By Felix Engsalige Nyaaba
The Minister of Transport Mrs. Dzifa Aku Attivor has said that the country middle income status is achievable if players in the road safety sector work to save many lives on the road.
According to her, if stakeholders and workers in the transport sector work hard to reduce the high numbers of road accidents with their accompanying fatalities, injuries and loss of life and property, the country would achieve its middle income status in due time..
She made the remarks when she joined stakeholders in the transport sector at the weekend for Road Safety Campaign walk, Dubbed “National Pedestrian Safety Campaign” through some principal streets of Accra.
Stakeholders in the road transport sector who joined staff of the Ministry of Transport led by the sector Minister and her Deputy, Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari on the procession included staff of the Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Road Safety Commission, the Tema Port and Harbour Authority, Akosombo Transport Company and the various transport unions.
The walk started from the Aviation Social Center through the 37 roads to Ako-Adjei Interchange, Danquah Circle to Cantonments police station and back to the Aviation Social center.
Addressing the participants at the end of the walk, Mrs. Attivor said it was only when the transport sector is working that the country economy can be improved, adding the nation could achieve it middle income status only when lives are safe on the road.
She said unlike other sectors, the transport sector was exceptional considering the fact that when the people are safe the nation has the chance of meeting its target economic growth and therefore reminded the people on the need to reduce the carnage on the roads.
Mrs. Attivor also urged the stakeholders, especially institutions under the supervisory of the ministry to work hard and assist the nation to reach its middle income status and for that matter the government ‘Better Ghana Agenda.’
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari on her part called for collective role in the transport sector to ensure accident free on the our roads,
She said road fatalities have shown a rising trend over the past years and stated that government could not fight the menace without the cooperation of all stakeholders in the transport sector.
Mrs. Mogtari also spoke against the conduct of motorists and other road users such as pedestrians, motorcycle riders and cyclists that had been identified as the causes of road accidents and crashes.
The Chairperson of the National Road Safety Commission(NRSC), Mrs. Obiri Yeboah advised road users especially motorists against excessive speeding, drunk driving, driving under the influence of hard drugs, non maintenance of vehicles, driving tired, wrong overtaking, engaging one hand on mobile phones and other unacceptable practices.
She also urged the people to continue to campaign against indiscriminate crossing of roads and the failure of riders to wear safety crash helmets.
The health walk, she said has been helpful and urged staff of the transport sector institutions to do regular exercise in order to keep themselves fit and to avoid avoidable sickness, especially stress and fatigue.
The participants were holding placards which read, “Seat Belt Save live”, Avoid Cell Phone calls when Driving,” Services your Vehicles regularly to promote safe driving,” among others.
Mrs Dzifa Attivor and her Deputy, Mrs Bawah Mogtari with Kofi Mbiah of Ghana Maritant Authority leading the participants in the health walk.
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