Editorial
Where is the FDA report?
● Ghana Food and Drugs Authority
There was news recently of suspected food poisoning “Yellow Sisi” food joint at Oyibi in the Greater Accra Region, along with some conflicting reports about the number of people who died after eating at their favourite location.
Amid the chaos, we were told the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) had started investigating the incident. It has been nearly three weeks since the unfortunate incident occurred but we are yet to hear from the FDA.
If I am not mistaken, I believe three weeks is long enough for the Authority to inform the public on whatever could have been the cause of the ‘food poisoning’. The report will not only reduce public speculations but will serve as a guide for other food vendors and the general public.
I believe some people, till date, are hesitant in patronising food sold at public places as they do not know where else there could be another “food poisoning.”
Recently, I saw some FDA officials posting stickers at some food joints as a form of “approval” for vendors that it was safe to patronise. But that alone is not enough as a mere sticker does not guarantee overall food safety.
I wish to remind the FDA to speed up investigation into the “Yellow Sisi” incident and come out with clear regulations on what precautions food vendors and the public must take. We are all interested in the findings and they must produce it as quickly as possible.
George Obeng Osei, Oyibi.
Editorial
Enforce road safety regulations to protect lives
Dear Editor,
I write this letter to bring to your notice, the increasing rate at which motorists and pedestrians alike totally disregard road safety regulations in the country.
This form of disregard involves drivers of both private and commercial vehicles as well as motor riders ignoring traffic lights and pedestrians crossing roads at unapproved points, especially on highways.
It is sad to say that these acts by both motorists and pedestrians has led to accidents that had claimed so many lives.
However, as a country, we seem not to learn from them.
You only see motorists and pedestrians obey road safety regulations when they see a police officer.
But the question I keep asking myself is, do we need to see these officers before we comply with road safety regulations? Definitely not.
As much as I will like to commend road safety regulators such as the National Road Safety Commission and the police service for ensuring that road safety regulations are adhered to, I would urge them to enforce the regulations to the latter to address this issue.
Of greater concern is the alarming rate of recklessness on the Kasoa highway by young commercial vehicle drivers.
Their attitude have often resulted in altercations with passengers that do the right thing by asking these recalcitrant drivers to drive with caution.
Unfortunately some of the police men (emphasis on some) don not help the situation as they prefer to punish these wayward drivers by demanding monies from them.
I believe that because they are no examples to guide them, they think road traffic regulation can be broken and paid for but what they fail to understand is that there are lives at stake.
Pedestrians that cross highways at unapproved places should be made to face that aspect of the law, if it exists.
I would urge the motorists and pedestrians to have a change of attitude and stop the disregard of road safety regulations to protect human lives.
Ghana must be saved from its current level of degeneration. There seems to be lawlessness everywhere and only the poor seems to be facing the consequences.
Editorial
Sacking Otto Addo not a solution for Stars headache
Dear Editor,
The failure of the senior national football team, the Black Stars to beat Sudan to enhance its qualification to the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year has left fans disappointed in the team and technical team.
Following that, there have been several calls on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to terminate the appointment of Coach Addo for a new coach to take over.
A section of the disgruntled fans have lost faith in the former Black Stars player under whose term the team’s regularity at AFCONs seem broken.
I wish to add my voice to express disappointment in the team for the performance shown so far.
However, I don’t support any call or action to sack the coach who we have a contract with because the ramification of such act is known to all.
This current salt in our injury was robbed in by a coach (Kwesi Appiah) we rejected and called all kinds of names. Ghanaians saw nothing in him and clamoured for his sack.
Few years down the line, he seem to be doing wonders with another country and the same Ghanaians that crucified him want an opportunity to hail him.
By now we should know the problem with the Black Stars is beyond the playing nor coaches appointed to handle the team.
This should be a moment of sober reflection for officialdom to deliberate to identify the problems facing the team and find solutions to them.
Until then, sacking coaches and hiring new ones would always be high on the agenda anytime things don’t go well. Let Otto Addo stay to continue his work.
Jay Jay,
Accra
