Editorial
Solve chieftaincy issues in Accra
Dear Editor
I wish to use your platform to appeal to traditional authorities in the Greater Accra region to address differences in their ranks before the commencement of this year’s Homowo celebration.
The Homowo festival has been one that brings people from all walks of life together and reunite families.
However, recent rancours among chiefs over who is the rightful occupants and who qualifies to perform certain rites have reduced the festival to a platform for chaos.
But just when it appears calm was returning to the sector, then another controversy dropped with a judgment for the Ga Mantse, Adama Latse.
With comments like King Latse returning to take the throne and others insisting the current Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II would remain as the chief, it cast a future of uncertainty around the whole process.
Sadly, other chiefs from some quarters are all wading into the controversy.
On the back of these, I wish to urge the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs to find a way to address this perennial problem once and for all.
Sadly, when these troubles happen, it is the youth, some of which have nothing to do with royalty that suffer because they go to the forefront when chaos break out.
That must not be the case this year. This year’s Homowo must be celebrated in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. There must be no fights as a result of which chief wants to perform some specific roles.
Ben,
Adabraka
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
