Features
Stop unnecessary seizure of vehicles at designated parking space
No nation operates in a vacuum that is why there are sets of laws, rules and regulations duly crafted, studied and analysed for the guidance of the people in their daily activities. There is bound to be total confusion and chaos if countries in the world operate without abiding by the laws set out to regulate their operations. Ghana is no exception and, therefore, not an island of its own. It has a set of laws, rules and regulations enshrined in statute books to guide the citizens in their daily lives. Those who decide to go contrary to the laws of the country, will face the consequences thereof.
COMPLYING WITH THE MOTOR TRAFFIC LAWS
In this country, we have the city authorities and the police who are duly mandated by law to ensure that issues regarding road traffic management are effectively handled in accordance with the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683). This law empowers the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service to enforce road traffic regulations among the citizens, especially motorists. Flouters of the law are duly disciplined either through court fines or various terms in prison to serve as deterrent to others. The Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) complement the work of the MMTD in the enforcement of the law.
WHAT DOES DESIGNATED PARKING SPACE MEAN?
Designated parking space means parking space that has been set aside for the parking of a particular vehicle or class of vehicles or use by a particular person or class of persons for the parking of vehicles. Parking spaces are very important to cities. Acity must have enough parking spaces to provide its residents and visitors a place to park their cars. Since cars are the main factor in transportation, a city must meet the needs of drivers. Parking can be considered a problem because it creates congestion and reduces the real estate available for more important purposes, such as housing, transit, parks and public space. It contributes also to urban sprawl by increasing the distance between each building. In reality the parking problem is an issue of overall transport policy. This article limits itself to street parking and its impact on road performance. Indeed, transportation requires parking space to stop. However, if parking is not well served, it can disrupt traffic flow and cause congestion. Parking on the side of the road will incur a loss for both the driver and the public if not properly managed.
SAFE PARKING OF VEHICLES
When a car is safely parked, it is visible not obstructing other road users. At night, if you are only parking for a short time, you can leave your parking lights or hazard lights on to make your vehicle more visible. In other jurisdiction, the law states that if your vehicle is not moved within 72 hours, an officer or employee of the police department has the right to issue your vehicle a parking violation notice. There is also a vehicle code section that allows the officer or employee to have the vehicle towed and stored at the owner’s expense.
ROADSIDE PARKING AND FINES
Some parts of the streets in Accra are clearly marked ‘No Parking’ and that is a clear warning to motorists to avoid parking in that restricted area, otherwise when they are arrested they will definitely face sanctions. This is part of the arrangement by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the police to instill sanity on the roads to ensure that pedestrian and vehicular accidents are either prevented or brought to the barest minimum. The safety of the people is, indeed, paramount and ultimate, therefore, that bold initiative by the city authorities and the law enforcement agencies are highly commendable.
NEGATIVE BEHAVIOURS BY AMA TASKFORCE
However, in the midst of this positive development, unfortunate negative incidents are currently in vogue by that same city authorities which tend to dampen the spirit of motorists and drivers and need to be addressed immediately. It will interest readers and of course the generality of Ghanaians to know that drivers are being arrested and fined for parking at places they are not aware of being prohibited because there are no road signs to inform them not to park in those areas.
WRITER’S OWN EXPERIENCE
In fact, I was a victim of this negative act by officials from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) whose offices are located at Awudome in Accra. I parked my car at the designated bus stop at Awudome on the main Ring Road, to withdraw money from the Absa Bank near the State Transport Company. I spent just about 10 minutes because I used the ATM which was a fast approach to the withdrawal.
When I returned for my car, I noticed that it had been locked together with others whose drivers were not in sight. I told an AMA officer who was standing-by that, I just went to the bank to withdraw money which took me less than 15 minutes but he did not listen to me at all. Instead, he sat in my car and asked me to drive to their office at Awudome which I did. At the office they detained my car the whole day and imposed a fine of GHc 300.00 on me. It was the Public Relations Officer (PRO) who intervened after my explanation, before they released my car to me.
ANOTHER LADY’S EXPERIENCE
Similar story is told about a lady who recently left her sick daughter at home to rush to the office to send a message which had to be delivered by 1 pm. On her way, she stopped by an orange seller by the roadside to buy oranges and remembered she had to buy tomatoes just close by to make some soup for her sick daughter. She returned only to see her car locked by the AMA taskforce team. The team, according to the report, had left the scene and made one staff to watch the car. When the lady enquired from him why her car had been locked, his response was that, “this is a bus stop and you were not supposed to park here”. What? Where is the no sign, what shows that this is a bus stop?” the lady blurred out. The officer was quoted to have said that, “If you are coming to talk law, you will make your case worse. Alright, what is my bill? Unlock my car because I have an emergency assignment to deliver at 1 pm,” the lady told the officer. The taskforce team member has to call his supervisor and that was around 12.15 pm. He arrived around 1.50 pm after wasting the lady’s precious time.
DEFECTS IN OUR ROAD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Indeed, these two unfortunate incidents as narrated by this writer should tell us that there is something basically wrong with our road management which must be addressed by the top hierarchy within the road sector quickly. For, how can you arrest motorists in areas within the city where you have not indicated that there should be no parking at those points. Is it being done deliberately to collect illegal money from unsuspecting motorists? Upon all these extortions from car owners, you have the impudence to waste their precious time because you have detained their cars. Is it the Ghana, our cherished and revered country we are dying for? As much as we expect the laws of this country to work efficiently and effectively, those who are to enforce the laws must behave responsibly.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author: ataani2000@yahoo.com 0277753946/0248933366
By Charles Neequaye
Features
The Prophet part 2
“I can see in the spirit, that some of you have been trading for years without seeing any meaningful profits, some young women have been disappointed by men who have either abandoned them and left for foreign lands and forgotten about them, or stopped sending money for the upkeep of their wives and children.
