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.
Dear Editor,
I have witnessed a very dangerous practice by some food vendors who use stones and other heavy objects as weights on leaking gas cylinders.
This is very disturbing. Despite repeated warnings from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), many vendors continue to ignore the risks associated with such practices without considering the danger they pose to people nearby in the event of an explosion.
Many food vendors operate close to fuel filling stations, increasing the possibility of a major disaster if leaking gas ignites during heavy rainfall.
Ghana cannot afford another tragedy like the June 3 disaster, when torrential rains and a massive explosion at the GOIL fuel station near the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange claimed more than 150 lives.
It is unfortunate that some vendors still use unsafe and damaged gas cylinders instead of replacing them. Covering leaking cylinders with stones is not a solution and only exposes lives and property to danger.
On one occasion, I tried to educate a food vendor around my area who had used a stone to cover her gas cylinder on the danger of her action but ended up getting the insult of my life.
I would therefore like to appeal to all relevant stakeholders, especially the GNFS and other security agencies, to intensify public education and enforce safety regulations.
Authorities should ensure that vendors who engage in such dangerous practices stop immediately. Faulty gas cylinders should be seized, and users compelled to replace them with safer ones.
Taking these preventive measures will help protect lives and property and prevent the country from experiencing another avoidable tragedy similar to the June 3 disaster.
Timothy,
Abelenkpe
Dear Sir,
I write to express concerns about the flood situation in the capital anytime it rains.
This is an issue that has been thoroughly discussed at various platforms even before the start of the rains, so one expected that we can see some readiness for the season.
However, the kind of floods we are experiencing now are not ones that authorities must sit unconcerned about; there must be action right away.
Places like Adjirigano, Kaneshie, Alajo, Avenor, parts of Kasoa have all seen flood waters risen to unprecedented levels.
Clearly, we have a big problem at hand. It’s either our drains are choked or have become too small. Something must be done about this to avert a much bigger problem.
Christine Amoh,
Odorkor
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