Editorial
Police-Military must co-operate
National security depends on the collective effort of all stakeholders and players.
It is not just the police or military that are responsible for keeping security and peace in the country. Both the military and police have a major role to play in this regard.
The police have a specific role to play in maintaining law and order but the military ensure the defence of the nation.
Each of these institutions needs to collaborate with the other so that the image and interests of the State can be enhanced. It is, therefore, unfortunate that from time to time, these two institutions are found in disagreement or in dispute with each other. The top military officers as well as top police personnel respect one another and have always collaborated in a way that helps to promote the interest of the State.
The problem has always been presumably with the lower ranks who go on operations in various parts of the country. The recent skirmish between the police and the military at Kumasi Magazine is a case in point. The incident, unfortunate as it is, constitutes a big shame and disgrace to the entire country.
Some military personnel consider themselves above the law, so when it comes to the behaviour or misbehaviour of their personnel, they find it difficult to subject them to law and order in line with police supervision.
Even if police personnel are also found to break the law, they are to be reported to the respective superior officers of the two institutions for action to be taken.
This means that any aggrieved police personnel who are unhappy with the misbehaviour of any military personnel, the issue would have to be reported to the relevant military command. In the same way, any unhappy military personnel who are unhappy about a specific police misbehaviour should also report such incident to the relevant police command.
It is, therefore, wrong for any personnel belonging to any of the two institutions to take the law into their own hands and misbehave, as has been the case from time to time.
The two institutions stand for discipline and must set good examples to the rest of society. Fighting amongst themselves and later setting up investigations into their conduct or misconduct is something that should not be entertained or encouraged at any time. If this is the case, then any person or group of people found culpable ought to be severely dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.
No one is above the law, so it is wrong for personnel of these two security establishments to fight, create chaos and expect society to look on unconcerned.
When such incidents happen, those found culpable ought to bow their heads in shame, as measures are taken to discipline them. The discipline must be severe to deter others from resorting to such shameful conduct.
Also, from time to time, the two institutions would have to collaborate with each other in the sharing of experiences in external operations as well as internal duties. In the same way, personnel from each of the two institutions must give lectures on the respective roles of each of them to deepen better understanding.
They have to see each other as the same and be prepared to work together. The police and the military ought to be encouraged in this direction, so that their personnel can maximise efforts towards peacekeeping as well as maintenance of law and order in different parts of the country.
This is what we need to ensure total peace between the police and the military in this our dear motherland.
Dear Editor,
The recent shooting to death of Javits Frimpong, a 15 year old Ghanaian student in Bronx, USA, is a heartbreaking reminder that bullying should never be dismissed as a normal part of growing up.
Reports indicate that the teenager had allegedly been subjected to bullying at school before he was fatally shot on his way to class.
While investigations continue and the exact motive yet to be officially established, the circumstances surrounding this tragedy have raised serious concerns about the impact of not checking bullying.
What makes this loss even more painful is that Javits Frimpong, had moved from Ghana to the United States with hopes of a brighter future through education. Instead, his life was cut short at an age when he should have been pursuing his dreams and preparing for adulthood.
Bullying is often viewed as harmless teasing, but its effects can be severe and long-lasting. Victims may suffer emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, poor academic performance, and, in extreme cases, become entangled in violence.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call to schools everywhere. Complaints of bullying must be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed decisively before situations escalate.
Parents, teachers, school authorities, and community leaders all share a responsibility to create safe environments for young people.
Open communication, counselling services, anti-bullying education, and effective disciplinary measures can help protect vulnerable students.
Equally important is teaching young people respect, empathy, and peaceful conflict resolution.
As we mourn the loss of Javits Frimpong, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring that no other child loses their life because warning signs were ignored. The fight against bullying is not merely a school issue; it is a societal responsibility.
Yours faithfully,
Dansoman
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The recent report that 294 teenage girls in the Ayawaso West Municipality failed to receive their Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a depressing reminder of the gap between medical progress and public trust.
In a focused campaign with 997 girls the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal Health Directorate reached a 70 percent coverage rate. Our public health professionals deserve praise for reaching 703 girls, but the remaining 30 percent pose a serious threat.
This shortfall is not due to a lack of institutional effort, logistics, or resources. The directorate had sufficient logistics, as highlighted by Public Health Nurse Patience Adoli Kporxah. Rather, the barrier was completely human: a lack of parental approval.
In Ghana, one of the top causes of cancer-related mortality for women is still cervical cancer. Ironically, it is also one of the most avoidable. The HPV vaccine is widely acknowledged as a safe, highly effective barrier that, when given early, can prevent up to 90 percent of cervical cancers.
Parents are unknowingly leaving their daughters vulnerable to a virus that they will probably come into contact with in the future by withholding approval.
This initiative was not initiated in secret by the health directorate. They coordinated with churches, mosques, and media outlets, spoke at Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, and sent letters to schools as part of their broad public outreach efforts. However, around 300 parents continued to withhold their signatures in spite of these multi-dimensional approaches.
Why is this resistance still present? Fear, cultural taboos, and false information about vaccines and reproductive health on the internet are the main causes of vaccine hesitation rather than an intent to hurt a child. When a vaccination is administered to young teenagers in schools, it may cause unjustified concerns about fertility and sexuality.
Our public health initiatives need to change in order to close this gap before the November and December phases.
Letters and the mass media are important, but they are unable to provide precise, worried answers. During PTA meetings, health staff could think about holding direct question and answer sessions so parents may express their worries without fear of being judged.
In order to normalise the vaccine, community elders, religious leaders, and reputable local physicians must do more than simply impart knowledge; they must openly support it.
We must present the HPV vaccine as a standard, life-saving cancer prevention tool that is now completely incorporated into Ghana’s regular immunisation programme.
The entrance is still open, according to public health officials. Daughters who did not participate in the school-based activity can still get the vaccination at no cost by taking them to any government health institution.
We must work together to prevent cervical cancer in the future generation. The infrastructure, education, and dosages have been supplied by public health teams. The trust must now be provided by the parents of Ayawaso West and Ghana as a whole.
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