Editorial
Government must fix bad roads in Ashaiman
Ashaiman road
Dear Editor,
I write to express my deepest concern regarding the deteriorating road infrastructure in our beloved country, particularly in the capital, Accra.
The dire situation of our roads, exemplified by the alarming condition of the Tema-Motorway, has prompted this urgent appeal for action.
First and foremost, I must commend the government for its responsiveness in addressing the deplorable state of the Tema-Motorway. It is heartening to see that our leaders are attuned to the concerns of the populace and are taking steps to rectify the situation.
However, this is but a single thread in the larger tapestry of road-related challenges that our nation faces.
The Tema-Motorway serves as a microcosm of the issues plaguing our road network.
The very word “motorway” implies a high-speed and efficient route of transportation. Yet, the reality is far from this idyllic image.
Instead, commuters are subjected to a jumble of potholes, cracks, and crumbling asphalt that do not only endanger lives but also impede economic activities.
This dilapidation paints a bleak picture for both the residents of Accra and the countless individuals who rely on this crucial artery for their daily commute.
Moreover, the recent protest by the resilient citizens of Ashaiman on Tuesday, October 3, underscores the widespread anguish caused by our crumbling roads.
These brave individuals took to the streets, in a figurative and literal sense, to voice their discontent. They rightly demand urgent intervention to rehabilitate the road networks that have languished in disrepair for far too long.
The phrase “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” aptly applies here.
It is time for the government to heed the calls of its citizens and address the woeful condition of roads across our nation. Failing to do so would be akin to turning a blind eye to a wildfire that threatens to engulf our collective mobility and economic progress.
I implore the government to consider these concerns with the seriousness they deserve. It is not merely about fixing roads; it is about facilitating the movement of people, goods, and ideas.
Our roads should be the bedrock upon which progress is built, not the stumbling blocks that hinder it. Let us invest in a future where the phrase “bad roads” becomes a relic of the past and where our nation’s infrastructure is a source of pride rather than dismay.
George Obeng Osei, Ashaiman
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
