FOCUS ON ROAD SAFETY IN GHANA

By: Jerry Otoyo

Accident do not happen by chance because, they are avoidable if proper caution is really taken. My empirical observation traveling around all the Regions of Ghana and outside the country for decades now has revealed that all road accidents could have been avoided if one or both parties involve were cautious.

It doesn't matter the amount of effort put in by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) in keeping us safe, if we the road users do not take precaution to curb the menace, we’ll still be prone to avoidable accidents.

Global statistics have shown that over 1.2 million lives are lost through road accidents, while in Ghana, averagely, 2,000 lives are lost yearly to this menace. Road accident is said to have killed more African citizens than malaria.

In the world were over 50 million populations who survived road accidents are either seriously injured or maimed yearly, and the fact that vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists are accounted as half of global accident victims, a lots of responsibilities rest upon the instituted authorities to really up their games in providing safety measure in curving this occurrences.

Here in Ghana, Motor, Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) is a Ghana’s Police wing responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules and laws on our Roads however, we’ve been witnesses to oblivious violation of simple Road Construction Regulation which calls for a clear sign for diversion and caution where work is on-going.

The MTTU and the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) must be swift in their responds to tackle disorders on our roads. It is no more justifiable losing our country’s valuable resources on daily bases through road accident that could have been avoided if proper cautions were headed to.

United Nation affirmed that 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent on road accident by countries around the world; enough to sound a wakeup call unto action for institutions like MTTU and NRSC.

It is estimated that there were 20,444 road accidents in Ghana alone with a total of 2,076 individual reportedly died in 2017. This figure certainly represented the reported and recorded cases because; there are several others who haven’t gotten to the Police.

So far in this year 2018, over a 130 people have already lost their lives through this same way and the authorities are still watching. The recent death of a Ghanaian Dancehall Diva (Ebony Reigns) seems to have sound as a wakeup call to the authorities who seem to have slept over their assigned duties over the years. Positive debates have been ignited on our media houses with our airwaves discussing the way forward. I truly hope that we will take a dispassionate approach during these debates to secure a lasting solution in stopping this canker that is eating our future up.

These debates have suddenly ignited growing concerns among the populace recounting the rampant occurrences of fatal accidents on our Ghanaians roads. Notable among many is the George Walker Bush Motorway, a Road name after the former United State’s President due to the role he played in securing for Ghana the Millennium Challenge Account with the construction of the this Highway as part of its compact.

Since its inauguration on the 15^th February, 2012; over 3,000 accidents have occurred in the past six years. Almost 300 lives lost with close to 2,000 people either injured or maimed on this 14 kilometres stretch. 60% of these accidents involved pedestrians who are crossing the Highway which calls for the construction of more foot bridges to aid pedestrian crossing.

It is my opinion that our roads needs adequate CCTV cameras where drivers involved in over-speeding and traffic lights violation could be monitored and brought to book. Functional traffic lights are also a major challenge that we need to overcome. Driving under the influence of alcohol and stress has also contributed to some of this unfortunate canker in our society. Towing trucks recently became a political issue as government decided to impose tax on its usage in Ghana. Thanks to the public outcry which was generated by this action; the authorities were compelled to suspend its implementation.

The breakdown of heavy duty trucks and other vehicles on our Roads has also contributed to the lost of many lives. The availability of these towing trucks strategically stationed with emergency response contacts will also help in bring down the rate of accident.

GOVERNMENT HAVE NO EXCUSE

There is no excuse for the government not to commit themselves to the quest of securing safety on our Roads. The institution of Road Fund in 1997 was aimed at securing good maintenance and rehabilitation of roads in the country. 21 years down on, potholes on our road have become common phenomenon that seems to have come to stays with us.

Within the period of January to June, 2016 alone, Road Funds generated a total of Gh¢ 627.4 million as recounted by the then Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini. He also pointed out that the Government had projected to reap from that sector alone Ghc1.2 billion by the close of that year.

The absurd manner some of our Accident Respond Team extricates trapped victims is another area we must look into. Most of our Regional Accident Respond Teams cannot boast of adequate equipments for the extrication of trapped victims thus; many lives that could have been rescued missed their ‘Platinum Ten Minutes’.

Instead of looking into the above factors as avoidable evil that plagues us and is extinguishing life out of vast human resources God has blessed our nation with, we are rather spiritualizing these occurrences. Truly, I can say that it is the grace of God that keeps us going out and returning back to our families on daily bases. However, as a government and people, we need to sit up. This is 21^st Century for goodness sake!