Editorial
Speed up progress to create a healthier, malaria-free future
World Mosquito Day offers a chance to bring attention to the threats posed by diseases spread by mosquitoes and the continuous fight against the deadliest animal on the planet.
The yearly event honours Sir Ronald Ross, a British physician who proved in 1897 that mosquitoes are the vector of malaria.
According to Sir Ronald Ross, the malaria parasite was found to be spread by Anopheles mosquitoes.
In honour of this significant finding in the battle against malaria, every year, August 20 is observed as World Mosquito Day.
The theme for World Mosquito Day 2025 is “Accelerating the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World,” which emphasises how critical it is to remove obstacles to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of malaria, particularly in underprivileged and vulnerable areas.
Despite medical improvements, millions of people still suffer from mosquito-borne illnesses every year, especially in tropical countries and prevention remains the best defense against these infections.
However, experts contend that eliminating this species would be morally wrong because mosquitoes, like other living things, have inherent value. Similarly, pest control experts say that whereas female mosquitoes bite day and night, male mosquitoes do not bite and instead feed on plant nectar and other sugar sources.
Despite their ecological importance as pollinators and food for other animals eliminating mosquitoes is essential to preventing nuisance bites and the pain and death of hundreds of millions of people.
In light of this the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) joined the global community last Wednesday in bringing attention to the pressing need to eradicate malaria and advance health equality.
AMMREN is a registered non-governmental organisation made up of African journalists and scientists working together towards the control and elimination of malaria.
According to AMMREN every life counts, and by working together, we can bridge the gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention,
AMMREN therefore calls on everyone to unite together to speed up progress and create a healthier, malaria-free future.
In solidarity with AMMREN, The Spectator encourages people to support community initiatives and concentrate on preventative measures such as using treated mosquito nets, repellent and making sure the surroundings are sanitary.
Individuals and groups can also fight for legislation that prioritise the eradication of malaria, raise awareness and support organisations that seek to control the disease.
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
