Editorial
Volta lake tragedy: Let’s not ignore safety precautions
● Travellers on the Volta Lake should be provide enouugh life jackets
Dear Editor,
Five people including two females and three children have reportedly lost their lives when a boat conveying passengers to a funeral from Azizanya to Azizakpe in the Ada East District of the Greater Accra Region, capsised recently on the Volta Lake.
The boat, which was supposed to carry about 40 to 50 passengers, according to news reports, was overloaded with almost 100 passengers without life jackets.
This tragedy, I believe, could have been avoided if safety precautions were taken seriously. The boats have a required number of passengers to carry and that should not have been exceeded under any circumstance.
Although the loss is regrettable, I wonder if some of these unfortunate incidents must occur before we do or take the necessary actions.
Life jackets are designed to keep passengers from drowning in case of accidents and I believe no boat or canoe should be made to transport humans without this protective gear on board.
It is commendable that a rescue team promptly intervened to save lives and we must encourage more basic training in cardiopulmonary restitution (CPR) which is a useful lifesaving technique during emergencies.
This is not the first time we have recorded a boat disaster. In January this year, eight school children out of 220 others drowned on the lake while crossing with a canoe from Atigagome to Wayokope District Assembly Primary School.
Considering the recurring nature of these accidents, I plead with the authorities to provide more boats and canoes for residents in these catchment areas. They should also be supplied with adequate life jackets and other protective gears to save lives when the unfortunate happens.
Evelyn Naadu Borquaye,
Nungua, 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
