Is the ban on firecrackers effective?

The use of  firecrackers have since time immemorial been a significant part of Christmas festivities, especially the ushering in of  the New Year.

Prior to the ban on firecrackers under  (E.I) 21 of 1999)  they  were sold and used without any form of anxiety.

But inspite of the ban, these explosives are always available on  the market every Christmas season. The sellers and users either realised the ban is not effective or they are ready to face the law if apprehended.

The media have consistently carried news on the ban of firecrackers but  that  has not made any change in its sale or patronage.

A few weeks to Christmas, a release that was signed by DCOP Ampah-Bennin, Head of the Police Public Relations Unit,  stated that the public should desist from possessing or using firecrackers. 

But a walk through the major markets will reveal an array of firecrackers on sale with  people happily  purchasing them.

It is obvious that members of the public are not heeding the advice of the police service and the question is, “what has the police service done about it?”

 Though the  police warned that they  will soon embark on a raid to seize all  firecrackers on the market , there has been no such raid. The firecrackers are still on sale in the various markets, stalls and table tops.

Maybe the raid is yet to come on  but what the police service must bear in mind is that firecrackers are seasonal commoditities. These crackers may be long off the market by the time they  embark on the raid.

I love firecrackers and I bet a lot of people do but  since the police has identified firecrackers  as one of the causes of fire outbreaks and burns  we need to support the ban.

While I entreat the public to desist from the sale and purchase of these firecrackers, I also entreat the police to do their  possible best  to get them off the market .

This is because members of the public will continue to patronise them  so far as they  are  available  on the market.

Halisa Aziz , Madina