Accra, Jan. 3, GNA – On the last day of every year, most people reflect on what they were able to achieve and what they could not.
So in the beginning of every New Year, no matter the loss or gains from the previous year, high-spirited people still set targets by preparing resolutions with the hope of keeping them.
New Year resolutions are a tradition in Ghana, where people make pledges to improve on themselves or seek to achieve a stated goal.
Some make their resolutions private whilst others do so publicly by bringing it up on conversations with close friends and family, or opt to tell the world about their aspirations through social media such as Facebook, Whats App and Twitter.
Hal Borland, an American Author and Journalist say: ‘Year-end is neither an end nor a beginning but an going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us.’
Also in the words of Oprah Winfrey, an American Media Proprietor says: ‘Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.’
Most Ghanaians interviewed by the Ghana News Agency were of the view that 2016 was a challenging year and were grateful to be ushered into 2017 with high hopes for a change in the New Year.
Resolutions are necessary to facilitate the development of every nation, since a change of attitude by its citizens is expedient for progress.
These are 10 resolutions worth considering by Ghanaians dubbed: ’10 New Year Resolutions For Building A Better Ghana.
Ghanaians have a relaxed attitude towards time control- The Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research, report says African countries lose a minimum of five per cent of Gross Domestic Products because people’s time are often wasted, however, economic empowerment could be realised if people were punctual.
The end of cholera outbreaks- Every year people die from cholera as a result of poor sanitation with cities in filth. Local assemblies and waste management companies should adopt innovative measures to address the issue.
End open defecation- Open defecation is a key sanitation challenge affecting the country with 21 percent of Ghanaians resorting to the practice. National statistics say five million Ghanaians do not have access to any toilet facilities and 20 million do not have access to basic improved sanitation.
About one gram of human faeces dropped in an open place, contains about 10 million viruses and about one million bacteria whilst these pathogens as they are called, spread diseases of all kinds, which leads to either death of 3,600 children through diarrhoea every year says UNICEF.
Open defecation is not best way to go and must stop. Government must expand the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to the 10 regions, from the current seven.
The CLTS is an approach to achieve sustained behaviour change in people by a process of “triggering” leading to spontaneous and long-term abandonment of open defecation practices.
End the share of Sex Tapes- Delete and not share once it hits your phone.
Graduates should be given opportunity- Graduates should be given employment opportunities instead employers asking for years of experience, which most of them do not have.
Improve the living conditions of Ghanaians- Ghanaians complain of hardship. Government must put in place policy reforms to stabilise the economy to have a positive impact on the life of the ordinary citizen.
Banish ‘Dumsor’ (load-shedding) – Dumsor has bedeviled the country resulting in the collapse of businesses and caused discomfort in homes. Government should find a long lasting solution to the militating problem.
Stop the spread of ‘false’ death news – The fake news articles about the death of Ex-President John Agyekum-Kufuor and celebrities including Highlife Legend Amakye Dede, Kumahood Actor Wayoosi to mention but a few in 2016 and this has become a fixture on the social media for years.
People should remain committed to their work – The Ghanaian unconcerned attitude towards work could be distasteful and should stop. Sometimes people do not work because they see it as a favour and not a duty.
Politics should be devoid of malice and acrimony- We must focus on national agenda for development instead of spewing out vitriolic attacks and the political game should be played gently in order not to inflame passions.
Uncle Ato, a renowned musician in his Patriotic Song ‘Wonsuom’ portrays the need for contributing our quota to the development of Ghana because we only have one Ghana.
With great leadership from both officials at the top of governance and citizens, 2017 could be a good year for Ghana. Welcome 2017! Cheers!! Happy New Year.
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