Editorial
Clear the ‘death traps’ on our roads
Dear Editor,
As we leave our homes to our workplaces, markets, schools, churches and other places, we all hope and pray that we return home safely, considering the number of road carnages that we witness or hear about each and every passing day.
Most of these road crashes that often claim human lives and live others amputated are often caused by the disregard to road safety rules and regulations.
Sometimes, one is tempted to ask whether laws work in this country as drivers still drink and drive, engage in unnecessary overtaking, comfortably speak on phones while driving with commuters also carelessly crossing roads and highways at unapproved places.
It would be unfair to say that authorities mandated to ensure the compliance of road safety rules and regulations, such as the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has not done enough to address the issue. They are doing their best.
They have taken initiatives such as TansportGhana, an ICT interface that would facilitate the licensing and registration of road transport services.
However, one of the issues that I think had not been looked at when it came to road safety is the number of rickety cars that ply our roads on a daily basis. I often refer to such cars as ‘death traps.’
That contribute to the growing number of road carnages in the country.
Many of these ‘death traps’ are found at various lorry stations. I have had some bad experiences sitting in these ‘death traps’, which have dilapidated seats with protruding sharp edges, and corroded body frames.
Sitting in such cars become a concern for passengers when it rains as they leak badly.
I have also witnessed a passenger whom I was on board with in one of these cars from Madina sustain a deep cut by the protruding sharp edge. I therefore think it is about time these ‘death traps’ are taken off our roads.
As a concerned citizen, I implore the Drivers and Vehicles Licensing Authority (DVLA) to check the road worthiness of cars that ply our roads before issuing license to drivers, and also collaborate with the NRSA and the police service to clamp down on influx of rickety cars.
Joojo Yawson,
Nungua
Editorial
Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road
Dear Editor,
After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.
But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.
Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.
Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.
It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.
During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.
I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.
As a result, public transport operators are forced to divert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.
I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.
Awuah Martin,
Kasoa, C/R
Editorial
Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory
Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.
The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronising the event with various activities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.
Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.
According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance lessons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful traditional attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.
Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Ghanaian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.
Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.
The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the celebration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among others to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.
GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the preparations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion industry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.
In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, together, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”
The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.
