Editorial
Suspension of illegal mining in forest reserves appropriate
The new Minister of Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, has indicated his preparedness to fight illegal mining in line with the vision of President Akufo-Addo.
Towards this end, he has gone round certain parts of the country to see the devastation carried out by illegal small-scale mining otherwise known as ‘galamsey’
So passionate is he that he is collaborating with various agencies to ensure that the battle is won.
One important step he has taken is the suspension of such activities in forest reserves.
The suspension has become necessary because of the abuse usually encountered in such forest reserves.
Prospective miners always apply for licences that enable them to undertake prospective exploration. Such a licence does not allow them to mine the resources.
They are only required to explore the area given them and find out the availability of precious minerals in the area.
It is when the exploration is done and their report made available to the authority concerned that they are given another licence to actually mine an area of mineral resources indicated to them.
Many of these mining organisations, upon receiving the licence for exploration, actually begin to mine the precious minerals in the reserves.
The Spectator views this as an abuse of the law which must not be entertained. The suspension of the activities in the forest reserves must, therefore, be enforced until some level of decency is arrived at.
The suspension must be closely monitored to find out whether it is being obeyed in line with the directive.
A system must also be put in place to ensure that, those monitoring the activities in the forest reserves are in turn closely monitored by others, so that the dishonest ones amongst them will be found out and punished.
The destruction of the environment by illegal mining is an eyesore and needs to be stopped immediately.
As Ghana joins more than 143 other countries to mark the World Environment Day today, the occasion should boost our awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
The young minister is determined to fight this canker and it is incumbent on well-meaning Ghanaians to help sanitise the sector.
This paper wishes him well in his crusade.
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Editorial
Parents urged to take responsibility for sex education
Dr. Francis Wuobar, a Gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has urged parents to take the lead in providing sex education to their children, stressing that they were in the best position to guide them through the changes of adolescence.
According to him, sex education remained a taboo subject in most Ghanaian homes, a culture that must change to prevent children from seeking misleading information elsewhere.
“With the evolving nature of society and technological advancements, today’s children will either learn about sex on the internet or from their peers, who may offer wrong advice,” he cautioned.
Dr. Wuobar noted that the health system and society often concentrate on the reproductive stage of life, neglecting the adolescent and menopausal phases.
“When a woman reaches the reproductive period and gets pregnant, everyone rallies around her. But before that stage, during adolescence, there is little attention and guidance, which has contributed to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy,” he explained.
He observed that many adolescents lack access to counseling and adolescent clinics, creating a vacuum that forces them to explore on their own.
“The answers they seek, adults and parents are not willing to provide. Their peers, who are equally uninformed, become their only source of advice. This exploration is one of the major contributors to teenage pregnancy,” he said.
Dr. Wuobar therefore called on parents to create open and confidential spaces for discussion, where children can freely ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships.
He emphasized that parents must help adolescents understand the consequences of unprotected sex, the changes they go through, and what choices were right or wrong.
“Today’s generation is curious and asks questions, unlike in the past when children were silent. Parents should not rebuke them but rather engage them seriously and guide them through this turbulent stage,” he advised.
He further appealed to the health sector to establish more adolescent clinics across the country to give young people safe spaces to seek information and counseling.
That, he said, would help reduce the high incidence of teenage pregnancy and support adolescents in making informed decisions about their sexual health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Editorial
Addressing unhealthy conditions at Akropong Mandela Market
Dear Editor,
The Akropong Mandela Market, a vibrant centre of commerce, has been in a terrible state for over a decade now.
Central to the problem is a public toilet located near the market, which has become a breeding ground for diseases and a source of discomfort for both food vendors and customers.
This toilet, utilised by everyone in the town, is positioned too close to the market, severely affecting the vendors who spend long hours selling their goods.
They are constantly exposed to unsanitary conditions mixed with foul odours emanating from the facility.
Agnes, a vendor at the market is sad about the apparent lack of concern from those responsible for maintaining the toilet. Despite collecting user fees, there seems to be little effort to keep the facility clean and hygienic.
The situation at the Akropong Mandela Market highlights the urgent need for effective waste management and sanitation infrastructure in public spaces.
Authorities must take immediate action to ensure the facility is regularly maintained and cleaned. Vendors and customers deserve a safe and healthy environment to conduct their daily activities.
In the meantime, the vendors are urging local government officials to intervene and find a lasting solution to this problem.
Only through collective action can the health and well-being of both vendors and customers be safeguarded to restore the Akropong Mandela Market to its former glory as a thriving commercial hub.
Addo Sarah Ansah Student,
UNIMAC–IJ(BACS26275)
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