Editorial
Evacuation of Ghanaian students from Ukraine
As a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, students studying in Ukraine have been seriously affected.
Due to the precarious situation in Ukraine many students who have gone to that country for studies but want to return home are being evacuated to Ghana for safety. Many of the students, fearing for their lives, have requested to be evacuated home.
Unfortunately, some of the students have stated that they will prefer to go to other countries rather than coming back home and the government of Ghana has made it clear that it will convey only those who are willing to come home.
A few of the students have decided to join their friends in other countries instead of coming home, but the majority of them have stated that they will prefer to be evacuated back home to Ghana.
In view of this development, the Government of Ghana has done what it can to bring the students home. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Honourable Shirley Ayorkor Botchway has met some family members of the students in Accra to answer questions on the safety of the affected Ghanaian students.
This is a good effort by government but as usual, some propagandists have also decided to play politics with the issue by spreading false news that some Ghanaian students have been shot dead in Ukraine. This is a great lie and The Spectator is appealing to all political opponents who see themselves as not being in government to desist from such unhealthy practice.
Ghana is the only country we have so we must treasure it and ensure that as much as possible claims made by anybody about the country is nothing but the truth. We cannot continue to behave as if we are living in the jungle, only concerned about destruction of our motherland.
We thank God for the safe arrival of the students and hope that more of them will be brought home safely to reconcile with their families before going back to continue their studies if there is cessation of hostilities.
On this note, The Spectator commends the government for acting swiftly to bring our dear students back home safely. At the same time, we wish to appeal to Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine and give peace a chance.
The world today needs lasting peace and this can be brought about by all countries irrespective of where they are on this earth. Russia must listen to the call for peace and stop the aggressive acts it has embarked upon.
We would again want to thank all those individuals and groups, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the efforts made in bringing the students home safely.
Following the closure of airports in Ukraine, the students had to be assisted through surrounding countries such as Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and others before being brought home, so we thank all those who helped in various ways to make their evacuation possible.
Editorial
Unsanitary conditions of food vendors near gutter
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express a concern about the unhygienic conditions under which food vendors go about their business in some communities.
This is mostly associated with vendors that sell near gutters. It has become widespread and the earlier authorities do something about it, the better it will be for us.
I have noticed in recent times that several food sellers have set up their stalls close to open gutters, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The proximity of these food stalls to gutters means that food is being prepared and sold in an environment contaminated with filth, bacteria, and other harmful substances.
This is unacceptable and requires immediate attention from the relevant authorities.
I urge the Metropolitan and District Assemblies under the Local Government Ministry and other health agencies to take swift action to address this issue.
Food vendors should be relocated to cleaner and safer areas, with regular inspections to be conducted to ensure that food is being handled and sold in a hygienic manner.
The recent outbreak of Cholera in some regions of the country should keep us on our toes to ensure that we don’t lose guard with sanitation.
I hope that your paper will highlight this important issue to help bring about the necessary changes.
By Eugene Ampiaw,
Accra
Editorial
Govt must go to aid of victims of USAID funding cut
Dear Editor,
Reading a report in your established weekend newspaper, The Spectator, last week on the effect of USAID funding cut in the Northern Region made me see the seriousness of the issue at stake.
To learn the fate of HIV/AIDS patients, those suffering from malaria, pregnant women and other category of sick people are uncertain made me sad.
This is because as a country, we have made a lot of progress in the control and management of these conditions and would be very unfortunate to see these gains eroded by the decision of the US government.
The situation described by health workers and the patients themselves is understandable because funds from the USAID have served as a backbone for health delivery in the region.
It is indeed a difficult situation but as a country, we must not fold our hands and sit unconcerned. We must be seen to be doing something.
President John Mahama has done well by tasking the Minister of Finance to find ways to raise cash to support agencies or activities to be affected by the funds cut.
The issue now is when done what would be released? I want to appeal to the government to respond immediately to curb mortality.
Rosemary Ampofo,
Obuasi
