Editorial
Reintroduction of road toll and matters arising
● Reopening of toll booths should not cause congestion
The Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, presenting the 2022 budget in Parliament, announced the government’s decision to abolish road tolls, citing the “inconveniences” the toll booths were causing.
He said at the time that though money was needed to fix deplorable roads in the country, the setup of toll booths had led to congestion as it involved more “human intervention processes.”
This congestion, Mr. Ofori-Atta said, affected productivity negatively, while the booths became unhealthy market centres, lengthening travel time from one place to the other and polluted the vicinities where these tollboths were situated.
Due to the above mentioned challenges, the government abolished the collection of toll, effective November 18, 2021. Some reports however suggest that the abolishing of tolls had caused the government to lose over GH¢200 million, a substantial amount which could have constructed and maintained some roads.
Sixteen months after the cancellation of the tolls, the Ministry of Roads and Highway has announced the re-introduction of same.
I personally applaud the decision, as it will help generate funds to fix some bad roads. But in bringing back the toll, what measures has the government put in place to ensure that the “challenges” that led to its abolishment do not rear their ugly heads again?
I hope that as the toll collection leads to increase in revenue, the government will replace human beings with automated machines, as indicated by Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader in Parliament.
This, I believe, can solve the many inconveniences that came with the collection of the tolls. As to whether hawkers will stop hawking around toll booths, that is another thing for the government to critically look at.
Evelyn Naadu Borquaye,
Pentecost University,
Accra.
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.
