Editorial
Speed up work on reconstruction of La General Hospital
Dear Editor,
The La General Hospital was demolished in July 2020 to allow its reconstruction and become an ultra-modern facility.
Following the demolition, the government announced a budget of €5 million for the reconstruction. However, progress of work on the facility has been very slow, leading to frustration among the residents of La.
The community was hopeful that the new hospital would provide advanced healthcare services and improve access to quality medical care. Unfortunately, the delay in construction has left the people without a fully functional hospital for over three years.
The slow pace of work has caused great concern as residents now move to hospitals surrounding like the Police Hospital, 37 Military Hospital and Korle- Bu to seek medical attention even though there is a clinic in the community.
Residents of La have already organised various demonstrations to voice out their worries. They feel that the government has not lived up to its promise to deliver a modern hospital that meets the needs of the community.
The residents are worried about the impact of the delay on their health and well-being, particularly for the elderly, children, and those with chronic ailment.
I want to urge the government to make it a priority to complete hospital reconstruction this year to show its commitment to providing the community with a safe and fully equipped facility.
Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon,
Accra
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
