Editorial
Reminder: COVID-19 is still around
It is becoming increasingly clear that many people in this country and, indeed, other parts of the world are taking for granted that COVID-19 has left the world, but is still prevailing in different parts of the world.
In Ghana for instance, many people have been vaccinated against the disease and for this reason are relaxed in their approach to protecting themselves against it. This is a very unfortunate development that must be addressed by all and sundry.
The COVID-19 is still around and keeps affecting various people that do not take precautionary measures seriously compared with when the disease first emerged.
Many people have relaxed in taking precautionary measures against the disease because they believe that they have been vaccinated.
There are others who have also taken the view that the disease is even nonexistent, since President Akufo-Addo has announced that wearing of a face or nose mask is no longer mandatory.
Again, other people appear to be tired of the constant education being received on the matter for which reason the fear of the disease is now on decline.
What this means is that having been bombarded with messages on the precautionary measures needed to be taken by everyone, they are now tired of the need to continue to fight the pandemic, even though, agreeably, the disease is no longer as frightening as it used to be in 2020 when many people died from it.
In light of this, The Spectator is of the view that we still need to take precautionary measures against the disease, to preserve our lives.
As was pointed out by President Akufo-Addo, a life lost can no longer be brought back, so we all need to protect ourselves until this pandemic is completely over in the world.
The precautionary measures must be strictly adhered to, particularly washing our hands regularly and avoiding overcrowded areas.
When we keep to such safety protocols, our lives would be safe for the economic programmes we wish to undertake in the years ahead.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
