Editorial

Rising cost of renting in Accra worrying

Dear Editor,

It is the dream of every young adult to build and live in his or her own apartment or house and not become a tenant in another person’s house. However, such a dream looks far from becoming a reality when one considers the amount to pay to rent an apartment in the capital.

The situation has even become unbearable as the wages of most employed individuals are way lower what landlords charge.

As a young man who is not married, I always imagine getting married and live in a rented apartment with my family, and having to also pay for utility and other basic needs. That alone scares me about marriage.

In Accra, landlords take as much as GHȻ700.00 a month for an apartment with toilets and bathrooms, while some even take the same amount for single rooms without toilets and baths.

Also, one has to sometimes deal with the issue of individuals who are referred to as ‘agents’ when trying to find an apartment to rent. These agents even take monies and don’t even get their clients the type of houses they want.

We can not allow this to continue as most landlords and agents continue to extort monies from their tenants by ‘unreasonably’ increasing house rents on a monthly and yearly basis, thereby putting pressure on them.

I would like to urge the government to have a look at the rent control system of the country to ensure that tenants are not taken advantage of by landlords.

I have also seen young guys and ladies who try to move away from family houses and rent apartments because they want some privacy. My advice to such youngsters is that renting an apartment is not an easy thing, especially when you are not earning much. It is better to stay in the family house and rather save enough to get their own houses.

This is an area of concern government must take a look at and do something about it.

Atom,

Sukura

Editorial

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.