Pratt Calls For “Mass Action” Against Gov’t

Several Ghanaians are still counting the cost following last Thursday’s deluge which left in its wake loss of lives and properties. Over the years, successive governments have made 'flimsy' promises to the Ghanaian populace, assuring them of plans to put in place the needed measures to forestall any calamity. Flood situations still remain the bane of numerous Ghanaians. Speaking to the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., vouched for mass action to be rolled out against the government in power. Kwesi Pratt expressed worry over the state of the economy after 57 years of independence. He bemoaned the illegal structures raised by people along "flight zones" and other demarcated areas along river banks, which apparently block the free flow of water through drains in the country. Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi, an unhappy Kwesi Pratt said it was about time the citizens exercised their fundamental right and took action to rectify the establishment of structures at illegal places. “Maybe one day, we should take citizen action. Maybe one day, we mobilize thousands of people to take over that flight ground and demolish the walls by force. Because if the government will not do, the police will not do and the national security will not do, let’s do it ourselves. Maybe it’s our time we took action ourselves and resolved this problem,” he said. He wondered why government always remains apathetic waiting for disaster to strike before putting in place measures to remedy the situation. “If the state will not take action, citizen must begin to take action…Somebody must take action,” he insisted. The senior journalist also lauded the Ghana Police Service for their brave attempt at safeguarding the citizenry in the face of the heavy downpour, commended the Police Service for directing traffic while it rained cats and dogs in streets of the capital city. Though some Ghanaians became destitute after the rainfall due to floods, Kwesi Pratt was very impressed with the work of the Police Service. “Policemen in the rain directing traffic, it was so impressive,” he said. He however wondered why the Police Traffic Personnel, who engaged in that action to protect drivers from colliding with each other or prevent any disaster, were not wearing "rain coats." According to him, though the police personnel did a good job by executing their official duties in the rain, rain coats should be distributed to them to keep them from the after-effects of standing for so many hours in the rain.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com