News
‘Sanity’ in commercial vehicles must continue
Dear Editor,
I have never felt very comfortable sitting in commercial vehicles, like I do these days.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, transport owners across the country were compelled to reduce the number of passengers on board their vehicles.
Drivers said they were losing revenue by complying with the new directive but passengers on the other hand seem to be reaping the benefit.
We have been aware over the years that most commercial vehicles that ply our roads were not originally designed to carry passengers. But somehow, vehicle owners had managed to convert them into carriers.
The inconvenience passengers endure in most of the rickety commercial vehicles cannot be understated. However, the past three months has provided enough evidence that there could be some sanity in commercial vehicle operations with regards to creating space and comfort.
‘Trotros’, especially those we call ‘207 Benz’ buses should not continue to carry four passengers on one row when they can actually pick three, and still make profit.
There is no point in condoning crowding in commercial “trotro” when we can indeed reduce the numbers, and control the spread of any other pandemic in future.
I suggest the Ministry of Transport, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union, and other associations of public transport owners would continue to maintain this ‘new order’ even after we are able to defeat COVID-19.
The time to act is now. Let us ride on the back of the novel coronavirus to introduce the much needed reforms in our commercial transport sector.
Martin Adu Akorsah
Asutuare
Nsakina community needs help
Dear Editor,
I write on behalf of residents of Nsakina, in the Amasaman Municipality of the Greater Accra Region.
Though, pipe-borne water was introduced in the community about five years ago, some residents still complain that they cannot afford to settle high water bills they recieve regularly.
Some residents operate convenience shops and drinking bars. Others are head porters, food vendors. The rest are unemployed.
Some of them say they spend about GH¢25.00 daily to access clean water. For this reason, they resort to stagnant water and water from broken pipes as their primary source for water.
They admit that these sources of water are not safe but they are compelled to use it due to their status.
Though some reliefs were granted recently, residents want the government to further subsidise charges on water in the area to enable households afford it.
Residents believe the construction of a community borehole will enable them access clean water more conveniently. Apart from water, Nsakina has poor feeder roads while the community clinic is losing its aesthetics.
They want government, non-governmental organisations and philanthropists to move in and alleviate their plight.
Selibel Fiawoo
Ghana Institute of Journalism
The Second Deputy Minority Whip, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has defended the conduct of the Minority in Parliament during Tuesday’s chaotic sitting, insisting their actions were to protect what they believe is a violation of parliamentary procedure.
Explaining the incident, he said the Minority was reacting to developments surrounding a letter which allegedly directed that a seat belonging to the MP for Kpandai be declared vacant despite an earlier ruling by the Speaker.
He argued that the Speaker’s ruling should stand unless overturned by a competent court, and described the sudden reversal as shocking and against parliamentary precedent.
Mr Ahmed said the Minority only attempted to make a statement to register their displeasure, but tensions rose when the Majority Leader insisted on responding instead of commenting, which he said was against the rules.
He also denied claims that Minority MPs crossed the aisle, stressing that they remained within their side and only sought the Speaker’s attention.
He further complained that during proceedings, the Mace—the symbol of authority in the House—was not present and Minority microphones were disconnected, making the process one-sided.
He said the caucus intends to continue pushing to ensure that the MP for Kpandai retains his seat, adding that their next steps will be strategic.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President John Mahama has stated that it is too early for anyone to call for the scrapping of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) despite recent controversies surrounding the institution.
He argued that the office remains an important part of Ghana’s fight against corruption.
He explained that government is strengthening anti-corruption bodies such as the Economic and Organised Crime Office and the OSP, noting that the OSP is the only agency with the power to independently prosecute cases without going through the Attorney General.
President Mahama said many people distrust the Attorney General’s office because it is headed by a government minister, and some fear it may be slow to prosecute its own.
He believes an independent body like the OSP offers stronger accountability, regardless of who is involved.
He admitted that citizens want to see more prosecutions and visible results, but urged the public to give the OSP time.
He encouraged the office to speed up its investigations to show that it remains relevant in the fight against corruption.
By: Jacob Aggrey
