Christmas, time to embrace peace, nationalism

All too soon, another Christmas has dawned on us to take a refreshing break and strategise for the new year.

Since Jesus Christ is the reason for the season, as a people, we ought to use the occasion to bury our differences, love one another and preach reconciliation.

The festive season is also a fine opportunity to deepen our relationship with God Almighty while seeking His daily guidance to help us navigate our way through the myriad of challenges facing the country.

As we celebrate Christmas, the Daily Graphic wishes to admonish all to do so in moderation to avoid any misfortune during the festive period.

We also deem it as an opportune time to urge us, the citizenry, to take full advantage of the festive period to reorient ourselves and give nationalism a thought.

We believe nationalism is one virtue every Ghanaian needs to uphold at this crucial stage of our fledgling democracy to drive our developmental agenda.

We believe nationalism and patriotism must permeate all facets of our national life.

That is why we are worried that during Christmas and other occasions when markets across the country are expected to be bustling with activity, some unscrupulous citizens take advantage of the moments to peddle illegal or substandard products.

In this respect, the Daily Graphic has noted the deployment of about 300 uniformed inspectors to markets by the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) to enforce trading standards. (See Daily Graphic front page of Monday, December 23, 2024)

These inspectors will play a crucial role in examining and verifying weights, measures and instruments used in trade and industry, including health, safety and environmental devices by ensuring that these devices are accurate and reliable, to promote fair trade practices, protect consumers and prevent fraud.

They will help to ensure that products such as toys, electrical appliances and food items meet the required safety and quality standards. Furthermore, the presence of GSA inspectors will help to promote fair trade practices by enforcing trading standards.

The inspectors will help to create a level playing field for all traders, ensuring that those who comply with the regulations are not disadvantaged by those who do not, which would also help to boost consumer confidence.

When consumers know that the products they are buying meet the required safety and quality standards, they are more likely to make purchases without fear of harm or financial loss.

To Professor Dodoo and the team, we laud you for bringing the inspectors at this time and we know with this significant development, the market will be rid of illegal or substandard products.

The presence of GSA inspectors will also serve as a deterrent to traders who may be tempted to sell counterfeit or substandard goods.

Additionally, the inspectors will be able to identify and confiscate any products that do not meet the required standards, thereby protecting consumers from harm.

As we ponder during the Yuletide, the Daily Graphic has also not forgotten that Ghana is endowed with natural resources far more than most advanced countries, yet is still wallowing in poverty.

What is lacking, we believe, is a mindset and attitudinal change, unflinching love for the nation and visionary leadership which have made advanced countries what they are today. 

To achieve this, the subject of nationalism must be embraced in our daily national life.

We, therefore, urge the incoming President, John Dramani Mahama, to make it a priority to empower state institutions such as the National Commission for Civic Education, Information Services Department and civil society organisations, among others, to spearhead a deliberate educational campaign to sensitise Ghanaians to nationalism.

We are convinced that this is the right time for our political leaders to take the bull by the horns by espousing this time-tested ideology in their followers to ensure the better Ghana we all hope for that was envisioned by the founders of our nation.

Indeed, we can collectively do away with disrespect for the rule of law, impunity, electoral violence, corruption and other anti-development acts and embrace peaceful coexistence, respect for one another and defenders of freedom by drawing inspiration from the National Anthem and the National Pledge to better our lot in a spirit of selflessness.

The Daily Graphic wishes all Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. God bless our Homeland Ghana and make us great and strong.