Editorial
Significance of Easter
Once again, the occasion of Easter will soon be with us and the need to reflect on our lives as a nation to do away with what is bad while embracing what is good to rebuild our individual lifestyles as well as our nation.
Easter should not be taken for granted. Rather, all Ghanaians must carefully reflect on the occasion and think of the great lessons that can be derived from it towards the fulfilment of our national aspirations.
The occasion is a Christian event that is celebrated every year to mark the resurrection of Christ after His crucifixion and death on the cross. This eventful moment shows that Christ gave His body and poured out His blood as a sacrifice for mankind.
Easter is closely linked to Good Friday the day on which Christ was crucified. This is because without the crucifixion there would not have been the Resurrection or Easter. Many people celebrate the event every year and participate in the activities involved in the celebration but unfortunately forget to take note of its significance.
The death of Christ offered liberation, hope and good life for mankind, signifying that people must always think of what they can do to liberate society and help others to enjoy better life. At various levels of society, people must be selfless and think about what they can do for their communities rather than what they can gain from society.
The concern of everyone in this case must be to ensure that others enjoy better life even if it means that they themselves are going to be denied of certain pleasures of life. It is not easy to allow death to come upon oneself as did happen in the case of Jesus Christ.
Before His death, He was mocked, teased, disgraced and humiliated even though He did not deserve to experience such things. Christ accepted to go through all this for the sake of mankind. If this is the case, then everyone must adopt this positive character on behalf of others in society to raise the quality of life of everyone.
It is equally important to note that Christ, after the resurrection, did not seek to pay back those who played a role in His condemnation and crucifixion. He forgave everyone claiming that they did not know what they were doing.
The great lesson here is that as individuals we need to promote unity, accommodate unfair treatments from others and be prepared to forgive and forget. It is important to go by this principle to manifest the selfless spirit of Christ in our daily lives.
Again, people must be concerned with what is good for the progress of society. This calls for truth, honesty, hard work, transparency and commitment always to achieve what is best for society. At the same time, people must move away from negative tendencies such as drunkenness, dishonesty, greed, selfishness, stealing, embezzlement, corruption, deceit and sexual immorality during occasions such as this.
Easter marks the end of the Holy Week in the Christian calendar and must, therefore, be adhered to and observed as such. The principles of Easter will continue to remain with us until the end of our lives so while we live on this earth, it is incumbent on us to strive for what is good and eschew evil even under very difficult circumstances so as to be able to propel ourselves and the entire country to a higher pedestal of socio-economic development.
The Spectator calls on all Ghanaians to reflect on the coming Good Friday and Easter and pick lessons from them to rebuild our nation.
Food safety is essential because it protects public health by preventing foodborne illnesses, which affect millions of people globally.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that foodborne illness should never occur since it is always preventable.
According to WHO, despite being mostly preventable, foodborne infections continue to be a significant global burden, accounting for at least 200 ailments that have an impact on health, livelihoods, education, and economies.
Estimates from the United Nations (UN), indicate that contaminated food is a serious global public health concern that results in 1.5 million fatalities and 866 million illnesses annually.
World Food Safety Day (WFSD) is celebrated annually on June 7. It was created by the UN and emphasises how governments, food producers, and consumers all have a part to play in avoiding, identifying, and controlling foodborne hazards.
This year’s theme for WFSD, “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere,” emphasises how information on sickness, its burden, and lost lives can direct action toward targeted and affordable solutions.
People eat food from a variety of places, including their homes, markets, restaurants, roadside eateries, schools and office canteens. A combination of foods may occasionally have an impact on some individuals but not others. It is said that “one man’s meat is another man’s poison.”
Many have experienced severe health issues as a result of eating contaminated food without realising it. In some situations, this has resulted in food poisoning, and in other circumstances, it has caused fatalities.
These risks could be biological in nature, where foodborne illnesses are caused by living microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Also, cleaning products, herbicides, hazardous metals, and food additives can occasionally contaminate food.
Foreign materials including glass, metal pieces, plastic, hair, or bandages have occasionally been unintentionally put to food and caused damage.
In sensitive people, proteins including wheat, dairy, shellfish, and peanuts can potentially trigger severe allergic reactions.
The Spectator hopes that raising public awareness of the importance of adhering to fundamental food safety regulations, such as washing hands, sanitising surfaces, separating raw and cooked foods, and practising excellent personal hygiene, is crucial during this rainy season.
Food handling should also be done carefully, whether it is for regular meals at home or for a big gathering or event.
According to food science experts, contamination can be avoided by heating food to the right internal temperature and refrigerating perishable items. Accurately labelling and storing chemicals away from food is a crucial step in preventing food contamination.
To guarantee that individuals eat a safety-free diet, government must improve food control systems, surveillance networks, and public health regulations.
Tomorrow is Father’s Day, a day to honour fathers, for the roles they play in the family and society.
Every third Sunday in June, the world celebrates Father’s Day to show gratitude for the crucial role fathers and father-figures play in influencing people’s lives.
In the same way that mothers are honoured on Mother’s Day, fathers are also honoured in different ways by their children, grandchildren, and stepchildren, among others, for being a great father in their lives.
It is a common misconception that Father’s Day is not as well-known as Mother’s Day, but fathers are doing a fantastic job. Fathers, like mothers, both play equal and complementary roles in providing for a family and maintaining a home.
Many homes would have been destroyed, children would have strayed, and families would have fallen apart if it were not for a father’s love, care, protection, guidance, counselling, and provision.
Many fathers give their children emotional support and develop their inner-growth. Others lead exemplary lives for their children, showing them love, nurturing, providing excellent communication, discipline, guidance, and shelter.
Fathers put in a lot of effort to support their families, spend time with their children and some even go so far as to assist with housework.
Regardless of the circumstances, fathers should be honoured and celebrated for their steadfast support of their families, communities, and the country at large. It is a tremendous honour for society to acknowledge the essential roles that fathers play in community building, child development, and family stability.
Respecting positive male role models promotes active, involved parenting, which has significant effects on children’s social conduct, academic performance, and emotional health.
Some widowers have shown what it means to be a father because they take on dual responsibilities in helping their children develop into responsible adults. The Spectator applauds single fathers that fall into this group! Your efforts will never be in vain.
Although some fathers work in low-paying occupations, they are nonetheless able to support their children through higher education.
As the world celebrates fathers tomorrow The Spectator is calling on everyone to honour fathers or father-figures for their sacrifices and support in various ways. Take your father out to lunch or dinner, buy him presents, write encouraging notes, spend time with him, and make sure he has the best possible day.
We wish all fathers a Happy Father’s Day. Ayekoo!
