Editorial
Apromase fire and other matters
● Many structures were destroyed at Sofoline recently
Dear Editor,
I have been trying to wrap my mind around the death of the policeman, his wife and three-month-old baby at Apromase in the Ashanti Region, but to no avail.
As I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, it beats my mind that there was no escape route for the family in the heat of the moment, if the media reports are anything to go by. We are told the victims were heard shouting for help but nobody could go to their rescue. How could that be?
We are told Police Intelligence and Ghana Fire Service had begun investigating the matter, and I would be glad if they conclude that quickly and reveal any foul play there might be in the incident.
Many a time I have read news of this nature, and this incident at Apromase was happening almost a year after a similar incident at Gomoa Buduburam, in the Central Region, where a family of seven got burnt on January, 15, 2022.
I am not privy to the outcome of investigation into the Buduburam incident but I think the police would do well, this time, to tell us what happened to this young policeman and his family, beyond what we have read in the newspapers.
I want to encourage the public to be alert when it comes to fire outbreaks. It is sad the ‘security systems’ we put in place to prevent burglary turnout to be our ‘nemesis’ in the event of fire outbreak.
Fire officers often advise that buildings or rooms should have at least two exits but many of our rented apartments are such that there is only one entrance or escape route. We need to improve on this and possibly install effective but less expensive fire alarms in our homes.
Prior to the Apromase incident, there had been other fire outbreaks early this year. These include the one at Sofoline which razed down three carpentry shops and a pepper mill and another outbreak at a compound house at Fante New Town all in the Ashanti Region.
The year is still young and we need to be more alert and take fire precautions seriously.
Yunusah Essandoh,
Achimota-Accra.
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
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