By Yussif Ibrahim
Obuasi (Ash), April 14, GNA – After a successful rollout of its flagship road safety campaign last year, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, has stepped up safety awareness on the road ahead of the Easter festivities.
Dubbed, “Kwan so Dwoo Dwoo,” the campaign seeks to raise awareness on the devastating effects of road crashes among drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
The campaign also known as “Drive Alive, Arrive Alive” forms part of AngloGold Ashanti’s Community Safety Programme, which is integral in the company’s 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan.
It is being implemented in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, National Ambulance Service, and Safety Campaign Ghana.
Mr. Edmund Oduro Agyei, Community Relations Manager of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, at one such engagement with motorists on the Obuasi-Kumasi Highway, made the point that the campaign was in response to the increasing number of road accidents on the stretch, which is accident prone.
He said the Obuasi Mine upholds safety as a key value and saw it prudent to extend it to communities it operates in.
“By working together, we can create a safer, more responsible driving culture and reduce the number of accidents and fatalities on our roads,” he stated.
Mr. Agyei revealed that the campaign had made a significant difference in promoting road safety and reducing accidents on the roads.
He explained that since the launch of the campaign, there had been a significant reduction in the number of road accidents and fatalities, especially on the Kyekyewere-Dadwen road linking Kumasi to Obuasi, Dunkwa and Tarkwa.
“We have worked closely with local authorities, transport unions, security agencies, municipal assemblies, and other institutions to promote road safety and raise awareness about the importance of responsible behaviour on the roads, “he noted.
He also stated that the campaign had inspired a sense of ownership and responsibility among motorists and passengers, who were now more proactive in promoting road safety.
Mr. Kwasi Agyenim Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Manager of NRSA, confirmed that the road safety awareness creation had been impactful and commended the company for the initiative.
He said there had been improvement in adherence to road safety regulations among drivers on the highway, stressing the need to intensify the campaign to improve safe driving on the roads.
The Regional Manager said Ashanti Region still topped the national ranking on road accident in 2024 with 626 deaths and over 4,800 injuries recorded.
This, he noted, called for sustained and improved sensitisation, collaboration, and enforcement of the law with other institutions.
Mr. Edwin Happy Ofori, the Obuasi Manager of the DVLA, commended AngloGold Ashanti for collaborating effectively with other organisations and stakeholders to promote strict compliance of road safety regulations.
“Your efforts demonstrate that road safety is a collective responsibility that requires the involvement and engagement of everyone, including institutions, organisations and individuals,” he emphasised.
GNA
KOM/KOA