Editorial
Government must fix bad roads in Ashaiman
Ashaiman road
Dear Editor,
I write to express my deepest concern regarding the deteriorating road infrastructure in our beloved country, particularly in the capital, Accra.
The dire situation of our roads, exemplified by the alarming condition of the Tema-Motorway, has prompted this urgent appeal for action.
First and foremost, I must commend the government for its responsiveness in addressing the deplorable state of the Tema-Motorway. It is heartening to see that our leaders are attuned to the concerns of the populace and are taking steps to rectify the situation.
However, this is but a single thread in the larger tapestry of road-related challenges that our nation faces.
The Tema-Motorway serves as a microcosm of the issues plaguing our road network.
The very word “motorway” implies a high-speed and efficient route of transportation. Yet, the reality is far from this idyllic image.
Instead, commuters are subjected to a jumble of potholes, cracks, and crumbling asphalt that do not only endanger lives but also impede economic activities.
This dilapidation paints a bleak picture for both the residents of Accra and the countless individuals who rely on this crucial artery for their daily commute.
Moreover, the recent protest by the resilient citizens of Ashaiman on Tuesday, October 3, underscores the widespread anguish caused by our crumbling roads.
These brave individuals took to the streets, in a figurative and literal sense, to voice their discontent. They rightly demand urgent intervention to rehabilitate the road networks that have languished in disrepair for far too long.
The phrase “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” aptly applies here.
It is time for the government to heed the calls of its citizens and address the woeful condition of roads across our nation. Failing to do so would be akin to turning a blind eye to a wildfire that threatens to engulf our collective mobility and economic progress.
I implore the government to consider these concerns with the seriousness they deserve. It is not merely about fixing roads; it is about facilitating the movement of people, goods, and ideas.
Our roads should be the bedrock upon which progress is built, not the stumbling blocks that hinder it. Let us invest in a future where the phrase “bad roads” becomes a relic of the past and where our nation’s infrastructure is a source of pride rather than dismay.
George Obeng Osei, Ashaiman
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
