Editorial
Halt fraudulent online business transactions!
Technology has made it possible for business to be carried out with ease without physical transaction between the seller and the buyer.
This is very good and more convenient for businessmen and women who are always working under pressure due to the little time they have at their disposal.
The increase in online business transaction for example, helps to boost business in all sectors of the country. Online transactions lead to rapid business growth and increase the profit levels of business entities.
The problem, however, is that many fraudulent individuals and groups have managed to study the system and take advantage of available loopholes to cheat unsuspecting people.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is concerned about this unfortunate development. It has, therefore, drawn the attention of the public to be careful about the surge in fraudulent online business transactions in the country.
In light of this, people must be very careful not to part with money until they are sure that those they are dealing with are genuine. Otherwise, if they part with money to the wrong hands via online, the fraudulent dealers will vanish into thin air immediately and tracing them may be difficult.
Online business transaction is good, but if it leads to fraud, then people will have to be very careful about such transactions. We all need to be wary of such fraudulent acts, so that we will not easily fall victim to such schemes.
EOCO has done well in alerting people to this negative development, so every individual should pay attention to this advice to avoid being cheated or deceived by unscrupulous persons.
Money is difficult to come by these days. For this reason, every effort should be made to avoid falling victim to any trickster.
Many a time, such warnings are not taken seriously until people fall victim to these unfortunate schemes. Some have fallen victim to this that is why EOCO has carried out thorough investigation on the matter and issued an alert to warn them against such fraudulent online business transactions.
It is very convenient to carry out business transactions to obtain the goods and services required, but people should go the extra mile to ensure that they protect themselves against such fraudsters.
In this connection, any little suspicion about such fraudulent online transactions should be quickly reported to the security agencies. This is how we can protect ourselves as responsible citizens.
Dear Editor,
Walking along roads in some parts of the capital has become increasingly challenging.
While trading on pedestrian walkways remains a concern in certain areas, the parking of vehicles on road shoulders also poses a serious risk to pedestrians.
Often, pedestrians are forced to walk dangerously close to these parked vehicles or even step into the middle of the road to make way for oncoming traffic.
This situation is not only frustrating but also highly unsafe.
I recall an incident when I alighted at a lorry station and was walking home. A Tata bus was approaching, and due to vehicles parked on both sides of the road, I had nowhere to walk safely.
The situation became so dangerous that I had to quickly jump into a nearby shop to avoid being knocked down by the oncoming Tata bus.
That experience was frightening and could have easily resulted in an accident.
In my view, it is time for authorities in the road sector, such as the National Road Safety Authority and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, to take urgent action to address this issue and prevent possible loss of life.
Strict enforcement measures, including towing improperly parked vehicles and imposing substantial fines, would serve as a deterrent to offenders.
From Ray
Adabraka
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this column of your respected newspaper to appeal to the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service to consider bringing back the practice where students stayed home for some months after completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
Within that period where they stay home for some time and wait for their results, it afforded parents some time to prepare and save towards the next move in the academic life of their children.
In recent times, students are quickly admitted into Senior High School immediately after their examinations, leaving little time for parents and guardians to adequately prepare financially and emotionally for the next stage of their children’s education.
Many parents, therefore struggle to buy school items such as chop boxes, trunks, mattresses, uniforms and other necessities within the short period given.
This situation places pressure on families, especially those with low incomes.
Previously, the break after BECE allowed students to rest after years of academic work while parents and guardians made proper preparations for their wards.
It also gave students enough time to learn vocational skills, assist their families and mature before entering boarding school life.
Bringing back this period will greatly reduce stress on both parents and students and help ensure better preparation for Senior High School education.
And one other thing we have not taken notice of is that within that period, parents also prepare their children mentally and psychologically before they go to school. They are thought how to be independent.
So we see new secondary students displaying an appreciable level of maturity which is missing in this era where they go to senior high schools and still behave like primary school kids.
I hope the authorities will carefully consider this concern in the interest of students, parents and guardians across the country.
By Eugene Ampiaw,
Accra.
