Editorial
Accra-Tema train shuttle okay but…
Dear Editor,
Few months ago, I wrote to commend the management of the Ghana Railways Company Limited (GRCL) following resumption of the Accra-Tema passenger train service.
Feedback from some members of the public indicates the service has been beneficial to commuters since it got back on track on Monday, July 18, 2022. Some people say the shuttle is relatively cheaper compared with the cost of travelling on commercial buses.
I am, however, concerned about the somewhat limited number of trips the train embarks on daily basis in spite of the seemingly increased patronage of the service.
Living close to a train station in my area, I notice the train arrives early morning around 6am to pick passengers and again drops them off around 6:30 pm. I believe the shuttle is fixed around these times as it is considered the rush hour for workers, traders and other business people.
Nonetheless, there could be a mid-morning or afternoon shuttle for people whose jobs do not require them to leave home very early, in addition to a shuttle after 6 pm which would also help workers returning very late to their places of residence.
While I stand to be corrected, I have noticed that the single train operating currently looks different from the modern one we were told had been procured some time ago. If the new trains are still not in use, it is time they were deployed to augment the existing ones.
I must say I am impressed with the effort of the GRCL to improve and revamp the rail transportation system in the country but I believe the concerns identified here can be addressed in the interim while the company works towards expanding operations to other parts of the country.
James Kwame Wilson,
Sakumono, Greater Accra Region.
Editorial
Merits and demerits of scraping betting tax
Dear Editor,
Over the past years, a lot of concerns have been raised about the rise of sports betting companies in the country, their operations, and how it impacted negatively on the youth of the country.
I have also witnessed how some of the youth go to the extent of borrowing money from friends or use companies’ money to stake bets, which they were not guaranteed of winning.
Due to this, I was happy when the previous government introduced the betting tax, as I felt it would deter the youth from engaging in it.
However, some Ghanaians hold the view that the betting tax would help create employment.
It wasn’t surprising to see the excitement that greeted the announcement of the scrapping of the tax by the Finance Minister.
My worry now is how, as a country, the youth can be discouraged from engaging in betting.
I believe that as the betting tax has been scrapped, it is about time that the government finds ways of addressing the issue of betting among the youth as it is becoming more serious than before.
I believe that there should be a multi-stakeholder engagement between the various stakeholders to proffer solutions to address them.
Editorial
Rail crossing point at circle- Kaneshie road needs attention
Dear Editor,
I read with happiness a letter published in the previous edition about the poor state of the rail crossing stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie road.
I totally agree with the concerns raised by the writer and I wish to add my voice to the call on the authorities to quickly work on that stretch of the road.
What the writer left out was the occasional happenings when vehicles break down on the rail line. I have witnessed that before.
It is not a comfortable thing driving on it at all. It is a huge dent on the beauty the interchange was expected to bring to the area.
The traffic it creates is a major inconvenience to people who are rushing to work.
I wish to appeal to the authorities to quickly do something about that portion of the road to make it convenient for drivers. Thank you for the space.
Maxwell Amamoo,
Odorkor
