Editorial
Reduce taxes on sanitary products
Dear Editor,
Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) recently called on the Ministry of Finance to scrap taxes on sanitary pads as the taxes have made the product very “expensive and inaccessible to many low-income households.”
They further indicated that the high prices could in the long run have dire consequences on girls, especially those in schools and, therefore, maintained that the finance minister should factor the removal of the taxes in the 2021 budget.
But these appeals seem to have fallen on deaf ears as the budget presented to Parliament last month was silent on the removal of taxes. It is unfortunate that the prices of sanitary products keep increasing and I wonder if there would soon be any form of intervention.
The Population and Housing Census revealed that women constituted about 49 per cent of the country’s population so I thought the government would listen and take action on issues affecting women.
Although the budget could not capture this important concern, I want to urge stakeholders to keep pushing for a reduction in the prices of sanitary products and possibly stage a demonstration if the taxes on the product become unbearable.
The Gender Ministry, should among other things, lead this cause to help bring some relief to women who continue to battle other social and economic challenges.
Priscilla Efriyie Ankapong,
Cape Coast.
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.
