Editorial
Celebrate Christmas in moderation
THE Christmas season is here again and throughout the world Christians will observe it by reflecting on the birth of Jesus Christ to remind them of the mystery of the incarnation – God taking human form in humility and sacrificial love.
It is a season of love, joy and peace with solemn observation reflecting on the importance of the Lord Jesus Christ who was offered to mankind to save the world.
The countdown to the festive occasion has already begun, as Ghanaians gear up to celebrate the festive season in style. As part of the festivities, there will be fun-filled activities where families, friends, loved ones and communities will meet to share food, drinks and dance together.
Reports from The Spectator team who visited the Accra Central Market indicated that there were heavy traffic congestion affecting parts of Accra, leaving many stranded outside shops that opened late. For many, the inconvenience of traffic was seen as part of the season’s tradition.
According to the reporters, “the traffic in town is just chaotic and motorists are being stuck for hours on major roads leading to the city’s commercial districts, while pedestrians struggled to navigate overcrowded sidewalks.”
Across the country, people are rushing to acquire gifts, decorations, foodstuff, and all the trappings of the season.
It is unfortunate that while Christmas should be observed in the spirit of solemnity, some have turned it into a season of engaging in all kinds of untoward behaviour, drinking excessively and spending lavishly which eventually drains their pockets.
The Spectator wants to urge celebrants to observe Christmas in moderation to avoid any chaos. We also advise drivers to be careful on the roads while pedestrians and passengers should be cautious.
Let us not forget that January is a lean season which appears to last longer than expected as people would be expectant to receive their January salaries.
The season calls for love, peace, joy and service to mankind so let us share whatever we have with others, especially the needy to make Christmas more meaningful.
We wish our cherished readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance.
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Dear Editor,
I AM writing to draw your attention to the inadequate street lights in some parts of Wawase, a situation that continues to pose serious concerns for residents.
Street lights play a crucial role in ensuring safety and security within a community. Unfortunately, several areas in Wawase are completely without functioning street lights.
This has made movement at night very difficult and dangerous, especially for workers, students, and traders who return home late.
The lack of proper lighting has also created an enabling environment for criminal activities such as theft and harassment. Residents often live in fear, and some are forced to limit their movements after dark. Additionally, poor visibility increases the risk of road accidents, putting both pedestrians and drivers at risk.
It is concerning that despite the growing population and development in Wawase, this basic infrastructure issue remains unresolved.
I would like to appeal to the relevant authorities, including the local assembly and electricity providers, to urgently address this problem by installing new street lights and repairing faulty ones.
Ensuring adequate street lights will not only improve security but also enhance the overall quality of life for residents in the area.
Gwen Mensah, Agona Swedru
Dear Editor,
FOR some time now, I have been deeply concerned about the state of the Kaneshie footbridge, which has over the years developed cracks, exposing some rusted metal parts and raising safety concerns.
It is, therefore, welcome news for daily users of the facility like myself that a team from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), led by the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), visited the facility and announced a temporary closure to allow for maintenance work to be carried out.
While I wish to commend the Assembly for the move, I believe it has been long overdue.
I often find it difficult to understand why, as a country, we sit, wait, and watch for preventable incidents or tragedies to happen before we react. I say this because the issue of the bad state of the Kaneshie footbridge has been one that has been re-echoed by many who use it on a daily basis.
I believe that as the Assembly looks to start the maintenance works on the footbridge, it is also important for it and other Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to pay attention to other footbridges across the country that are in a similar state.
The time has come for Ghana, as a country, to be more proactive than reactive.
I will also urge the assemblies to deploy their respective teams to always check on footbridges across the country to ensure that they are in good shape to avoid any tragedy that could lead to the loss of human lives.
From Fafa, Kaneshie
