Let’s respect the dead

Dear Editor,

Growing up as a young man, I watched how families of deceased persons paid respect to their beloved ones.

Right from the mortuary to the funeral grounds, the mortal remains of the deceased are always handled with respect to honour them.

Most of the time, individuals who visit the mortuary to bring the body of the deceased home were required to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.

A traditional belief holds that seeing or coming into contact with dead bodies portends a bad omen and may require spiritual cleansing.

However, in recent times, I have seen a number of videos on social media where corpses are handled without care.

In some of these videos, one could see the body of the corpse carried on the shoulders of friends or being made to stand while friends and families touch and take pictures with it.

I find that weird and at the same time disturbing and thinks a lot about the health implications.

According to some health experts, such an act poses a threat to public health as one may not know the cause of the death of the deceased.

Some have predicted that Ghana could face health crisis such as disease transmission as a result of the pathogens present in decomposing bodies, if care was not taken.

As a concerned individual, I share in the view of the health experts.

I believe that if care is not taken, the actions of the youth in handling dead bodies could lead to the spread of diseases.

I, therefore urge the Ghana Health Service to take the issue seriously and address it to avoid any possible future health crisis.

Atom,
Korle-bu

FDA must act on meat singeing claims

Dear Editor,

I read a story in your highly esteemed newspaper, The Spectator last week where a Toxicologist was urging health authorities in the country the use of tyres and firewood to singe meat for consumption.

This is not the first time this issue has come up. Many months back, read a similar story about singing meat with the aforementioned materials.

According to the report, these material contain dangerous chemical compounds that pose health risks to humans.

Sadly, we have not heard anything from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and other agencies who responsibilities are to ensure the populace consume healthy foodstuff.

There are a lot of meat and fish on the market singed with these material which Ghanaians are still patronizing and people are not minded by the problems it bring in future.

Wele (cow hyde) is one of the commonest meat on the market. It is consumed a lot by tuo zaafi and waakye lovers but this is believed to be meat that goes through the tyre and firewood process.

Our authorities must hit the markets and abattoirs to ensure that only healthy meat products were sold to Ghanaians. Let’s save our population from some of these dangerous diseases.

Mawuli Seth,

Achimota

Editorial

Make Mother’s Day memorable tomorrow

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, a day which is observed around the world as a unique way to honour mothers and maternal figures for their devotion, selflessness, and contributions to society and the family.

Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of the month of May and this year it falls on May 11. The Day is important because it serves as a reminder of how important mothers are influencing people’s lives and raising future generations.

Additionally, it is a day to honour all mothers who have had significant influences on their children’s life, including biological mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, and others.

Besides giving birth, a woman might become a mother by taking on the responsibilities of raising children who are not biologically hers.

Numerous mothers have provided food, clothes, and shelter to innumerable children in orphanages, and these youngsters have grown up to be responsible adults who are fulfilling their heavenly destinies.

One cannot deny the fact that families and communities are built on the leadership, unselfish love and sacrifices of mothers.

The expectation is that families will have ample time tomorrow to hold get-togethers, and neighbourhood activities honouring the achievements of mothers.

In recent years, Mother’s Day has also grown in importance for businesses. This is especially true for eateries and businesses that produce and market cards and other gifts.

Of course, mothers should be honoured every day, but it is especially crucial that we honour them on one day each year for everything they do to improve our lives.

Some people have made serious argument that husbands should not honour their wives on Mother’s Day since they are not their mothers. However, even though the wife is not your mother, she is the mother of your children, therefore she should not only be respected but also given priority. Keep in mind that one nice turn merits another, and that Father’s Day is coming up.

Although it is not always compulsory, recognising and honouring your wife as a mother on this day is a sign of respect and gratitude.

The Spectator says, regardless of the circumstances, whether close or remote, spend some time with your mother or mother figures if you can and express your gratitude to them through telephone calls, gifts, breakfast, lunch or dinner, get together among others for the special roles they have played in your life.

We wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day tomorrow.