Editorial
Respect Ga Traditional Council’s ban on noise-making in Accra
The Ga Traditional Council (GTC) has announced a month-long ban on drumming and noise-making in Accra as part of preparations for the celebration of this year’s Ga Homowo Festival.
According to the GTC, the ban begins today and ends on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
The ban is an annual traditional rite that precedes the celebration of the Homowo Festival, referred to as “Odadaa” by the chiefs and people of Ga Mashie, and which requires silence and tranquility for more than a month after the ritual planting of the crops.
Some communities the ban affects are Ga Mashie, Korle Gonno, Dansoman, Sakaman, Malam, Gbawe, Bortianor, Ngleshie-Amanfro, Kokrobite, Oshiyie, Obaakrowa, Kofi Kwei, Ahida, Papase, Pokuase, Amasaman, Sapeiman, Achimota, among others.
Within the period of the ban, no one or no group of people should engage in any form of noise-making, including the use of loud speakers for music or preaching in the various communities.
This is in line with the beliefs of the traditional Ga people. It is, therefore, important for each and every person to respect the ban.
Adhering to the ban is good because it will show that we are tolerant of one another in spite of our religious differences.
No individual or group of people should attempt to enforce the ban in their own way; otherwise, those who are opposed to the ban may also want to defend themselves against its enforcement. This will result in chaos or disturbances that may lead to injuries or even deaths.
In the past, this has been the situation, and it has not helped any person or group of people in the country. For this reason, we need to maintain peace to ensure that Ghana as a whole becomes the winner.
In this regard, traditional believers should not take the law into their hands and brutalise any perceived offenders as the result will be disastrous.
They must work closely with the police, who are enforcers of the law. Peace must prevail, and this is what we want to see. Peace is paramount to the socioeconomic development of this country.
We, therefore, cannot compromise peace. Let us respect one another when it comes to religious beliefs, for peace to prevail in the country
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
