Editorial
Clear the ‘death traps’ on our roads
Dear Editor,
As we leave our homes to our workplaces, markets, schools, churches and other places, we all hope and pray that we return home safely, considering the number of road carnages that we witness or hear about each and every passing day.
Most of these road crashes that often claim human lives and live others amputated are often caused by the disregard to road safety rules and regulations.
Sometimes, one is tempted to ask whether laws work in this country as drivers still drink and drive, engage in unnecessary overtaking, comfortably speak on phones while driving with commuters also carelessly crossing roads and highways at unapproved places.
It would be unfair to say that authorities mandated to ensure the compliance of road safety rules and regulations, such as the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has not done enough to address the issue. They are doing their best.
They have taken initiatives such as TansportGhana, an ICT interface that would facilitate the licensing and registration of road transport services.
However, one of the issues that I think had not been looked at when it came to road safety is the number of rickety cars that ply our roads on a daily basis. I often refer to such cars as ‘death traps.’
That contribute to the growing number of road carnages in the country.
Many of these ‘death traps’ are found at various lorry stations. I have had some bad experiences sitting in these ‘death traps’, which have dilapidated seats with protruding sharp edges, and corroded body frames.
Sitting in such cars become a concern for passengers when it rains as they leak badly.
I have also witnessed a passenger whom I was on board with in one of these cars from Madina sustain a deep cut by the protruding sharp edge. I therefore think it is about time these ‘death traps’ are taken off our roads.
As a concerned citizen, I implore the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Authority (DVLA) to check the road worthiness of cars that ply our roads before issuing license to drivers, and also collaborate with the NRSA and the police service to clamp down on influx of rickety cars.
Joojo Yawson,
Nungua
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
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