Editorial
Tackling the plastic waste menace at Ghana’s beaches
A section of the shore being filled with filt
Dear Editor,
Ghanaians love the beach, and for good reason. Whether it is lounging in the sun, swimming in the ocean, or appreciating the scen¬ery, there is something for everyone at the beach.
Unfortunately, many of the beaches in Ghana are not as clean and well-maintained as they should.
This letter seeks to look at why some of the beaches are in such a sorry state, and what can be done to bring cleanliness and harmony to our shores.
Many Ghanaians flock to the beach during festive seasons and holidays. However, despite the many visitors, our beaches are full of plastic waste and other forms of uncollected garbage.
This hardly denotes respect for Mother Nature, as the waste and pollution endangers marine life; something Ghana, as a country should be protecting.
Furthermore, these forms of pollution are not pretty to behold and can cause health hazards for people who swim, relax or sunbathe on the beach.
However, some beaches are kept clean and well-maintained. Some of the cleanest beaches in Ghana include La Beach, Coco Beach, and Bojo Beach.
The La Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Ghana, and it is known for its cleanliness and orderliness. Coco Beach is also a great place to visit for its clean sand, well-kept facilities, and organised management.
And, for an exclusive experience, Bojo Beach has one of the cleanest beaches and is often preferred over other beaches. It is a private beach that is accessible only on boats, which helps to keep it less crowded and more closely monitored.
To maintain a clean and better future, individuals should also take responsibility to keep our environment clean.
However, there is much more that needs to be done than just individual responsibility. Businesses, public or¬ganisations, and government entities need to work together to keep our beaches well-maintained.
Regular clean-up campaigns, recycling programmes, and conservation efforts can address the pollution and waste on the beaches.
There is also an urgent need for the creation and enforcement of more regulatory policies to govern sanitation at the beach.
Ghana’s beaches are valuable resources that must be preserved and maintained for generations to come.
By advocating for the cleanliness of our beaches, we can create a better future for ourselves and the environ¬ment. Let us work together and take individual responsibility to properly dispose of garbage and promote envi¬ronmental conservation practices.
While at it, individuals can also visit the clean beaches such as La Beach, Coco Beach, and Bojo Beach which have already exemplified such environmental conservation practices in their structure and management.
Fauzia Abdullai
Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ
Editorial
Ashalaja roads in terrible state
Dear Editor
I am writing to bring attention to the bad roads in Ashalaja and its surrounding areas.
It has become a concern for residents and commuters alike.
The state of our roads does not only affects daily travel but also poses significant safety risks and hampers local economic activities.
Over the past few months, the condition of the roads has worsened considerably.
Potholes have become a common sight, making navigation difficult and dangerous, especially during the rainy season when water collects in these potholes that are gradually becoming ‘manholes.’
This has led to numerous accidents, with both vehicles and pedestrians suffering the consequences.
Many drivers are forced to swerve dangerously to avoid these hazards, putting themselves and others at risk.
Moreover, the poor road conditions have a direct impact on local businesses.
Delivery trucks struggle to reach their destinations, leading to delays and increased transportation costs.
This does not only affect the profitability of local enterprises but also limits the availability of goods and services for residents.
The economic effect is felt by all, particularly in a community that relies heavily on small businesses for its livelihood.
I urge the authorities to prioritise the repair of these roads to improve living conditions of people in Ashalaja and its environs.
Benedicta Gyimaah Folley,
Ashalaja
Editorial
Know sickle cell status to avoid marital disappointment
Knowing your sickle cell status before falling in love is advised for young adults planning to be married in the future.
As sickle cell disease (SCD) sufferers have terrible experiences, this will help prevent heartaches, disappointments, and even divorce after having children with SCD later in life.
This is essential to keep people from marrying others who have sickle cell in their genes, which would expose them to the potentially fatal consequences of SCD according to Ms. Charlotte Owusu, the founder of the Sickle Cell Condition Advocates (SICCA).
During the introduction of a national SCD policy aimed at enhancing comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services for sufferers nationwide Ghanaians, particularly the young, were cautioned by Ms. Owusu not to minimise the condition, which causes a health, financial, and societal cost.
Some people do not check their sickle cell status before getting married, and this has been harming their marriages. Those who have children with sickle cell disease wish it had never been discovered, but it is too late.
Due to their children’s SCD, some people have lost their children, while others have experienced unsuccessful marriages.
According to statistics, one in four Ghanaians are thought to carry the sickle cell trait, which is indicated by the haemoglobin S or C gene. Sadly, some people are unaware of their status.
Also, nine out of 10 Ghanaians, according to national statistics, do not know if they have sickle cell disease (SCD). This situation is made worse by the fact that between 15,000 and 20,000 babies are born with SCD in Ghana each year, which accounts for two percent of all live births.
This is a serious matter, and a lot of education should be done to promote it in the media so that people will take it seriously enough for their own benefit.
Since one in every 50 Ghanaian children is thought to have sickle cell disease, with 50 to 90 percent of them passing away before turning five, it is therefore advantageous for young people to get screened for the condition as soon as possible.
In order to make the best choice, several religious organisations have mandated that prospective couples check their status as soon as they begin counselling. Knowing one’s status prior to marriage is preferable to being married and then having problems after having children.
It is a positive move, and The Spectator would like to encourage religious leaders to use their platforms to inform followers – especially young people – about their position.
Although there are treatments like hydroxyurea, penicillin, folic acid, and bone marrow transplants, among others, prevention of sickle cell disease is crucial, thus it is actually better to be aware of your status so that you do not marry someone who shares it.
People need to be taught to screen before falling in love and to come clean early in a relationship before it becomes too deep and challenging to end.