Editorial
Promoting constitutionalism is key in our national life
Society is made up of individuals and groups of people whose interests may be similar or different from one another.
However, to ensure social progress, laws are made in different forms to regulate all activities in the country, so that the interest of all individuals will be guaranteed. At the same time, the laws whether at national or community levels are meant to hold the country together and promote the common interest of everyone.
By constitutionalism, we refer to keeping to the practice and tenets of the 1992 Constitution, bylaws and rules, and ensure that all behaviour falls in line with the fundamental law of the land.
It is for this reason that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) carries out special programmes every year to promote National Constitutional Week in the country for everyone to appreciate the importance of constitutionalism.
The National Constitution Week, which starts from April 28 to May 4, was instituted in 2001 by the NCCE to ensure that the Constitution becomes a living document embossed on the minds and hearts of Ghanaians in pursuit of democracy and good governance.
April 28 was adopted as the commencement date for the activities because that was the day a National Referendum was held to endorse the Constitution in 1992.
The NCCE uses the occasion to create an increased and sustained interest and participation of all Ghanaians in the democratic dispensation for the achievement of good governance, social and political stability for national unity and development.
In a democratic society such as Ghana, keeping to the tenets of constitutionalism is what is needed to ensure that problems are resolved in the most acceptable way in line with the laws of the land.
Constitutionalism protects everybody and ensures that even those who flout the law are given the opportunity to defend themselves before being made to face any punishment, if they so deserve.
The Constitutional Week promoted by the NCCE must not be taken for granted but vigorously pursued in all parts of the country in the interest and protection of everyone irrespective of status, ethnic background, religious characteristic and so on.
At the same time, going by the laws of the land gives us the opportunity to resolve all problems in a peaceful manner according to law. This prevents a situation where misguided military men may find it necessary to intervene in politics and disturb the constitutional order.
This is how as a nation we can develop along a smooth path of peace and smooth socioeconomic progress.
The NCCE must be supported to carry out all the activities marking the Constitutional Week as well as implementing other programmes meant to promote the constitutional order for the common good of Ghanaians.
This is what we are all looking for to promote better quality life in line with democracy, freedom and liberties as well as smooth political life in the country.
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
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
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