Editorial
Preparing for our purchases during Christmas
Christmas is an occasion that is seen as important not only for Christians but for non-Christians as well for which reason various goods are bought for consumption.
Some of the items bought are clothes, food items, electrical gadgets and cables, cosmetics, among others. It is a period during which wholesalers, retailers and other traders cash-in to make huge profits on the sale of goods and services offered to the public.
Many consumers also make their purchases without paying much attention to what they buy, especially when they are lured by reduced prices to dispose of goods and services.
Reducing prices to dispose of goods and services in this way is not necessarily bad or wrong, but if the motive is to dispose of substandard products and make profits at the expense of the consumer, then it becomes a bad practice for business.
In the light of this, The Spectator urges all consumers to be careful about this trick during these occasions such as the Christmas and other seasons, so that they would not be found wanting in the purchases they make.
Similarly, regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drugs Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), will all have to work hard to protect the consumer before, during and after the season.
In the same way, the Ghana Standards Authority should also live up to expectation not only through mere declarations for publication by the media but actually go out in a meaningful manner to protect all consumers when it comes to electrical cables and energy devices, among others.
It is never true to assume that standards in countries like US, France and Germany rated higher by people over there while standards by people in Africa and other developing countries should be rated lower.
All men, irrespective of race and colour, are created equal so every effort will have to be made to ensure that standards and quality practices are effectively maintained not only by word of mouth but through practical efforts that yield positive results for the country.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander, so special efforts should be made to maintain required standards and quality for everyone in this country.
What this means is that there should be less talk but more action when it comes to actual delivery in the area of standardisation and quality practices. If this is done, we will be able to help prolong lives in this part of the world and make people live longer than is happening at the moment.
Consumers also have a role to play to complement the effort of all regulatory agencies in this country by making sure that they go in for only self-examined quality products and services rather than choosing cheaper products sold at unreasonably lower prices.
When it comes to maintaining standards and quality systems, everyone has a role to play, whether consumers or regulatory bodies, therefore, we need to work hard in line with this to ensure that our quality systems are maintained and even improved upon in all aspects of our lives.
This can be done and achieved so let us all, including consumers, work towards the attainment of the ultimate national good.
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
