A road safety campaign has been launched by the Pentecost Men’s Ministry (PEMEM) Obuasi Area to inform drivers and passengers of the importance of adhering to traffic laws.
Launched at the Obuasi Central Lorry Station on Saturday, November 18, the campaign aims to lower the number of road accidents and fatalities in the area and raise awareness of the significance of adhering to traffic safety regulations among drivers, motorcyclists, commuters, and the general public.
Drivers and passengers will receive flyers, stickers, and reflectors as part of the campaign.
The goal of the campaign, “Because the Lord has need of it,” is to lower the number of traffic accidents that occur in Obuasi and the surrounding areas.
It is a component of the ministry’s commitment to sharing the gospel and saving lives as well as its social responsibility.
A report issued by the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) states that in July 2023, 1,233 crashes involving 2,099 vehicles were reported, resulting in 186 fatalities. Additionally, it showed that during the same period, the number of deaths from traffic crashes increased by 30.07 percent.
Once more, according to the MTTD, 202 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in December of last year. A total of 1,441 people were injured to varying degrees, and there were also 245 recorded pedestrian knockdowns.
In December 2022, there were about 1,285 recorded crashes with 2,225 vehicles involved.
The head of PEMEM in the Obuasi Area, Pastor Benjamin Sarpong Mensah, expressed gratitude for the church’s participation in the awareness campaign aimed at lowering traffic accidents in the Obuasi Municipality and beyond.
According to him, the church has an obligation to encourage safe driving practices and educate the public about road safety.
He also applauded the media’s and the local government’s efforts to raise this issue.
He stated that everyone must work together to reduce traffic accidents, and that the Church, being a major player in the Municipality and a faith-based institution, should take the lead in facilitating the conversation about ways to make roads safer as we approach the Christmas season.
In order to raise awareness among drivers at the Horsey Park Lorry Terminal in Obuasi, representatives from the Men’s Ministry were joined by representatives from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), NADMO, National Road Safety Commission, Ghana Fire Service, DVLA, and the Obuasi Municipal Assembly.
He said that in order to guarantee an accident-free Christmas, the NRSC will further step up its road safety campaigns in collaboration with the MTTD and DVLA as the holiday season approaches.
He counseled motorists to exercise caution and follow traffic laws.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority’s (DVLA) Edwin Ofori, Manager of the Obuasi office, praised the church for the initiative and emphasized how it will supplement the many campaigns being launched to guarantee road safety.
He made a suggestion that the DVLA and AngloGold Ashanti, among other partners, would work together in the upcoming weeks to raise awareness about traffic and road safety regulations.
Daniel Asare, the Obuasi Area PEMEM Secretary, added that the campaign was a component of the ministry’s social responsibility and evangelism efforts.
According to him, everyone involved in traffic safety—drivers, passengers, pedestrians, road authorities, and law enforcement—must work together to fulfill this shared responsibility.
He advised drivers to abstain from risky behaviors that could jeopardize their lives and the lives of others, such as speeding, overloading, drunk driving, and fatigued driving.
Additionally, he counseled passengers to denounce careless driving and report any infractions to the relevant authorities.
In order to promote the easy and secure flow of cars and people through the area, he made a plea to the government and the road agencies to upgrade the road system and signage.
Mr. Asare expressed his gratitude to the campaign’s sponsors and partners, which included the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, and individual supporters.
He declared that PEMEM was dedicated to advancing the government’s goal of guaranteeing the nation’s safe and effective transportation system.
He made a plea to other religious institutions, civil society groups, and business establishments to collaborate with PEMEM in raising awareness of road safety.
Source: 3news.com
