News
Political interference discourages rail sector investment–GRWU
Political interference discourages vital investors for the railways sector, the General Secretary of Ghana Railway Workers Union (GRWU), Mr Godwill Ntarmah, has observed.
He believed the trend, over the years had been one major factor which had affected the development and fortunes of railway subsector of the economy of Ghana.
Mr Ntarmah expressed these concerns at the second quadrennial delegate conference of the GRWU which ended at Fijai, in Takoradi, on Friday on the theme ‘Revamping the railway sector, the role of stakeholders’.
“It is important to state that in the past, unnecessary political interference and influence did not allow potential investors to succeed in the quest to revamp the railway sector.” he stressed.
The GRWU Secretary General declared: “The ongoing construction of the Akosombo to Mpakadan railway line has really raised the appetite of Ghanaians for more railway construction and we cannot afford to fail them.”
Mr Ntarmah told the conference that another major challenge facing the railway industry was the view held by most railway workers and observers that owners of the bulk road vehicles and the very influential in the society were“behind the non-revamping of the Western Railway line to Awaso.”
He said, such observers wondered why there was no contract for the revamping to reach Awaso, especially when the current government had shown the commitment to revamp the railway sector.
“The benefits that the nation will get by hauling bauxite and other minerals by rail far outweigh the benefits any individual will get. It is our belief that in the not too distant future our cry to get to Awaso will receive the needed response it deserves for us to have our jobs secured.” Ntarmah mentioned.
He reported that from December 2019 to April 2020, Ghana Manganese Company’s decision to stop the haulage manganese to Takoradi Port, had affected the operations of GRCL which now rely on Central Government for total payment of salaries of railway workers.
The General Secretary indicated that the situation could have been avoided if the GRCL had diversified its operation to include the haulage of bauxite and cocoa.
Mr Ntarmah, however, noted some positive interventions including the rehabilitation of the existing narrow-gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa that has ensured resumption of passenger services, rehabilitation of the existing narrow gauge from Accra to Nsawam and the award of contract to M/S AMANDI for the construction of standard gauge railway line from Kojokrom to Huni Valley.
Despite the positive initiatives, the GRCL, he added, was currently faced with challenges of old locomotive engines, inadequate rolling stock and lack of spare parts for the old locomotives and rolling stock available.
He called for an effective collaboration and cooperation of all stakeholders in the railway sector based on transparency and trust, to revamp the railway sector.
Source: Ghanaian Times
News
Craze for x’mas shopping: Crowded markets, low patronage
Vendors of food and other wares associated with the Christmas celebration have expressed surprise at the low patronage despite the increased number of visitors to some of the major markets across the capital.
Four days to the celebration(Christmas), the markets are filled with various products ranging from food, clothing, livestock and many other stuff, but according to the vendors, patrons are doing more ‘window’ shopping.
The Spectator on visits to some of the markets in the capital, notably the Odawna, Makola, Accra Central Business District, New Town and others made similar observations as shoppers crowd them but did little in terms of purchases.
The paper also observed that majority of vendors, originally selling other wares have switched to product related to the festive season.
What it means is that there are a lot more clothes, food and vegetables, livestock and poultry, toys, firecrackers, drinks of different types and many others on display.
The markets have also stretched to the pedestrian pavement, leaving very narrow spaces for commuters to move about freely.
That, in addition to a few of the female vendors dressed in coloured attires to reflect the occasion, has heightened the euphoria, leaving the low sales as the only headache for the vendors.
Speaking with this paper, they sounded very optimistic, believing that sales would improve in the last few days to the yuletide.
According to them, there was the opportunity to sell beyond Christmas as the New Year celebration offers similar opportunity to trade the same wares.
They urged patrons to throng the markets to shop since prices were quite moderate and products affordable for all.
News
Retirement service for Elder John Ackom-Asante,3 others
Retired Deputy Editor of The Spectator, Elder John Ackom-Asante, was last Sunday honoured by the Church of Pentecost Windy Hills District in Kasoa in the Central Region, with a retirement thanksgiving service, after serving for 26 year as an Elder of the church.
He was honoured with a citation and certificate of service along with three other elders who served in the capacity for various years.
Elder Ackom-Asante was baptised at the Darkuman Central Assembly in 1979 and ordained as an Elder in 1997.
The citation read “Your selfless service, zeal, willingness to relate wholeheartedly and your desire to effect change has gone a long way to shape the lives of many people in the church and the nation over the 26 years of your dedication to the service of the Lord.”
Elder Ackom- Asante held many positions at the Darkuman Central Assembly, Obuasi in the Ashanti Region and Tema, serving in various capacities as youth and evangelism ministry leader and marriage counsellor.
He was the founding member of the Darkuman Christian Fellowship, a member of the Greater Accra Christian Fellowship; member of Bible Society of Ghana; founding member Obuasi Chapter Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship International and founding member of New Times Corporation Christian Fellowship and Chaplain, Methodist University Tema Campus 2009- 2010.
As a professional journalist, Elder Ackom-Asante combined effectively and efficiently his duty as a member and elder of the church and the demands of his profession, with admiration from the church, kith and kin, till his retirement on December
From Alhaji Salifu Abdul-Rahaman, Kasoa
