Be Extra Vigilant As Christmas Draws Near

One of the greatest events eagerly expected during the last month of the year by many Ghanaians, and people all over the world, is the celebration of Christmas. It is an occasion embraced by Christians all over the world, since is it a period dedicated and assumed to be the birth of Christ. In Ghana, the major religions are Christianity, Muslim, and the traditional. About 65% of the population claim to Christians, but it is weird to note that indirectly the other mentioned religions are also compelled to celebrate Christmas, due to the extreme attention given to it. This season brings out extreme joy in many people, and as a result, people tend to forget to be extra careful with their lives, as danger always hovers around in the midst of the celebration. Christmas and road accidents One might not know why, but it very strange to note that even though road accidents occur on the various roads of Ghana, during the Christmas season its frequency goes on the ascendency. People, who believe in superstition, blame it on the intensity of the works of wizardry/witchcraft during that period, so handle things in their own spiritual ways. Others also blame it on the numerous inexperienced drivers on the roads, and their reckless way of driving. Both perceptions by the public might have a bit of truth, as there is the existence of the spiritual world in this physical world of ours, and as well as the reckless people living in it. However, one must be bear in mind that the majority of these accidents occur due to the recklessness of some drivers, and their lack of proper maintenance of their vehicles. Accidents do happen, but it very surprising that privately owned buses like the Nissan Urvan and Mercedes Benz 207 buses, which are registered under the Ghana Private Roads Transportation Union (GPRTU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), are the ones that are mostly involved in it. As it is getting to the period of Christmas, drivers should be more vigilant when driving and forget about the fact that they are not the real owners of the vehicle. Many drivers have the notion that the vehicle is not theirs, and that keeping it in good shape and driving it carefully is a secondary issue. This attitude of drivers sometimes makes them take unnecessary risks when the vehicle develops a fault, and do nothing about it until it breaks down completely, or is involved in an accident. Drivers ought to make it a point to always check the condition of their cars, and not wait till it breaks down. They must make it a point to look out for faulty batteries, engine and even broken windscreens or a broken/cracked side mirror. They must as well try their possible best to avoid overspeeding and overloading. Drivers must see it as a necessity to always try their best to sometimes take heed of what passengers say, as it is meant to save their lives as well. According to one Madam Ewurasi Ampomah, a trader, she once took a vehicle from Accra to Tema, on their way there was a smell like burning rubber. The passengers were complained to the driver, but he turned a deaf ear to their complaint, and when his attention was again drawn by other drivers and pedestrians, stopped only to find out that the tyre of the vehicle was on fire. He came to abrupt halt only for the scared passenger to jump out of the windows in panic and the fortunate ones being able to use the doors. Christmas and consumer goods Christmas period is a period of the buying of lots of things. It is a period of abundance of food, people love to have enough to eat and spare, and it is a period of sharing and giving rather than receiving. In as much as the celebration of the season call for the abundance of food at the home, consumers ought to be aware of what they purchase in the markets. It is very common to see on the market products which are already expired, or have the expiration dated just a month before the end of the year, floating on the markets in abundance, and at very cheap prices. The most common of these products are fruit juices, canned foods, bagged food items and even frozen foods. People who sell these products take advantage of the fact that during the season of Christmas, things get expensive, which makes it difficult for consumers to buy. The situation compels consumers to shift their attention to these already expired or almost expired products, which in the end sometimes affects their health. Consumers should make their health a priority, and learn to check the expiration dates of every product they purchase, especially those with unusual price reductions. It is good to save money though, but one�s health should be most important, as one can spend a hundred times over on health over an expired product, which he or she bought at a very cheap price. As there is an increase in accidents on our roads so does crime also increases during periods of Christmas. Citizens should be careful about the way they go about their activities, in order not to make them vulnerable to schemes of robbers and pickpockets. People ought to be careful how they handle their purses, bags and other valuable items in public, as well be careful of the routes they use to their various destinations. Citizens should not take advantage of the season and stay out very late, to prevent any attacks from criminals. It is a good thing that the police service is intensifying its activities to combat crime, which will bring peace and safety to the whole nation. The police must not relax, but continue their work vigorously, as this period of the year always turns out to have a threatening atmosphere. The police must not forget their responsibilities, which according to the Cheshire Police Website, makes it clear that, �there is the need for the police to uphold the law fairly and firmly to prevent crime. They have to pursue and bring to justice those who break the law, to protect, help and measure the community, and to be seen to do all this with integrity, common and sound judgment. The police must be compassionate, courteous and patient, act without fear, favour or prejudice to the rights of others. They need to be professional, calm and restrained in the face of violence, apply only a force which is necessary to accomplish their lawful duty, and strive to reduce the fear of the public.� The police must hold its esteem very high by adhering to their responsibilities, in order to prove the public wrong about them being only good at extorting money from drivers.