Editorial
Urgent road repair needed on Koforidua Poly highway
Koforidua Highway
Dear Editor,
In recent times, the Koforidua Poly highway has witnessed a significant degradation, forcing drivers to slow down and navigate treacherous road conditions. I wish to draw your attention to a particularly alarming issue on this road – a massive pothole located just after the Capital View traffic light. This pothole, situated between Capital View and Bedtime Road, has become a hotspot for accidents and vehicular damage.
Not too long ago, while on my way to church, I witnessed a driver attempting to avoid this hazardous pothole. Unfortunately, in doing so, the driver’s vehicle suffered a ruptured fuel tank and the loss of a tyre. This incident is just one of many that have occurred on this stretch of road, and it is high time that measures are taken to address this pressing issue and ensure the safety of those who traverse this route.
I am writing to bring this matter to the attention of the relevant road and highway authorities within the New Juaben South Municipality. The situation is not only causing physical harm to individuals but is also resulting in extensive damage to vehicles travelling along this stretch. It is my hope that this letter will prompt an urgent response and action to rectify the dire situation on the Koforidua Poly highway.
The condition of our roads is a reflection of the overall safety and well-being of the community. Neglecting road maintenance can have serious consequences, as we have witnessed on the Koforidua Poly highway. Accidents, injuries, and vehicle damage are avoidable consequences of this deteriorating infrastructure.
I implore the relevant authorities to prioritise the repair and maintenance of this vital road. This is not just an inconvenience but a matter of public safety. The longer we delay in addressing this issue, the more lives will be put at risk, and the more damage will be inflicted on vehicles.
Furthermore, the state of our roads can impact economic activities in the area. The Koforidua Poly highway serves as a crucial transportation route for both residents and businesses. The current state of disrepair not only jeopardizes safety but also hampers economic growth and development.
I urge the authorities to act swiftly and decisively to fix the porthole on the Koforidua Poly highway and, more broadly, to invest in the maintenance and improvement of our roads. This is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a matter of life and death. We cannot afford to let this situation persist any longer. I am confident that, with the necessary attention and resources, we can rectify this problem and ensure safer and more efficient transportation for all.
George Obeng Osei
Koforidua
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
