Features
What a hardworking President! (Part 3)
Real leaders are those who are able not just to fight for political power but make use of it in a positive manner to promote socio-economic growth and development and at the same time overcome difficulties that confront them to preserve the interest of their people which they hold and regard as paramount.
President Akufo-Addo has proved to be such a leader, and this explains that despite all the challenges during his campaign to become president, he worked hard and stayed focus to attain his ambition in life with his political career.Indeed, he is one of the greatest leaders that the country has ever produced and will go down in history as the one who, riding on the presence of former President J.A Kufuor, has made history by propelling the country into a higher standard of living.
The achievements of President Akufo-Addo in the health and agricultural sectors are there for all to see except for professional opposition members who unfortunately would not want to credit him with anything good even though his practical achievements are being enjoyed by all and sundry.
HEALTH SECTOR
Every constituency has been given at least one ambulance vehicle and some hospitals to improve health care delivery. In all, 350 brand-new well-equipped ambulances with well-trained personnel have been provided for the districts and hospitals throughout the country. Again, drones have also been brought in to help in the distribution of essential drugs to all parts of the country to ensure that no one is left out in health care if only people are able to act early enough to save lives in our hospitals.
Also, the government’s programme, Agenda 111, under which many hospitals are to be built at the regions and the districts are also being rolled out. The purpose is to ensure that each region has its own full-fledged hospital as well as ones for the districts. In addition to all these, some hospital beds have been distributed to many of our health facilities. This is noble and deserve the blessings of God.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Government’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was also remarkably impressive. In March 2020, when the disease was first reported in Ghana, the government took immediate steps to ensure that its people became protected. Electricity and drinking water were provided free of charge to Ghanaians. The free water helped the people to regularly wash their hands in line with what the government wanted them to do. The electricity provided free of charge also helped the people to iron all dresses before wearing them since there was the need to ensure that everything, including dresses, was well sanitised before use.
Government is fighting hard to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines are also produced locally. Prof.Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng has submitted a report with his committee to government on how to go about it.
PREVENTING BANKING CRISIS
To speed up national economic development, certain steps were taken for rapid economic growth as a way of improving upon the welfare of the people. Once such step was a strategy to overcome a looming banking crisis in the country. Many of the banks operating under the previous government, that is, the NDC did not have the required level capital to operate as expected. What had happened in other countries such as Lebanon and others could have also occurred here because the banks with capital below the required levels would have not been able to satisfy their customers’ withdrawals.
To resolve the issue, the Akufo-Addo administration withdrew the licences of such banks and reorganised the banking sector. Those banks that were too small to operate on their own were joined together to operate as one entity as can be seen in the example of Consolidated Bank of Ghana (CBG) which is now doing very well.
The confidence required in the banking sector has risen high and all these are helping the economy to boost up at a faster rate. This, together with other policies, account for the reason Ghana is ranked among the fastest growing economy in Africa and the world. Another achievement related to this is the relative stability of the Cedi. Matters would have been worse if government had not taken these steps to rectify the situation.
FASTEST INTERNET SPEED IN AFRICA
Another issue related to smooth economic growth is the fact that Ghana had been rated as the country with the fastest internet speed in Africa. According to a Speedtest Global Index for the top 10 fixed broadband categories in the first quarter of 2021, South Africa, Madagascar, Egypt, Senegal, Seychelles, Morocco, Congo, and Burkina Faso were ranked behind Ghana. Additionally, Ghana was ranked 79th in the world for the Speedtest Global Index with the speed of 53.28 Mbps, which was the fastest in Africa. This has helped in a way for the economy to develop at a faster rate because modern economies are linked to a fast-speed internet system.
CONSTRUCTION OF MORE ROADS
The Year of Roads, declared in 2020, is still being continued for 2021. The good news about the Year of Roads, including that of this year is that asphalt overlay is in progress for Accra roads and regional capitals. This means that major cities to enjoy the overlays would include as has been pointed out, Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Sunyani and Bolgatanga, among others.
Alongside this is the construction of interchange networks in various parts of the country such as Pokuase, Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange, Takoradi, Kumasi and Tamale. Therefore, the country has been uplifted in a pleasant manner as far as road infrastructure is concerned. If this does not constitute a good mark of good governance and economic growth, then what else can it be?
FIGHTING AGAINST CORRUPTION
The government is fighting hard against corruption. A new Special Prosecutor has been appointed to make corruption as unattractive as possible. He has begun to work in an assiduous manner and very soon the country and the world would begin to see the positive results that come out of his endeavour.
Conscious effort is also being made to guarantee peace and security in the country. In fact, Ghana today has been ranked the first most peaceful country in West Africa and remains the second most peaceful country in the whole of Africa. It is this credential of being a peaceful country that attracted the AfCFTA secretariat into the country. It is the same reason that President Akufo-Addo has been chosen as ECOWAS chairman for two consecutive terms.
IGNORING PROPAGANDA
Many Ghanaians are complaining about facilities they lack in their communities such as good drinking water, electricity, telecommunication facilities, clinics, or hospitals etc. These are being provided in a systematic manner so as much as we want people to draw the attention of government to their community needs, they should also bear in mind that this is a government that is committed towards the good of the people and that if we don’t allow it to complete its project successfully, we may all live to regret later. For this reason, no one should be influenced by any form of propaganda to turn his/her back against the government.
President Akufo-Addo appears tireless in his desire to fix the problems of this country looking at how energetic he is as if he is only forty (40) in age. This is what the Akufo-Addo administration has planned for this country, so do we support him or not?
The answer is not far-fetched and that means that we all need to support him no matter what!
Contact email/whatsApp of author:
Pradmat2013@gmail.com (0553318911)
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
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