WARNING TO THE GHANA PUBLIC
The Potential Dangers in the Use of Fluorescent Light Bulbs

It is sad but it seems like sometimes that some of us Ghanaians would rather like to live a life of naivety rather than hear the “harsh truth.” With such mindset, may I suggest that some of these people might try proposing the acceptance of the idiom “ignorance is bliss” as our new national motto? If these naysayers would like to live (and die) in their ignorance, I hope they don’t expect the rest of us “who like to know” the truth (good or bad) to follow suit and do the same.

I recently wrote an article warning my fellow country men and women over a HOAX that was being perpetuated in the public airwaves (i.e. radio stations) about some supposed mysterious and strange dangers emanating from people receiving phone calls on their Areeba-MTN based or serviced mobile phones. (Ref. www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123247). I wrote my article immediately after hearing of this obviously made-up ridiculous news of people dying or having a stroke as a result of receiving such calls.

Although the article received a warm and positive reception from a clear majority of the readers and commentators here on Ghana Home Page/Ghanaweb.com, some “no good doers” preferred to brand me as an “alarmist” because of the very serious concerns that I raised with my writing. Obviously, unbeknownst to these negative-minded Ghanaweb agitators, before my article was even published (Note: Articles sent to Ghanaweb staff normally take 3-5 days after submittal before being published on the website), the Areeba –MTN company itself had as a matter of fact “beat me to the punch” two days earlier (before the publication of my article online) in its own news conference with the same concerns I had raised. (Ref. www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123307)

So, here we are again. I have another WARNING to give my people. I feel convicted that it is my civic duty to do so, not only as a fellow Ghanaian but also as a concerned human being, whether or not some “doubting Thomases” will again brand me as an alarmist and not like what I have to say. The Good Book says “ the truth will set you free,” so all of us who have ears to hear, eyes to see, and the humility and desire to seek the truth at all costs, lets continue to try to do so and free ourselves of our fears and ignorance.

My compatriots, I come to you all again because of the grave concerns that I have with the influx of fluorescent light bulbs currently destined to invade our shores. I was quite worried and baffled when I kept reading and hearing that members in key positions of leadership in our government had decided to bring massive loads of fluorescent light bulbs into the country as a short-term means towards fighting our nation's ongoing energy crisis. My fears were later confirmed when I read the following comments attributed to one MP/Minister of Energy, Joseph K.S. Adda, as published in a story on Ghanaweb on June 7, 2007:

“Energy efficiency dividends from the introduction of 6 million pieces of fluorescent bulbs would result in the saving of 200 megawatts. He said a significant number of bulbs have arrived and are currently being installed in public buildings, after which they would be offered to the public for sale.” (Source: www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=125265 )

And then just this past Monday (June 25, 2007), another story was again published on Ghanaweb validating the earlier above sentiments, with the arrival of these compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) into the country. (Ref. www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126129 ) Was I seeing and reading these stories correctly? Do these leaders, who should know better, really understand what they were bringing on board into the country? It is well known fact that CFLs are very dangerous if they are not used, cleaned and disposed in its proper manner. When the above article was posted, one astute and informed Ghanaian shared his own real life experience, as follows:

“I worked in one of the big home improvement stored in the US, the compact fluorescent bulbs were not dispose [Sic] off as the incandescent bulbs because of the mercury level in them. We had a designated area marked with harzard [Sic] sign so we don't get toxic waste into the enviroment. [Sic] I hope disposal for these bulbs are in place when they are out or broken.“ (www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126129&comment=2967374#com ).

There have been many other documented cases of the hazardous problems associated with these bulbs. Even in more “advanced” nations (such as the US), where recycling facilities for disposal are readily in placed, these bulbs are discouraged by many and not fully accepted for universal use because of the dangerous high level of mercury found in them. One concerned American wrote in an article online, “consumers have been left in the dark about a problem they will all face eventually – how to get rid of the darn things when they burn out or, worse yet, break.” (www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55213 ) More details about other people’s real life horror of an experience in using CFLs can be found in their entirety in that article. If the Americans, with all their cleanup sophistication, are scared stiff over of these “ticking time bombs,” what are we Ghanaians doing, getting ourselves embroiled in this inevitable mess with our limited resources to tackle such a problem?

I do not know who amongst these government leaders made the ultimate decision and had the “smart” idea to bring these bulbs into the country. Why are these bulbs being imported into the country without our leaders having already put in place the proper communication, education, equipments, facilities and other solutions in regards to the use and disposal of this very dangerous product? If indeed such measures have already been put in place, why haven’t the masses being educated as to their pre-existence before the availability, sale and use of the product? Even if the cleanup equipments and facilities are already in place (which I seriously doubt), who is going to pay for the high costs to do so? Certainly, not the poor everyday Ghanaian who already have a tough time making ends meet with the basic necessities of life such as food, water, shelter etc.

Are the short-term gains (political or otherwise) worth the long-term risks and negative effects that these bulbs could have on the health and lives of our people? I do not want to digress (and appear to want merely criticize the personalities and efforts of the ruling NPP administration), but I am indeed quite sickened by this action. We need real solutions to our energy crisis, not this “knee jerk” of a quick fix. Who is making such AD HOC decisions without apparently giving any serious thoughts of their possible future implications? God forbid that we start hearing stories of having these broken bulbs in our homes (especially in our rural areas), with our people who don’t have the knowledge, means and facilities in place to dispose of this very hazardous material. Again, is this immediate “band-aid” of a fix and its political gain worth the risks?

I hope that the concerns that have been raised are not going into deaf ears and our people heed to my worries. Shouldn’t we be staying on the side of caution instead bringing more heartache onto our already suffering country and people? As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” I implore all well meaning Ghanaians (both domestic and abroad) to BOYCOTT the purchase and use of these CFLs and inform all their loved ones to do likewise. This should send a clear message to the bigwigs in Accra (running the government) that our health and lives are neither for sale nor can they be used as means for cheap political ransom.