I can see young men who are desperate for visas to travel abroad but have either been duped by visa contractors or refused at the embassies. From tomorrow, I assure you, the visas will be given.
Young women, I have news for you. You will receive telephone calls, and you will hear very good news. Handsome young men with money in their pockets will come and marry you, and take care of you. Traders, you will get big business and big profits from today. From today, you will see that I am a true prophet who has come to deliver you.”
Shouts of “Amen,” “thank you Prophet” and “I receive it” greeted his sermon. After a final prayer, he asked the congregation to come early the following day, and bring others, because there would be many testimonies.
There would also be “special anointing” for great miracles. Although he did not ask for an offering, most of the people came and dropped notes, and coins at the “pulpit.” When they left, Antobam counted the money.
“GH¢900!” he almost shouted, ‘and I did not even ask for an offering. This is fantabulous!’ Going to the Nana Kofi Broni shrine, he told himself, was a very wise move.
He started making plans……He had to choose a few assistants who would carry out his orders……. He had to hire some chairs as soon as possible……He had to find a suitable piece of land and, if possible, build his own church……. He had to start looking for a nice car, befitting the status of a popular preacher …… And, most importantly, he had to select two, three or four nice, young women to take care of his needs, apart from the servants who would cook, wash, iron and do other errands for him.
Abruptly, he told himself, this hungry, scruffy Kukurantumi boy was being transformed into a man of power and money, with some of the most beautiful women in town at his beck and call. Wow!
After a shower and supper, he shut the door to the very small room that served as his bedroom and dropped on the bed. Almost immediately, the shrill sounds, like whispers, began.
This time he did not express any fears. He realised to his great surprise that even though the sounds were not in the form of any language, he could understand them.
Tomorrow there will be testimonies……they will give money……. some rich people are being prepared …….they will bring big money ………. we will give them what they want, and they will bring money ……. big money …….big, big money……the women will also come, a number of them. ‘
He went to sleep smiling and whispering to himself, ‘big, big money, and women!’
He woke up at 5 and took a shower. After a breakfast of tea and several slices of bread he set off. On reaching the venue he saw to his great surprise that the place was full.
Very full, and quite a number of people rushed to embrace him and give him the wonderful news. The excited people narrated the testimonies about big sales, telephone calls from relatives directing them to go to Western Union, and impotent husbands who had miraculously rediscovered their magic powers.
He was truly glad that Nana Kofi Broni’s magic had already started working, but most of his attention was focused on the ladies in the congregation. He noticed to his great delight that some of them were really nice. I must start making my selection, he told himself. Today!
“Give a mighty clap offering to the great, mighty one for his wonders among us!” he started, and the response was very big.
“I said yesterday that you were going to see signs and wonders, and I am very happy that my word has been fulfilled. Even though we have taken allowed one hour for testimonies, many more of you would like to testify.
Tomorrow, I promise you that there will be ample time. I will only preach a short sermon. The rest of the time will be taken up by consultations, after which I will give directions on what to do to ensure that you defeat your enemies, secure your marriage and, most importantly, continue increasing your profits in your business.” His sermon was interspersed with ecstatic shouts of “Amen,” “it is true,” “God bless you” and “I receive it.”
His final word was emphatic; “Big miracles are coming your way. Keep attending church, and don’t forget to give thanks to God.”
By Ekow de Heer
Features
Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship launches project to transform young lives
The Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) Ghana has launched the Senior High Schools and Colleges Project (SCP) aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of young people.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Mike Ocquaye, the former Speaker of Parliament, emphasised the need to catch them young and train them as the current times were challenging.
He lauded the project, calling on all to support it, saying “In fact, it’s very important to catch them young, train them, lead them, guide them, and mentor them because the times are indeed rough,” Prof. Ocquaye said.
Mr Ekow Egyir Dadson, the Director, Schools and Colleges Directorate, stated that since its inception in 2018, the SCP had reached over 70 educational institutions with countless testimonies of transformation.
“We began with the Presbyterian Boys Secondary School (PRESEC) Legon, and now in 2024, we have visited 74 schools and impacted the lives of over 100,000 students, some of whom were personally mentored and now have graduated from the universities.”
He explained that the SCP, a vision by FGBMFI Ghana, was a bold outreach programme designed to call young people to Christ, train and equip them for the future.
He cited testimony-sharing, mentorship, career guidance, entrepreneurship and counseling as some of the unique approaches to be used in reaching out to the targeted students.
Mr Emmanuel Baba Mahama, the National President of the FGBMFI Ghana, launched the SCP Manual, which would help the FGBMFI Zonal Family Chapters across Ghana in order to adopt schools and colleges within their catchment areas.
The Schools and Colleges project is making a great impact; we have had first-hand testimonies from school heads, teachers, and students (mentees) about the SCP. This project has come to stay, Mr Baba Mahama assured.
He, therefore, called for more volunteers and partners to help the SCP shape the next generation of leaders and citizens.
Findings by the FGBMFI revealed that Ghana’s senior high schools, colleges, and university students face growing challenges like addictions, indiscipline, poor academic performance, pornography, homosexuality, broken homes, and a lack of godly guidance.
That had been a concern to many parents and society, “but the FGBMFI believes there is hope to rescue and restore these young students,” Mr Mahama said. –GNA
