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,
I WRITE to condemn the circumstances under which an accident victim died recently after three major hospitals reportedly turned him away due to what has earned a place in our local parlance as ‘no bed syndrome.’
Reports suggested that this motor rider who got knocked by a vehicle was taken to three major hospitals – Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), and the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital – but they all claimed they had no beds.
But one may ask, would there ever be beds?
Such is the treatment Ghanaians endure every now and then when one visits our hospitals, especially the public ones which are run with the taxpayers’ money. Many a time when one visits the hospitals, the sight of patients admitted and lying on benches, and some sitting on chairs while receiving care, is visible to all; making one wonder why this particular motor rider was not admitted at any of the facilities, looking at his condition.
This leads to the reason for this letter, which is to bring out a perceived apathy against these motor riders, the majority of whom are referred to as ‘Okada’ riders.
Due to their recklessness on the roads and the inconvenience caused to commuters, people always speak ill about them; drivers equally have no regard for them. Every user of public transport would attest to this. These riders are blamed for every offence, even when it is obvious drivers may be at fault sometimes.
Motor riders have become like orphans on the road; people care less about them, and when they are unfortunately knocked down, no one cares about them.
This is the mischief our authorities and agencies, including the police, must seek to cure to make the road safe for all users.
These are young folks that want to make a living for themselves, and with no skill or education, ‘Okada’ rides have become their source of livelihood. They need the protection accorded drivers and commuters as well.
In other countries, some facilities have been provided to make their work safer, but in Ghana, we lack them, leaving them with no alternative than to share the available space with the cars.
What has happened should serve as a wake-up call on our authorities to aim to take a second look at the ‘Okada’ menace. With the numbers increasing, there should be a way to regulate them because no government would have the guts to ban it totally.
Drivers should be made to accept the reality that they are sharing the roads with them, and therefore the need for patience and tolerance.
For some of our hospitals, I suggest the Ministry of Health conduct their own investigations to see what patients go through in accessing medicare, which is even not for free.
Thank you, Editor, for the space.
F. Morgan, Kokrobite
Dear Editor,
THE heartbreaking death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah in a hit-and-run accident has exposed once again the failures in our health system.
Even more painful is the fact that his father had previously donated beds to some hospitals, yet when his son needed urgent care, he was moved from one facility to another because there were ‘no beds.’
This is not only tragic but unacceptable. How can a country lose its bright young citizens simply because hospitals cannot provide emergency treatment? The ‘no bed syndrome’ has become a national disgrace, and Charles’ death is a reminder that reforms cannot wait.
Our hospitals must be equipped to handle emergencies, and accountability must be enforced. If donations are made to improve facilities, then those facilities must serve the people when it matters most. Ghana cannot afford to keep losing lives to negligence and poor infrastructure.
Charles Amissah’s death should be the turning point. Let us honor his memory by fixing the system so that no family would suffer this kind of preventable loss again.
Princess Wonovi
Accra
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