Features
Accra: Helping Henry Quartey to succeed
The Greater Accra Region has an estimated urban population of 4.2 million as at June 2020.
Metropolitan Accra is said to occupy a land surface of 173 square kilometres or 67 square miles.
And on daily basis, residents, visitors and commuters who ply their trades within Metropolitan Accra complain bitterly about pollution, overcrowding, poor sanitation and particularly traffic congestion in the city.
The fact of the matter is that indiscipline; lack of adequate infrastructure and service provision; poverty and shortage of affordable housing are undermining the traditional civilising influence of the city of Accra.
It is in the face of such agonising dilemma that has emerged “a new Ghanaian”, recently appointed by the President to oversee the Greater Accra Region.
The “new Ghanaian”, Mr Henry Quartey, was appointed the Greater Accra Regional Minister barely five months ago, but the momentum he has gathered to warm himself into his new office, has attracted commendations across the country.
Readers, from all indications, Mr Henry Quartey clearly understands the vision of the President in appointing him the current Greater Accra Regional Minister. And the vision of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is: “Making Accra the cleanest city in Africa”, before the end of his term as President of the Republic of Ghana.
Readers, Accra is very filthy!!! Traffic congestion is terrible!!! And sanitation is very poor!!! As for indiscipline in the city, it is at its worst!!! So, really, the task ahead of Mr Quartey is a helculean one.
But for him to succeed in implementing the President’s vision, he must be supported by “the people” because it is “the people ” who will be the beneficiaries of the President’s vision, if it is successfully delivered.
It seems Mr Quartey knows exactly what he has been assigned to do. So, the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council, which he heads, seems to have done a lot of ‘stakeholder’ consultations; implying that they have already hit the ground ‘jumping’ to deliver the President’s vision.
But Mr Quartey and the Regional Coordinating Council must be reminded that the ‘stakeholder’ consultations must not only continue but also expanded and consciously sustained, so as to carry all the stakeholders along until the end of the implementation of the vision.
And a vision like this will surely call for the establishment of Inter-Ministerial Taskforce to push the lofty agenda to succeed.
The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) could set up Media Taskforce also to support the vision. Additionally, the RCC could invite all editors, and Chief Executive Officers of radio and television stations, newspaper houses, advertising and marketing institutions to buy into the “national Interest idea” of “making Accra work”.
The RCC could as well share ideas with advertisers to produce jingles for radio and television stations to alert the public on the “dos” and “don’ts” of sanitation issues, hawking on the streets, sleeping under bridges and many more.
So far Mr Quartey and his sanitation taskforce have been sprucing many parts of Metropolitan Accra, besides demolishing unauthorised structures along major routes and drains to ensure free-flow of traffic and to keep the city clean.
The sprawling Agbogbloshie market has also been relocated and the structures on the land demolished to improve sanitation or conditions in that part of the nation’s capital.
Mr Quartey says:”We want to ensure that Accra is clean. We also want to ensure that Accra is like the Dubai and the America you want to go to.
“So, we will remove unauthorised structures that have sprung all over the city, thus, making it difficult for even sanitation and waste management companies to go about their duties.”
Since Ghana’s independence, various regimes had attempted to transform Accra into “the desired city” but had failed.
Experts, however, say Accra has experienced a rapid rate of growth, stressing that, “it is one of the fastest-growing cities in West Africa.”
According to the experts, another dimension of Accra’s urban growth is the physical expansion of the city beyond its official boundaries.
The experts contend that two major factors are principally responsible for this. The first, they say, is demand-based, which is associated with rapid growth of urban population.
The second factor stresses on poor government services, crime, congestion and poor sanitation.
Really, the experts insist that a weak urban administration and governance system has been the bane of urban development in Ghana, generally.
This, they contend, derives from “the inadequate local government system inherited from the colonial era.”
But the painful truth is that the current Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have proved incapable of providing and managing adequate levels of services and infrastructure in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
And the national parastatal organisations and agencies responsible for providing particular services in the decentralised Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have not been able to function effectively.
So, how can earger and anxious Mr. Henry Quartey walk on “the tight rope ” of “Making Accra Work” , if he does not receive Inter-Ministerial support and the required FUNDING to prosecute such a laudable vision of the President?
By G. Frank Asmah
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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