Editorial
Let’s all support victims of Akosombo and Kpong floods
Last week, angry residents in Kasoa blocked the highway to express their disapproval of the poor quality of the roads and to call on the authorities to address the issues as soon as possible.
The demonstration caused heavy traffic on the Kasoa-Accra highway with majority of passengers alighting from their vehicles to walk to their destinations.
The demonstrators claim that despite years of heavy motor traffic on a stretch of the highway between Old Barrier and the Kasoa Toll Booth because of the frequent floods, nothing has been done to improve the situation.
Other areas include Atala, Tuuba, Amanfron, Osiadan, SCC, Broadcasting among others.
The protesters bemoaned the deteriorating state of the road and the amount of floodwaters covering it anytime it rains causing silt from the hillside to wash over the road and making driving across it difficult.
Although the road is a significant one that connects to the Central and Western Regions as well as some West African countries, there are many potholes and gullies along it, making the situation extremely dangerous and halting economic activity.
Heavy traffic has been an everyday occurrence for commuters travelling between Accra and Kasoa for business purposes, costing them a lot of time.
Travelling on that stretch of road is extremely difficult due to the unendurable traffic, which is especially bad during peak hours and on Saturdays when people drive to attend funerals, visit their children in school, or attend other events.
In addition, there is constant traffic jam in the Budumburam portion due to market activities along the wayside, which is caused by commercial activity on that stretch of road.
It is time to find a lasting solution to this to allow cars to drive freely.
The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) needs to act quickly to alleviate the extreme traffic congestion on the Accra-Kasoa road in order to save the lives of those who use it.
Resolving these road and traffic congestion problems can help to reduce traffic, boost the economy, facilitate travel, and offer respite to residents and commuters.
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
