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Dr Justice M A. Amegashie , a former Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ) of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), has called for the frequent upgrading of the skills of drivers.

He said this was critical because good drivers were the drivers of the national economy and without their support the economy could grind to a halt.

Dr Amegashie, who is now the CEO of the Transport Services Consult, gave the advice when he presented certificates of participation to some commercial drivers who had completed an Advanced Professional Driving and Customer Care Programme, in the Upper East Region.

The programme, aimed at contributing towards the reduction of road crashes, injury and fatalities, was jointly organised by the Transport Services Consult and the Ghana Private Road and Transport Union (GPRTU); with support from the Skills Development Fund (SDF) and the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET).

Presenting the certificates to the beneficiaries, who were drawn from the Bolgatanga, Bawku and Navrongo Municipalities, the CEO said over the years the SDF and COTVET had provided skills development for caterers, mechanics, artisans, and other non-formal organisations.

“Since all these groups and individuals depend on transport to move around and do their work, it is only prudent and well-thought-out on the part of the SDF, COTVET and the GPRTU to upgrade the skills of drivers who transport all of them to work and back to their homes safely,” he said.

He reminded the drivers that just like medical doctors took the Hippocratic Oath to live up to the expectation of their profession, the certificates given to them was informing them that they needed to be more responsible in their work to help curb the carnage on the roads.

“The certificates should remind you as drivers of your obligations and responsibility,” he said. “You are responsible for your safety, the safety of your passengers and the safety of other road users.”

Mr Godfred Abulbire, said the Programme, which commenced last year in the Region, had reduced road accidents.
Mr Ayuba Ibrahim, one of the beneficiaries, said the training had impacted positively on their driving skills and gave the assurance, on behalf of his colleagues, that they would continue to put into practice the knowledge acquired to minimise fatalities.

The drivers were taken through topics such as Defensive Driving, Hazards Identification, Effects of Fatigue and Drink Driving, Rules on the Roads and Customer Care.