Editorial
Crossing Mallam-Kasoa road, a nightmare
A section of the Mallam-Kasoa road with faded Zebra Crossing marking
Dear Editor,
Crossing the Mallam-Kasoa highway on a daily basis as a student is becoming frustrating and a nightmare, and I believe it is so with other commuters whose daily routine demands they do same.
This is as a result of the stress and dangers one is exposed to in attempting to cross the road.
The dangers exposed to both motorists and pedestrians are due to the absence of visible road signs and non-functioning traffic lights on the stretch.
In the absence of these signs or traffic lights, students from nearby schools including the Jayee University and other commuters stand for so many minutes in trying to cross to and from school.
The absence of these visible signs like the traffic light and pedestrian crossing means a field day for drivers who drive at top speed, having no recourse to pedestrians who want to cross.
Residents along this area complain daily about this problem occasioned by the nature of the road but it appears their concerns always fall on deaf ears.
The most difficult areas are the Jayee and Weija junctions.
I therefore, wish to use this platform to appeal to the Ministry of Roads and Highways and its allied agencies to inspect the situation in the area and ensure that the needed attention was given.
It is a situation that can be a threat to human life so the authorities must not wait for something bad to happen before something is done about it.
If there is something that can be done to make crossing safe for students and pedestrians, then it should be done now.
.
Constance Konadu
Student, Jayee University College
Editorial
Demolition of structures at flower pot interchange a good move
Dear Editor,
I will like to commend the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Titus Glover for the bold step to destroy structures, including wooden tables and chairs set up by hawkers at the flower pot interchange which was recently commissioned by President Akufo-Addo.
Most of the hawkers and sellers expressed their displeasure about the action of the minister, while some have argued that the government has failed to get them a place to sell as promised.
Though they may have a point of not having a place to sell, I don’t think such an excuse should be the reason for them to be selling at the place.
We all remember the joy the commissioning of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Overpass by former President John Dramani Mahama brought. The project looked so beautiful, especially in the night, when the lights illuminated the entire place.
Today, the story is different. The place look so dirty with hawkers, physically challenged people and drug addicts turning every space into their humble abode.
Some even go to the extent of taking their bath there. Anytime I pass by the place to the Circle lorry station, the stench from urine that emanates makes me feel sad.
With this, I think it is about time city managers, including the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, take drastic steps in ensuring that hawkers and sellers at unauthorised places are evacuated.
What I have also come to realise is that officials of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, feel relaxed to take the necessary action in evacuating these hawkers from the unauthorised places.
We need to start going hard at some of these hawkers and vendors who sell at unauthorised places. We need to keep the capital city clean at all times.
It is in this vein that I congratulate the regional minister for taking the bold initiative of demolishing the structures at the flower pot interchange.
While I commend him, I will also urge the government to try as much as possible to find a place for them to sell their wares.
As citizens, we also need to change our attitude to ensure that the city is kept clean and neat.
Ella Akimbi,
Spintex
Editorial
End hawking on Kaneshie Foot Bridge
Dear Editor,
Hawking on the Kaneshie foot bridge has made it increasingly difficult for commuters that use the facility on daily basis.
Foot bridges are constructed to ensure the safety of pedestrians, accessibility to places, among others.
However, using the Kaneshie foot bridge has become so frustrating due to the activities of traders who sell on it. Most of them sell on either side of the bridge, leaving only a narrow space for users.
Worse of all, these traders rather get annoyed when some users of the foot bridge mistakenly step on any of the items on display and rain insults on them.
On one such occasion, I had to get into an argument with one of the traders when she insulted me for mistakenly stepping on one of the items she was selling.
Ghanaians, adore and admire countries in Europe and even North Africa for how well some of these things are structured. A few people who have stayed in those countries would tell you that these don’t happen in advanced countries.
However, the situation in Ghana is rather the opposite, and that can baffle sometimes.
I believe we need a total change of attitude. Citizens must be forced to do what is right.
The law enforcement agencies at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies should also make sure that these traders who have taken over the Kaneshie foot bridge are moved to allow some sanity on the facility.
Osei Banahene,
Mataheko
