Editorial
Let’s respect our Cedi notes
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express concern over the improper manner in which some individuals are handling the Cedi notes. I have observed for the past few months the sorry state of some of the notes especially the one Ghana Cedi which seem to be losing its value.
Many of the notes I see are very dirty and worn-out due to improper handling by sections to the public, especially traders. Often, I chance on squabbles between bus conductors (drivers’ mates) and passengers on commercial vehicles as some passengers would not accept disfigured notes as change. Similarly, some bus conductors do not accept torn notes as payment from passengers.
This ‘conflict’ does not involve bus conductors and passengers but extends to traders and food vendors as well who also refuse ‘unpresentable’ cedi notes from their customers. I believe all of these could be traced to the general lack of care for the notes which were printed with the tax payer’s money.
I, therefore, wish to call on the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and other key stakeholders to reactivate public education on the need for individuals to be more responsible in handling cash.
We have always been encouraged to neatly fold and keep paper notes in a wallet or a purse but many people continue to disregard this advice. We all need to change our ways.
Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon,
University of Cape Coast.
Editorial
Merits and demerits of scraping betting tax
Dear Editor,
Over the past years, a lot of concerns have been raised about the rise of sports betting companies in the country, their operations, and how it impacted negatively on the youth of the country.
I have also witnessed how some of the youth go to the extent of borrowing money from friends or use companies’ money to stake bets, which they were not guaranteed of winning.
Due to this, I was happy when the previous government introduced the betting tax, as I felt it would deter the youth from engaging in it.
However, some Ghanaians hold the view that the betting tax would help create employment.
It wasn’t surprising to see the excitement that greeted the announcement of the scrapping of the tax by the Finance Minister.
My worry now is how, as a country, the youth can be discouraged from engaging in betting.
I believe that as the betting tax has been scrapped, it is about time that the government finds ways of addressing the issue of betting among the youth as it is becoming more serious than before.
I believe that there should be a multi-stakeholder engagement between the various stakeholders to proffer solutions to address them.
Editorial
Rail crossing point at circle- Kaneshie road needs attention
Dear Editor,
I read with happiness a letter published in the previous edition about the poor state of the rail crossing stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie road.
I totally agree with the concerns raised by the writer and I wish to add my voice to the call on the authorities to quickly work on that stretch of the road.
What the writer left out was the occasional happenings when vehicles break down on the rail line. I have witnessed that before.
It is not a comfortable thing driving on it at all. It is a huge dent on the beauty the interchange was expected to bring to the area.
The traffic it creates is a major inconvenience to people who are rushing to work.
I wish to appeal to the authorities to quickly do something about that portion of the road to make it convenient for drivers. Thank you for the space.
Maxwell Amamoo,
Odorkor
