Editorial
Traffic light crisis in Koforidua: Urgent action needed to ensure road safety
● Traffic lights at Koforidua
Our country relies on a well-functioning traffic management system, including traffic lights, to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles and motorcycles.
Lately, we have observed a rising concern, especially in Koforidua, the capital of the Eastern region, regarding the alarming state of our traffic lights.
The malfunctioning traffic lights have not only disrupted the flow of traffic but also become a significant contributor to accidents on our roads. The safety of our citizens is at stake, and urgent action is needed to address this pressing issue.
Specifically, I draw attention to the dire condition of several traffic lights in Koforidua, such as those at Poly Junction, Kenkey Factory Junction, Capital View Hotel, and the other crucial intersections.
These traffic lights are in a state of disrepair, posing a grave danger to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Take, for example, the situation at Poly Junction, a bustling intersection in Koforidua. The traffic lights at this location have been non-functional for a considerable period, leaving drivers and pedestrians in a state of uncertainty.
Those approaching from the Poly road are left clueless about when to stop or proceed as the lights remain inoperative.
The absence of any traffic signal on this path has resulted in a haphazard and potentially hazardous scenario. Vehicles only move when drivers from Okorase and Adweso halt their progress.
Such a situation not only hampers the efficiency of our transportation system but also increases the risk of accidents. It is imperative that the relevant authorities take swift action to rectify this situation before a preventable disaster occurs.
Repairing or replacing these malfunctioning traffic lights should be an urgent priority, and regular maintenance must be part of the plan to prevent further breakdowns.
I earnestly beseech the responsible authorities to ensure that all traffic lights within the Koforidua Township function properly. The safety of our citizens, as well as the efficient flow of traffic, relies on these vital components of our road infrastructure.
Prompt and sustained action is crucial to maintain and enhance the safety and functionality of our traffic management system.
By George Obeng Osei
Koforidua
Editorial
Parents urged to take responsibility for sex education
Dr. Francis Wuobar, a Gynaecologist at the Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua has urged parents to take the lead in providing sex education to their children, stressing that they were in the best position to guide them through the changes of adolescence.
According to him, sex education remained a taboo subject in most Ghanaian homes, a culture that must change to prevent children from seeking misleading information elsewhere.
“With the evolving nature of society and technological advancements, today’s children will either learn about sex on the internet or from their peers, who may offer wrong advice,” he cautioned.
Dr. Wuobar noted that the health system and society often concentrate on the reproductive stage of life, neglecting the adolescent and menopausal phases.
“When a woman reaches the reproductive period and gets pregnant, everyone rallies around her. But before that stage, during adolescence, there is little attention and guidance, which has contributed to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy,” he explained.
He observed that many adolescents lack access to counseling and adolescent clinics, creating a vacuum that forces them to explore on their own.
“The answers they seek, adults and parents are not willing to provide. Their peers, who are equally uninformed, become their only source of advice. This exploration is one of the major contributors to teenage pregnancy,” he said.
Dr. Wuobar therefore called on parents to create open and confidential spaces for discussion, where children can freely ask questions about sex, puberty, and relationships.
He emphasized that parents must help adolescents understand the consequences of unprotected sex, the changes they go through, and what choices were right or wrong.
“Today’s generation is curious and asks questions, unlike in the past when children were silent. Parents should not rebuke them but rather engage them seriously and guide them through this turbulent stage,” he advised.
He further appealed to the health sector to establish more adolescent clinics across the country to give young people safe spaces to seek information and counseling.
That, he said, would help reduce the high incidence of teenage pregnancy and support adolescents in making informed decisions about their sexual health.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Editorial
Addressing unhealthy conditions at Akropong Mandela Market
Dear Editor,
The Akropong Mandela Market, a vibrant centre of commerce, has been in a terrible state for over a decade now.
Central to the problem is a public toilet located near the market, which has become a breeding ground for diseases and a source of discomfort for both food vendors and customers.
This toilet, utilised by everyone in the town, is positioned too close to the market, severely affecting the vendors who spend long hours selling their goods.
They are constantly exposed to unsanitary conditions mixed with foul odours emanating from the facility.
Agnes, a vendor at the market is sad about the apparent lack of concern from those responsible for maintaining the toilet. Despite collecting user fees, there seems to be little effort to keep the facility clean and hygienic.
The situation at the Akropong Mandela Market highlights the urgent need for effective waste management and sanitation infrastructure in public spaces.
Authorities must take immediate action to ensure the facility is regularly maintained and cleaned. Vendors and customers deserve a safe and healthy environment to conduct their daily activities.
In the meantime, the vendors are urging local government officials to intervene and find a lasting solution to this problem.
Only through collective action can the health and well-being of both vendors and customers be safeguarded to restore the Akropong Mandela Market to its former glory as a thriving commercial hub.
Addo Sarah Ansah Student,
UNIMAC–IJ(BACS26275)
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