Editorial
Sustain national clean-up exercise
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The massive patronage of Ghanaians in last week’s National clean-up exercise following the recent flooding which submerged parts of the capital, destroyed property and recorded many deaths, is overwhelming and the enthusiasm needs to be sustained.
Majority of Ghanaians including President, John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Ga Mantse King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Minister for Roads and Highways, Governs Agbodza, and other prominent personalities, officials from both public and private institutions, local authorities, market women and individuals took part in the exercise. It was indeed leadership by example.
Even school children were not left out but joined other Ghanaians to demonstrate their patriotism during the two-day exercise, initiated by the President, by cleaning their surroundings, desilting choked gutters and clearing rubbish all in a bid to make the city clean to allow free flow of water in the event of a downpour.
The exercise also drew a number of sanitation workers, security services, community leaders and volunteers who cleaned the streets, market places, drains, beaches, and other public spaces
The turnout for the clean-up exercise was massive and the zeal with which members of the public engaged in the exercise needs commendation.
However, while there were standby trucks available in some places to pick up the trash and silt that had been cleaned from the drains right away, in other places the situation was different since the silt was left on the shoulders of the drains.
One can only speculate as to what would have occurred if there had been a subsequent downpour. Naturally, the silt and trash would have been washed back into the drains and work done would have been zero.
As much as we value the participants’ efforts The Spectator is concerned that the practice of not promptly clearing waste from the shoulders of gutters will worsen the sanitary issue because of the intolerable stench that comes from the rubbish and silt.
As a result, this problem needs to be resolved immediately. Additionally, we want the clean-up effort to continue at least once a month in order to maintain cleanliness throughout the country, not just in Accra.
In order to uphold the adage that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” we implore all citizens, both young and old, to take responsibility for environmental cleanliness to ensure a healthy Ghana.
Bravo to everyone who participated in the just-ended two-day clean-up exercise and showed their patriotism.
Dear Editor,
I want to use this platform to create awareness on the growing safety challenge at some of our beaches, particularly the lack of adequate safety measures to prevent accidents.
Beaches are important recreational spaces that also contribute significantly to Ghana’s tourism industry. However, many beaches lack trained lifeguards, emergency equipment and proper supervision.
During weekends, holidays and sometimes weekdays, families visit these beaches to have fun and some, for relaxing, yet the necessary safety measures are often inadequate.
The situation becomes even more worrying when children and inexperienced swimmers enter the water without proper guidance; it can quickly turn a day meant for enjoyment into a tragedy for families.
I urge beach operators and local authorities to strengthen safety measures at our beaches, make trained lifeguards available at busy beaches, warning signs clearly displayed and emergency responses system established.
Public education is equally important as well. Visitors must be encouraged to obey safety instructions, avoid dangerous places and remain vigilant especially when children are around.
Ghana has beautiful beaches with enormous potentials that attract both local and international tourists, but we cannot promote beach tourism effectively whiles neglecting the safety of the people who visit these places.
I hope the authorities will treat beach safety as a national priority before it cause any tragedy.
From Elvis Amoako
Teshie-Nungua.
Dear Editor,
In Ghana, it appears that the moment a prominent politician is arrested or convicted, we fail to ask of the person’s offence but rather think of the person’s political affiliation.
Taking the recent 20-year imprisonment handed to New Patriotic Party (NPP) Ashanti regional chairman, Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi has once again exposed this troubling culture.
An Accra high court convicted him on illegal-mining related charges and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The NPP has since announced its intention to appeal the conviction.
What concerns me is not whether one belongs to the NPP or the NDC, what concern me is our growing tendency to attach a political identity to every arrest, investigation or court judgment. If an NPP member is arrested, some immediately say the NDC government is targeting the opposition. If an NDC member faces legal trouble the same argument will easily be reversed when political circumstances change.
We must ask ourselves; Are we defending justice or are we simply depending on our political colours? Political affiliation should never determine whether we believe a person deserves investigation, prosecution or a fair trial. If someone is accused of wrongdoing the proper institution must investigate, the court must determine guilt and the accused must have the right to challenge the decision through legal process.
Ghana cannot build a strong democracy if every criminal investigation becomes a political battle. Let us learn to separate politics from justice, a wrongdoing does not become right because the accused belong to your party and an accusation does not become true simply because the person belong to the opposing party.
Our loyalty should first be Ghana, the rule of the law and justice not to political colors.
From Desmond Yaw Frimpong
Pentecost University
