Japanese Ambassador cautions Ghanaians against over-speeding

Cape Coast, Jan 8, GNA- Mrs Kazuku Asai, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, on Thursday urged Ghanaian motorists to observe road traffic regulations and shun negative behaviours like over-speeding in order to help reduce road accidents.

She said there was also the need to ensure proper maintenance of vehicles and the roads.

Mrs Asai was speaking at a durbar organised by the chiefs at the Residency in Cape Coast in appreciation of Japanese government's assistance to Ghana, especially for the reconstruction of the Kasoa-Yamoransa road.

The Japanese government is assisting with a grant of 23 million dollars.

The Ambassador was accompanied by the Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister and parliamentary secretary, Mr Kazunori Tanaka who arrived in Ghana on Wednesday for a visit.

The Ambassador said following an appeal by the Regional Minister, His Eminence Cardinal Turkson and the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, her government decided to reconstruct the road into a dual carriage to help reduce accidents on the road.

She expressed gratitude for the honour done her and told the people of Cape Coast that she specifically brought along Mr Tanaka "to introduce him to the history and background of the country" which she loves.

Mr Tanaka, also repeated the Ambassador's advice of regular maintenance of projects, and said he would convey the request for a dual carriage to his government back home.

He said his government attached importance to Ghana, and would do everything to assist her, and commended Ghana for sustaining her rich culture and traditions.

The Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze, said the durbar organised to show how grateful the people in the region and in the country as a whole are for the Japan's assistance.

He appealed for the reconstruction of the road into a dual carriage, since the single lane, was a contributory factor for the many accidents.

In separate addresses from Cardinal Turkson and Nana Kwesi Atta II, the Oguaahene, also expressed their gratitude on behalf of churches and traditional rulers in the region.

Cardinal Turkson stated that when accidents are reduced on the road, it would help alleviate the pressure on health institutions, which deal increasingly with accident victims.

He said many of the accidents, which stemmed from drivers being impatient to overtake one another on the single lane, could have been avoided if the road had been a dual carriage.

Nana Atta pledged that traditional rulers in the region would give the project the necessary support, especially as the region had more tourist attractions.