Season Of Melancholy

Residents trying to save some of their properties

Superstition is not part of us and we do not intend departing from this pedestal, even in the face of the tragedies which have visited the country in the past two weeks.

Even the international broadcaster, BBC, found the floods which swept through the Atiwa part of the Eastern Region worthy of broadcast to the world. It was not the only tragedy to hit the country in recent times.

While some could pass for force majeure over which we have no control, others are the manifestation of the social stress many Ghanaians are passing through currently.

Before we set out to discuss the foregone, we wish to render our deepest sympathy to the bereaved families in the Atiwa area where an unprecedented flooding was recorded.

The magnitude of the flood amazed many Ghanaians, especially those hailing from the area. No wonder some have found it convenient to attribute it to the wrath of a river god which is displeased with human activities along its banks. They could be referring to the heightened destructive activities of galamsey operators.

If only the superstition could stem the rising tide of illegal mining and the destruction of the environment, we would be happy and won't hesitate to encourage its spread.

Another tragedy which befell the country was the many freaky accidents which maimed many Ghanaians and killed others.

These were mostly human recklessness on the part of drivers and therefore, to some extent, self-inflicted.

Another worrying trend in recent times relates to the commission of suicide across the country which is the cornerstone of this commentary. On the front page of this paper yesterday, a certain pharmacist hanged himself, as did a woman a fortnight ago.

We do not have the statistics of persons who have committed suicide this year but it is frightening and we shudder to think that is not the end of the story, even though we wish it was.

The everyday challenges of today are, without doubt, responsible for some of the foregone occurrences. If only there was a way of addressing the causes of the anomaly, there could be a reduction in the trend.

We call upon religious leaders to undertake a major crusade against the rising trend of suicide which is fast becoming a feature of the country.

People should learn to take the challenges of the times in their stride and resist the temptation to consider life not worth living.

This is where our religious leaders must shepherd their flocks to safe waters away from jutting rocks. These are rather difficult times and the earlier we learnt to cope with them, the better.

It is not a good sign for citizens to resort to hanging themselves, an action which is abhorred by all religions.

In some ethnic settings, suicide is an abominable act and those who end their lives through that medium are not entitled to the traditional reverence accorded the dead.

Let us change our relationship with the environment, get closer to our Maker and be philosophical about challenges when they rear their ugly heads and stop turning to the rafters.