Editorial
Why we should pay attention to metrology in our daily lives
One important area in socio-economic development is accurate measurement which helps to enhance the value of the items offered for sale by man to other people.
This important activity is often taken for granted in the sense that many people do not pay attention to accurate measurements. If measurements are accurate, they ensure fairness in trade matters.
Elsewhere in this newspaper, one columnist, has written an article on “How metrology promotes socio-economic development”. The article emphasises, among other things, why society including Ghana ought to pay attention to accurate measurements.
The Spectator wishes to join the world in emphasising that World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on May 20, 1875, by representatives of 17 nations.
The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications. The original aim of the Metre Convention — the world-wide uniformity of measurement — remains as important today as it was in 1875.
World Metrology Day is an occasion set aside for the recognition of more than 100 years of achievement and success in the establishment of a global infrastructure for precise and reliable measurements as well as the immense contributions of many thousands of experts of metrological activities throughout the world.
The Day further aims at drawing the attention of governments of all member states together with other international bodies, to the benefits of effective and reliable measurements and the very large economic benefits which come from their investments.
Every year, a different theme is selected to place emphasise on the different roles played by metrology in socio-economic activities. The theme of this year’s World Metrology Day is Measurement for Health.
This theme was chosen to create awareness of the important role measurement plays in health and in the wellbeing of every one of us.
Indeed, metrology, the science of measurement, plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.
Metrology or accurate measurement is key in socio-economic development as decisions are made based on information from measurements. In fact, wrong measurement results lead to wrong decisions. Thus, metrological activities should result in measurements that meet specified degrees of accuracy and precision. They should ensure that the measurements are adequate and reliable.
As we observe World Metrology Day, the significance of the occasion should be remembered and highlighted at all times to enhance innovation and progress in society. All stakeholders, including consumers, must, therefore, assist in the adoption and use of accurate measurements in all transactions to ensure quality, safety and fairness in trading.
We must all embrace the significance of accurate measurements to ensure smooth promotion of both local and international trade and stimulate the enhancement of our national socio-economic development for the benefit of all.
Dear Editor,
I write to appeal to the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) to put some of their buses on the Kasoa–Circle route to ease the challenges passengers face every day.
It might interest you to know that going to and from Kasoa is no child’s play. Sadly, it appears we have been left to our fate and at the mercy of greedy ‘trotro’ drivers who employ various tactics to extort money from passengers.
One of the means they usually employ is that at the station, they’ll tell passengers they are not going to Kasoa. However, when you join these vehicles, they take passengers to a point and start calling for new passengers to a different destination. It continues like that until they reach Kasoa. At all the new stops, they collect fresh fares from passengers.
So, it is not true that they are not going to Kasoa — the only reason they do that is to take more money from passengers.
By this behaviour, one ends up spending about GH¢20 for a journey that should cost around GH¢11, and the same amount on the return trip.
This behaviour also results in long queues at the stations at night, giving robbers and pickpockets a field day as they mingle with passengers struggling for transport and end up stealing from them.
I want to plead with the Metro Mass management to put buses on this route to reduce the inconvenience we go through after a day’s work.
The management could also devise ways to make their operations more convenient and reliable, and must consider setting specific times so that passengers would know when buses arrive and when they depart.
Kwesi Pino
Kasoa
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Dear Editor,
I write with deep concern about a safety hazard and the dangers commuters are exposed to, especially those who walk in the area at night.
Along one of the busy roads in the capital — the Neoplan Station stretch of the ‘Accra Dubai’ road — lie several culverts with their metal coverings removed, leaving behind gaping holes that endanger everyone who uses the stretch.
It is a danger to commuters who walk around the area. As a regular visitor to that area, I find it very disturbing. In fact, a gaze into the drain can make one feel dizzy — it is very deep.
These are very common sights from the Railway Crossing area to the Awudome Cemetery area, bringing to the fore the activities of scrap dealers who are mostly blamed for the disappearance of the coverings.
They are dangerous and easy to miss. Children walking to school, the elderly, and even motorists risk serious injury if nothing is done.
This is not just a matter of inconvenience; it is a matter of life. We have seen too many cases where a simple oversight leads to irreversible harm.
A child could fall in. A motorcyclist could swerve and crash. A pedestrian could be injured in the dark. These are preventable tragedies, and we must treat them as urgent.
We cannot wait for disaster before we act. I urge the relevant authorities to inspect such areas, replace missing covers, and prioritise public safety. A simple fix today could save a life tomorrow. Let’s not look away — let’s fix what’s broken before it breaks someone.
Kelvin Acheampong
Dansoman
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