Let’s make it to the New Year

My visit to the Central Business District of Accra recently made it so obvious that Christmas is fast approaching.

The heavy traffic of both humans and vehicles typical of the season made it so obvious.

Last Friday in particular, the traffic was simply terrible.

Amidst the hullabaloo in the business district, traders could be heard shouting and calling out to potential buyers to come and do business with them.

Celebrants buy items as gifts, food items and clothes to look good for the occasion.

The culinary industry such as restaurants and bakeries also do good business during the period.

The season is not only synonymous with good things as all manner of criminals also cash in.

It is the season when most people travel from the villages to the cities and are short-changed in all manner of deals.

Pickpockets get a field day on such new entrants to the cities and Abyssinia and copper are easily sold as gold to such people.

It gives traders the advantage of stocking expired and fake goods in abundance for sale as the hustle seems to cloud the judgement of some customers.

We also find that most of the time, we do a lot of impulse buying and end up buying many things which we have no use for at the end of the season.

Yet, it doesn’t take long for us to realise this as schools re-open and we are faced with school fees and other obligations to meet.

The usual refrain in the Ga language is buulu baa Ga, to wit “fools come to Accra” - Buyer beware!

The large volume of movement means drivers shuttle a lot between places and in their bid to cash in on the bonanza, caution is thrown to the wind.

In its wake are several accidents resulting in deaths and injuries.

It is in this regard that the police need commendation for the proactive steps rolled out to prevent crime and needless accidents.

Operation Father Christmas is meant to increase police presence across the country to nip criminal activities in the bud and check reckless driving on our roads.

Is it not sad and unfortunate that in our part of the world, a season meant to celebrate the birth of Christ becomes a season of deaths, injuries and indebtedness?

Yet, in all these, despite the best efforts of the police, the onus lies on us as individuals to take more responsibility for our personal safety and well- being.

We must remember that safety is primarily an individual responsibility.

We should, therefore, take steps that protect our individual safety first.

If the driver of the vehicle we board is speeding, we must be bold to call him to order or get off.

Do an eye inspection of vehicles before you board—are the tyres in good condition for example? As much as possible, travel during the day, since most accidents happen with poor visibility which is the case at night.

If you are driving on your own, break long distances into legs.

Let us do what we must do as humans and leave the rest to God.

Writer’s E-mail: doreen.hammond@raphic.com.gh/
aamakai@rocketmail.com