News
Disaster zone turned business centre
Some people in this country are smart enough to turn a bad situation to their advantage by cashing in on the plight of others.
Such a scenario was recorded in the Upper West Region recently where heavy rains destroyed farmlands and roads in the districts cutting off about 80 communities from the regional capital, Wa.
Following this disater, some residents of Goriyiri in the Nadowli-Kaleo District made good use of their time and energy by constructing a small wooden bridge across a portion of the road which was washed away by the floods, for people to cross with their loads and motorbikes to safer grounds at the fee.
The “disaster zone” was immediately turned into a business centre to give credence to the proverbial saying that “Every Cloud has a silver lining”.
The terms and conditions applicable with regard to crossing the wooden bridge were that: A traveller without a load was charged GH¢1.00 whilst those with load paid between GH¢2.00 and GH¢5 depending on the weight.
Children who were carried on shoulders across the flood waters paid GH¢1 while motorbikes taken across were made to pay between GH¢20.00 and GH¢30.00 also depending on the size.
The three days’ torrential rainfall (August 12 to 14) which led to the flooding, caused sections of the international road that passed through several districts to neighbouring Burkina Faso to cave in.
The wreckage left huge pits filled with water in the middle of the road in about four different sections in the Nadowli-Kaleo District as well as the Jirapa and Lawra Municipalities respectively, leaving travellers in despair.
In an interaction with The Spectator, one of the aids who wanted to be known as Der, saidthat they were only interested in helping the people to get to their destinations as vehicles could not cross the road any longer.
He explained that at the initial stages of the wreck, they helped travellers cross the water at a fee and gathered enough money to buy wood which they used to construct the small bridge to enable them to cross.
“When we help them across, they pick tricycles which are waiting on the other side of the road and charge them a small amount for food and water”, he said, adding that it was their main source of livelihood as their farmlands had been washed away by the rain.
Tricycle operators were also having a field day as they left the main town where business was less attractive for Goriyiri with the hope of getting to travellers Nadowli town.
A road user, Mr Elijah Danyi confirmed that he paid GH₵30.00 before the men helped him cross the bridge with his motorbike and paid GH₵20.00 on his way back.
Until the bridge is fixed, this probably would be the most booming business in the area as the farms of these residents have been submerged in water.
From Lydia Darlington Fordjour, Wa
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
