Editorial
Reintroduction of road toll and matters arising

● Reopening of toll booths should not cause congestion
The Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, presenting the 2022 budget in Parliament, announced the government’s decision to abolish road tolls, citing the “inconveniences” the toll booths were causing.
He said at the time that though money was needed to fix deplorable roads in the country, the setup of toll booths had led to congestion as it involved more “human intervention processes.”
This congestion, Mr. Ofori-Atta said, affected productivity negatively, while the booths became unhealthy market centres, lengthening travel time from one place to the other and polluted the vicinities where these tollboths were situated.
Due to the above mentioned challenges, the government abolished the collection of toll, effective November 18, 2021. Some reports however suggest that the abolishing of tolls had caused the government to lose over GH¢200 million, a substantial amount which could have constructed and maintained some roads.
Sixteen months after the cancellation of the tolls, the Ministry of Roads and Highway has announced the re-introduction of same.
I personally applaud the decision, as it will help generate funds to fix some bad roads. But in bringing back the toll, what measures has the government put in place to ensure that the “challenges” that led to its abolishment do not rear their ugly heads again?
I hope that as the toll collection leads to increase in revenue, the government will replace human beings with automated machines, as indicated by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader in Parliament.
This, I believe, can solve the many inconveniences that came with the collection of the tolls. As to whether hawkers will stop hawking around toll booths, that is another thing for the government to critically look at.
Evelyn Naadu Borquaye,
Pentecost University,
Accra.
Editorial
Indiscipline in schools worrying, need to address it
In recent years there has been growing concern over the behaviour of Senior High School (SHS) students in Ghana.
Notable among them is indiscipline, disrespect for authority, sexual immorality, substance abuse, betting, cheating during examination among others.
Recently, parents were stunned when the headmistress of Aggrey Memorial Senior High School, Mrs. Dorothy Adentwi-Hayford, displayed seized condoms, pills, and unauthorised items from students at the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting in Cape Coast.
Reports say that in a firm stance against growing indiscipline in the school, she placed the confiscated items on the high table as a visual illustration of the moral and disciplinary challenges some students posed.
Although the Headmistress declined to name the culprits, she assured parents that appropriate disciplinary actions, alongside counselling would be taken.
According to the Headmistress while the majority of students were disciplined a persistent few students continued to exhibit deviant behaviours that undermined the school’s standards.
Citing examples she noted that sneaking out without exeat, bullying, stealing, truancy, and general apathy towards academic work, was the order of the day.
What is so disturbing is that some parents attack the school verbally and place curses on school authorities for disciplining their wards without verifying the facts.
Such behaviour is uncalled for and the Spectator wants such parents to desist from that, instead they should collaborate with school authorities to find the best way to deal with indiscipline among students.
Parents must also take an active interest in their children’s welfare beyond just providing for their material needs and investigate issues when their children return home with complaints before jumping into conclusion.
These days the school’s structure has changed and with the increasing numbers without any corporal punishment school authorities find it difficult to discipline the children.
The behaviour of majority of students in schools is very disheartening. While some students take their studies seriously, others have taken to the use of drugs, sex, occultism, betting and all kinds of bad behaviours.
Corporal punishment has its own advantages and disadvantages and if the Ghana Education Service (GES) is not ready to reintroduce corporal punishment, then school authorities must be extra vigilant and put in stricter disciplinary measures to restore order in schools.
Most SHS students are in their teenage stages, a stage characterised by all kinds of behaviours and peer pressure activities so they must not be left alone, rather they must be guided as they explore the world.
The Spectator urges all stakeholders to make concerted efforts to check indiscipline and moral decadence in schools.
Editorial
Bring back Osu Street Carnival
Dear Editor,
I write to passionately appeal to the authorities bring back one of Accra’s beautiful events, the Osu ‘Oxford’ Street Carnival.
It produced a dazzling celebration of music, dance, food, and business. The Osu Street Carnival was more than a festive street event.
It was a unifying force that brought together people from all walks of life-Ghanaians and tourists alike to celebrate the beauty of our culture.
The festival had costumed dancers to vibrant street performances and delicious local cuisine while local manufacturers display their wares.
Sadly, in recent years, the carnival has faded into memory.
The absence has left a void for fun lovers who trouped the event in their numbers.
This appeal goes to the authorities in charge to reintroduce it as a way of boosting our tourism and the local economy.
Esinam, South La Estates