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Principles of ‘New Start’: Air Continued from previous edition
Did you ever stop to think that we live at the bottom of an ocean of air that surrounds the earth? We could live a few weeks without food and a few days without water, but how long do you think we would live if we had no air?
In one or two minutes, we would all become unconscious and within five or six minutes, we would all be dead. We need a constant supply of pure air into our bodies to keep our blood pure and healthy, to soothe our nervous system and fill our lungs and keep our voices speaking clearly.
The first thing a baby needs when it is first born is to breathe air. Air is “life” to a new born baby and that air is essential to that little one right through life. Children should run and play in the fresh air every day if possible. This will help them to be more cheerful, healthier, and happier.
Pure, fresh air gives a good appetite, helps improve the blood flow, purifies the blood, refreshes the body, helps digestion of food, helps us sleep soundly and helps to heal the sick.
Our homes should be kept clean as well as well ventilated with fresh air. Curtains and drapes should be open to allow sunshine and air to fill the rooms with life-giving elements. We should also sleep with windows open at night where possible.
The fresh air will help our sleep to be more relaxed and restful. If there are sick in the home, the room should not be shut for them to breathe the same air over and over again. The oxygen in the fresh air will help bring a quicker recovery, help the blood to cleanse and purify, resulting in greater strength and health – sooner.
AIR THAT REFRESHES
There is a kind of air that can energise and relax the mind and body within minutes. It is found near waterfalls, in forests, at the beach and after a rainstorm. However, there is another kind of air that can bring on anxiety, depression and even suicidal feelings.
WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE?
Air contains positively and negatively charged molecules called ions. These ions become electrically charged as a result of gaining or losing an electron. Air containing an abundance of negative ions is refreshing, as found in the bush, or by river, lakes, waterfalls and at the beach.
On the other hand, air containing mostly positive ions as found in city centres, airports, poorly ventilated rooms and on crowded motorways, is associated with headaches, anxiety, insomnia and depression.
The blend of exercise and fresh air is important, as good active exercise increases the demand for fresh air and we naturally breathe more deeply.
Take time out of the busy day to take a walk in the bush or some other quiet place and do some deep breathing. It will not only lift your chest, but lift your day.
REST
In the hustle and bustle of our busy modern lives, most of us keep going until we finally drop at the end of the day from exhaustion.
We have all heard of the saying “burning the candle at both ends” to describe a person who is always going full speed, borrowing from the store of energy and robbing themselves of needed rest to let body and mind rest up and refresh.
This is not the best way for us to live. Being moderate, even in creative and productive work is what is best for our health. The first place we think of when we speak of rest is in our beds for the evening sleep. We should get into a regular pattern.
Going to bed at 8:30 – 9:00pm is a good time for settling down to sleep and 5:00 -6:00am is good for rising. This pattern brings a good night’s rest and unloads pressure in the morning to beat the clock before work starts.
Quiet reading, some exercise and family time at the breakfast table brings a sweet start to the day. This may be the ideal, but not always practical for certain lifestyles, but if one is able, the pattern soon starts getting easier and life is enjoyed more fully.
It may be hard to sleep the first few evenings at the earlier time, but upon rising at the earlier time of 6:00am approximately, one will soon be looking for sleep by 8:30 – 9:00pm.
Other places of rest, rather than sleep, is out in the beauty and quietness of nature. If possible, it is good to leave the busy cities behind and seek that rest in the quietness of a country setting, beside a river, or lake, in a grove of trees, or in the mountains.
Other ways can be in a good book, giving good counsel and guidance, talking to a friend, quietly taking a walk, and taking time to be with the family.
Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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