Editorial
‘Ayekoo’ to all workers
Last Wednesday was International Workers’ Day, often known as May Day, celebrated by workers across the country.
Workers’ Day which falls on May 1, is a yearly observance to honour the contributions of all workers around the world.
As usual,labour unions and labour associations nationwide staged and parade to commemorate this year’s event.
The participants wore T-shirts from their respective organisations and carried placards with messages to the public that expressed concern.
Earlier, a call was made on the government to actively try to improve the working conditions of public sector employees.
The celebration was under the theme, “Election 2024: “The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.”
In a statement the Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union Ghana (ICU-Ghana) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) earlier warned employers not to convert permanent job positions to contract and casual work in an effort to maximise profit.
“The practice is not only demotivating but also unacceptable and may eventually backfire on them,” the statement reads.
Given the current state of the economy and the difficulties faced by workers in making ends meet, the advice seems appropriate.
The Spectator applauds employers who are making every effort to lessen employees’ pains and suffering and providing a supportive work environment.
We also implore employees to put in more effort every day of the year in order to guarantee high productivity, profitability, and sustainability for businesses to meet their organisational goals,
Since it is often said that “time is money,” we encourage employees to respect their time and not arrive late for work, as this negatively affects many national industries and impedes progress.
Arriving early for work boosts productivity, which in turn leads to efficiency; yet, a lack of it breeds inefficiency, failure, and other issues.
Furthermore, we implore employees to abstain from actions that can jeopardise peace and stability in the run-up to the general elections in 2024.
We say “Ayekoo” to all workers for their tireless efforts in keeping businesses afloat.
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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