Editorial
A critical look at this year’s Population and Housing Census
Provisional figures of the 2021 Population and Housing Census show that Ghana’s population is now 30.8 million with the female population forming 51.3 per cent and the male population at 49.7 per cent.
The provisional data is not likely to be significantly different from the final data which is to be released in November this year.
This has certain implications for the country. If it shows that the female population continues to form more than half of the population, it is an indication that policy makers will have to tilt slightly towards the provision of more resources for the female population, even though the male population is also not to be neglected
Another revelation by the provisional data is that, the Greater Accra Region has shot into the lead as the most populous region, over taking the Ashanti Region. The fourth most populous region after Greater Accra Ashanti and Eastern regions is the Central Region.
These changes have certain implications for policy planners. It shows that policy planner will have to allocate more resources to these regions compared with the other regions in the country with comparative smaller population figures
The provisional data show that there have been population changes in certain districts towards the urban areas. People will, therefore, expect government to shift more resources to these areas.
What is important to note, however, is that if government follows this general pattern it will not be able to check rural-urban drift and the status quo will continue to remain the same.
The Spectator is, therefore, of the opinion that measures will have to be taken to change this drift. For example government should come up with special development projects in the rural areas to serve as an incentive to people who would want to stay in such areas. If this happens, professionals such as trained teachers, medical doctors, pharmacists and all others, will be encouraged to move into the largely rural areas
Again, it is important for us to note that of the housing structures which were counted, about 20 per cent were in non-conventional forms meaning that they were either wooden structures, container kiosks or other structures that cannot be described as decent.
This means that the government will have to fight for resources to bring improvement to the housing area. More people need decent housing structures, so government will have to take this into consideration when undertaking and implementing its development plans
The 80 per cent constituting decent housing is good and commendable, even though there is still room for improvement. In spite of this, however, the nation will have to work hard to provide decent accommodation for people.
Government has encouraged the State Housing Company (SHC) to put up more decent houses throughout the country. The SHC has done very well in this direction, but the challenge here is the cost of housing units that they put up.
This implies that cheaper building materials will have to be found to put up housing units that cost less and can be purchased by most of our poor people. It is a challenge we need to pursue seriously, if we are to overcome the housing deficit in the country.
Editorial
Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road
Dear Editor,
After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.
But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.
Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.
Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.
It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.
During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.
I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.
As a result, public transport operators are forced to divert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.
I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.
Awuah Martin,
Kasoa, C/R
Editorial
Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory
Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.
The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronising the event with various activities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.
Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.
According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance lessons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful traditional attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.
Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Ghanaian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.
Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.
The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the celebration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among others to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.
GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the preparations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion industry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.
In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, together, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”
The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.
