Editorial

We need to be security conscious

In light of what is going on in various parts of the world, including the African region, it has become necessary for citizens in all countries to be security conscious in order to prevent unforeseen circumstances from happening to them and making life uncomfortable and unbearable.

As a result of terrorist activities the world over, life has become very threatening. Day in day out, we hear of attacks on innocent persons. Ghana is a country of peace, but we need to be aware that various terrorist groups are operating in various parts of the subregion.

Terrorist attacks have taken place in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, all in the subregion. This has put fear in people.

Not long ago, the national security outfit in this country told Ghanaians not to take security matters for granted. The point was made that we need to be aware of such attacks, particularly in overcrowded areas such as churches, mosques and so on.

Other places that could attract such terrorist attacks are lorry stations and market places. It has, therefore, become necessary that people become conscious wherever they find themselves regarding security issues.

Security matters cannot be taken for granted especially in these days when terrorist groups are always planning to take credit for the destruction of innocent lives and property.

Various campuses in our universities and second cycle institutions must, therefore, be aware of this, so that individuals suspected to be carrying out such activities can be reported to the security agencies.

The National Security Ministry has its ears on the ground throughout the country and will do all it can to forestall terrorism in any part of the country. This is good but as we have been alerted, it is better for every person to be aware of any possible attacks from terrorist groups.

Such terrorists are bent on destroying innocent lives and create chaos in various parts of the country. What we need to do as a country is to be very watchful of the activities of individuals or groups of people bent on carrying out terrorist activities, so that any act of terrorism can be prevented before they take roots in any part of the country.

The Spectator, therefore, encourages our security personnel at the borders of the country to fish out any persons suspected of carrying out terrorist activities.

Ghana is a peaceful country and must be maintained as such, so that acts of terrorism can be prevented from happening here.

People must not take for granted that once terrorist attacks have not happened in this country, such activities are out of our way. Terrorism can come from any direction, but what we need to do is to remain calm and play a preventive role by reporting all suspicious characters we come across in the country.

Editorial

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

Editorial

Prevent Keta Township from being engulfed by sea

Have you ever dreamed about waking up to discover that everything you own—including your mattress, roof, and all of your memories – has been lost to the sea?

Since the sea has consumed a sizable portion of Keta in the Volta region, the town’s citizens are in a pitiful position. The sooner action is taken to save the town, the better off everyone will be.

The destruction of the Keta by the sea needs to be addressed immediately, or else the township would eventually be submerged under the water.

Our reporter’s visit showed that this once-thriving seaside resort is gradually disappearing. Keta was once a thriving town known for its business, but now some areas are in ruins, with some of the locals looking on in wonder at the destruction caused by the water.

For the residents of Keta, the Atlantic Ocean is no longer a far-off blue horizon. These days, it relentlessly and without invitation circles around their doorsteps, tearing down walls and other structures, erasing memories, and endangering lives.

Many locals have been forced to live with family or friends after the sea destroyed their homes years ago, and other residents find it hard to comprehend that their once-livable habitat is now in ruins.

The problem is that, apart from residences, Keta’s cultural identity being anchored by monuments are gradually disappearing. One remnant of the transatlantic slave trade, the once-imposing Fort Prinzenstein, is now more of a ruin than a monument.

Once more, the ancient cinema where generations of children used to laugh at flickering black-and-white pictures is no longer there, as is the Bremen factory from the colonial era.

Among other things, the original police station has vanished, and Queen Street, which was once the town’s busy backbone, is now a flooded hallway clogged with rubble. There is still more work to be done despite previous attempts to address the issue since the town is fighting while the sea is winning.

Although water is life, in this instance, it is ruining people’s homes. The situation is serious since the water is destroying the town’s past as quickly as it is claiming its future, despite nature taking its course.

But as humans, our Creator has endowed us with the intelligence to solve problems. The historic town of Keta is now shrouded in uncertainty as the remains of a once-inhabited township are submerged and engulfed by the approaching seas along its coast.

Therefore, it is more efficient to have everyone working together to find a long-term solution to this terrible issue