ACCRA: DUSTBIN OF THE WORLD

Accra Mayor, Alfred Oko Vanderpuye

By  Kwabena Mainoo

A documentary on Press TV has described Accra, the capital city of Ghana as the dustbin of the World.

The documentary showed ordinary street boys, electricians and computer repairers scrambling for used electronics.

One street boy said he was looking for copper and other materials to sell to various scrap dealers.

The documentary claimed that as much as 90 tonnes of electronic waste get dumped in Accra every year with serious health consequences for residents.

The electronic waste is exported to Ghana as used computers, television sets, various music gadgets and refrigerators.

It is strange how sometimes unusable equipment is allowed into the country without any limitation.

The documentary focused on Agbobloshie in Accra where some of the toxic waste is burnt and dangerous chemicals are released into the atmosphere.

Trade in second hand goods of all kinds, including underwears and towels is thriving business  in Ghana.

 Some say that rising poverty is responsible for this upsurge in trade in second hand goods.

Joe Mensah, a street vendor told “The Insight” that “as for second hand underwear and handkerchiefs the government must take quick action to ban them. They can help spread diseases very fast”.

The description of Accra as the dustbin of the world must be very worrying for city authorities who want to promote the national capital as a tourist destination.

Editorial

AVRAM GRANT MUST GO!

It is time to say goodbye to Avram Grant, the coach of the national soccer team, the Black Stars.

Since his appointment Avram, has not added a thing to the Black Stars and he continues to live on his past association with the Chelsea football club of England.

Avram Grant

Chelsea may be a great club for the English but why should that be comforting for the people of Ghana?

What the people of Ghana really want is a coach who would improve the game of the Black Stars to enable them win competitions.

 Avram Grant does not feel comfortable living in Ghana and spends most of his time abroad working on concerns other than building a strong national team.

 Last year, he paid considerable attention to the defense of the Israeli FA when it came under attack for promoting apartheid in sports.

“The Insight” insists that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) can find better Ghanaian coaches than Avram Grant.

 The GFA needs to shake itself out of the complex of inferiority which makes it look down on Ghanaian coaches.

 It is time to send Avram Grant home.