Editorial
Alarming lead content in metal cookware is wake-up call
High amounts of lead contamination have been reported in ceramic and metal cookware, children’s toys, and cosmetics, all of which offer major health concerns to humans, particularly women and children.
This follows a study conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Pure Earth that revealed lead could contaminate food when cooked in metal cookware, particularly locally produced aluminum cookware known as “dadesen.”
Lead is a dangerous heavy metal that can affect children’s development permanently, specifically their behaviour and intellectual capacity.
The study, which included three ecological zones of the nation, found that youngsters in the study regions of Greater Accra and the Northern Regions were frequently exposed to and poisoned by lead.
During a press conference in Accra, it was disclosed that significant levels of lead were discovered in 77 percent of the pots examined.
It also showed that there was a lead contamination rate of 55 percent in metal cookware, 18 percent in ceramic cookware, 14 percent in children’s toys, and seven percent in cosmetics (local mascara), despite the fact that 93 percent of mothers in the Northern Region used the traditional eyeliner, “chilo.”
No one is safe because we all eat from metallic cookware, thus this is a significant issue that needs to be addressed right away. Since there is a very high exposure to lead when using these metallic cookware, it has been proven that eating from them puts people at risk for lead poisoning.
When lead exposure levels are high and permanent, it can have a severe impact on children’s intelligence and lead to anaemia.
In addition, extended lead exposure may cause high Blood Pressure (BP), heart disease, kidney disease, and decreased fertility.
This is an urgent public health issue that needs to be addressed, especially because women and children are at risk.
Because lead poisoning has negative effects on the developing baby’s brain and nervous system and leads to learning and other behavioural issues, pregnant women and young children are more susceptible to it.
Therefore, the government must take the required actions to set up safeguards for the citizens’ health.
It is encouraging that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as a result of the study, is supporting a lead prevention and reduction policy for the nation to reduce the use of lead in order to protect the environment, as stated by the EPA’s Executive Director, Dr. Henry Kwabena Kokofu.
He says that to develop lead prevention and reduction policy for Ghana, a high-level multi-sectoral ministerial committee made up of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Ministry of Health (MoH), and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) may be established with assistance from Pure Earth and UNICEF.
It is also reassuring to know that the Agency will work with other regulators to develop the necessary standards for lead concentration in conventional aluminum cookware as well as the action plan on lead prevention and reduction. These regulators include the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), and others.
The EPA is taking steps to make sure that harmful production methods used in artisanal and informal recycling activities are restricted.
The Spectator applauds the EPA’s suggestions and calls on manufacturers to adhere to the rules in order to protect consumer safety.
We also hope that the government will give medical personnel the resources they need to inform the public about the risks associated with lead exposure.
Editorial
Promote welfare of African children
The African Union hosts the annual International Day of the African Child on June 16 to increase awareness of the rights and ongoing struggles of African children.
Additionally, the day offers a forum for talking about and addressing topics including healthcare, education, and safety from exploitation and abuse.
It began in 1976 when students in Soweto, South Africa, were killed for demonstrating against inequality and injustice in education.
Since children have rights that must be upheld, the African Day celebration is appropriate because it serves as a poignant reminder to our communities to put children’s needs first, ensuring that they develop and realise their full potential.
Most importantly, it pushes people, governments, and communities to address pressing issues like child labour, inadequate education, and to ensure safe, healthy environments.
This year’s theme, “Planning and budgeting for children’s rights: progress since 2010,” is no exception to the efforts done thus far by governments, individuals, parents, and others to advance the welfare of children.
In addition to their rights to nutritious food, medical care, secure housing, and high-quality education, children also require emotional support, safety, and protection from danger in order to flourish.
Children’s physical, mental, and social development depends on these necessities, yet far too many continue to be denied their rights and go without food, housing, water, or health care.
While eating, sleeping, playing, and learning are all important aspects of a child’s growth, some children do not find these activities enjoyable. Such children work independently to make ends meet although their parents are responsible for that role,
Many people and organisations have put a lot of effort into making sure that children’s rights are outlined, upheld, and safeguarded; thus, everyone must keep fighting for children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC) was created in 1989 as a result of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which served as the foundation for all legal norms pertaining to children’s rights. This is the first international agreement with legal force that covers all human rights.
Therefore, a multifaceted strategy encompassing legal frameworks, education, community involvement, and tackling systemic challenges is needed to assure the preservation of children’s rights.
Laws that safeguard children from abuse must be put into place and upheld, public awareness of children’s rights and protection must be increased, and safe spaces must be established in institutions and communities.
Let us all work together to defend the rights of African children.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
