Editorial
Let’s avoid divisive language, hate speech
Dear Editor,
In six months’ time, Ghana would hold her Presidential and Parliamentary elections to elect a new government or maintain the current one.
I am happy this exercise happens once in every four years and not an annual or monthly event because of the levels tension rise among the various political groupings.
This year’s exercise would not be different from previous years as we are already witnessing some political maneuverings and hearing unwarranted remarks from people one would expect to know better.
But some of those things must be avoided this year and strive to hold a peaceful and transparent election devoid of the unfortunate incidents in the last edition.
As political activists commence their campaigns and various strategies, I would urge them to take the advice from the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Charles Abani, to learn from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis of Rwanda.
He asked the politicians to guard against hate speeches, divisive language and comments that would discriminate or dehumanise a particular group of people.
This is an advice we must strictly adhere to because the stakes are high. Our politicians must exercise the highest restrain and must not be provoked easily. They should know that we are one people and so shall we remain before, during and after the elections.
Marylyn Acquah,
Kasoa
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
