Editorial
If vaccines were “borrowed” so what?
● Some childhood vaccines were delivered recently
Early this week, the Ministry of Health took delivery of some childhood vaccines which had been in short supply for nearly a month.
The shortage had prompted anxiety among parents and health workers who feared it could result in the outbreak of childhood disease like measles, if the young ones were not inoculated in time.
Luckily, there was an intervention with the arrival of some vaccines which the officials assured that they were enough to last six weeks, therefore, parents should not rush for the vaccines.
Following the supply of the vaccines, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa indicated that the consignments were “borrowed” from Nigeria and Cote D’ivore.
Making the so-called revelation in a Facebook post, he stated, among other things, that the government’s failure to admit that the vaccines were received from these neighbouring countries was a sign of ungratefulness.
I must say I respect Mr. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa but I do not find anything useful in his supposed investigations into the source of the vaccines which were procured recently.
Individuals or nations will face one form of challenge or the other, so what is the fuss about calling on a neighbour to provide assistance in times of challenges if they have the means? After all, what are neighbours for?
I guess Nigeria and Cote D’ivore had sought assistance from Ghana in the past so where lies the criticism if they decide to return a similar favour?
Our children did not have vaccines and if the government thought it prudent to procure them through any diplomatic means possible, should we not rather commend the effort?
I believe the sources of the vaccines should not matter, once they were meant to avert a potential health crisis.
Benjamin Adu-Gyamfi,
Pokuase-Accra.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
