Editorial
Let’s ensure discipline in senior high schools
I am writing to express concern about the growing indiscipline in some senior high schools (SHSs) in the country.
It has become alarming, to say the least and the earlier something is done about it, the better for all.
Recent reports and a personal experience have highlighted a worrying trend of unruly behaviours, disobedience and utter disrespect among some students.
This level of indiscipline manifests in various ways such as disregard for school rules and authority, bullying and intimidation of fellow students, vandalism, destruction of school property and engaging in other negative social vices.
These behaviours do not only disrupt the learning but also create a hostile environment for students and teachers.
It is important that this issue is addressed promptly to ensure that our children who are the future leaders receive quality education and develop as responsible citizens.
I implore school administrations, parents and stakeholders in the education sector to collaborate to enforce discipline among the school children to check misbehaviour, provide guidance and counselling for students and encourage positive behaviour and role models.
In ensuring this, teachers and staff must be supported to maintain order to collectively promote discipline and excellence in the schools.
Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi,
Accra.
Editorial
Check cases of drug abuse among youth of Shukura and environs
Dear Sir,
I write this letter as a concerned citizen of the country to bring to your notice the increasing rate of the intake of hard drugs by the youth of Shukura and its environs.
This issue is of great concern because of the negative impact of the hard drugs such as tobacco, cannabis and heroine on the youth in the area.
The situation has created a state of insecurity as residents find it difficult to walk around at night for fear of being attacked by these drug addicts.
Strangely, there is a police station in the community but police personnel either don’t show any interest in their activities or struggle to track their activities.
This has given them some freedom to misbehave around the area and endanger the lives of the people.
At this stage, it has become important for the residents in the community to collaborate with the police in addressing the issue.
I want to implore the police in the area to conduct patrol exercise in the area, especially at nights.
That aside, I would want to urge the authorities to embark a campaign on drug addiction in the area to let the youth know and understand the dangers and harm drugs exposes them to.
Chris Nii Narh,
Shukura
Editorial
Discuss mental health disorders among health professionals
Dear Editor,
As individuals who visit health facilities, we are always expectant of being received by medical professionals in very good moods.
These same medical professionals, including nurses, have always been on the receiving end of a backlash for failure to do so.
However, what we often fail, as citizens and patients, to realise is that these medical professionals are also humans who are faced with a lot of stress and burnout, a situation that affects their mental health.
Although there is no data on mental health of health workers in Ghana from the Mental Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), some research statistics could be obtained from some public research.
For instance, a comparative study conducted by researchers at the Volta Regional and Ho Teaching hospitals in August this year revealed moderate and high levels of stress among the nurses in these two hospitals.
Mental health issues among health workers in Ghana is one that is less talked about.
Its negative impact was largely felt during the COVID-19 period, when medical professionals had to work for longer hours. Imagine a nurse who is stressed out and is required to give an injection to a patient.
This is why there is the need for the government and the GHS to address the issue of mental health among medical professionals with all seriousness to avert any negative outcome.
Benjamin Arcton-Tettey,
Accra
