Editorial
The decline of service quality at STC: A call for urgent reform
Dear Editor,
Public transportation plays a vital role in national development by connecting people, supporting businesses, and enabling mobility. In Ghana, the State Transport Corporation (STC) has long been regarded as a reliable transport provider.
However, my experience with STC on Tuesday, where I had to wait for more than two hours has confirmed concerns about the decline in the quality of service by the transport provider.
Two major issues stand out of the concerns raised by the public, which are, poor communication by management and excessive waiting times for passengers.
Effective communication is the backbone of any successful organization, especially in the transport sector where schedules, delays, and changes directly affect customers.
Unfortunately, STC management appears to fall short in this area. Passengers are often left in the dark regarding delays, cancellations, or changes in departure times.
There is little to no proactive communication to inform customers about what is happening. In many cases, passengers must repeatedly approach staff for updates, only to receive vague or inconsistent responses.
This lack of clear and timely information creates frustration and anxiety among travelers, many of whom depend on STC for important journeys such as business trips, family visits, or emergencies.
A modern transport company should prioritise transparency and customer engagement by using clear announcements, digital updates, and responsive customer service channels.
The current communication gap does not only damage1 customer trust but also undermines the credibility of the organization.
Another critical issue affecting STC passengers is the long and unpredictable waiting time. It is not uncommon for customers to wait for several hours beyond their scheduled departure time. In some extreme cases, passengers have reported waiting up to five hours before boarding a bus.
I am personally a victim of this situation, having experienced a delay of about five hours without proper explanation or support from staff. Such delays are not only inconvenient but also unacceptable in today’s fast-paced world.
Passengers often plan their journeys carefully, and such prolonged waiting disrupts their schedules, causes missed appointments, and leads to additional financial and emotional stress.
Waiting for hours at a bus terminal without adequate seating, refreshments, or clear information further worsens the experience. It reflects a lack of proper planning, coordination, and respect for customers’ time.
From Ernest Adinkra
Accra New Town
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Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
