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,
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
