Editorial
Protect minors from harmful online exposure
Dear Editor,
I write to express deep concern about the increasingly harmful influence social media is having on children in our communities. What was once intended to be a tool for learning, creativity, and connection has now become a major source of distraction, pressure, and moral decline among many of our young people.
Today, children spend countless hours on platforms that expose them to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and harmful trends. Instead of focusing on their studies, developing social skills, or engaging in healthy activities, many are glued to their screens—losing sleep, losing confidence, and sometimes even losing their sense of reality.
The rise in cases of depression, anxiety, peer pressure, and poor academic performance among young people can no longer be ignored. Even more worrying is how quickly harmful content, violence, explicit material, and dangerous challenges can spread across these platforms, reaching children faster than parents or teachers can intervene.
It is evident that while technology has its benefits, the lack of proper regulation and supervision has left our children vulnerable. Parents must become more proactive in monitoring what their children consume online, schools must strengthen digital literacy education, and authorities should consider stricter policies to protect minors from harmful online exposure.
We cannot sit back and watch the future generation be shaped by uncontrolled digital influences. It is time for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that social media becomes a safer, more positive space for our children.
— James Brown,
Akosombo
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
