Editorial
Obuasi-Tarkwa highway needs urgent repairs
Obuasi Road
Dear Editor,
As a concerned citizen of this country, I find it difficult to understand why we allow our infrastructure to deteriorate before deciding to give it some attention.
Recently, while travelling along the Obuasi-Tarkwa highway, I was appalled by the deplorable state of the road, particularly around the Bediem area.
The road surface has forced drivers to navigate cautiously, significantly slowing down traffic flow.
It is crucial to recognise the significance of this highway, not just as a vital artery for commuters but also as a crucial route for businesses in the Obuasi and Tarkwa regions.
Given the prominence of mining activities in these areas, the efficient functioning of this road is essential for facilitating economic activities and ensuring the smooth transportation of goods and services.
I implore the Ministry of Roads and Highways to prioritise an urgent intervention along this stretch of the highway.
Timely repairs and maintenance are imperative to restore the road to a safe and navigable condition.
By addressing these infrastructure challenges promptly, we can alleviate the hardships faced by commuters and businesses while simultaneously safeguard the revenue generated from economic activities in the regions.
It is my sincere hope that swift action will be taken to address these concerns and uphold the integrity of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.
Together, let us work towards creating a safer and more prosperous environment for all citizens.
Abigail Serwaa Boateng,
Obuasi, Bediem.
Editorial
Media, FDA must not relent in fight against secondhand smoking
Secondhand smoke poses grave danger to the health of non smokers
Dear Editor,
As I walk through public spaces, I’m reminded of the lingering threat of secondhand smoke.
Despite the progress in anti-smoking campaigns, innocent bystanders continue to suffer from the harmful effects of secondhand smoking.
The facts are alarming.
Secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, 70 of which are carcinogenic.
Tobacco use in Ghana is said to result in over 6,700 deaths annually with related illness accounting for 3 per cent deaths in the country.
These includes cancers, cardiovascular diseases and respiratory conditions.
According to the Centre for Disease Control Prevention, a 100 per cent smoke-free and tobacco-free environment is the most comprehensive approach to ensure health and safety.
Children are particularly vulnerable, with increased risk of asthma, bronchitis, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Pregnant women exposed to secondhand smoke face higher risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight.
To protect public health, there should be stricter enforcement of smoke-free laws initiated by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in public spaces.
Smoking at these public places such as pubs, restaurants, work places, supermarkets, children’s playground and hospitals should be discourage and culprit punished to serve as deterrent to others.
The media should also increase awareness campaigns highlighting secondhand smoke risks.
We must prioritise the health and well-being of nonsmokers to ensure a healthy environment by partnering the FDA to stop secondhand smoking.
It is a collective responsibility and we must all come on board to support the FDA to address this concern in the country.
Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi,
Accra
Editorial
Afienya-Jerusalem road must be fixed
Dear Editor,
I write this piece to draw the attention of the Roads and Highways Ministry about the deplorable nature of the Afienya-Jerusalem road.
The road which construction started around 2016, has been neglected for long.
The road has developed huge pot-holes and is causing a lot of damage to vehicles that use it.
Drivers and passengers alike have complained about the bad state of the road on a number of occasions, but it seems those complaints have not yielded the needed results.
It is as if the authorities in charge of the project don’t care about it yet they will come to the area to campaign for votes.
As a concerned citizen, I would like to urge the government through the Ningo-Prampram Municipal Assembly to ensure that the road is fixed to help address the negative impact it has on road users and residents.
Benjamin Arcton-Tettey
Prampram
