Editorial
Footbridges not market!
Dear Editor,
We all have to engage in one activity or the other in order to make ends meet but I am surprised how some people in Accra want to turn every available space into a market, including newly constructed footbridges.
My recent observation is the Madina Footbridge, specifically the new one close to the Redco junction and a few others in the area and beyond.
A walk on the bridge should have taken less than five minutes but I did it in about 10 minutes, when I decided to use it recently. I was dazed by the uncountable number of traders who had occupied the space, making it difficult for me and other users to find our way through.
Conscious of the misconduct, I noticed them running in opposite directions anytime a false alarm was raised about a Municipal Guard approaching. Variety of food items, vegetables, clothing, among others were displayed along the walkway.
Returning to the Shiashie footbridge also, I spotted other people selling sandals and dresses although their activity was not as busy as what I saw at Madina.
Similar activities were also springing up on the Spanner footbridge close to the Accra Mall. Majority of the people who occupy these spaces are petty traders and I believe they hang around the area to get “something small” from pedestrians at random.
Inasmuch as they must survive, I wonder how long we must allow them to turn these places into mini markets before we act. I wish to remind authorities that, footbridges especially newly constructed ones must be made to serve its intended purpose before these traders take over completely.
Philip Kumi,
Achimota.
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
