Editorial
SONA well-delivered
Dear Editor,
President Akufo-Addo’s State of the Nation Address delivered on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 was, by far, one of the most succinct and ‘peaceful’ presentations I have witnessed in the last four years.
First, it was a departure from the ‘three-hour rhetoric’ which is typical of such national statements. The entire presentation lasted for about an hour and 20 minutes, allowing the parliamentarians and guests to quickly jump to other external businesses.
Parliamentarians on both sides of the House, maintained a good composure throughout the presentation in spite of simmering discontent of the Minority over the passage of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) Bill.
Some observers thought the ‘heckling-free’ atmosphere on the day was as a result of fruitful back-room conversation among the leadership of the House, prior to the President’s speech.
As factual or otherwise that it may be, I believe the President’s body language, choice of words and the victory of the Black Stars ahead of the address contributed to the order that prevailed on the floor of the August House.
As Speaker Alban Bagbin, expressed himself eloquently in his opening statement on the floor last Wednesday, citizens would continue to look up to the leadership and members of parliament, hence the need to lead by example.
This position cannot be overemphasised and I wish to encourage the House to maintain the same level of sanctity exhibited during the State of the Nation Address, as they take up future businesses on the floor in the interest of citizens and the nation.
Meanwhile, I would appeal to parliament to agree and accept a convention stipulating that future State of the Nation Addresses should not go beyond two hours, irrespective of what party is in power.
Fred Asamoah Antwi
Laterbiokorshie, Accra.
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
