Editorial
Urgent renovation needed for Koforidua Central Market
Crowded Koforidua Central Market
Dear Editor,
I am writing to draw attention to a pressing issue that affects the heart of our community, ie, the state of the Central Market in Koforidua, the capital of the Eastern Region.
In recent times, the Koforidua Central Market has become an issue of concern among its inhabitants. The market is a bustling hub, with a multitude of traders offering their goods and services to the local population. However, the current condition of the market is a cause for alarm.
The central market’s infrastructure has deteriorated over the years, and it is now in a state of disrepair. The recent increase in rainfall has worsened the situation, as the market’s roofing is unable to provide adequate protection.
Consequently, traders often find their goods drenched, leading to substantial financial losses. It is disheartening to witness hardworking individuals struggle to make ends meet due to this avoidable problem.
Moreover, the stores within the Koforidua Central Market is inadequate for the number of traders it accommodates.
This overcrowding not only hampers business operations but also poses safety concerns. A thoughtful renovation that includes expanding the market would greatly benefit our community.
The condition of the gutters within the market is yet another concern.
These gutters are perpetually clogged, and the situation deteriorates significantly during heavy rainfall.
The resulting stagnant water not only obstructs the movement of both traders and customers but also creates an unsanitary and foul-smelling environment.
This poses health hazards and negatively impacts the overall experience of those who trade near the gutters.
I am writing this letter to implore the relevant authorities to take immediate action.
The renovation of the Koforidua Central Market is imperative to create a conducive atmosphere for our hardworking traders and improve the overall living conditions in our beloved city.
We must ensure that our community members can conduct their businesses without fear of financial losses or health hazards.
I urge all concerned parties, including government officials, municipal authorities, and community leaders, to prioritise the renovation and expansion of the Koforidua Central Market.
Let us work together to restore this vital economic and social hub to its former glory and create a thriving, clean, and safe environment for our traders and residents.
George Obeng Osei Koforidua
Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
