Editorial
Environmental protection is essential
The planet Earth has been created to ensure balance among various elements that exist as components that help sustain it.
When we limit the argument to the earth, we notice that the living beings, comprising animals, plants and humans; the forests, the water bodies, the rocks, the atmospheric gases, and many other things are necessary for the sustenance of this earth. Without this, there will be no ecological balance, and living things will be threatened.
In addition, the quality of life on earth will be lowered or made worse to the disadvantage of every living thing.
In light of this, any threat to the environment will be hazardous to everyone. Environmental degradation is something that should not be encouraged.
One form of environmental degradation comes about as a result of illegal mining. Illegal mining, otherwise known as “galamsey”, has attracted many young people in the country.
As a result of this illegal mining, forests and plantations have been destroyed. In effect, food output and other forms of agricultural production are adversely affected, which in turn lead to hunger and loss of employment in the agricultural sector.
Besides, water bodies have also been destroyed, making it difficult for the people in this country to get access to clean and enough water.
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) is experiencing high cost of production by saving drinking water to serve the needs of people in various communities.
The chemicals used in mining in water bodies have polluted the water, raising the cost of ensuring safe treatment of the water.
Another danger is that chemicals like mercury used in illegal mining in water bodies have serious health effects. The health effects include heart diseases, destruction of other internal organs in the human body and skin rashes.
The time has therefore come for each of us to contribute our quota towards saving the environment. If this is done, we will all be guaranteed good health and safety on this earth.
Laws on the environment must be rigidly enforced by relevant authorities. Our district assemblies should take this matter up and seek collaboration with the police to prosecute offenders. If we pursue this matter in a serious manner, environmental degradation will stop.
Let us protect the environment to make life more comfortable for all people on this earth.
Editorial
Let’s vote peacefully today
Dear Editor,
Today is December 7 and Ghanaians would be required to participate heavily in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The aim is to give a new term to whichever party triumphs in the exercise.
Parties and their representatives have been busy in the buildup to today’s exercise with the two main political parties, ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) very confident of undoing each other.
Other political parties would also be involved in the exercise.
What I am calling for ahead of the exercise is peace. It is the responsibility of every Ghana to accept the fact that we have only one Ghana and maintaining the peace and tranquility we have enjoyed remains in our own hands.
The period to determine which group of people governs the nation is the same period for us to ensure that the peace we enjoy remains intact.
The campaigns have been very intensive with a few unfortunate comments coming from over enthusiastic politicians.
There also appears to be a mistrust in the system as every decision or move by the Electoral Commission have been fiercely questioned or rejected.
The Commission that is also supposed to be the ‘referee’ has not helped in the tension diffusion with the errors with election papers from particular regions.
All these notwithstanding, I wish to urge Ghanaians to have confidence in the institutions and vote in our numbers in a peaceful manner. No one should attempt to disrupt the process. If we go about it lawfully, we’ll have another peaceful and successful election. Yes, we can!
Mark Osae,
Accra
Editorial
Let’s make peace priority as we vote on December 7
The long-awaited presidential and parliamentary elections are finally here, and the most crucial thing we require is peace during and after the elections.
It is a must for Ghanaians to uphold peace, a state of tranquility devoid of conflict or disruption in this election.
In order to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, a number of institutions and organisations, including the Peace Council, the media, non-governmental organisations, and religious groups, have sent out messages of peace in the run-up to the polls.
The Spectator continues to spread the message of peace as we urge the electorate to make peace a priority in the electoral process to elect a President and Members of Parliament (MPs).
Every voter should be able to exercise their right to vote without any form of compulsion, as Ghanaians are members of multiple political parties and are free to select the candidate of their choice.
After all, voting is about exercising your right to vote, which should be done quietly and peacefully, not about insulting and fighting. We should therefore be mindful of the fact that Ghana belongs to all of us.
Remember your vote is secret and to prevent any confrontation after exercising your franchise go home and pray. Do not post anything on social media that will cause people to react negatively.
Ghana has long been a peaceful nation and a symbol of democracy in Africa; we must preserve this stability and peace.
We must be careful with what we say to avoid provoking anger that could turn violent.
The Spectator urges the security agencies to be tolerant and professional as they discharge their duties. In the same vein, officials of the Electoral Commission should do effective monitoring of the electoral process and swiftly provide the necessary logistics required to enable voting.
We urge all political parties and their supporters to adhere to the nation’s laws and regulations. The media should be circumspect in their reportage and provide accurate and balanced reporting.
Our prayer is that Ghana will emerge victorious at the end of the elections. To achieve this let us endeavour to uphold peace.
God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.
