Editorial
Let’s back calls to review defilement law
Dear Editor,
I write to back a call by a High Court Judge to review the country’s laws on defilement to ensure that such cases get to their logical conclusion.
In the previous edition of your paper, the judge, Justice Gloria Mensah-Bonsu called for a second look at Section 101(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 29.
That in her view could ensure proper compensation for defilement victims.
According to the report, a culprit in such cases was liable on summary conviction to a term of imprisonment of seven years minimum or 25 years maximum.
But being a strictly liability law with no option of a fine, it has become difficult, by my layman understanding, to fine the culprits to compensate the victims, especially in cases where the act results in pregnancy.
I want to appeal to the authorities, specifically Parliament to consider this human right centered call to begin the process.
As it is now, some families of victims of such crimes would consider monetary ‘gains’ over the punishment to be meted out to the culprit.
Sometimes, one cannot begrudge them for that judgment because their living conditions may be poor and could feed on what the culprit would use to buy their ‘silence’.
But when they are aware the case could fetch them something substantial in addition to a conviction, they may cooperate to ensure the match gets to its logical conclusion.
Adwoa Wadie,
Accra
Editorial
Urgent need to resource GNFS
Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring to the attention of the government on the urgent need to resource the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
The GNFS plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of our communities, but it is facing numerous challenges due to inadequate resources.
The GNFS lacks modern equipment, vehicles to effectively respond to fire outbreaks and other emergencies.
These, to a large extent affect their operations.
The service needs a state-of-the-art fire fighting equipment and vehicles for its operations.
It saddens my heart to see personnel with zeal to work but are obstructed the lack of limited resources.
Recent fires at Zongo Lane near the Rawlings Park and part of Job 600 building of Parliament House in Accra calls for an urgent need to adequately resource the Service to assist in the case of emergencies.
I urge the government to prioritise the GNFS to enable it to effectively discharge its mandate. This includes allocating sufficient funds, provide modern equipment and vehicles.
The safety and security of our communities depend on it to save human resource and the country’s economy.
Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi
Accra
Editorial
Speed up work on reconstruction of La General Hospital
Dear Editor,
The La General Hospital was demolished in July 2020 to allow its reconstruction and become an ultra-modern facility.
Following the demolition, the government announced a budget of €5 million for the reconstruction. However, progress of work on the facility has been very slow, leading to frustration among the residents of La.
The community was hopeful that the new hospital would provide advanced healthcare services and improve access to quality medical care. Unfortunately, the delay in construction has left the people without a fully functional hospital for over three years.
The slow pace of work has caused great concern as residents now move to hospitals surrounding like the Police Hospital, 37 Military Hospital and Korle- Bu to seek medical attention even though there is a clinic in the community.
Residents of La have already organised various demonstrations to voice out their worries. They feel that the government has not lived up to its promise to deliver a modern hospital that meets the needs of the community.
The residents are worried about the impact of the delay on their health and well-being, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with chronic ailment.
I want to urge the government to make it a priority to complete hospital reconstruction this year to show its commitment to providing the community with a safe and fully equipped facility.
Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon,
Accra
