Editorial
Vaccinate boys, girls against cervical cancer
In the battle against cervical cancer, resident public health physician Dr. Victoria Partey-Newman has pushed for immunisation of both boys and girls.
It is the best approach, in her opinion, to stop the sickness from spreading. She asked that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine be made a part of the nation’s educational programme and given to both boys and girls starting at age nine in schools.
She claimed that doing so could help eradicate HPV and successfully lower the risk of infection in boys, as well as decrease transmission, boost immunity, and lessen problems linked to HPV.
According to her, among Ghanaian women aged 15 to 44, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer. She said that statistics indicate that 2,797 women receive a cervical cancer diagnosis annually, with 1,699 of those cases ending in death.
The numbers are concerning, but even more worrisome is the fact that males can catch HPV from infected women through sexual contact.
Male partners may also increase their female partners’ risk of developing cervical cancer, therefore this is serious.
The theme of this year’s World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month was “learn, prevent, screen,” and it was observed worldwide, including in Ghana.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) designates January, annually to promote immunisation against HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer, and to increase public awareness of the illness.
It is fitting that the WHO emphasises during this year’s Cervical Cancer Awareness Month the significance of expanding access to HPV vaccinations, routine screening, and cutting-edge treatment for cervical cancer in its early stages.
Although previously the most frequent type of HPV-related cancer has been cervical cancer in women, data indicate that approximately 40 percent of cases of HPV-induced cancer also occur in men.
The Spectator concurs with the Resident Public Health Physician that boys and girls starting at age nine should receive the immunisation in schools.
Even though HPV-related cancers can typically be successfully treated, it is always preferable to avoid cancer than to treat it, which is why the HPV vaccine is such an effective tool in the fight against cancer.
When women have vaginal bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause, bleeding between periods, pain during sex, or watery, odourous, and occasionally bloody vaginal discharges, we strongly advise them to follow medical advice and attend the hospital.
In addition, women need to undergo yearly screenings, abstain from smoking, limit the number of sexual partners they have, maintain a balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise.
Reducing the incidence of cervical cancer by 2030 and ending the disease as a public health issue by 2120 require a common goal.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
