Editorial
Hawkers invade Tema Community One pavement
A session of the pavement invaded by traders
Dear Editor,
It is common knowledge that some traders across the various cities in Ghana use the pavements meant for pedestrians to sell their wares and Tema, the ‘model city’ of Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is gradually losing its shine to this canker.
Selling on pavements has become a common practice at Tema Community One. The activities of these hawkers generate filth, cause human traffic, choke drains as well as cause vehicular congestion.
The situation is getting worse by the day following the inability of the Tema Municipal Assembly’s Task Force to live up to the task by clearing these hawkers.
These traders, mostly small-scale traders, set up their temporary shops on the pavements in order to sell their goods or render their services to passers-by. They sell a variety of goods including vegetables, fruits, household items, clothes and shoes.
While this practice provides a means of livelihood for people who would otherwise be unemployed, it poses numerous challenges of which the traders don’t seem to bother. It obstructs pedestrian movement and often causes congestion on the streets. The presence of these traders on the pavements creates a safety hazard for both the traders and pedestrians alike, as they often have to contend with vehicles and motorcycles racing along the streets. The sanitary conditions of the marketplaces on pavements are often poor, which pose a health risk for both the traders and the consumers. Garbage and waste is often left uncollected, and this creates an unsanitary environment with the potential of spreading diseases.
In an interview with some traders, their reason for trading on the pavement and the roads is due to lack of market space as majority of Ghanaians prefer to buy from the road side to the established markets. Some of these vendors on the pavements and roads said they make profit selling by the road side compared with the established markets.
A waakye seller Hajia Mariam said she sold her food early in the morning to those going to work along the road side.
Despite these challenges, the practice of traders selling on the pavements persists because, it provides an affordable option for many consumers who cannot afford to buy goods at the established markets like the Malls and the Shoprite. However, there is the need for the government to intervene and manage this informal trading sector for the safety and well-being of both the traders and the public.
Eva Boamah
Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ)
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable state of the road from McCarthy Hill Junction to Mallam Junction, where the deteriorating road surface is contributing to heavy traffic congestion and making commuting increasingly difficult for motorists.
The affected stretch is an important section of the Accra–Kasoa Highway, used daily by thousands of commuters, commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users travelling between Kasoa and Accra. However, the poor condition of portions of the road forces drivers to reduce their speed significantly, creating long queues, particularly during peak hours.
The situation is frustrating for commuters who already spend considerable time travelling between their homes and workplaces. Commercial drivers also lose valuable working hours, while passengers experience unnecessary delays that affect their daily schedules.
What should ordinarily be a relatively smooth journey often becomes a prolonged struggle as vehicles approach damaged sections of the road. The resulting slow movement disrupts traffic flow and contributes to congestion along an already busy corridor.
The situation also raises concerns about road safety. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes and other damaged portions may make sudden manoeuvres, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Continued use of the affected sections could also lead to damage to vehicle tyres, suspension systems and other components, imposing additional costs on motorists.
While traffic congestion along the Accra–Kasoa corridor may have several causes, the condition of the road between McCarthy Hill Junction and Mallam Junction is an issue that requires urgent attention.
I therefore appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant authorities to inspect the affected stretch and undertake the necessary repairs without further delay.
Improving the road surface would help vehicles move more smoothly, reduce avoidable congestion and improve the safety and convenience of commuters.
The authorities must act promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and provide relief to the thousands of road users who depend on this route every day.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
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A critical viewpoint on the function of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in guaranteeing child safety and upholding discipline in Ghanaian schools is highlighted in the statement made by Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
According to the supporters of this viewpoint active PTA participation bridges the gap between parents and school administrations and acts as a crucial oversight mechanism.
They strongly believe that parents may better monitor school environments, support guidance and counselling, and hold staff members accountable to the Ghana Education Service (GES) code of conduct when they are involved in the basic and second-cycle school activities.
When school administration functions without external supervision, sexual abuse, exploitation, and indiscipline may result. This transparency is thought to be a crucial deterrent.
However, some educational experts point out that although strong PTAs are helpful, more than just parental supervision is needed to prevent deeply rooted problems like sexual misconduct and moral degeneration.
This viewpoint emphasises that the main instruments required to punish perpetrators and discourage future abuse are institutional enforcement, thorough investigations, and strong legal prosecution by state authorities rather than only school-level committees.
Furthermore, detractors frequently point out that if educational rules do not clearly specify the boundaries of oversight, an excessive reliance on PTAs may cause conflict with school administration.
A strong judicial and administrative proceedings shield victims from ongoing pain and intimidation, discourage potential offenders, and stop wrongdoing from becoming the norm.
In order to maintain high enrollment and completion rates among female students in basic and senior high schools, there should be strict implementation of the GES code of conduct to reassure families that schools are safe places.
Although legal analysts and administrative specialists note that speed is crucial, it must be carefully balanced with thoroughness and due process because hurried investigations might result in procedural mistakes that could lead to unfair sanctions.
Therefore, a comprehensive solution necessitates proactive measures like mandatory background checks and professional ethics training for educators.
The Spectator stresses the need to end sexual exploitation in schools while highlighting the continuous debate over the most effective ways for institutions to provide both prompt justice and legally sound results.
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