Editorial
Stealing does not pay
Dear Editor,
Not long ago, the act of duping people in the Ghanaian society got a new name: ‘Sakawa’. Without knowing where the name came from, suspected criminals hid behind their computers and stole cash from innocent victims.
No matter what name one will give to the act of deceit, trick, and stealing, the illegal act to gain favours in several ways has been with man since the creation of the world.
The simple explanation is that the act of stealing, deceiving or tricking someone to get favours is sophisticated in our time, and suspects keep changing their tactics every minute their styles are exposed.
As their tricks are exposed, suspected criminals change their style from stealing people via the internet to using the phone to tell lies to their victims in foreign countries to win favours.
The criminals formulate more lies, roping in influential personalities such as ministers, politician’s, philanthropists, celebrities, chiefs, security commanders, district chief executives, pastors, among others.
Some Ghanaians blame it on poor living conditions, forcing energetic and industrious youth to employ such tactics in order to ‘survive.’
When it comes to ‘Sakawa’, there are more scenarios or stories relating to people in Ghana making deceitful statements and telephone calls to dupe their relatives abroad.
The story is told of a suspect, who duped his uncle when he lied about suffering from life threatening condition, and needed money to settle his medical bills.
A woman was also said to have connived with a private school proprietor to sack her children from school for non-payment of school fees. The plot was to get her husband who lives abroad to send huge sums of money but she was exposed by a private investigator.
Another young man employed similar trick when he told his uncle that he was running a profitable business in Accra and needed money to expand operations.
The uncle was said to have returned to Ghana to inquire about the business only to be told that the “kiosk had been demolished by city guards.”
Many people devise various strategies to outwit their victims with the excuse that the economic situatuons are becoming unbearable. Some good-hearted people, out of pity, end up losing huge money as they fall for the trick.
But it is time we continued educating the young ones that there is no shortcut to creating wealth, and that it takes the fear of God, humility, patience, quality education and hard work to become rich.
Making deceitful statements to make money is not worth it and there is no blessing for doing that and those who indulge in this practice must advise themselves.
Stephen Quaye,
Dansoman, Accra.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to draw your attention to a matter of grave concern affecting residents of Dansoman Mpoasei area.
Recently, contractors have been digging to fix some pipes but the infrastructure has been badly managed and creating inconvenience for residents.
The exercise has left several pipes broken and these damages have been left unattended, forcing households to endure disrupted water supply.
Such negligence does not only inconveniences residents but also raises serious questions about accountability and oversight in public works.
Contractors entrusted with projects of this nature must be held responsible.
It is unacceptable for them to abandon damaged utilities without repair.
Authorities should ensure that such contractors were compelled to restore any services they disrupt.
I urge the relevant agencies to take swift action to address this issue by compelling such contractors to repair the damage they cause.
Princess Wonovi
Dansoman
Shisha smoking is on the rise among young people who should be making significant life investments for a better future.
Shisha is a smoking apparatus designed to smoke heated tobacco to deliver a smooth and flavourful experience.
Although under the Ghanaian law, shisha smoking is prohibited for minors the law is violated as more and more minors have resorted to smoking the substance at the peril of their future.
Public health experts have consistently warned that shisha use exposes users to harmful substances that can negatively affect brain development, respiratory health, and overall well-being, particularly among young people.
As a result, concerns have been raised in Damongo in the Savannah Region following reports that some young people believed to be under the age of 18 have allegedly been found smoking shisha in pubs and drinking spots within the township.
According to eyewitnesses these minors were seen patronising nightlife venues, particularly during late evening hours, where shisha smoking was openly taking place. The situation has sparked renewed public concern over the enforcement of child protection laws and regulations governing entertainment centres in the municipality.
It is sad that the situation is becoming increasingly common and what is more dangerous is that residents fear to openly report or speak about it as they claim their lives will be at risk if they do so.
But the warning is that the rising consumption of hard drugs poses a serious threat to the future of the youth in general.
The situation is worrying and some residents believe that the alleged incidents point to broader challenges relating to youth supervision, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of existing regulations.
The youth are the future leaders of Ghana therefore we cannot sit aloof and expect them to waste their lives.
The Spectator therefore urges all hands to be on deck to find a lasting solution to this menace. We support the call by residents on municipal authorities, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to intensify monitoring of pubs and entertainment centres to ensure compliance with the law.
We applaud the Savannah Regional Minister, Mr. Salisu Be-Awurbi, who has led public education campaigns, engaged security agencies, and supported enforcement actions aimed at addressing the rising use of illicit substances in the region.
Again, we commend the Chief of Damongo, Wura Kelly Seidu Boresah I, who has also called on all stakeholders including parents, community leaders, institutions, and young people to actively support efforts to curb drug abuse.
His caution to individuals involved in the sale and distribution of illicit drugs to immediately desist from the practice, is laudable.
If strict and swift measures are taken to arrest and prosecute offenders in accordance with the law, it will deter others from engaging in it and minors will be free.
The Spectator urges the appropriate authorities to enforce child protection laws and regulations at entertainment centres to protect the youth.
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