Editorial
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral: Anything to learn?
● Millions paid their last respect to the Queen
Dear Editor,
Special attention was on the United Kingdom in the last two weeks, following the passing of the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, the adorable Queen Elizabeth II.
She was laid to rest on the evening of Monday, September 19, 2022, after a well-coordinated state funeral, attended by world leaders and viewed by millions across the world.
The depth of affection for the Queen was evident in the uncountable number of people who wrote tributes, took flowers and joined queues to pay their last respect. From start to finish, the funeral portrayed the personality, leadership, and the warm character of Her Majesty.
Monitoring some of the proceedings from September 8, 2022, when the Queen’s death was announced, up until she made her final journey home, I cannot help but express my admiration and highlight few observations made during the period in this letter.
First, I commend the local and international media for the extensive coverage provided. Clearly, such a historic moment reinforced the crucial role of the media in educating and providing up to the minute information to citizens.
I must admit that the reportage from various media outlets, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) was an eye-opener as they delved into the minutest and intriguing details of the British monarchy. The analysis and discussions were insightful and I continue to learn more and look forward to the reign of King Charles III.
Ahead of the main event, I noticed the proclamation of the new King and the planning of the funeral was done in less than two weeks. All arrangements took a natural course and it did not appear as if people were taken by surprise.
The organisation of the funeral, I later learnt, was seamless because the ceremony and all other events had been rehearsed by the military ahead of time.
With over 2,000 guests at the funeral, security was tight as over 4,000 security personnel were deployed on the day. This implies there was a ratio of two security officials to one guest. Isn’t that worth commending?
When members of the public started paying their last respect to the Queen, queue management experts were able to accurately predict and warn other people from joining the long queue, indicating ‘latecomers’ may not be able to make it to Westminster Hall within the allotted time. This is another proof of the many things that were factored into the planning of the funeral.
The ceremony was generally incident-free and everything returned to normal after the short period of national mourning.
Before I conclude my thoughts, I again observed that there was no special ‘funeral cloth’ for the Queen’s funeral; mourners were in any decent black outfit. Elsewhere, an ‘Abusuapanyin’ would have ‘selected’ a funeral cloth and spent hard-earned currency procuring same just because it is a ‘royal funeral.’
I must say we are good at planning and organising state funerals and other kinds of funeral our own way but there is certainly something to learn from the Queen’s funeral. We can pay the needed respect to the departed without wasting time and resources.
Frank Adutwum,
Kpong, Eastern Region.
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable state of the road from McCarthy Hill Junction to Mallam Junction, where the deteriorating road surface is contributing to heavy traffic congestion and making commuting increasingly difficult for motorists.
The affected stretch is an important section of the Accra–Kasoa Highway, used daily by thousands of commuters, commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users travelling between Kasoa and Accra. However, the poor condition of portions of the road forces drivers to reduce their speed significantly, creating long queues, particularly during peak hours.
The situation is frustrating for commuters who already spend considerable time travelling between their homes and workplaces. Commercial drivers also lose valuable working hours, while passengers experience unnecessary delays that affect their daily schedules.
What should ordinarily be a relatively smooth journey often becomes a prolonged struggle as vehicles approach damaged sections of the road. The resulting slow movement disrupts traffic flow and contributes to congestion along an already busy corridor.
The situation also raises concerns about road safety. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes and other damaged portions may make sudden manoeuvres, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Continued use of the affected sections could also lead to damage to vehicle tyres, suspension systems and other components, imposing additional costs on motorists.
While traffic congestion along the Accra–Kasoa corridor may have several causes, the condition of the road between McCarthy Hill Junction and Mallam Junction is an issue that requires urgent attention.
I therefore appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant authorities to inspect the affected stretch and undertake the necessary repairs without further delay.
Improving the road surface would help vehicles move more smoothly, reduce avoidable congestion and improve the safety and convenience of commuters.
The authorities must act promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and provide relief to the thousands of road users who depend on this route every day.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
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A critical viewpoint on the function of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in guaranteeing child safety and upholding discipline in Ghanaian schools is highlighted in the statement made by Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
According to the supporters of this viewpoint active PTA participation bridges the gap between parents and school administrations and acts as a crucial oversight mechanism.
They strongly believe that parents may better monitor school environments, support guidance and counselling, and hold staff members accountable to the Ghana Education Service (GES) code of conduct when they are involved in the basic and second-cycle school activities.
When school administration functions without external supervision, sexual abuse, exploitation, and indiscipline may result. This transparency is thought to be a crucial deterrent.
However, some educational experts point out that although strong PTAs are helpful, more than just parental supervision is needed to prevent deeply rooted problems like sexual misconduct and moral degeneration.
This viewpoint emphasises that the main instruments required to punish perpetrators and discourage future abuse are institutional enforcement, thorough investigations, and strong legal prosecution by state authorities rather than only school-level committees.
Furthermore, detractors frequently point out that if educational rules do not clearly specify the boundaries of oversight, an excessive reliance on PTAs may cause conflict with school administration.
A strong judicial and administrative proceedings shield victims from ongoing pain and intimidation, discourage potential offenders, and stop wrongdoing from becoming the norm.
In order to maintain high enrollment and completion rates among female students in basic and senior high schools, there should be strict implementation of the GES code of conduct to reassure families that schools are safe places.
Although legal analysts and administrative specialists note that speed is crucial, it must be carefully balanced with thoroughness and due process because hurried investigations might result in procedural mistakes that could lead to unfair sanctions.
Therefore, a comprehensive solution necessitates proactive measures like mandatory background checks and professional ethics training for educators.
The Spectator stresses the need to end sexual exploitation in schools while highlighting the continuous debate over the most effective ways for institutions to provide both prompt justice and legally sound results.
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