THIS time of the year is always associated with harsh weather conditions which we call harmattan. The dryness of the weather comes with cracked lips, unusual heavy dust in the atmosphere, poor visibility and diseases such as cerebro-spinal meningitis (CSM), especially in the northern part of Ghana.
This year, however, it looks like the harmattan will be exceptionally harsh and already weather experts have confirmed our fears. It is in the wake of this and the warning given by the experts that the Daily Graphic is adding its voice to calls for everyone to be exceptionally careful, since we are likely to be affected one way or another.
In the first place, it is important to dress appropriately to face the dry but cold weather. In the mornings, we must wear warm clothing to ward off infections, especially those likely to affect the respiratory organs.
Drivers are also advised to be extra cautious, especially those who ply various routes early in the morning and at night, to avoid unnecessary accidents due to poor visibility.
The harsh weather sometimes results in good rains during the farming season, but before then, the severe harmattan is likely to bring in its wake widespread bush fires and the drying up of most water bodies.
It is, therefore, equally important that our farmers, palm wine tappers and hunters are very circumspect in the use of fire in their operations.
The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) just carried out an extensive education on fire prevention and everybody is required to abide by the directives.
It is essential for farmers to construct fire belts around their farms before setting fire to the dry weeds to prevent the fire from spreading to other farms.
Palm wine tappers could cause a lot of havoc around this time if they do not handle their operations well. In the same vein, charcoal burners and game hunters also cause indiscriminate destruction to the vegetation at this time of the year. Smokers who do not dispose of their cigarette butts professionally also end up destroying the vegetation.
Weather experts have also advised food vendors to properly cover their foods because disease-bearing micro-organisms are likely to be carried along with the dust to contaminate the food.
Already, Ghanaians are alarmed at the rate of accidents on our roads and this situation is likely to deteriorate further if our drivers do not observe road traffic regulations, especially on the highways.
The Daily Graphic pleads with drivers not to speed, overtake other vehicles wrongly or abandon breakdown vehicles on the roads. While it is important that every individual takes the necessary precautionary measures, we need to collectively resolve to be one another’s keeper during these critical times. Any action to the contrary can only bring about more hardship to everyone.
The security agencies, especially the police, ought to be more vigilant to ensure strict adherence to road traffic regulations.
The GNFS should also continue with its educational campaign on the dangers of bush fires in order to protect the vegetation for our productive activities.
On many occasions, regulations do not work because the enforcement agencies turn a blind eye when law breakers take law-abiding citizens for granted.
The Daily Graphic believes that if the law enforcement agencies act decisively, the consequences of the harsh harmattan conditions will be manageable.
The weather is a natural phenomenon over which we do not have control, but its effects can be managed if the rules of engagement are respected.
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