Editorial

History will be kind to Rawlings

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2021

On Wednesday, January 27, 2021, the late President Jerry John Rawlings, was laid to rest at the new military cemetery in Accra.

Various kinds of tributes were presented in his honour from a cross-section of the population including the Ghana Armed Forces, National Democratic Congress, Parliament, his family, that is, wife and children, and many others.

On behalf of the entire country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also presented a tribute in which he pointed out, among others, that history would be kind to Rawlings.

Matters relating to the late President regarding his political career always breed controversy. While his supporters would always go with him in line with what he perceived to be the right thing, others who were opposed to him politically disagreed and condemned him or his actions.

No matter how one looks at it, it will be realised that he was not perfect just like any other human, but he did what he could to pursue the agenda of development for his country Ghana. While he was alive there were disagreements with his political opponents, but with time they all came to appreciate one another in what each person stood for.

Rawlings began his political career as a revolutionary leader who later became a democratically elected leader. He was, therefore, able to go through his experience as a military leader and also as a democratically elected leader.

One remarkable thing about him was that he handed over peacefully as a military leader and became the first President of the Fourth Republic in 1992, ending his presidency on January 6, 2001, after which President J. A. Kufuor took over from him as the next democratically elected President.

This helped to lay a foundation stone for the Fourth Republic, which Ghanaians are enjoying today. Probably, if this had not been done, seeing that President J. A. kufuor didn’t come from his party, the National Democratic Congress, things would have been thrown out of gear and the culture of handing over peacefully to a democratically elected person would not have been established.

All these put together, help to explain why President Akufo-Addo thinks that history will be kind to Jerry Rawlings.

During his days as military leader and also as President, Jerry Rawlings contributed his part to the development of the country in the area of infrastructure, agriculture, education and other sectors of the economy. Before his death, he became a good friend of President Akufo-Addo (his one time bitterest political opponent) and this sent positive signals to the entire country.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and her children find it safer to be closer to President Akufo-Addo than presumably with any other group in the country. If this trend of friendship and cordiality continues, it will bring peace and contribute to development in the country.

The President in his tribute stated that, ” I believe that history, on the balance, will be kind to him and will render a positive verdict on his contribution to the evolution of our nation and the entrenchment of its democratic institutions and culture.”

The observation made by him (President Akufo-Addo) is significant. It goes to show that, as a nation, we need to let go the pains in our hearts so that there will be peace and harmony in our beloved nation.

The Spectator is of the view that peace is important because without it political and socio-economic development cannot take place.

It was, therefore, most appropriate that a state funeral with full honours was organised by President Akufo-Addo as well as his administration and the people of Ghana to express the gratitude of the nation for the contribution of the late President.

May each and every person in Ghana who stands for peace and development be given a fair judgement in the light of any good contribution to this great nation.

Editorial

Would there ever be beds?

Published

6 days ago

February 28, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Dear Editor,

I WRITE to condemn the circumstances under which an accident victim died recently after three major hospitals reportedly turned him away due to what has earned a place in our local parlance as ‘no bed syndrome.’

Reports suggested that this motor rider who got knocked by a vehicle was taken to three major hospitals – Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), and the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital – but they all claimed they had no beds.

But one may ask, would there ever be beds?

Such is the treatment Ghanaians endure every now and then when one visits our hospitals, especially the public ones which are run with the taxpayers’ money. Many a time when one visits the hospitals, the sight of patients admitted and lying on benches, and some sitting on chairs while receiving care, is visible to all; making one wonder why this particular motor rider was not admitted at any of the facilities, looking at his condition.

This leads to the reason for this letter, which is to bring out a perceived apathy against these motor riders, the majority of whom are referred to as ‘Okada’ riders.

Due to their recklessness on the roads and the inconvenience caused to commuters, people always speak ill about them; drivers equally have no regard for them. Every user of public transport would attest to this. These riders are blamed for every offence, even when it is obvious drivers may be at fault sometimes.

Motor riders have become like orphans on the road; people care less about them, and when they are unfortunately knocked down, no one cares about them.

This is the mischief our authorities and agencies, including the police, must seek to cure to make the road safe for all users.

These are young folks that want to make a living for themselves, and with no skill or education, ‘Okada’ rides have become their source of livelihood. They need the protection accorded drivers and commuters as well.

In other countries, some facilities have been provided to make their work safer, but in Ghana, we lack them, leaving them with no alternative than to share the available space with the cars.

What has happened should serve as a wake-up call on our authorities to aim to take a second look at the ‘Okada’ menace. With the numbers increasing, there should be a way to regulate them because no government would have the guts to ban it totally.

Drivers should be made to accept the reality that they are sharing the roads with them, and therefore the need for patience and tolerance.

For some of our hospitals, I suggest the Ministry of Health conduct their own investigations to see what patients go through in accessing medicare, which is even not for free.

Thank you, Editor, for the space.

F. Morgan, Kokrobite

Editorial

Ending the ‘No Bed’ syndrome

Published

6 days ago

February 28, 2026

WeeklySpectator

Dear Editor,

THE heartbreaking death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah in a hit-and-run accident has exposed once again the failures in our health system.

Even more painful is the fact that his father had previously donated beds to some hospitals, yet when his son needed urgent care, he was moved from one facility to another because there were ‘no beds.’

This is not only tragic but unacceptable. How can a country lose its bright young citizens simply because hospitals cannot provide emergency treatment? The ‘no bed syndrome’ has become a national disgrace, and Charles’ death is a reminder that reforms cannot wait.

Our hospitals must be equipped to handle emergencies, and accountability must be enforced. If donations are made to improve facilities, then those facilities must serve the people when it matters most. Ghana cannot afford to keep losing lives to negligence and poor infrastructure.

Charles Amissah’s death should be the turning point. Let us honor his memory by fixing the system so that no family would suffer this kind of preventable loss again.

Princess Wonovi
Accra