By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), Dec 19, GNA-The Keta Municipal Assembly, in the Volta Region, through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) Directorate, has embarked on a road safety educational campaign across selected communities within the municipality.
The objective of the campaign was to mitigate the increasing rate of road traffic accidents and promote responsible road usage.
Mr Setsoafia Wonder Deynu, the NADMO Director of Keta, told the Ghana News Agency, in an interview that the campaign was carried out in various communities such as Abor Lorry Park, Anlo Afiadenyigba, and Vui junction, and places noted for high vehicular and motorbike activities.
“We deemed it necessary to carry out this important initiative since road traffic accidents is still increasing with devastating impact on families and communities,” he said.
The NADMO Director explained that many lives, including parents, children, friends, and loved ones, have been lost within the year through road crushes and called for an urgent need for collective action to enable curbing the situation in the area.
He emphasised that the Keta Municipal Assembly has taken a bold decision to prioritise road safety education to reverse the trend to save many souls, especially before, during and after the Christmas season.
He commended personnel from the department of Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) who educated participants on key road safety regulations, including the importance of wearing helmets, adherence to speed limits, and safe road crossing practices.
“Our campaign also focused on the dangers of drinking and driving, overloading, over speeding, and wrongful overtaking which are identified as major contributors to road accidents.”
He said other road users such as pedestrians, passengers, vendors, hawkers, among others were also urged to exercise patience and mutual respect to drivers as well as be careful in their daily activities to prevent any untoward situation during the yuletide.
Mr Deynu thanked the Keta Municipal Ambulance Service team for efforts in educating communities with practical demonstrations on emergency response procedures including handling unconscious victims and providing first aid to those with fractures and injuries.
He expressed excitement about how motor riders and drivers actively participated in the campaign and appealed to them to uphold the road traffic rules and regulations to ensure a successful, smooth and accident-free season.
Mr Rasmus Dawu, motorcycle rider at Abor, on behalf of other colleagues thanked the Keta NADMO and other organisations for the initiative and appealed for regular engagement on road safety matters to enable reduced unfortunate accidents.
They also appreciated the efforts of the Keta Municipal Assembly led by Mr Wisdom Seade, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), for the timely support and strategic measures to enhance road safety.
GNA also understand that the campaign also reinforced the importance of preventive measures, law enforcement, and emergency response in reducing road traffic accidents while road safety was considered as a shared responsibility that required sustainable education, enforcement, and community involvement.
The Keta Municipal Assembly and the NADMO have further pledged to remain committed to working with stakeholders to promote safer roads and protect lives within the municipality.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Kenneth Odeng Adade