Editorial
Volta lake tragedy: Let’s not ignore safety precautions

● Travellers on the Volta Lake should be provide enouugh life jackets
Dear Editor,
Five people including two females and three children have reportedly lost their lives when a boat conveying passengers to a funeral from Azizanya to Azizakpe in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, capsised recently on the Volta Lake.
The boat, which was supposed to carry about 40 to 50 passengers, according to news reports, was overloaded with almost 100 passengers without life jackets.
This tragedy, I believe, could have been avoided if safety precautions were taken seriously. The boats have a required number of passengers to carry and that should not have been exceeded under any circumstance.
Although the loss is regrettable, I wonder if some of these unfortunate incidents must occur before we do or take the necessary actions.
Life jackets are designed to keep passengers from drowning in case of accidents and I believe no boat or canoe should be made to transport humans without this protective gear on board.
It is commendable that a rescue team promptly intervened to save lives and we must encourage more basic training in cardiopulmonary restitution (CPR) which is a useful lifesaving technique during emergencies.
This is not the first time we have recorded a boat disaster. In January this year, eight school children out of 220 others drowned on the lake while crossing with a canoe from Atigagome to Wayokope District Assembly Primary School.
Considering the recurring nature of these accidents, I plead with the authorities to provide more boats and canoes for residents in these catchment areas. They should also be supplied with adequate life jackets and other protective gears to save lives when the unfortunate happens.
Evelyn Naadu Borquaye,
Nungua, Accra.
Editorial
Unhygienic food selling environment: A serious concern that must be addressed

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
Editorial
Provide adequate protection for footballers
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
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