Editorial
Regulate charges at public restrooms
Dear Editor,
Public restrooms play an important role in everyday life, public health, and the functioning of cities. Most importantly, a clean public restroom such a public toilet facility is crucial in preventing the spread of diseases.
In Ghana, access to public restrooms is not a problem, as toilet and urinal facilities could be found at various places, including market centres, lorry stations, and other institutions. Most of these facilities are either managed by the government through the local government agencies or by private operators.
While access to these facilities have never been a challenge, there is one major problem that users of these facilities have raised over the years, and this has to do with the amount they charge patrons of these facilities.
Recently, at the Madina lorry station, I observed an argument between a lady and a manager of a public restroom over the amount she was asked to pay for using the facility.
According to the lady, she had to pay GH₵10 for using the restroom, an amount she found to be too expensive. However, she had no option than to pay and use the facility.
Also, a few of my friends have complained or either observed similar encounters at different places. Though this may sound funny, I believe it is something that as a country, we need to look at.
Personally, I do not understand why one must pay so much for using a public restroom.
Again, users of such facilities sometimes complain that the state of some of these public restrooms was not the best, despite the huge amounts charged by the managers.
Some of these facilities are unhygienic.
I wish to use this platform to appeal to the agencies in charge to investigate some of these instances and find a way to regulate the charges.
Nii Ayi,
Madina
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
