Worrying statistics from the Ashanti Regional MTTD indicate that 295 people have been killed from road crashes between January this year and July from a reported 1,826 accidents, one of the highest in the country. Per the breakdown, 49 perish every month and two each day with 11 serious injuries daily.
From the statistics, the region records 304 reported cases of accidents every month and 10 daily.
Nationally, 2,000 deaths are recorded yearly with more than 10,000 households losing their relations including permanent disabilities.
Source
The Ashanti Regional Police MTTD Commander, Superintendent Mr Emmanuel Adu Boahene and the head of regulations, inspections and compliance of the national road safety authority, Mr Kwame Kondua Atuahene, shared the worrying statistics in Kumasi at the launch of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Association of Vulcanizers Ghana (AVG).
Association
The association is to streamline the activities of all vulcanizers and ensure that it operates within an acceptable framework and ensure that all lorry tyres are roadworthy.
Nationally, it was established in 2011 and it comprises vulcanizers from across the country to basically help curb the carnage on the road.
It is made up of about 1,500 members and has branches in Mallam Junction in Accra, Kasoa, Tema, Sunyani and Bolgatanga.
Aim
It is to promote tyre safety through training and education and enhance professionalism.
The regional launch was under the theme: "The role of the vulcanizer in the 21st century.'
Mr Kwame Kondua Atuahene for instance indicated that substandard tyres contribute to about 30 per cent of all road accidents in the country and the need to have professionals to man such businesses was very crucial.
He said per the records, eight out 10 road users were fully educated on the do's and donts of road accidents yet indiscipline and institutional irresponsibility were contributing to the rise in the figures.
Mr Atuahene said the government was working hard through its stakeholders to reduce the crashes.
And as part of the measures, education about road accidents was being extended to second cycle institutions and universities.
MTTD boss
On his part, Superintendent Mr Emmanuel Adu Boahene said beyond the enforcement of the law, the MTTD was also engaging institutions including churches and mosques to help reduce fatalities on the roads.
He said the police only crack the whip after road users fail to adhere to the rules after the education process.
Chairman
The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Vulcanizers Association of Ghana, Mr Robert Ayertey said a bill to regularise the activities of vulcanizers was before parliament and expressed the hope that it would be passed this year for it to be implemented in 2022.
He said plans were afoot to assist members to acquire internationally recognised equipment on a credit basis for members to move away from operating manually to providing the right kind of services and enhancing safety.
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