Editorial
Caring for underprivileged in our society is necessary
It is not everyone in society who will be born into families that are highly educated, rich or very knowledgeable; this is why we need to develop love and care for all people that we come in contact with in our society.
Under-privileged persons in our society include those who come from less educated families or the poor or those who have problems such as being physically challenged. Such people may find it difficult to go about their normal duties in society because of lack of financial resources or inadequate education or, better still, their inability to go about their duties with ease.
In such situations they need our sympathy and assistance to make it possible for them to go about their normal duties in society. Those who find ourselves in very good positions should count ourselves lucky and be willing to assist the underprivileged.
We must never discriminate against them or look down on them simply because of their poverty level or low level of education. Again, others may be involved in motor accidents and, therefore, become paralysed or physically challenged one way or the other.
In situations like this, we must show great love to such people and be prepared to spend part of our personal resources to make it possible for them to enjoy normal life.
We may not be able to bring them into the normal situation which God may have planned for them, but the little we do can make it possible for their lives to be better.
It is in light of this that we find it gratifying to see certain leaders in this country contributing massively to the underprivileged in our society. The Vice President of the Republic, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is often seen to be sharing his life and personal resources to some of these underprivileged persons.
His association with people suffering from leprosy, for example, is well known in this country. Also, his commitment to the poor irrespective of religious beliefs has touched the heart of many people across the country. The Vice President has called on Ghanaians to show care and concern to the underprivileged in society.
If we all emulate him, it will go a long way to make it possible for us to put smiles on the faces of those who have very little to eat and drink in the country. In addition, caring for them, including those admitted to our hospitals, will make life better for our unfortunate brothers and sisters who may find themselves in such unfortunate situations.
We pray that people who are leading the light in this way receive abundant blessings from God for the good work they are doing.
Let us count ourselves very fortunate and be prepared to help the underprivileged in society so that life can be made better for many of our brothers and sisters who require such help from us.
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
