Editorial
Unsafe, destructive excavation of Kengen land
Dear Editor,
We, the people of Kengen in the diaspora have uncovered an unsafe and destructive excavation of Kengen land in the Jomoro District of the Western Region. We, therefore, request all excavation of Kengen land be paused until the following potential problems have been addressed.
The excavation is causing the exposure of land surfaces, resulting in increased sediment loads that will ultimately pollute the surrounding water bodies. This contamination can have detrimental effects on the ecosystem, aquatic life, and the availability of clean water for both human consumption and agricultural purposes.
The excavation involves clearing native vegetation and often results in the discharge of sediment or dirty water into nearby stormwater drains or waterways. Such actions contribute to the degradation of the environment, impacting biodiversity and compromising the quality of water resources in the area.
The excavation creates permanent deep holes filled with contaminated water, giving rise to multiple hazards. These hazards include the breeding of mosquitoes, providing a breeding ground for snakes and other reptiles, the growth of algae, and the release of foul air, which can have severe health implications on the residents of Kengen.
Widespread Erosion and Infrastructure Damage: The earthwork excavation leads to widespread erosion, washing away the surface soil and posing a significant risk to nearby homes and roads. Signs of erosion resulting from the excavation can already be observed across the main road and neighbouring plots, further deteriorating the infrastructure and creating hazards for commuters.
Uninhabitable Land and Impediment to Development: The excavation renders the land uninhabitable for many years, making it unsuitable for any developmental projects.
Considering the current expansion plans for the town, this site will eventually be in the heart of Kengen, posing a serious threat to the entire community in terms of health risks, diseases, and potential damage to properties and livestock.
Given the gravity of the situation and the far-reaching consequences of the damage, we, the Kengen Manle Association (KMA) in the diaspora, strongly urge the Chief of Kengen to immediately cease all excavation activities in the area till further notice.
We are committed to monitoring the already excavated areas and will promptly notify local authorities of any further environmental damage we may discover.
We firmly believe that by halting the earthwork excavation, we can safeguard the future of Kengen and protect the well-being of our current and future generations. The preservation of our land, water, and overall environment is crucial to ensuring a sustainable and healthy community. Together, let us save our future and that of our children.
Kengen Manle Association in the Diaspora (KMA)
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
