Editorial
Police shuttle service better late than never
Shuttle services are not entirely new but I am particularly impressed about the recent move by the Ghana Police Administration to provide buses on specific routes in Accra to convey personnel to and from their duty points.
Even as a young boy, I used to enjoy this service provided by my school. That is why I wonder why it took the police service a long time to make this essential service available to its men and women.
According to the service, the programme had been implemented in 15 out of the 18 Police Operational Regions and was intended to “ease the burden of commuting of officers and ensure that personnel who carry weapons for duty, do so under safe conditions.”
This initiative, which I believe, was spearheaded by the Welfare Unit of the police administration, is not only a relief to the officers but a boost to the performance and morale of the gallant men and women of the service.
While I commend the service for this step, I urge the police administration to as well address other pressing concerns of personnel, such as provision of decent and affordable housing, supply of adequate bulletproof vests and needed logistics to help combat crime and protect lives and property.
I again urge leadership to extend the shuttle service to the remaining three Police Operational Regions as it puts measures in place to sustain the service.
Frank Twum,
Sakumono.
Fix drains at Weija – Gbawe
Dear Editor,
The relatively low volume of rain recorded in Accra recently has exposed the cracks in the drainage system in the Weija – Gbawe Municipality.
Few hours of rain last Tuesday caused flooding in parts of the community leaving some residents stranded and some major roads immotorable.
Residents have attributed constant flooding in the area to choked and malfunctioning drainage systems. I, therefore, wish to use this medium to, once again, highlight this challenge and draw the attention of authorities in the area to as a matter of urgency move and resolve this challenge.
Weija is the capital of the Ga-South Municipality which has gradually become an economic hub due to its proximity to Kasoa, therefore, the least disruption caused by floods tends to adversely affect lives and property.
Sandra N.A Attom,
Student, African University College of Communications
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.
