Editorial
See something, say something
When we talk of national development, it depends on each and every person in the country, whose contribution is very necessary for the good of all.
The country comprises various regions, and each region deals with an institution that plays a crucial role in its area of operation. The country as a whole depends on the contribution of each institution.
Similarly, the economy is also made up of various sectors. Each sector also plays useful roles that contribute in one way or another to the general growth of the country.
Some of the sectors are agriculture, transportation, mining, electricity, building and construction, health, transportation, and many others. These sectors operate as institutions or organisations.
The institutions or organisations are managed by people, some of whom are good while others are bad. The problem with many people is that, when they see what is wrong in society, they fail to report it to the appropriate authorities for action to be taken. For this reason, wrongdoing and crimes continue unabated in society.
Many Ghanaians complain about our systems, stating that they don’t work to the satisfaction of everyone. This explains why many criminals go scot-free in this nation.
Even in situations where eyewitnesses who can be of help are expected to assist the police in their investigations, they refuse to cooperate, and this makes things difficult for everyone in the country. A common practice that has been observed over the years in all parts of the country is the the blame game, where everyone wants to blame somebody for wrongdoing.
However, when it comes to owning up to the truth, nobody wants to do so, and we sit to play the blame game so that we can keep ourselves out of trouble.
This is not good enough because it makes us less responsible for actions that could have been taken to prevent wrongdoings in society and help our peace-keeping institutions uncover culprits who do not work in the interest of the country.
The government is working hard to make socioeconomic development better for all Ghanaians. Unfortunately, things have not been able to move at a faster rate than we all expected.
For example, corruption is everywhere, yet many people find it difficult to report any wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities for the right actions to be taken. Also, many personnel in organisations, public and private, are aware of the stealing of funds and acts of corruption that go on in their organisations.
In spite of this, nothing is reported, and we pretend that everything is fine. There are many heads of agencies who are very corrupt and have established systems to put fear in people and prevent them from revealing their negative deeds.
The entire country must, therefore, turn a new leaf and begin to re-examine its conscience in order to uncover wrongdoers in the country.
Instead of the truth, what do we see?
In some cases, wrongdoers are shielded and protected from naming and shaming, and they are also not prosecuted in court in line with the laws of the land. This has gone on in many sectors of the country, and for this reason, the truth is no longer revealed. It is as if people prefer untruth to truth. This is very unfortunate.
Each time anybody sees something, we must be prepared to say it to the right authorities, and this is why it has been emphasised by authorities in this country that, “See something, say something.” If we can all collaborate in this way, we can go a long way toward helping develop the country in a faster way than can be imagined.
In addition to the severe flooding that Accra is already experiencing a major sanitation crisis is imminent as the Kpone dump approaches closure.
Currently, there are now just two significant disposal sites in the area: the Adepa dumpsite in the Ga West Municipal Assembly, which is close to Amasaman, and the Kpone Waste Landfill.
Inquiries so far, revealed that the Kpone site is almost at capacity and will likely close in the next six months. As a result, waste is accumulating at local markets and municipal collection points throughout the capital.
The situation has been made worse by the recent terrible floods, and immediate action is required to prevent the impending crisis.
The fundamental issue is that accumulating uncollected waste during rainy seasons poses significant threats to public health, including the possibility of cholera, typhoid, and malaria outbreaks.
Subsequent investigations showed that the Kpone plant, which was initially built to manage 500 tonnes of waste per day, has been handling almost twice that much, shortening its lifespan.
Many towns’ waste collection operations have been badly impacted by this looming shutdown, and the fact that Accra has few disposal choices is even more disturbing.
Now, waste collection vehicles face abnormally long queues at the Kpone site, and residents complain that most of the tricycles, referred to as “Aboboyaa,” leave rubbish uncollected in residential and commercial areas.
Although the Zoompak waste transfer station was authorised by the government to reopen in order to help manage daily waste volumes, it is still unable to handle the enormous volumes of waste generated every day.
According to Dr. Peter Kwesi Dagadu, Managing Director of the Landfills Company Limited, managing the capital’s expanding waste burden has become extremely difficult due to the scarcity of disposal facilities, especially in light of the city’s fast population increase and rising waste production.
As a result, the situation has put a great deal of strain on the infrastructure already in place and jeopardizes attempts to keep Accra’s waste management system sustainable and effective.
The Spectator agrees with him that new infrastructure for disposing of waste is desperately needed, as a change to a more environmentally friendly waste management techniques.
It is admirable that he suggests Ghana adopt recycling and garbage recovery as a long-term solution to the nation’s sanitation problems.
We therefore, implore the government to support this recycling objective by enacting strict laws, regulations, investments, and enforcement measures to enhance waste management nationwide.
In order to address the waste problem as quickly as possible, everyone must be involved, including private waste management companies, individuals, and households.
Dear Editor,
I wish to express concern over the allegations that some officials of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) demanded money from players before they are selected for national teams.
If these allegations are true, then, they threaten fairness and integrity in Ghana football.
Just as is done in other countries, selection into any national team should be based solely on merit -talent, discipline, hard work and performance, not on a player’s ability to pay money.
Such practices, if allowed to continue, will discourage many talented but less privileged players from pursuing their dreams. It will also damage the reputation of the GFA and reduce public confidence in the country’s football administration.
Those reports are quite unfortunate but some of us want to believe in the response issued by the FA but would also advise the GFA to conduct some investigation, because like it is often said, there is no smoke without fire.
If it means an individual is going about making such demands on the blind side of the FA, such an investigation can expose the person.
I therefore urge the GFA to investigate these allegations thoroughly and transparently. Any official found guilty should face the appropriate sanctions. At the same time, individuals making the allegations should provide credible evidence so the truth can be established.
Ghanaian football belongs to all of us, and we must protect its integrity by ensuring that merit, transparency and accountability guide player selection.
From John Boateng,
Mamprobi
