Editorial
We need to be security conscious
In light of what is going on in various parts of the world, including the African region, it has become necessary for citizens in all countries to be security conscious in order to prevent unforeseen circumstances from happening to them and making life uncomfortable and unbearable.
As a result of terrorist activities the world over, life has become very threatening. Day in day out, we hear of attacks on innocent persons. Ghana is a country of peace, but we need to be aware that various terrorist groups are operating in various parts of the subregion.
Terrorist attacks have taken place in Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, all in the subregion. This has put fear in people.
Not long ago, the national security outfit in this country told Ghanaians not to take security matters for granted. The point was made that we need to be aware of such attacks, particularly in overcrowded areas such as churches, mosques and so on.
Other places that could attract such terrorist attacks are lorry stations and market places. It has, therefore, become necessary that people become conscious wherever they find themselves regarding security issues.
Security matters cannot be taken for granted especially in these days when terrorist groups are always planning to take credit for the destruction of innocent lives and property.
Various campuses in our universities and second cycle institutions must, therefore, be aware of this, so that individuals suspected to be carrying out such activities can be reported to the security agencies.
The National Security Ministry has its ears on the ground throughout the country and will do all it can to forestall terrorism in any part of the country. This is good but as we have been alerted, it is better for every person to be aware of any possible attacks from terrorist groups.
Such terrorists are bent on destroying innocent lives and create chaos in various parts of the country. What we need to do as a country is to be very watchful of the activities of individuals or groups of people bent on carrying out terrorist activities, so that any act of terrorism can be prevented before they take roots in any part of the country.
The Spectator, therefore, encourages our security personnel at the borders of the country to fish out any persons suspected of carrying out terrorist activities.
Ghana is a peaceful country and must be maintained as such, so that acts of terrorism can be prevented from happening here.
People must not take for granted that once terrorist attacks have not happened in this country, such activities are out of our way. Terrorism can come from any direction, but what we need to do is to remain calm and play a preventive role by reporting all suspicious characters we come across in the country.
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to condemn the circumstances under which an accident victim died recently after three major hospitals reportedly turned him away due to what has earned a place in our local parlance as ‘no bed syndrome.’
Reports suggested that this motor rider who got knocked by a vehicle was taken to three major hospitals – Police Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), and the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital – but they all claimed they had no beds.
But one may ask, would there ever be beds?
Such is the treatment Ghanaians endure every now and then when one visits our hospitals, especially the public ones which are run with the taxpayers’ money. Many a time when one visits the hospitals, the sight of patients admitted and lying on benches, and some sitting on chairs while receiving care, is visible to all; making one wonder why this particular motor rider was not admitted at any of the facilities, looking at his condition.
This leads to the reason for this letter, which is to bring out a perceived apathy against these motor riders, the majority of whom are referred to as ‘Okada’ riders.
Due to their recklessness on the roads and the inconvenience caused to commuters, people always speak ill about them; drivers equally have no regard for them. Every user of public transport would attest to this. These riders are blamed for every offence, even when it is obvious drivers may be at fault sometimes.
Motor riders have become like orphans on the road; people care less about them, and when they are unfortunately knocked down, no one cares about them.
This is the mischief our authorities and agencies, including the police, must seek to cure to make the road safe for all users.
These are young folks that want to make a living for themselves, and with no skill or education, ‘Okada’ rides have become their source of livelihood. They need the protection accorded drivers and commuters as well.
In other countries, some facilities have been provided to make their work safer, but in Ghana, we lack them, leaving them with no alternative than to share the available space with the cars.
What has happened should serve as a wake-up call on our authorities to aim to take a second look at the ‘Okada’ menace. With the numbers increasing, there should be a way to regulate them because no government would have the guts to ban it totally.
Drivers should be made to accept the reality that they are sharing the roads with them, and therefore the need for patience and tolerance.
For some of our hospitals, I suggest the Ministry of Health conduct their own investigations to see what patients go through in accessing medicare, which is even not for free.
Thank you, Editor, for the space.
F. Morgan, Kokrobite
Dear Editor,
THE heartbreaking death of 29-year-old engineer Charles Amissah in a hit-and-run accident has exposed once again the failures in our health system.
Even more painful is the fact that his father had previously donated beds to some hospitals, yet when his son needed urgent care, he was moved from one facility to another because there were ‘no beds.’
This is not only tragic but unacceptable. How can a country lose its bright young citizens simply because hospitals cannot provide emergency treatment? The ‘no bed syndrome’ has become a national disgrace, and Charles’ death is a reminder that reforms cannot wait.
Our hospitals must be equipped to handle emergencies, and accountability must be enforced. If donations are made to improve facilities, then those facilities must serve the people when it matters most. Ghana cannot afford to keep losing lives to negligence and poor infrastructure.
Charles Amissah’s death should be the turning point. Let us honor his memory by fixing the system so that no family would suffer this kind of preventable loss again.
Princess Wonovi
Accra
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