bagbin

Mr Alban Bagbin

 Dear Editor,

Somewhat last week, I heard the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, condemning the imposition of taxes on sanitary pads. This was after a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had submitted a petition asking the government to scrap the levy.

The Speaker expressed his dis­pleasure on the Floor of the House and questioned why the tax had been imposed in the first instance. Apart from Mr Bagbin, I watched the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Madam Dzifa Gomashie, also lament over the same issue. Listen­ing to the MP’s remarks and that of the Speaker, a lot of questions came to mind.

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I believe the proposal (bill) to impose tax on sanitary pads went through Parliament and was approved subsequently. If this, in­deed, was the case, why didn’t the Speaker and other parliamentarians ‘block’ the passage of the bill?

If there was anything MPs could have done to stop the enactment of the law but failed to do so, then I should say the ‘hardship’ and ‘in­convenience’ experienced by ladies regarding this subject, can partly be blamed on our elected represen­tatives.

Moving forward, I believe it is not enough for the Speaker to condemn the existing tax on the Floor of Parliament. Citizens would be grateful if he does what it takes to help abolish the 12.5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) and the 20 per cent import tax on the essen­tial product.

Beyond the reversal, efforts should be made to give incentives to local manufacturers to produce more to help reduce the exorbitant prices. It is my humble plea that the Speaker and other Members of Parliament put their words to action.

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Mary Konadu Asante.
Adentan- Frafraha,
Accra.

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Editorial

Unhygienic food selling environment: A serious concern that must be addressed

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Food stuff being sold near an open gutter

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.

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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.

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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

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Editorial

Provide adequate protection for footballers

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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.

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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

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