Editorial
Prioritise teaching of Ga language in Accra schools
Dear Editor
I am writing to express my deep concern about the disappearance of our cultural identity in the Greater Accra Region.
The teaching of foreign languages in our schools is depriving the indigenous people of Accra of their rich cultural heritage. Language is an integral part of one’s culture and identity, and we must prioritise the preservation of our native languages.
As a proud resident of Accra, I am dismayed by the fact that our schools are promoting languages that are not native to our region.
The Ga language, which is the indigenous language of Accra, is being pushed aside for languages that are alien to the region. I strongly believe that this agenda must be reversed to preserve our cultural identity.
It is interesting to note that other regions in Ghana do not teach the Accra language (Ga) in their schools. Instead, they prioritise their own indigenous languages.
Why then should the Greater Accra Region be an exception? Why should we allow our cultural identity to be eroded by the teaching of alien languages? I believe that it is the responsibility of our paramount chief, (Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru ll) and other leaders to protect and preserve our cultural heritage.
The Paramount Chief, in collaboration with the government, must take immediate action to stop all schools in the Greater Accra Region from teaching other languages apart from the Ga language.
This is not to say that learning other languages is not important, but rather that our native language should be given priority to ensure that our children grow up with a strong sense of cultural identity and appreciation for their heritage.
Furthermore, I believe that the private sector also has a role to play in promoting our indigenous language.
Private schools and institutions should be encouraged to prioritise the teaching of the Ga language in the region, rather than focusing solely or partially on other languages. By working together, we can ensure that our cultural identity is preserved for future generations.
It is worth noting that language is not just a means of communication; it is also a symbol of our cultural identity.
When we lose our language, we risk losing our culture and heritage. I urge the government and other stakeholders to take this issue seriously and take immediate action to protect our cultural identity.
I am not advocating the exclusion of other languages, but rather for a balanced approach that prioritises our native language.
When we promote the Ga language, we can ensure that our children are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in their communities.
In conclusion, I urge the government to take immediate action to stop the teaching of foreign languages in schools in the Greater Accra Region and to prioritise the teaching of the Ga language.
Let us work together to preserve our cultural identity and ensure that our children grow up with a strong sense of who they are and where they come from.
Thank You.
Jerry Fiadzenu,
Aburi
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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