Editorial
Cocoa carriers diverse better
Dear Editor,
I wish to revisit the disturbing report about the wages/income of cocoa carriers, which came up early January this year.
The ‘loading boys’, as some are called in local parlance, had embarked on strike demanding an increase in their loading fee from 0.62Gp to GH¢ 1.00 per bag but their employers insisted 0.82Gp instead.
Their action resulted in bags of cocoa piled up at some collection points, causing the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) to rely briefly on the labour of prison inmates.
Although the boys returned to work after negotiations, I cannot fathom why young engaged on this field should be paid so low. It appears those in charge of this sector want us to believe that GH¢ 1.00 per a bag of cocoa beans is too much to ask for.
Even if the price per bag reaches GH¢ 1.00, it would imply that a carrier would to have to cart 1000 bags of cocoa beans in order to earn One Thousand Cedis (GH¢ 1000), if my table-top calculation is anything to go by. But considering the current 0.82 Gp rate, they may have to carry more than 1000 bags to earn any substantial amount.
This unfavourable condition, I believe, reflects of the sorry state of our economy and the poor living standards of many Ghanaian workers. It is, indeed, demoralising that a privileged few make themselves richer at the expense of ordinary employees who are paid paltry sums.
Cocoa carriers, diverse better and the government must have a second look at their situation. A bag of cocoa beans could weight about 64kg and carrying such load is no child’s play.
Frank Asare Donkor,
Ejuisu.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
