Ghana, Meeting, 18th, 19th and 20th November 2011

The Cecon organisation is holding events over three days – a procession through Accra to the Parliament with a petition, visit of injured road victims at Korlebu teaching hospital, and a church service.

PETITION PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT DURING THE CELEBRATION OF WORLD DAY FOR REMEMBRANCE OF ROAD CRASH VICTIMS ON THE INCREASING ROAD CRASHES IN GHANA, (SUNDAY, 20TH NOVEMBER, 2011).

On the occasion of celebrating World Day for Remembrance of Road Crash Victims, all the victims of road crashes in the country (the dead, family of the dead, surviving victims and their families) raises our voices on the increasing trends of the road crash pandemic. Consequently, we call on the Government, Parliament and other stakeholders to take necessary steps and measures to enhance safety on our roads.

Recognition is growing about the critical development and public health challenge posed by road traffic deaths and injuries. This greater awareness must be a wake up call for governments and all to step up their response to the rising trend of the pandemic.

The statistics from the MTTU, NRSC in the year 2011, a starting year for ‘a Global Decade of Action’ shows that so far some over 1,850 souls has already perished, with some 10,794 victims of injuries and serious disabilities. These deaths and injuries together with associated effects cannot be fathomed.  Recoiling memories of what individual victims like myself, and other colleagues, families of the dead and the nation as a whole have gone through, calls for a much deeper reflection and adoption of the following key slogans by all and sundry including our honourable Ministers, Members of Parliament etc.;

  • ‘Crash is no respecter of person’
  • ‘It does not matter your Career’
  • ‘It does not matter your political colour’
  • ‘It does not matter your position in life’
  • ‘It does not matter your standard of living’

The life of every tom, dick and harry is at stake…    It could be you or a family member…

Are we all sitting unconcern, waiting till it happens before we scream on our front pages, news headlines etc.? The harm would have been done already! How shocking it is to hear of a beloved, mother, brother, sister, auntie, friend or a colleague dying or suffering a permanent disability as a result of otherwise preventable road crash. What a sharp, penetrative pain! It lives long, and if care is not taking, results in deteriorating effects on victims.

From the aforementioned, it is imperative and timely to call on the Government, Parliament, Corporate bodies and other stakeholders to act decisively to take actions that would uphold the slogans and key objectives of the decade of action by the United Nations.

CECON Organization, representing road crash victims, with backing and contribution of various road user groups makes the following recommendations to help curb the increasing road menace:

Firstly, the Government through Parliament must take steps to enact the road safety regulations into law, a law which would ensure that Appropriate measures are taken to tow all disabled vehicles from various accident prone roads, especially long journey routes i.e. Accra – Kumasi, Accra – Cape Coast, Kumasi – Techiman/Tamale and beyond.

We also suggest that a second look is given to the nature of our roads and how it is constructed to forestall Ghana’s number one killer ‘Over Speeding’, which must be taken care of by the regulations. More importantly, speed cameras must be installed along various routes in the country to check over speeding. The locations of these cameras must be publicized for the public to be aware in order to comply accordingly.

Also, Pedestrian knockdown is another danger when it comes to road carnage, especially among children. The safety of pedestrians must be safeguarded, by taking measures to reduce vehicular speed at vantage points on the road, especially at zebra crossings;

In addition, Passengers role as key stakeholder in crashes must be given true meaning by ensuring that consumers’ onboard a vehicle en route long journey route should be given contact numbers to report a recalcitrant driver on the way.

Moreover, driver behavior has been noted to be a number one cause of road crashes and as such these regulations must ensure that appropriate punishment and sanctions are meted out to recalcitrant drivers, without resorting to the payment of bribes. In this light, conscious effort must be made to strengthen Driver Unions in the country and recognize them as key stakeholders in controlling and changing driver behavior.

Above all, the Government, Corporate bodies and individuals must support victims’ initiatives to curb road crashes on our roads, through regular advocacy and awareness creation, education and sensitization of drivers.

Even though the cost of the above listed recommendations is huge, human lives lost from these otherwise preventable crashes far outweighs the cost of the interventions if implemented.

Finally, we make a passionate appeal to Parliament and the Government to recognize the World Day for the Remembrance of Road Victims. The day must be accepted and marked by Parliament and Government. A minute of silence and period of reflection on the seriousness of the road pandemic would go along way to share in the objectives of the celebration. 

The United Nations has adopted a resolution which calls for governments, civil society groups and individuals to mark the Third Sunday in November each year as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

“Observance of this day provides the opportunity to draw the attention of the general public to the magnitude of the problem, the consequences and the costs. It is also an ideal opportunity to educate the public on measures that should be taken to prevent road crashes. This day also serves as a wake-up call to governments and society to ensure that their roads are safe”. For more information visit http://www.worlddayofremembrance.org/

Nicholas Nimo

President, CECON Organization

020-8-876053, 026-6 -271826


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