Editorial
Thumbs up to professionals holding the fort
Dear Editor,
Journalists put in lots of effort to deliver good content and stories to the public and I must say our local practitioners, over the years, continue to perform this function satisfactorily.
As the practitioners serve the public interest, a number of factors continue to undermine the crucial role they play. Notable among them is media ownership structure which, to a great extent, limits the ‘neutral role’ practitioners are expected to play when performing their duties.
A follow up to the above, is the practice where some media houses prioritise speed over facts and, in effect, churn out stories which sometimes do more harm than good.
Apart from remuneration, some practitioners are sometimes threatened or assaulted in their line of work. These and many others have, indeed, become a disincentive to the noble profession.
In spite of the setbacks, some practitioners continue to serve diligently with the hope that things would change for better. But while they keep hope alive, I wish to urge the relevant bodies to work harder to enhance the image of the profession.
While I call for sanctions on journalists who disregard codes of conduct, the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) should ensure people who assault journalists are brought to book. The association should prioritise the interest of journalists by demanding fair wages, job security and better working conditions for practitioners.
Private and public institutions should continue to deepen collaboration with established media outlets, lead initiatives that promote transparency and accountability, and help break the barrier of practitioners presenting one-sided stories.
I say thumbs up to those who continue to hold the fort, and again urge journalists and media houses to build a united front and support, speak up and defend their mandate whenever it is trampled upon.
Deborah Mawunya Aflakpui,
Student, Ghana Institute of Journalism
NCCE sensitisation in order
Dear Editor,
Last weekend your widely-read newspaper carried a story on page three in which the National Media Commission (NCCE) was cautioning young people not to fall for enticement from extremists.
I believe the call is in order and wish to commend the Commission for its effort in creating the awareness of the danger. Apart from that publication, I have also noticed other radio jingles the NCCE had sponsored on this same subject.
Violent extremism, indeed, is the new enemy and we must all be on our guard. Some security analysts have said that in the face of increasing unemployment, some young people who have “nothing to lose” may easily adopt the extremist approach when push comes to shove.
This is why I find the public education by the NCCE timely and urge them to do more as the government focuses on creating more opportunities for the youth.
Frank Kumi,
Kasoa.
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the poor state of the railway crossing area of the Neoplan Station, near Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, which is increasingly disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.
The damaged section of the road has become a major inconvenience to motorists, as vehicles are forced to slow down considerably when approaching the crossing to avoid damaging their tyres, wheels and suspension systems.
This situation causes unnecessary delays, particularly during peak hours when traffic volumes are high.
The crossing is an important route for commuters and commercial drivers who use the Circle area to connect to other parts of the capital.
The deteriorating road surface therefore affects not only individual motorists but also the general movement of vehicles through this busy transport hub.
Beyond the inconvenience, the situation could increase the risk of minor accidents as drivers brake suddenly or attempt to manoeuvre around damaged portions of the road.
I respectfully appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and other relevant agencies to inspect the affected section and undertake urgent repairs to restore the smooth movement of traffic.
Timely intervention will reduce delays, improve road safety and make commuting through the Circle area more convenient.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
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Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the authorities and the general public to the increasing cost of hostel accommodation, particularly for students in tertiary institutions.
The high cost of hostels has become a serious challenge for many students and their parents.
In some areas, hostel fees have increased significantly, making it difficult for students from low- and middle-income families to secure decent accommodation.
Apart from the hostel fees, students also have to pay for transportation, food, learning materials and other academic needs.
The rising cost of accommodation therefore puts additional financial pressure on families and, in some cases, forces students to live in overcrowded or poorly maintained facilities.
I believe hostel owners and relevant authorities must work together to ensure that accommodation remains affordable while maintaining acceptable standards.
Tertiary institutions should also consider expanding student accommodation and encouraging affordable private hostel projects.
The government and local authorities could further support the development of low-cost student accommodation through appropriate policies and incentives.
I therefore appeal to the Ministry of Education, tertiary institutions and other stakeholders to treat the issue as a matter of urgency.
Affordable and decent accommodation is essential to creating a conducive environment for students to study and succeed.
This has in a way also empowered the private people in the accommodation sector to take undue advantage of the situation to charge exorbitant rates for their services.
Kwame Ampiaw,
Accra
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