Tema, April 30, GNA -- The Tema Traditional Council has banned the operation of video and board games in Tema Manhean as part of measures to improve the poor performance of students in the town. Children of school going age are often seen gathered around these games popularly known as 'sune pete sune' at the expense of their education.

Nii Adjei Krakue, Tema Mantse who disclosed this to Ghana News Agency on Wednesday said the Council had observed that activities of the game operators were the major cause of poor academic performance of students in the community.

He regretted that even though basic education was free, children in the community preferred the games to their future. Nii Krakue noted that some of the children spent their pocket money on gambling at these places whiles others stole money to patronise them. He disclosed that the Council had seized five of the game boards to serve as a deterrent to others after issuing several warnings to the operators.

In another development, the Council has instituted measures which include the seizure of faulty bicycles and towing of vehicles parked on the road to curb accidents in the community.

It has so far seized about 50 bicycles most of them had no lights and brake as well as registered numbers.

Nii Krakue explained that owners of the bicycles were asked to install lights and functioning brakes and in addition, obtain licence from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) before they would be released to them.

He said the council had appealed to the police for assistance to stop drivers from parking and washing their vehicles on the road. Nii Krakue said most often children and the aged were knocked down by oncoming vehicles when crossing the road from behind parked vehicles. He noted that drivers in the community had been directed to park their vehicles at 'B' park and pay a token to security men provided by the Council.

The park could accommodate about 500 vehicles.