Editorial
Pay the school feeding caterers
●Concerns of the caterers should be addressed quickly
Dear Editor,
I am writing to add my voice to the concerns of the School Feeding Caterers who have declared a strike over the delay in payment for services they had rendered.
The caterers, mostly women, have also asked for an increase in the school feeding grant from 0.97 pesewas to 3.5 pesewas but their calls seem to be falling on deaf ears.
I have been listening to some of the caterers early this week and I must say their situation and that of the affected pupils in public basic schools is pathetic.
Clearly, the government is facing financial challenges hence the inability to fulfil its financial obligations to the school feeding service providers. But I believe the situation could be handled carefully so that the caterers do not feel they are being taken for granted.
Considering that the school programme is one of government’s flagship programmes which, among other things, is aimed at increasing enrollment and retaining pupils on schools, the government should be able to prioritise the needs of working within the sector.
Some of the caterers say they owe their suppliers due to the delay in the release of funds, hence their inability to continue serving the pupils. This is a sad commentary on a programme the government takes so much pride in.
I urge the government to take urgent steps to address the challenges as quickly as possible. But if the government, in any case, wants to scrap the programme, then it must be said in plain language and stop playing hide and seek with the caterers.
Paul Kwame Koranteng,
Suhum, Eastern Region
Editorial
New Bortianor roads need urgent attention
Dear Editor,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring to the notice of the authorities and responsible agencies to the dire state of roads in New Bortianor in the Greater Accra region.
These roads, which serve as vital links for commuters, residents and businesses, are significantly deteriorated, causing immense damage to vehicles and affecting the well-being of various businesses.
The roads have developed potholes and have been rendered impassable due to the constant erosion during the rainy season
Anytime it rains, the area gets flooded and in the process cover those roads, trapping vehicles and endangering pedestrians.
In dry conditions, the dust from the area poses serious health issues for regular commuters and the community as a whole.
Those affected most are children and the elderly.
Residents have openly raised concerns about the dilapidated state of most of the roads in the vicinity, yet little to no action has been taken to address this dire situation.
Some already constructed roads are also beginning to lose shape due to lack of maintenance, affecting transportation and the local economy. It is hindering businesses and discouraging investment in the area.
I, therefore, wish to appeal to the appropriate authorities to prioritise concerns from the area with immediate effect.
The people of New Bortianor deserve better infrastructure to guarantee their safety, health and livelihoods.
I trust your esteemed newspaper will give this matter the necessary attention by publishing this letter to amplify the community’s concerns.
Thank you for the time and consideration. I look forward to seeing this issue highlighted in your publication.
Jesse Nnaji
Studen, Jayee University College
New Bortianor – Accra,
Editorial
My mum is jealous
I am an 18-year old girl and I’m planning to leave home because of my mother’s attitude.
She picks on me unduly and she finds faults with everything I do.
We have always been very close and I therefore find it very difficult to accept the present situation.
I mentioned this to my friend and she suggested that my mother is jealous of me. Is it possible for my mother to be jealous of me?
Adubea, Takyiman.
Dear Adubea,
I don’t think your mum is jealous of you at all. It is possible that she is having a problem and is unknowingly taking it out on you.
Show a little tolerance and if you are close to your mother, she might even eventually tell you what is worrying her.
Don’t listen to your friends, they might give you bad advice.
