Editorial
Let’s be vigilant to prevent being victims of job scams
The public has been cautioned by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) to be careful of the new tactics being used in employment scams.
The Authority claims that more and more examples of job scams involving victims who lost a significant amount of money are being reported.
Typically, scammers send unsolicited messages using email, Telegram, WhatsApp, and SMS, among other channels.
These scammers impersonate recruiters and promise high-paying, remote or part-time jobs involving digital tasks such as liking social media or clicking on a link.
Numerous people have been duped by these scammers, who first entice their victims with small amounts in exchange for larger sums of money after the victims are locked out of their accounts.
The quicker this concerning tendency is addressed, the better, as it will protect the wallets of job seekers who are in a dire situation.
In relation to employment scams is the problem of cyberattacks. Organisations in the internet age mostly depend on information technology (IT) infrastructure to protect them against cyberattacks, which is why cybersecurity is so important.
Cyber security is the process of safeguarding computer systems and networks against unauthorised access or being otherwise damaged.
Cyber security is crucial because it protects people and organisations from cyberattacks and the loss or theft of sensitive data.
Because of this, businesses, governments, and private citizens are making significant investments in cyber security to safeguard their data and assets from hackers; yet, the risk of cybercrime is rising quickly.
Also, hackers now manage to obtain unauthorised access to Facebook accounts, hinder individuals from accessing their own accounts, and utilise these accounts to secretly raise money.
Another worrying development is that some hackers have been calling victims’ phone numbers and tricking them into updating their WhatsApp accounts in order to obtain personal information that they can use for other schemes, such as Momo fraud.
The Spectator urges the public to exercise caution and distrust high-paying occupations that require little effort. The best way to avoid employment frauds is to double-check job postings.
Sometimes a scam can be easily identified because of the numerous grammatical, typographical, and consistency flaws in the messages.
Certain organisations clearly specify that applicants should not submit any payment at all throughout the hiring process therefore jobseekers who are asked to pay an employer before being hired should be cautious about such practices.
Let’s all exercise caution to stop these scammers and hackers from doing their business.
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
