Editorial
Curb fraud in financial institutions!
In recent times it has emerged that fraudulent activities in many financial institutions are on the increase and that some members of staff of these financial institutions are involved in such unfortunate acts.
Consequently, the Bank of Ghana has advised all banks as well as savings and credit institutions, to take proactive measures aimed at preventing such negative practices.
The banking sector constitutes an important part of the economy, so fraudulent activities involving some banking staff tend to downgrade the confidence that people have in the financial sector. This can create serious problems for any country.
The banks are institutions for the mobilisation of financial resources to facilitate business growth in the economy.
Such fraudulent acts, therefore, have the tendency not only to destroy financial institutions in the country, but to throw economic growth out of gear.
For that reason, The Spectator is appealing to all financial institutions to up their game in terms of security measures to ensure that fraudulent deals are prevented if not minimised.
One way of doing this is to ensure that prospective employees are properly screened so that would-be fraudsters are not engaged under any circumstances to enter the financial institutions.
Another measure is to ensure that those who are caught in fraudulent deals are given severe punishment to deter others from engaging in such unpleasant activities.
As many people are in need of employment, prospective employees should not be selected based on whom you know. If people are recruited on the basis of whom you know, prospective fraudsters cannot be weeded out.
It is, therefore, important that honest people are scrutinised and employed to work in our financial institutions, be it the banks or savings and loans institutions.
This is how we can protect ourselves against fraud to ensure that decent jobs are carried out by all the financial institutions in the country.
Editorial
Unsanitary conditions of food vendors near gutter
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express a concern about the unhygienic conditions under which food vendors go about their business in some communities.
This is mostly associated with vendors that sell near gutters. It has become widespread and the earlier authorities do something about it, the better it will be for us.
I have noticed in recent times that several food sellers have set up their stalls close to open gutters, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The proximity of these food stalls to gutters means that food is being prepared and sold in an environment contaminated with filth, bacteria, and other harmful substances.
This is unacceptable and requires immediate attention from the relevant authorities.
I urge the Metropolitan and District Assemblies under the Local Government Ministry and other health agencies to take swift action to address this issue.
Food vendors should be relocated to cleaner and safer areas, with regular inspections to be conducted to ensure that food is being handled and sold in a hygienic manner.
The recent outbreak of Cholera in some regions of the country should keep us on our toes to ensure that we don’t lose guard with sanitation.
I hope that your paper will highlight this important issue to help bring about the necessary changes.
By Eugene Ampiaw,
Accra
Editorial
Govt must go to aid of victims of USAID funding cut
Dear Editor,
Reading a report in your established weekend newspaper, The Spectator, last week on the effect of USAID funding cut in the Northern Region made me see the seriousness of the issue at stake.
To learn the fate of HIV/AIDS patients, those suffering from malaria, pregnant women and other category of sick people are uncertain made me sad.
This is because as a country, we have made a lot of progress in the control and management of these conditions and would be very unfortunate to see these gains eroded by the decision of the US government.
The situation described by health workers and the patients themselves is understandable because funds from the USAID have served as a backbone for health delivery in the region.
It is indeed a difficult situation but as a country, we must not fold our hands and sit unconcerned. We must be seen to be doing something.
President John Mahama has done well by tasking the Minister of Finance to find ways to raise cash to support agencies or activities to be affected by the funds cut.
The issue now is when done what would be released? I want to appeal to the government to respond immediately to curb mortality.
Rosemary Ampofo,
Obuasi
