Editorial
Let’s prevent cancer through regular education, screening
Cancer is a dangerous illness that might cause death, therefore receiving a cancer diagnosis makes a person anxious or afraid.
Regretfully, even in situations where symptoms are detected early enough to enable treatment, certain cancers cause symptoms that cannot be relieved by supportive care or medication.
This is because cancer cells are capable of overrunning healthy cells and causing potentially fatal consequences.
Numerous families have been saddened and overburdened when loved ones and breadwinners pass away from malignancies like breast, prostate, cervical, and throat cancer, among others.
Although efforts have been made to discover a cure, the alarmingly high rate of cancer in Ghana and many other nations has not yet produced the desired outcomes. In many nations, this is placing a tremendous strain on the healthcare systems.
Cancer is a disease that knows no bounds, but according to reports, the number of teachers being affected by the disease is rising. This has raised serious concerns for the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT).
GNAT authorities claim that the number of their members afflicted with cancer is rising. Data from the GNAT Cancer Foundation (GCF) shows that there are 2,666 GNAT cancer patients at the Sweden Ghana Medical Center, of whom 2,388 are active duty members and 278 are retirees.
According to GNAT officials, there has been a significant increase in cancer cases among teachers in the Volta Region, namely in the Ho District, Akatsi-North, and Hohoe Municipality.
This is cause for alarm for everyone. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that, with an estimated 9.6 million fatalities, or 1 in 6 deaths, in 2018, cancer was the second most common cause of death worldwide.
The statistics are worrying, and regular screening is necessary for early identification and treatment of cancer due to its severe repercussions.
Cancer treatment places a great deal of physical, psychological, and financial burden on patients, families, communities, and health systems.
Advocacy is necessary to raise awareness about cancer and to enhance education about cancer prevention, treatment, and management strategies.
The Spectator believes that regular hospital screening is crucial to resolving the issue, since some patients neglect to check in and wait until their conditions worsen before seeking medical assistance.
To stop cancer from starting, people need to maintain a normal body weight, consume a balanced diet, exercise frequently, and abstain from tobacco use.
A good healthcare delivery system must also be prioritised by governments in order to aid in early detection and the survival of many people with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
