Editorial
Develop policies to address disability concerns
Dear Editor,
AT the beginning of the year, when I went to the bank to deposit money into my uncle’s account, I observed a very sad situation where a man in a wheelchair struggled to navigate his way around the facility.
This is because the structure is disability unfriendly.
As I stood and watched how the man struggled to move his wheelchair, I felt sad and wondered if this is how the life of a disabled person should be. It becomes worse if there is no one to offer help.
In Ghana, People With Disabilities (PWDs) are often treated differently and are often subjected to all forms of discrimination.
Most of these people find themselves in such a situation as a result of unfortunate happenings such as accidents and injuries.
It is, therefore, not appropriate for anyone to discriminate against them. Discrimination against such persons take many forms, including how buildings are constructed.
Most of the public structures are not disability friendly and impede their movement.
As a country, we should consider the PWDs in designing our structures. I also think that there should be a national policy that seeks to address this issue.
I have a strong conviction that when such a policy is developed by the government, people with disabilities would feel appreciated and also promote social inclusivity.
Ray,
Kasoa
Editorial
Kudos to Ho Teaching Hospital staff, but …
Dear Editor,
If there is any group of professionals that get bad-mouthed the most, then you are referring to nurses and medical doctors assigned to public hospitals across the country.
For this particular letter, I want to sing the praises of this same group of professionals that work at the Ho Teaching Hospital, famously known as Trafalgar.
Despite the work load and the mass casualties received at the emergency ward of the hospital, the welcoming nature of the nurses and the professional touch by the doctors can’t be ignored. My personal experience has got me travelling from my base in Accra to seek medical services from these professionals.
Special mention has to be made of the likes of Precious of the Pharmacy Department, Dr Brandon Banor (a maxillofacial resident) of the Dental unit, male nurse Justice assigned to the female surgical ward. Words cannot really do justice to their affable, professional caring nature. A simple thank you is all that I can say.
In the same vein, I can’t but call out the bad attitude of the auxiliary staff and contractors of the hospital.
Chief among them is some of the contracted bank staff that handle the payment section of the hospital and the patient registration section (those that check the status of the patient as to whether they are fee paying patients or NHIS sponsored).
The attitude at times leaves a bad taste in the mouth. One such occurrence was a night staff of the registration section who had her legs on the office table whilst talking to patients.
The CEO of the hospital needs to shine his torch light on this support sections before they erode the awesome performance of the direct medical staff of the hospital.
Thank you for the space.
Kwesi Manu
Accra
Editorial
Make forgiveness top priority at Easter
Easter is a time to consider the events of Christ’s betrayal, sacrifice, death, and resurrection, which altered humanity’s connection with its creator.
The celebration of Easter calls for forgiveness as the Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for mankind forgiving them of their sins through his blood that was shed for mankind. In a same vein, Christians must show people Christ’s love by forgiving one another.
Easter is here again and offers a chance to forgive one another, let us take advantage of this wonderful chance to patch up damaged relationships, no matter how difficult it may be.
Since there is no assurance that we will survive tomorrow, let us make the required adjustments now before it is too late. James 4:14 of the Bible states, “For what is your life? It even appears as a vapour for a brief period of time before disappearing.”
Many people occasionally harbour resentment for offences, particularly betrayal by those they trust and love the most. Judas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, betrayed Him by handing him over to the chief priests.
Despite having a strong devotion to Christ, Peter disowned Jesus three times at a crucial moment. However, he wept bitterly meaning he regretted his actions. The issue is how do you act when you offend someone? And also, how do you respond to people who hurt you?
Certain remarks have a profound effect and can never be repaired. Regardless of the situation, if you have harmed a loved one, express regret to them in order to calm tensions, mend scars, and reestablish relationships.
In order for peace to prevail, The Spectator urges individuals who have been offended to make every effort to extend forgiveness.
In order to make the Easter celebration more meaningful and enjoyable, let us do everything in our power to show our family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and loved ones kindness, compassion, understanding, love, forgiveness, and consideration.
It is obvious that many people have already scheduled a number of events for Easter, including sharing food and beverages, having a good time, and reestablishing family relationships.
Aside from the enjoyable events, Easter is significant because it allows us to make time to reflect on the things that truly matter—showing the love of Jesus Christ.
Set aside time to spend with your spouse and children, and express your love and affection for them.
By thoughtfully considering Christ’s suffering, death, crucifixion, and resurrection, you can reestablish your relationship with your Creator. This Easter season, let forgiveness be the most important thing.
Happy Easter!
