By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, March 29, GNA – Dr Justice Morkporkpor Amegashie, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Authority (DVLA), has charged driver training schools to incorporate information technology and apps into driver training to better their competence.
According to him, with the advancement in technology as well as the increase in ride-hailing apps, there was the need for current and future drivers to be equipped with the requisite skills that would enable them to effectively operate.
“It is time to integrate information technology and apps in the provision of training and information dissemination through use of the appropriate Information in order to build upon the knowledge and skills of the existing and future riders,” he emphasised.
Dr Amegashie made the call when he swore into office the newly elected executives of the Ghana National Association of Driving Schools (GHANA DRIVE), in Accra on Thursday.
The six-member new executives are expected to steer the affairs of the Association for the next four years.
Dr Amegashie, commended GHANA DRIVE for contributing to road safety in the country over the years, noting that driver training schools were crucial in curbing road crashes and its associated deaths and injuries.
He noted that with increasing number of motor vehicles in the country, driver training schools had become more important.
Currently, it is estimated that there is 14 per cent annual increase in motor vehicle population in the country.
Also, research has established that a 10 per cent annual increase in motor vehicle was bound to increase road crash and its consequences.
Dr Amegashie urged the schools to take the opportunity to offer better training to drivers.
“You are imbued and clothed with numerous, and inherent and tremendous opportunities by the nature of your work and services which when tapped can contribute towards reduction in road crashes and improvement in road safety,” he stressed.
He also charged the new executives to pursue standardisation of the curriculum for driver training, to ensure that all students received comprehensive instruction on traffic laws, regulations and road safety.
Chief Superintendent Alexander Obeng, Director of Research and Education, Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in the training of drivers to include digital skills.
He said with Ghana preparing to automate traffic offences, empowering drivers with digital skills was crucial in promoting compliance.
“So, our back office is also preparing, so that those that we train, we will be able to digitally monitor them, enforce, and ensure that they are forthcoming without going to court.
“In real time, the driver that we are training will be forthcoming to a text message of electronic notice of violation,” he added.
Reverend Erasmus Amankwah, immediate past President of GHANA DRIVE, highlighted key successes chalked by the past administration, including increasing the membership size from 25 to more than 400 over the past eight years, creating employment for more than 1,000 people and improved finances.
He charged the new executives to continue the work left by the previous administration to ensure growth.
Mr Francis Yao Agbozo, the new President of GHANA DRIVE, promised to continue projects started by past executives as well as execute new ones to improve the fortunes of the Association.
Key among his prioritise include the development of a strategic plan, construction of a permanent secretariat and complete review of the Association’s constitution to capture current development in the sector.
Additionally, he promised to reposition the association into a more viable one to make it more attractive and increase its source of income generation.
“Our administration will ensure that every member is brought on board including active members, non-active members and members who are disgruntled,” he assured.
Mr Emmanuel Klugah, Deputy Director, DTTL of the DVLA, assured the new executives of the Authority’s support and urged them to ensure all members complied with the registration process of the Authority.
GNA
CA/