Editorial
Prevent youth from excessive gambling
Young people are increasingly becoming hooked to gambling, and once they do, it may be difficult for them to stop since they may view it as a quick method to get money or a way to reduce their anxiety symptoms.
Participating in a game or activi¬ty where you risk money or a valued item in the hopes of winning money is referred to as gambling.
Some young people gamble, through lotteries, betting, card games, casino games, bingo, and other activities, for fun, excitement, or financial gain, but others do it to escape from stress.
The Spectator is concerned about youths who gamble too much. Some claim that gambling helps them become more perceptive, helps them learn skills while playing, and keeps their brains engaged.
However, appealing as it may seem, gambling has a number of drawbacks since it raises the risk of the youth disengaging from friends, family, and school or engaging in risky behaviour that results in psy¬chological and behavioural prob¬lems.
In addition, it may also result in low self-esteem, criminal activity, domestic violence, tension, and even suicidal thoughts.
In light of this, The Spectator backs the acting Amomole chief and head of the Okortsoshishi family in James Town, Accra, who pleaded with the authorities, the clergy, and the chiefs to take drastic action to curtail youths’ excessive gambling and betting.
He claimed that it was normal to see the numerous gaming and gambling establishments packed to the gills with students and idle adolescents.
He warned that it might endan¬ger their future.
Nii Ashittey Tetteh made the appeal recently, during the Homowo festival celebrations by the Okort¬soshishi families from both home and abroad.
He claimed that if the govern¬ment gave these idle young people employable and self-sustaining work, the problem of gambling addiction might be reduced or even eliminat¬ed. He complained that “some use their school fees to gamble.”
Such a family get-together during the Homowo celebrations, according to Nii Ashittey Tetteh, provided an ideal opportunity to educate the youth about the perils of gambling and other vices including stealing, using drugs, prostitution, and other social vices.
The Spectator wants to reaffirm its call to the government, Non-gov¬ernmental organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, and religious author¬ities to monitor youth activity.
We implore young people to take up new hobbies, like sports, to keep them busy and to participate in oth¬er physical activities that will keep them engaged.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
