Editorial
Stop indiscriminate bush burning
One of the biggest hazards to the environment is indiscriminate bush burning, which has detrimental consequences on the ecosystem, destroying homes, and agricultural land.
In addition, the quantity of smoke in the air might lead to respiratory disorders and other health concerns.
According to a report from our regional correspondent, young people in Ghana’s Northern Region are increasingly burning indiscriminately through the bush in pursuit of rodents, especially during the harmattan season.
According to the report, the majority of these youths light grasses on fire in an attempt to locate and chase after rodents.
However, in the process, the fire gets out of control, destroying nearby buildings and commodities. Due to this improper behaviour in the area during the dry season, the majority of people have lost their farms and other belongings.
The issue is becoming increasingly worrying, particularly in light of the government’s actions but its seeming inability to find long-term solutions.
The Northern Regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Manager, Mr. Abu Iddrisu, claims that despite his organisation’s efforts to raise community awareness of the dangers of bush burning through radio and occasionally television, the locals continue to disregard the advisories.
The Spectator expresses worry over this practice and calls on the government to outlaw it in order to protect people, property, and the environment.
We completely agree with Mr. Iddrisu’s request that the government bring legal action against those who break the law in order to discourage others from doing the same.
Additionally, funding is required for the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to educate the public about the risks associated with careless bush burning in the many villages within their purview.
Farmers should get bushfire management training from the EPA in cooperation with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other stakeholders in order to contain bushfires.
To prevent careless bush burning, especially during current harmattan season, all hands must be on deck in order to protect people and property.
Editorial
Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road
Dear Editor,
After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.
But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.
Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.
Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.
It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.
During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.
I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.
As a result, public transport operators are forced to divert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.
I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.
Awuah Martin,
Kasoa, C/R
Editorial
Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory
Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.
The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronising the event with various activities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.
Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.
According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance lessons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful traditional attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.
Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Ghanaian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.
Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.
The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the celebration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among others to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.
GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the preparations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion industry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.
In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, together, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”
The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.
