Editorial
Working together in parliament
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has stated that in view of the outcome of the parliamentary results, there is the need for the two major political parties in Ghana (NPP and the NDC) to work together.
Whether NDC or NPP, working together in the interest of the nation is necessary to ensure that national interest is guaranteed. Collaboration or togetherness in deliberations will not mean that they should all agree on the same issue, but rather pursue national interest and bury their differences in parliament to ensure that the supreme interest of the nation is promoted at all times.
Collaborating with each other in parliamentary duties is necessary for the promotion of socio-economic development. What this means is that both sides of the political divide in parliament, that is, the Majority and the Minority, are there to pursue the interest of the country.
In doing this, they will have to agree and disagree on various issues but this must be done in the spirit of party togetherness so that needless waste of time and prolonged arguments can be avoided. This is what the country needs now.
Unity is therefore, paramount in the interest of the nation.
This is because both the Majority and Minority have a common agenda to pursue. That agenda, is to promote the interest of Ghana and its people.
If the two sides in parliament collaborate with each other, approval of policies can be carried out faster or timeously. When this happens, it is the nation as a whole that gains.
The impression has been created over the years that parliamentarians become vociferous when they are pursuing the interest of their respective political parties but when it comes to financial gains pertaining to themselves, they become unified and more cooperative.
This is always the case when it comes to issues such as discussion of their ex-gratia or matters that affect their own interest and welfare.
This perception ought to be eroded through active collaboration of all parliamentarians irrespective of whether the person belongs to either the Majority or Minority. What matters most is the national interest: Period!
The President is expected to appoint majority of his ministers from parliament in line with the requirements of the constitution. In view of this, the Executive may be crippled in a way since from time to time, these ministers will have to stay and work in their offices. Staying and working in their offices will mean that they will not always be present to deliberate on parliamentary matters.
In spite of this, and in the supreme interest of the nation, The Spectator urges both the Majority and the Minority to collaborate with each other in order to set a sound agenda for the entire country.
If this is done, the entire country will be the winner.
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.
