2019 Ghana Drivers and Roads Safety Awards Mini Launch Held in Kumasi

The 2019 Ghana Drivers and Road Safety Awards mini launch took place at the Kumasi Race Course lorry station on Wednesday, 4^th September 2019.

In its 2^nd edition, the theme for the awards is on “Rewarding Excellence, Promoting Road Safety” and it brought together various dignitaries and stakeholders including: Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), National Road Safety Commission (NRSC), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) of Ghana Police Service, Drivers Unions and Traditional Leaders.

Speaking at the launch,the Chairman, Nana Obrempong Taa-Asiakwa Agyemang Adjei I, lauded the initiative to reward Ghanaian drivers, just as there are other award schemes for rewarding persons who have excelled in other professions such as teaching and farming.

He re-echoed the need for drivers to practice safety and good driving to protect lives, as recent statistics show that 2 to 3 people die each day in Ghana through road accidents.

“Heavy motor vehicles that enter and leave this country to neighbouring countries such as Togo, Ivory Coast, and others…destroy our roads. They also cause road accidents, why? Because, they overload their vehicles with goods to unacceptable rates, that put pressure on our roads.Consequently, it does not matter if the road has high quality, the roads beg into get damages and develop potholes just as the situation at the Suame roundabout,” he said.

Nana Obrempong Taa-Asiakwa Agyemang Adjei I pleaded with the Ghana Police Service to ensurethat they check and help end overloading as it threatens road safety and contributetoo many fatal accidents on our roads.

The Ashanti regional Director of the National Road Safety Commission, Mrs. Simbiat Wiredu said, “This award scheme is important because, since there is punishment for recalcitrant drivers, it is in the right direction to reward good drivers.”

According to Mrs. Wiredu, as at June 2019, provisional data by the NRSC show that there have been 11,167 vehicles been involved in road accidents with 1,252 fatalities in the country.

She said, “As a foundation,research is important to us and we have found out that one of the main causes of road accident is driver error. Some mistakes such as over speeding, drink driving, among others, cause accident. It became a need to partner NRSC, DVLA,Ministry of Transport and our sponsors such as Goil, Enterprise Insurance, GHACEM and other partners to promote road safety through an award scheme that recognizes and rewards the best drivers in Ghana.”

Madam Frimpong revealed that, the first edition which was held in 2018 had 1000 drivers who submitted their names and supporting documents; were screened and trained. Only one female driver was part of that number and as a result, “a female category” has been added in this year’s awards.

DSP Lydia Acheampong Ntow, the 2IC of the MOTOR TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT (MTTD).Ghana police in kumasi emphasized the need for wearing seat belts whiles driving.

“Drivers and mates should ensure that passengers are not only provided with seat belts but also encouraged to wear them to reduce road accident related injuries and fatalities,” she stressed.

Other speakers at the programme include the DVLA Manager of the Ashanti region, Mr. George Afful who believes road accidents should be referred to as “road crashes” as most vehicular accidents are caused by humans who engage in ‘careless driving.’

He reiterated that there are speed limits in Ghana and drivers should observe them. Again, he advised drivers to behave like pilots as they are more careful and ensures an aircraft meet safety conditions before takeoff.

Speaking on behalf of the Metropolitan Chief Executive of Kumasi, Mr. Randy Wilson who also doubles as Director of Urban Transport congratulated the NRSC for all the effort put into the launch of the 2019 Ghana Driver and Road Safety Awards.

He “strongly believes that the establishment of the Ghana Driver and Road Safety Awards would not only encourage drivers to work hard but would also let them realize how important their work is, in moving the nation forward and above all establish the fact that people’s lives are in their hands.”

The Mayor challenged the National Road Safety Commission to intensify their road safety campaigns to foster discipline among the drivers. Again, he showed commitment to stakeholders by telling them that the doors of the Assembly are always open to individual or organization that has the transport sector at heart.

Commenting on the activities of the National Road Safety Commission, Mr. Afful said, he is impressed with their contribution to saving lives and properties on our roads and this, he believes if sustained, will considerably minimize the rate of accidents on our roads.

“I wish to use this opportunity to urge the leadership of the National Road Safety Commission to continue to impart the core values of driving such as hard work, discipline and commitment into our drivers,” he said.

He concluded by saying the theme “Rewarding Driving Excellence, Promoting Road Safety” should be the ultimate goal of every driver since it is extremely important with regards to their contribution to saving lives and properties on the roads.

Nana Obrempong Taa-Asiakwa Agyemang Adjei I, led officials including organizers of the awards to launch the grand prize which is a 2019 Maruti Suzuki Celerio car.

After a Road Safety Quiz Competition among 10 drivers, Mr. Collins Owusu emerged the overall winner and was awarded a Two Hundred Ghana Cedis Goil fuel coupon, engine lubricants and T-shirt. The 1^st runner up was Nana Yaw Owusu who was also awarded a One Hundred Ghana Cedis Goil fuel coupon, engine lubricant and T-shirt. The 2^nd runner up was Alex who also received a Fifty Ghana Cedis Goil fuel coupon,engine lubricant and T-shirt. The remaining seven also took home engine lubricant and T-shirt each.

Nana Yaw Akuoko, the Otumfuor Esianhene, advised the various stakeholders to perform their duties with proper care and diligence to ensure reduction of accidents on our roads.

Some of the drivers unions that were present at the launch include: Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Progressive Transport Owners’ Association (PROTOA), Ghana Haulage Transport Drivers Union, Redeemer Transport Union, Concerned Drivers Association of Ghana, and Association of Liberal Transport Operators (ALTOPS).