There is a correlation between the improved peacefulness ranking of Ghana by the Institute of Economics & Peace from Sydney, Australia and the heartwarming global 20th coolness placement of Osu, the Accra suburb by a group of local Timeout editors.
Both rankings have earned for the country an impressive status in the comity of nations but that notwithstanding, there are critical hurdles to be surmounted.
While the group which raised the status of Osu point at the near intractable plastic challenge as an issue, the National Peace Council (NPC) the source of the Global Peacefulness Index (GPI) ranking has a handful yet critical observations and recommendations all bordering on security.
We would not pretend that there are no flashpoints in the country; of course and they require incessant monitoring by the security agents.
We endorse therefore for good reason, the demand by the NPC that attention be given to the identified flashpoints and subjects so that we are not taken unawares by killjoys who are ready to exploit opportunities when they rear their heads.
The seeming tranquility in the country does not necessarily mean that there is total peace in areas which have experienced fatal clashes in the past years.
Dagbon: it is imperative that the quest for peace in this part of the country should continue by those assigned that role by government. What a better time to do this than now when the firearms are silent.
The issues which were raised by both gates must not be confined to the bottom of the carpet but rather tackled with a view to reaching amicable resolution of the impasse.
The Nkonya and Alavanyo crisis is of concern to the NPC as well, as it is for the whole country. It is a subject waiting, as the NPC observed, to be exploited by criminal elements unless the security agents remain on top of their assignments with members of the public rendering the necessary support with critical information.
The vigilante groups which of late received disturbing morale boost from the leadership of the NDC should not be overlooked. These daredevil hoodlums are active in the political arena as well as in land issues. During lulls such as political off-seasons they comfortably switch over to land issues the insecurity they create too much to be ignored.
As observed earlier, fighting crime requires effective intelligence without which we shall only be groping in the dark.
The Osu suburb of Accra is cool and rubbing shoulders with the top ranking calm parts of other global cities of the world.
With concerted efforts by officialdom, citizenry and the security agents, we can change the face of our cities.
The plastic menace as observed by the assessors of Osu, although a global challenge, calls for action by all Ghanaians; their effect on marine life and the neatness of our landscape demand action.
Let us all brighten our corners where we are and we can stand shoulder to shoulder with Rwanda. Our quest to have Accra become the tidiest city in Africa is possible; don’t litter and stop others from doing so. Plant more trees and nurture them to maturity.