Editorial
…of National Fitness Day and other ‘declarations’
Dear Editor,
Permit me to think aloud on the National Fitness Day announced and spearheaded by the Sports Ministry recently. I am told the day is to ensure good health among Ghanaians.
Although I do not have anything against the ministry and the initiative, I have been wondering whether we need to set aside a ‘special day’ before individuals and groups could or think of maintaining a healthy body.
We have consistently been told how regular exercise boosts the immune system and helps prevent diseases and I am aware of the numerous keep fit clubs that already exist in various communities for this purpose.
Why then do we need a ‘special event’ to keep fit”? There had previously been national ‘Sanitation Day’, which took off well but could not be sustained. There is ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage’ in force and we now have ‘National Fitness Day.’
Though these ‘campaigns’ serve as reminders and a call to action, I still wonder if we must always wait for something to be ‘declared’ before we do what is expected of us as individuals and citizens?
Mavis Boahene,
Suhum, Eastern Region
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
