The movement of hawkers, each calling out with distinct voices and sales pitches, the constant blaring of vehicle horns, and the sounds from public address systems are common features of the central business districts of many towns and cities.
In Accra, it is uncommon to hear the Ga parlance “wolɛ wolɛ" (to wit: pick him/her !) by bus conductors.
Within this space lies a huge economy involving hundreds of thousands of participants (i.e., traders, business folks, patrons, etc.). Millions of Ghana Cedis are transacted daily, feeding and sustaining numerous households.
From dawn to dusk, industrious women and men ready to succeed at all costs engage in various activities.
No one is left out ‒ the old, young, physically challenged and least to think of, children.
While there is widespread appreciation for the hard work, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of those striving to earn a living, contribute to national development and support their families and communities, concerns remain about the manner in which some of these activities are carried out.
One rapidly growing activity is the small-scale food business, which continues to attract high patronage.
Along roadsides, near traffic lights, on road medians and pavements, food is dried, fried, roasted and smoked over gas stoves and coal pots.
However, the exposure of these food items to dust, flies, other insects and harmful microorganisms in the atmosphere poses a serious public health concern.
Some small and medium-size food vendors prepare and sell food at the places afore-stated, while their patrons eat just close to them. The liquid and solid waste are either dumped onto the road or into open gutters.
These cause unbearable stench and contribute to the choking of gutters.
The prevalence of this practice at intervals of just a few metres across towns and major cities, particularly the national capital, Accra, calls for urgent review and decisive action to bring it to an end.
The use of open fire and intense heat along roadsides and on road medians, amid the constant movement of fuel tankers, cars and motorcycles, poses significant safety risks.
This raises a critical question: who authorises these activities?
If the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies issue permits for such operations, are they doing so in accordance with established town and city planning regulations?
If the people do so with impunity, why do the bodies responsible look on unconcerned?
Many of these vendors and hawkers are tolled daily.
Why toll an activity when authority is not granted?
Do these activities not occur within the assemblies' jurisdictions? Some even go on a few metres away from their offices.
There is an underlying serious leadership, systems, law enforcement gap and citizenry responsibilities challenges. Ghana deserves better from everyone.
The selling of coconuts is another trade found almost everywhere, and that causes litter around.
Indeed, the informal sector contributes to Ghana's economy and job creation is undoubtedly significant; however, the activities must not be done at the high cost of public safety, health, disorganisation of inner cities and sheer lawlessness, and accommodation of same by assemblies and authorities.
Despite the unstructured nature, the sector's contribution to Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated at 26.9 per cent to 34.3 per cent, whereas the broader informal economy size nears 40 per cent of the overall economic value, Ghana Statistical Service data reveals. Whopping 80 per cent to 83.5 per cent of the active workforce are engaged.
Within every challenge, there is certainly a way (s) out. Both citizens and persons who hold public offices entrusted with planning, implementing, sensitising the public and supervision should do Ghana better - for she deserves it, after 69 years of independence.
Amoako-Sey Richard,
Child Worker & Etiquette Coach,
Accra.
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