Editorial
Tackling the plastic waste menace at Ghana’s beaches
A section of the shore being filled with filt
Dear Editor,
Ghanaians love the beach, and for good reason. Whether it is lounging in the sun, swimming in the ocean, or appreciating the scen¬ery, there is something for everyone at the beach.
Unfortunately, many of the beaches in Ghana are not as clean and well-maintained as they should.
This letter seeks to look at why some of the beaches are in such a sorry state, and what can be done to bring cleanliness and harmony to our shores.
Many Ghanaians flock to the beach during festive seasons and holidays. However, despite the many visitors, our beaches are full of plastic waste and other forms of uncollected garbage.
This hardly denotes respect for Mother Nature, as the waste and pollution endangers marine life; something Ghana, as a country should be protecting.
Furthermore, these forms of pollution are not pretty to behold and can cause health hazards for people who swim, relax or sunbathe on the beach.
However, some beaches are kept clean and well-maintained. Some of the cleanest beaches in Ghana include La Beach, Coco Beach, and Bojo Beach.
The La Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Ghana, and it is known for its cleanliness and orderliness. Coco Beach is also a great place to visit for its clean sand, well-kept facilities, and organised management.
And, for an exclusive experience, Bojo Beach has one of the cleanest beaches and is often preferred over other beaches. It is a private beach that is accessible only on boats, which helps to keep it less crowded and more closely monitored.
To maintain a clean and better future, individuals should also take responsibility to keep our environment clean.
However, there is much more that needs to be done than just individual responsibility. Businesses, public or¬ganisations, and government entities need to work together to keep our beaches well-maintained.
Regular clean-up campaigns, recycling programmes, and conservation efforts can address the pollution and waste on the beaches.
There is also an urgent need for the creation and enforcement of more regulatory policies to govern sanitation at the beach.
Ghana’s beaches are valuable resources that must be preserved and maintained for generations to come.
By advocating for the cleanliness of our beaches, we can create a better future for ourselves and the environ¬ment. Let us work together and take individual responsibility to properly dispose of garbage and promote envi¬ronmental conservation practices.
While at it, individuals can also visit the clean beaches such as La Beach, Coco Beach, and Bojo Beach which have already exemplified such environmental conservation practices in their structure and management.
Fauzia Abdullai
Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to draw the attention of NADMO and other related agencies to the recent prediction by the Ghana Meteorological Agency to expect a lot of rains this year, especially in the Southern sector of the country.
GMet issued the forecast to provide an early warning to protect lives and property.
Interestingly, the Southern sector happens to be one of the many trouble spots in the country when the rains start.
It predicted the season to start in March and continue until July or August with above-normal rainfall along the eastern coast and nearby inland areas, including Accra, Tema, Cape Coast, Saltpond, Asamankese, Akim Oda, Koforidua, and Kade.
Knowing the problems faced as a country, concerns have been raised in certain quarters about the aftermath flooding problems in low-lying areas.
These concerns are well placed because flooding has become an annual ritual associated with the season.
My appeal goes to NADMO as well as the district and metropolitan assemblies. They are responsible for activities before and after the season.
As we prepare, they must spearhead the campaign to desilt the drainages in order for water to flow freely.
The citizenry must also show some sense of responsibility by desisting from throwing rubbish into gutters to block the free flow of water.
Noah Musa,
Adabraka
Dear Editor,
I WOULD like to express my views on why some people abuse leaders on social media platforms.
In recent times, social media has become a powerful tool for communication and expression. Unfortunately, many people misuse this freedom by insulting and abusing leaders instead of engaging in constructive criticism.
One major reason for this behaviour is frustration. When citizens feel ignored, unemployed, or affected by poor policies, they sometimes turn their anger toward leaders online.
Another reason is anonymity. Social media allows users to hide behind fake names and profiles, which gives them the confidence to say things they would not dare say in public. This lack of accountability encourages abusive language and disrespectful comments.
Ignorance and misinformation also play a role. Some people abuse leaders based on false news or rumours without verifying facts. This leads to unnecessary attacks that can damage reputations and create tension in society.
While leaders should be held accountable, abuse and insults do not solve problems. Too many people are finding social media platforms as homes to hide and churn out untruths that goes a long way to damage the image and credibility of the victims.
Constructive criticism, dialogue, and lawful channels are better ways to express dissatisfaction. Citizens must remember that respect is essential for national unity and development.
I hope this letter will encourage people to use social media responsibly and promote respectful communication.
Eugene Ampiaw,
Takoradi
