THEME: OFFICIAL CORRUPTION AND NEGLIGENCE THREATEN THE LIFE AND WELFARE OF THE POOR 

This letter is an open appeal from the CEO of The Man in the Street on behalf of the poor, needy and the weak in the country, particularly the suffering millions in the cities whose homes are virtually in the streets, store fronts, kiosks, without good accommodation, electricity, drinking water, decent places of convenience, etc. In these times of rain, floods, falling buildings and trees, power disruption, water pollution and health hazards, it might well be seen the plight of The Man in The Street who depends on public facilities and very negligible, almost non-existent charity of neighbors. For example, those who sleep in open store fronts pay rent for the space. 

The circumstances of life and well-being of The Man in the Street depends very much on the conduct of affairs, efficiency, honesty, care and concern of those charged with licensing, providing, managing and supervising public land, public projects, public works and public facilities. We are addressing this appeal therefore to Government officials, municipal authorities and corporate executives such as with construction companies engaged in providing, constructing, managing and running public facilities, roads, drains, streetlights, water points, public convenience, etc, etc. 

On the floods, we appeal for special measures to provide shelter, well-equipped with Electricity, Water, Public Health Facilities, Places of Convenience and sheltered playgrounds for children.  We suggest in this regard that all concerned with public facilities and environmental matters should come together to arrange a comprehensive Disaster Management Plan and Resource Distribution for the benefit of the suffering Man in the Street. We also suggest that the Military, Medical Corps and other organizations of public action should be enlisted into the drawing up of the comprehensive Disaster Management Plan. We trust this will be done quickly and with dispatch in honesty, true concern and care of the affected and the non-disruption of public services.  We pray that the provision of these facilities should not be an occasion for government officials, municipal authorities and contractors to make themselves rich with shoddy works, dishonest gain and the diversion of resources. We humbly appeal that foreign assistance with the crisis should go direct and completely in the disaster and remedial projects. 

Finally, may we mention in passing, without prejudice and without minimizing the effect of the serious issues of corruption and shoddy work, indifference to standards and insensitivity to users and consumers, and the heavy economic and social cost of public projects in the country in general. For example, can we place the death of people in the floods, accidents and health hazards caused by such poor and shoddy public works at the door of these three sets of people?  Can they be prosecuted for manslaughter, negligence of duty and economic sabotage? Will it be proper to describe or brand them as social misfits and public enemies?  

Whatever the public understanding, feeling and reaction towards the sad state of affairs, there can be no denial of the heavy cost of this negative culture prevalent in national affairs.   The development, advancement and progress of the nation and well-being of the people, particularly the Man in the Street depend much on these people. This is why we have been compelled to make public appeal for understanding, mercy, honesty, efficiency, care and concern for the poor, the needy and the weak in the face of the serious threat to life and well-being of The Man in the Street in the present crisis of floods, power failure, water pollution, health hazards and death. 

On electricity power supply, may we seize this opportunity to appeal to the public accounts committee of parliament to investigate and report to the nation as a matter of urgency, how much has been collected and accumulated on the provision of streetlights in the cities and urban areas, what has been expended on what, where and which streetlights. 

We request this not just because of the probability of misapplication and diversion of money and resources, the negligence of the public weal and abuse of public trust.  We are concerned because for the poor and needy, the streetlights are a great source of help for their protection, business and well-being.  Children from poor homes learn and play by the streetlights. The streetlights also provide protection against thieves, rapists and perpetrators of nightly crimes. The Man on the Streets therefore appeals for the immediate provision of streetlights in the cities, urban areas, especially at public facilities, storefronts where the “Kayayei” and the poor sleep and other areas where crimes are very prevalent. 

On water supply, we have a major appeal.  That central government and municipal authorities should treat the provision of water as one of the national projects of highest priority if not the highest for life and well-being of the people of Ghana. That is to say, water being so basic and fundamental human need apart from air cannot and should not be relegated to the background in developmental projects, and made their provision subject to foreign charity. 

It is in this regard that we appeal to agencies, private and public engaged in the supply and management of water to give serious attention to the efficient and healthy flow of water around the country. It may be obvious in this respect how much The Man in the Street depends on the goodwill, efficiency and concern of government officials, municipal authorities and corporate executives for their lives and well-being. 

VEGETABLES, THE GOOD LIFE AND WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE 

In talking about the floods and water supply, we would like to end this open letter with an appeal to the citizens of Ghana in general to take advantage of the rainy season to grow vegetables for home consumption and where possible for the market. Quite apart from the very important nutritional and health benefits of vegetables, sufficient supply of vegetables in the land will go a long way in reducing demands for carbohydrates and meat as well as help to mitigate inflation in food prices and inflation in the economy as a whole. The abundant supply of vegetables will be a good supply of healthy food and energy source for the Man in the Street. 

We trust that Government officials, municipal authorities and corporate executives will accept the challenge of the hour, change the negative culture of corruption, indifference and negligence with public projects and public works in general and help build the nation on sound honest, moral and righteous foundations and standards. We hope therefore that the executive and parliament of the era of positive change will accept the challenges and full demands of Positive Change and engineer things for the betterment of the well-being of The Man in the Street and progress of the country as a whole. 

GOD BLESS GHANA.