Editorial
Mr Speaker, condemnation not enough
Mr Alban Bagbin
Dear Editor,
Somewhat last week, I heard the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, condemning the imposition of taxes on sanitary pads. This was after a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had submitted a petition asking the government to scrap the levy.
The Speaker expressed his displeasure on the Floor of the House and questioned why the tax had been imposed in the first instance. Apart from Mr Bagbin, I watched the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Madam Dzifa Gomashie, also lament over the same issue. Listening to the MP’s remarks and that of the Speaker, a lot of questions came to mind.
I believe the proposal (bill) to impose tax on sanitary pads went through Parliament and was approved subsequently. If this, indeed, was the case, why didn’t the Speaker and other parliamentarians ‘block’ the passage of the bill?
If there was anything MPs could have done to stop the enactment of the law but failed to do so, then I should say the ‘hardship’ and ‘inconvenience’ experienced by ladies regarding this subject, can partly be blamed on our elected representatives.
Moving forward, I believe it is not enough for the Speaker to condemn the existing tax on the Floor of Parliament. Citizens would be grateful if he does what it takes to help abolish the 12.5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) and the 20 per cent import tax on the essential product.
Beyond the reversal, efforts should be made to give incentives to local manufacturers to produce more to help reduce the exorbitant prices. It is my humble plea that the Speaker and other Members of Parliament put their words to action.
Mary Konadu Asante.
Adentan- Frafraha,
Accra.
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to condemn the circumstances under which an accident victim died recently after three major hospitals reportedly turned him away due to what has earned a place in our local parlance as ‘no bed syndrome.’
Reports suggested that this motor rider who got knocked by a vehicle was taken to three major hospitals – Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), and the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital – but they all claimed they had no beds.
But one may ask, would there ever be beds?
Such is the treatment Ghanaians endure every now and then when one visits our hospitals, especially the public ones which are run with the taxpayers’ money. Many a time when one visits the hospitals, the sight of patients admitted and lying on benches, and some sitting on chairs while receiving care, is visible to all; making one wonder why this particular motor rider was not admitted at any of the facilities, looking at his condition.
This leads to the reason for this letter, which is to bring out a perceived apathy against these motor riders, the majority of whom are referred to as ‘Okada’ riders.
Due to their recklessness on the roads and the inconvenience caused to commuters, people always speak ill about them; drivers equally have no regard for them. Every user of public transport would attest to this. These riders are blamed for every offence, even when it is obvious drivers may be at fault sometimes.
Motor riders have become like orphans on the road; people care less about them, and when they are unfortunately knocked down, no one cares about them.
This is the mischief our authorities and agencies, including the police, must seek to cure to make the road safe for all users.
These are young folks that want to make a living for themselves, and with no skill or education, ‘Okada’ rides have become their source of livelihood. They need the protection accorded drivers and commuters as well.
In other countries, some facilities have been provided to make their work safer, but in Ghana, we lack them, leaving them with no alternative than to share the available space with the cars.
What has happened should serve as a wake-up call on our authorities to aim to take a second look at the ‘Okada’ menace. With the numbers increasing, there should be a way to regulate them because no government would have the guts to ban it totally.
Drivers should be made to accept the reality that they are sharing the roads with them, and therefore the need for patience and tolerance.
For some of our hospitals, I suggest the Ministry of Health conduct their own investigations to see what patients go through in accessing medicare, which is even not for free.
Thank you, Editor, for the space.
F. Morgan, Kokrobite
Dear Editor,
THE heartbreaking death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah in a hit-and-run accident has exposed once again the failures in our health system.
Even more painful is the fact that his father had previously donated beds to some hospitals, yet when his son needed urgent care, he was moved from one facility to another because there were ‘no beds.’
This is not only tragic but unacceptable. How can a country lose its bright young citizens simply because hospitals cannot provide emergency treatment? The ‘no bed syndrome’ has become a national disgrace, and Charles’ death is a reminder that reforms cannot wait.
Our hospitals must be equipped to handle emergencies, and accountability must be enforced. If donations are made to improve facilities, then those facilities must serve the people when it matters most. Ghana cannot afford to keep losing lives to negligence and poor infrastructure.
Charles Amissah’s death should be the turning point. Let us honor his memory by fixing the system so that no family would suffer this kind of preventable loss again.
Princess Wonovi
Accra
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