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N JUABEN S: “Rethink Mobility” – National Road Safety Authority Advises the public

The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council led by the Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) in the Eastern Region of Ghana has advised the general public, especially drivers and pedestrians to be cautious on their movement on roads so as to prevent road accidents in the country.

Date Created : 5/25/2023 12:00:00 AM : Story Author : Collins Aikins Akuffo/Ghanadistricts.com

This message was passed through a stakeholder meeting in the New Juaben South Municipality Assembly on road safety protocols with the theme: (Rethink Mobility).

It is under the supervision of the United Nations through the World Health Organization with the aim of reducing road traffic clashes 50% by the year 2030.

Speaking at the event, the Director for National Road Safety Authority in Eastern Region, Mr. Denis Yeribu presented statistical evidence of road accidents in the region. He illustrated that Eastern is part of the three (3) top Ghana’s crash prone regions in terms of road accidents, in reference to his submission; Mr. Yeribu said, in 2022, Eastern region recorded commercial vehicle occupants contributing to the most share of fatalities in Ghana.

“In Ghana, between the year 2000 and 2022, over 50,000 people died through road accidents, on average 6 people are killed of which 2500 or more die annually” Mr. Yeribu mentioned.

He then attributes these fatalities mentioned earlier to indiscipline and laxity on the part of pedestrians and drivers refusing to conform to road safety measures. He also attributed some of the causes to the Road safety Authorities, saying the authority also failed in responding to accidents issues on time.

He continued to say, Authorities, such as the Driver and Vehicle license Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety and Authorities (NRSA), Police (MTTD) among others who are in charge of road safety issues to embrace themselves for massive education, especially on road signs.

He was quick to add that said road safety plans for the entire region must be strengthened and coordinated by registering commercial vehicle transport operators for checks in case of accidents.

The event was graced by Eastern Regional Director for Roads and Highways Department of Urban Roads, Ing. Samuel Mensah, Eastern Regional Director for Health Services (RDHS), Dr. Wilfred Ofosu, the Police Service, Fire Service and other Stakeholders.

Ing. Samuel Mensah from the department of Urban Roads mentioned some factors affecting Pedestrians safety; saying, encroachment of pedestrians’ pathways by forcing them to walk on vehicle lanes which eventually lead to fatalities through accidents.

He again mentioned that, stolen of metal gratings is one of the major causes of road accidents.

He therefore called on the Assemblies to help enforce road safety measures within the various Municipalities and also to help to remove unauthorized billboards to prevent excessive accidents especially on the highways.

On pre-hospital care of traffic crash emergencies, Dr. Wilfred Ofosu (RDHS) said, the health service of the region has put in place a mechanism that will help reduce the number of fatalities associated with road accidents within the region and the country at large.

He said, a triage, B-breathing, safety transport to health facility, safe evacuation from a vehicle etc has been planned and implemented. He then called on the government to help strengthen the Health care volunteers of the country.

The Chairman for the occasion, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong advised drivers to be a ‘helping hands’ by abiding road regulations and other safety protocols.

He said that, to save life, drivers must avoid over speeding, stop taking intoxicating substances and also obtain a license to qualify them as a professional driver.

In a response to fix dilapidated roads in the region, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong said, the government is asphalting the affected parts or areas of the region; he mentioned of Nsawam road (N6 already done), “Koforidua, the regional capital is not excluded and contractors will resume work soon’ he stated. He then called for the Municipal Assemblies, Police (MTTD), NRSA, among others to control and ensure discipline by enforcing law and order on the roads.