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Cleaning windscreen for a living
Some children without nose masks have invaded the Opeibea traffic light intersection in Accra, wiping windscreen for a living.
Though the activities by these children have been in existence for many years now, it is gradually becoming common on some principal streets in the capital city, Accra, where some of them have resulted in begging for alms alongside even though officials have tried various approaches to stop it.
Some of the children are at times knocked down by motorbikes, cars and in some instances threatened by drivers, but they are not perturbed.
One of the children, who asked to be identified only by his nickname ‘Humble Lion’ said, he used the money to assist his mother for feeding and paying rent for the family.
“Despite the terrible news about the bad behaviour of some of the kids, not all of us on the street are bad,” he said.
James, a 38-year-old Bolt driver, said one of the boys slammed a squeegee on his windshield and cracked the glass at the Opeibea traffic about a month ago.
Speaking to Daniela Ruedisueli Sodjah, Executive Director of Chance for Children, a non-governmental organisation which empowers street-connected children and families, said, the kids were a visual sign of the challenges of young people have, their own struggles and the spirit to rise above those challenges.
Many of the street children are working for tips to pay for basic needs as their parents provide for them.
A police officer at the Airport police station who spoke on anonymity said, they have been responding to increasing complaints from workers and residents who drive through the city, regarding the challenge.
By Geoffrey Buta
Hot!
ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
