Editorial
Set price ceiling on sachet water
Dear Editor,
A bag of sachet water (pure water) is now selling at GH 5.00 in Accra and I am trying to find the justification for the arbitrary increase in price by some vendors.
Somewhere last year, the vendors threatened to increase the unit price to 0.30 pesewas but were compelled to maintain it at 0.20 pesewas following resistance from the public.
But with the recent increment, the vendors say they have no choice but sell at previous price the public had resisted. Considering the increasing rate at which prices keep escalating, I fear price per bag could reach GHC 10.00 sometime soon.
I believe pricing of basic commodities such as water should not be left to the discretion of individual traders. I learnt from my limited economics that the government could introduce price control measures (price ceiling) when prices of certain goods and services seem to be increasing at an alarming rate.
Price ceiling is explained as the mandated maximum amount a seller is allowed to charge for a product or service. With the galloping inflation we are witnessing currently, I believe it is time the government stepped in to set a price ceiling on sachet water and other commodities that are becoming expensive every other day.
In the meantime, the water vendors association should be lobbied once again so they revert to the old prices. Whatever be the concern, I strongly believe that the vendors can still make profit when the old prices are maintained or even when it is reduced further.
Mark Omane Sarpong,
Ashaiman-Lebanon.
Editorial
Fare thee well, condolences to families of helicopter crash victims
Ghanaians were struck with grief on August 6, 2025, as the news of the crash of the Ghana Air Force (GAF) helicopter Z-9 at Adansi-Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region spread like wildfire moments after the incident occurred.
The helicopter, which crashed into a forested mountainside resulted in the death of eight individuals, including two government ministers and other prominent figures who were en route to Obuasi for an event about fighting illegal mining.
Anyone who heard the news reacted with shock, grief, and sombre reflection on the incident.
The victims were Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Defence Minister, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and Dr Muniru Mohammed Limuna, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator and a former Minister for Food and Agriculture.
Others are Dr Samuel Sarpong, Second National Vice Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and a former Ashanti Regional Minister, Samuel Aboagye, Acting Deputy Director General in Charge of Relief and Protocol at the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and a former NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Obuasi East Constituency.
The rest are Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Pilot, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, Co-Pilot and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah, Crew member.
Following the crash which was so devastating, the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning, and flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast.
The event themed ‘Evening of Reflections and Memorial’ allowed the nation to grieve and also served as a time of remembrance and reflection for the nation.
Yesterday, a state funeral was held at the Black Star Square for the victims, two of whom were earlier interred on Sunday at the Military Cemetery according to Islamic tradition.
As usual, there was an outpouring of condolences and support for the families of the victims as Ghanaians and also international bodies mourned the loss of the victims. It was an emotional moment of grief as tears rolled down the cheeks of guests who were mostly clad in black.
The news was devastating but we want to assure the families of the victims that we are solidly behind them sharing in their pain. Our only consolation is that God knows best and he is a great comforter.
The Spectator, together with its cherished readers wish the widows, children, families of the victims and the entire nation our deepest condolences. We ask the Almighty God to strengthen, protect and provide for the widows and children left behind.
May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.
Adieu!!
Editorial
Enact law to scrape by-elections
Dear Editor,
I believe the nation stands to gain more than lose if collectively we decide to cancel entirely any by-election when it happens just before the next general elections.
This tough but decisive decision will be to our benefit considering the funds to save.
We should make it a law to allow the candidate that came second in the party’s primaries to fill in when a vacuum is created.
This should not be a headache for Ghana the way and manner our politics is, knowing the stronghold of all the parties. In places where it swings every year, a way can be found to fix it.
The by-elections have proven to be too expensive financially.
It saddens me when the state through the Electoral Commission (EC) mobilise financial and human resources to organise another election which most times goes in favour of the group that occupied the seat.
This move will also ease tensions and tempers that characterizes every election in the area.
Victor A. Buxton, Tema
