Editorial
Teshie Demo: Protesters must be civil in their demand
Hundreds of residents joined the protest which was generally peaceful
Dear Editor,
The people of Teshie have the right to demonstrate but the level of lawlessness exhibited on Tuesday during the ‘fix our roads’ demo in the area is despicable, to say the least.
Some protesters on the day, I observed, had blocked some roads compelling commercial drivers heading for Accra Central and other destinations to find alternative routes.
As if that was not enough, some young men who had packed themselves in 207 vehicles told commercial drivers not to park or pick passengers at specific locations in the area. I witnessed how at least two commercial drivers who were unaware of this “directive” had their tyres deflated by the young men who went on rampage.
The vehicle I boarded on my way to work that day managed to swerve the so-called ‘task force’ which was preventing commercial drivers from picking up passengers but just when we thought we were out of the ‘danger zone,’ a rickety vehicle from nowhere crossed our driver in an alley and before our driver could explain himself, one of the front tyres of our ‘vehicle’ had been deflated.
Another ‘trotro’ driver, following us closely, also had three of his car tyres deflated. Commuters, aboard either of the two vehicles, including myself, stood by the roadside and wasted at least 20 minutes while we watched our driver replace the tyres.
About 9 am on Wednesday morning, a similar incident happened on my way to work when another group of young men stopped our commercial driver for violating the “no parking” order by organisers of the protest. But this time, our driver intuitively sped off before the men attempted to deflate the tyres of the vehicle.
Unreasonably, the “taskforce” of about five men, wearing reflective jackets, chased our vehicle and attempted to push us off the road starting from the LEKMA road all the way to the Kpeshie Lagoon, where traffic had started building up.
Our driver and other passengers engaged in a heated exchange with the hooligans who insisted on effecting “arrest,” because he had picked a passenger at an “unapproved zone” at Teshie.
I did not follow them to see how it ended but the question on the lips of passengers, including myself, was how could a group of people arrogate powers to themselves just because they were protesting against some of the roads in bad shape in their locality?
We wondered who could have sanctioned the road blocks and the “no parking operation” to the extent that a supposed “taskforce” could decide to chase a commercial vehicle or driver and endanger the lives of passengers on board?
I am not too clear how long the protest by the residents is supposed to last but I wish to bring these unlawful incidents to the attention of authorities in the locality and reiterate that individuals or groups who lead the demonstration cannot act lawlessly even as they express their concerns.
The concerns may be legitimate but organisers must be civil in the protest. Commercial drivers who ply the route in Teshie must be allowed to go about their business in peace. It is illogical for what is supposed to be a peaceful protest be turned into “war” with commercial drivers.
Franklin Gyamfi Mensah
Nungua-Addogonno,
Accra.
Editorial
Demolition of structures at flower pot interchange a good move
Dear Editor,
I will like to commend the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Titus Glover for the bold step to destroy structures, including wooden tables and chairs set up by hawkers at the flower pot interchange which was recently commissioned by President Akufo-Addo.
Most of the hawkers and sellers expressed their displeasure about the action of the minister, while some have argued that the government has failed to get them a place to sell as promised.
Though they may have a point of not having a place to sell, I don’t think such an excuse should be the reason for them to be selling at the place.
We all remember the joy the commissioning of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange Overpass by former President John Dramani Mahama brought. The project looked so beautiful, especially in the night, when the lights illuminated the entire place.
Today, the story is different. The place look so dirty with hawkers, physically challenged people and drug addicts turning every space into their humble abode.
Some even go to the extent of taking their bath there. Anytime I pass by the place to the Circle lorry station, the stench from urine that emanates makes me feel sad.
With this, I think it is about time city managers, including the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, take drastic steps in ensuring that hawkers and sellers at unauthorised places are evacuated.
What I have also come to realise is that officials of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, feel relaxed to take the necessary action in evacuating these hawkers from the unauthorised places.
We need to start going hard at some of these hawkers and vendors who sell at unauthorised places. We need to keep the capital city clean at all times.
It is in this vein that I congratulate the regional minister for taking the bold initiative of demolishing the structures at the flower pot interchange.
While I commend him, I will also urge the government to try as much as possible to find a place for them to sell their wares.
As citizens, we also need to change our attitude to ensure that the city is kept clean and neat.
Ella Akimbi,
Spintex
Editorial
End hawking on Kaneshie Foot Bridge
Dear Editor,
Hawking on the Kaneshie foot bridge has made it increasingly difficult for commuters that use the facility on daily basis.
Foot bridges are constructed to ensure the safety of pedestrians, accessibility to places, among others.
However, using the Kaneshie foot bridge has become so frustrating due to the activities of traders who sell on it. Most of them sell on either side of the bridge, leaving only a narrow space for users.
Worse of all, these traders rather get annoyed when some users of the foot bridge mistakenly step on any of the items on display and rain insults on them.
On one such occasion, I had to get into an argument with one of the traders when she insulted me for mistakenly stepping on one of the items she was selling.
Ghanaians, adore and admire countries in Europe and even North Africa for how well some of these things are structured. A few people who have stayed in those countries would tell you that these don’t happen in advanced countries.
However, the situation in Ghana is rather the opposite, and that can baffle sometimes.
I believe we need a total change of attitude. Citizens must be forced to do what is right.
The law enforcement agencies at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies should also make sure that these traders who have taken over the Kaneshie foot bridge are moved to allow some sanity on the facility.
Osei Banahene,
Mataheko
