Editorial
Making precious lives safe on our roads
It is becoming clear that despite the numerous appeals to motorists in the country, road crashes and deaths continue to be on the rise, making it unsafe for road users whether as pedestrians or motorists.
It has been pointed out time and again that most of the causes of road accidents are as a result of human errors that could be prevented if motorists show a little more care.
Many a time, motorists get involved in accidents because of speeding, non- observance of traffic rules and being in a hurry to get to their destination in the shortest possible time. This together with impatience on the part of many drivers leads to road accidents.
Some road accidents also occur as a result of drunkenness. Again, there are times drivers have been found not to be conversant with the road signs. All these are contributory factors that should be dealt with.
As much as possible, motorists must be well educated on all these issues so that accidents can be reduced to the barest minimum instead of seeing them increasing year-in year-out.
This is the only way to make precious lives safe on our roads. According to data compiled by Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, it has been revealed that the number of commuters killed in road traffic between January and June this year has risen to 1,454. This has resulted in 27.54 per cent increase in death compared with the number of people killed in the first six months of 2020.
Similarly, 423 pedestrians have also been killed within the same period, indicating that pedestrians killed rose from 305 in 2020 to 423 in the first six months of this year.
All these point to the fact that lives on our roads are not safe. It is, therefore, incumbent on the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) to sit up and be stricter on the drivers on the roads.
Other law enforcement bodies such as the MTTD of the Ghana Police should also be very strict on the application of the road traffic regulations.
Again, while general education on road crashes is important and should be encouraged, our law courts must impose heavy punishments on those who flout traffic regulations.
The Spectator believes that, if these measures are strictly implemented they can go a long way to ensure that the roads are made safe for motorists, pedestrians and other users. The end result will be drastic reduction of injuries and fatalities on our roads.
Lives lost cannot be brought back just as harm caused by way of injuries cannot also be restored to its original form.
The call is, therefore, for everyone to play his/her part to make our roads safer than ever before.
Editorial
Fix railway crossing point on Circle-Kaneshie road
Dear Editor,
After the construction of the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Accra Dubai), Ghanaian were full of belief that it could solve at least a few of the problems drivers and commuters faced.
But currently, any regular user of the area would confirm that things have rather skyrocketed.
Sanitation is a big issue as the area. Traffic congestion has become something else while street lights and traffic lights in the area are nonfunctional.
Making matters worse is the regular traffic on the stretch of the Circle-Kaneshie caused by the bad nature of the railway crossing.
It is so bad that motorist are forced to slow down to cross from whichever direction they are coming from.
During the rainy season, it becomes worse as vehicles break down in the large pool of water that gathers at the place.
I wish to appeal to the Roads and Highways ministry or whichever agency is responsible for road maintenance to fix that part of the road.
As a result, public transport operators are forced to divert routes to avoid that area and in the process, causing commotion between drivers and passengers.
I feel that problem must be fixed before the rains set in. Thank you for the space.
Awuah Martin,
Kasoa, C/R
Editorial
Make celebration of Heritage Month compulsory
Heritage or Ghana Month is an annual event held in March to commemorate Ghana’s Independence and rich cultural heritage.
The event, which is celebrated across the country is gradually gaining momentum as schools and organisations have been patronising the event with various activities and programmes displaying Ghana’s rich culture.
Recently, in a vibrant display of Ghana’s culture students of Antoa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region joined forces with the Centre for National Culture (CNC) to launch the 2025 Ghana Month celebration.
According to our reporter, the event was a mixture of traditional cloth demonstrations, dance lessons, poetry recitals, and proverbs competitions as students and staff donned colourful traditional attires, showcasing their rich cultural heritage with infectious enthusiasm.
Some organisation like media houses were also not left out in the celebration of Ghana Month with Newscasters dressed in their traditional attires showcasing their culture while reading the news.
Such celebrations should be encouraged as one of the excited students of Antoa SHS exclaimed, “I never knew how rich our Ghanaian culture was until today. I’m proud to be Ghanaian.” This is a testimony of how the celebration will remind students of their roots and instill in them national values.
Ghana has so many cultures which are hidden and its time to make these cultures to project our rich Ghanaian culture to the outside world.
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana Dance Ensemble to make the Ghana Month more visible in schools by organising activities to educate students on Ghanaian cultural values and norms, to promote national pride and identity.
The Spectator encourages the organisers to extend the celebration to more schools. This can be done through debates, essay writing competitions, among others to share Ghana’s rich heritage. It will help to revive the cultural spirit among the youth to become ambassadors of Ghana’ culture.
GTA must also take advantage of Ghana Month and team up with the hospitality industry such as restaurants, hoteliers, Chop Bar operators, among others to organise a traditional cuisine festival like cooking and eating competitions among organisations and associations to boost tourism in Ghana. Such competitions will give people insight into the preparations of Ghanaian local foods and drinks, and promote healthy living in families. The fashion industry should also come on board to help take Ghana Month a notch higher.
In the words of the Acting Regional Director of the CNC in the Ashanti Region, Mr Peter Kofi Marfo “Let us Wear Ghana, Eat Ghana, See Ghana, Speak Ghana, Hear and Dance Ghana, together, we’ll keep our cultural flame burning bright.”
The Spectator is hopeful that by making the celebration of Ghana Month compulsory. Ghanaians will remain committed to promoting their rich culture and heritage, for future generations.
