Ministry of Transport embark on road safety awareness walk

Accra, April, 25, GNA - The Ministry of Transport and its allied agencies on Saturday embarked on a health walk to create road safety awareness in the country.

The walk, which started at the Aviation Social Centre near the Kotoka International Airport, took them through some principal streets of Accra. Staff of the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, Ghana Airport Limited, Ghana Ports and Habour Authority, Ghana Railway Company Limited, Ghana Railway Development Authority, Driver Vehicle and Licensing Authority and Metro Mass Transport took part in the exercise.

Mr Mike Hammer, Minister of Transport, who led the exercise, said the devastation on the road was unimaginable as motorist flout basic transport regulations with impunity.

He said some of the fatalities on the road could be minimized through the use of seat belt.

He said the 2004 Transportation Act, which would make wearing of seat belt compulsory for all motorists had been placed before Cabinet and it would soon get to Parliament for approval. Mr Hammer noted that when the Act became operational, all motorists especially the commercial drivers would be trained to use seat belts. He said government would institute a programme he called Private Vehicle Renewal Projects, which would contract vehicle associations to get rid of rickety vehicles out of the system. He noted, however, that removal of the rickety vehicles would be done gradually.

He said government would do everything in its power to revamp the air and water transport to enable Ghana to have her own aircrafts and ocean ships.

Mr Selbi Twumasi-Ankra, acting Chief Director of the Transport Ministry, said the walk was also to foster the spirit of togetherness among the various agencies of the Ministry.