Editorial
Working together in parliament
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that in view of the outcome of the parliamentary results, there is the need for the two major political parties in Ghana (NPP and the NDC) to work together.
Whether NDC or NPP, working together in the interest of the nation is necessary to ensure that national interest is guaranteed. Collaboration or togetherness in deliberations will not mean that they should all agree on the same issue, but rather pursue national interest and bury their differences in parliament to ensure that the supreme interest of the nation is promoted at all times.
Collaborating with each other in parliamentary duties is necessary for the promotion of socio-economic development. What this means is that both sides of the political divide in parliament, that is, the Majority and the Minority, are there to pursue the interest of the country.
In doing this, they will have to agree and disagree on various issues but this must be done in the spirit of party togetherness so that needless waste of time and prolonged arguments can be avoided. This is what the country needs now.
Unity is therefore, paramount in the interest of the nation.
This is because both the Majority and Minority have a common agenda to pursue. That agenda, is to promote the interest of Ghana and its people.
If the two sides in parliament collaborate with each other, approval of policies can be carried out faster or timeously. When this happens, it is the nation as a whole that gains.
The impression has been created over the years that parliamentarians become vociferous when they are pursuing the interest of their respective political parties but when it comes to financial gains pertaining to themselves, they become unified and more cooperative.
This is always the case when it comes to issues such as discussion of their ex-gratia or matters that affect their own interest and welfare.
This perception ought to be eroded through active collaboration of all parliamentarians irrespective of whether the person belongs to either the Majority or Minority. What matters most is the national interest: Period!
The President is expected to appoint majority of his ministers from parliament in line with the requirements of the constitution. In view of this, the Executive may be crippled in a way since from time to time, these ministers will have to stay and work in their offices. Staying and working in their offices will mean that they will not always be present to deliberate on parliamentary matters.
In spite of this, and in the supreme interest of the nation, The Spectator urges both the Majority and the Minority to collaborate with each other in order to set a sound agenda for the entire country.
If this is done, the entire country will be the winner.
Dear Editor,
On many streets in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale, a growing trend of drug abuse is causing concern among parents, teachers and health workers.
Young people, some as young as 15, are reportedly abusing substances such as tramadol, marijuana, shisha and other dangerous drug mixtures. What may begin as an attempt to “feel high” can develop into addiction and have devastating consequences.
Many young people are introduced to substance abuse through peer influence, sometimes while in Senior High School. Some begin using marijuana or misusing prescription drugs under the mistaken belief that these substances will help them stay awake to study.
Teachers and parents may observe warning signs, including red eyes, unusual sleepiness, sudden aggression or significant changes in behaviour. Some young people may also turn to drugs as a way of coping with unemployment, family difficulties, heartbreak or pressure to make money.
A major concern is the alleged availability of illicit drugs near schools, in some communities and through social media and messaging platforms.
Drug abuse is not simply about “feeling high.” Substance misuse can have serious consequences for physical and mental health and may contribute to anxiety, depression and other health complications. It can also lead to poor academic performance, school dropout, job loss, financial difficulties and involvement in criminal activities.
This fight must involve all of us; it cannot be left to the police alone.
Parents need to maintain open communication with their children, take an interest in their friendships and pay attention to significant changes in behaviour. Most importantly, parents should create an environment in which their children feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges.
Schools, churches and mosques should also intensify education on the dangers of drug abuse. Former addicts and health professionals can be invited to speak to young people and share practical experiences, rather than relying solely on warnings and preaching.
The Government and relevant agencies must also enforce laws against the sale and distribution of illicit drugs while expanding access to affordable prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services.
Drug abuse among our youth is a threat to the future of our communities and our country. We must act collectively and urgently to protect young people from addiction and give those already struggling a genuine opportunity to recover.
Richard
Kumasi
By Spectator Reporter
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BREAST cancer is no longer a silent killer spoken about only in whispers, thanks to the annual flood of pink ribbons, walks and corporate events that take place every October.
During a screening event at the forecourt of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, Ms Antoinette Kwofie, Chairperson of the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, noted that the volume of breast cancer awareness campaigns was “enormous.”
However, her reminder that “awareness without action is not enough” cuts through the celebrations and highlights a critical challenge.
If Ghana is to significantly reduce breast cancer deaths, the national conversation must go beyond the colour pink and confront the institutional, financial and psychological barriers that can turn a treatable diagnosis into a death sentence.
Significant visibility can easily be mistaken for significant impact. A sea of pink shirts and prominent corporate sponsorships may create a reassuring impression of progress. But awareness is only the beginning of what can be a difficult clinical journey.
A woman does not automatically schedule a mammogram or have her breasts examined simply because she knows that breast cancer exists.
Late-stage presentation remains a major challenge in Ghana. Many women still present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment options may be limited and outcomes less favourable. For these women, lack of awareness is no longer the main issue; rather, the challenge lies in what happens after they become aware of the disease or notice a possible symptom.
To close the gap between awareness and action, we must address the reasons why women delay screening and early diagnosis.
A cancer diagnosis remains highly stigmatised and is often perceived as an immediate death sentence. We need more public counter-narratives that demonstrate that early detection can lead to survival and full, productive lives, as the survivors at the MTN event illustrated.
While educational activities and basic clinical examinations are often offered free during Pink October, the ordinary Ghanaian may not be able to afford the full diagnostic pathway, including ultrasounds, mammograms, biopsies and, eventually, treatment such as chemotherapy or surgery.
Real action requires making these essential diagnostic and staging services more widely accessible and affordable.
Fear and financial constraints also lead some patients to seek herbal medicines, prayer camps or alternative therapies before seeking medical care. By the time they arrive at a health facility, the disease may have progressed considerably.
Clinical leaders such as Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai of Breast Care International, and initiatives such as the event organised by the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, offer an example of what “purposeful pink” should look like.
Rather than merely distributing leaflets, such initiatives provide education and connect women with immediate professional screening and guidance through health institutions, including Ridge Medical Centre and Peace and Love Hospital.
They replace abstract concern with practical healthcare support and navigation.
However, breast cancer does not disappear on November 1. If Ghana is to make meaningful progress in this fight, the spirit of Pink October must be translated into a year-round commitment.
This should include strengthening regular breast health education and clinical examinations within routine primary healthcare services across the country. It also requires sustained community-level education to demystify the disease, challenge harmful misconceptions and encourage women to seek medical attention promptly.
Awareness encourages conversation, but early action can save lives.
It is time to insist that every pink ribbon worn on a lapel is backed by a concrete commitment to making screening accessible, ensuring timely care and making treatment more affordable for every woman.
Only then can awareness truly be translated into action—and lives saved.
By Spectator Reporter
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