In Ghana, a disturbing number of people die as result of road traffic accidents with road fatalities hovering around 2,171 nationwide in the last eleven months.
The number represents a reduction of 18.20% from January to November, juxtaposed to the same period in 2021.
The Ashanti region stands as a hotbed of road carnage, contributing 414 of road deaths to the national figure.
In the wake of a need to reduce the figure drastically, the University Students Association of Ghana has initiated a nationwide road safety campaign project through public sensitization.
The tertiary student body began its road safety awareness and education in the Ashanti region’s capital, Kumasi, precisely in the Oforikrom Municipality, engaging both drivers and passengers.
They enlightened road users on some precautionary measures they must employ as they travel around the country.
The Association observed that road carnages contributed to weakening the future workforce of the country, and ultimately increasing the government’s expenditure on disability.
Leadership of the Association believe a collective effort in providing extensive road safety education could avert the extinction of the youthful workforce of the country, but consequently enhance the country’s economic growth.
Project Lead, Solomon Osei-Fosu, who doubles as the Financial Controller of the Association, was worried a disturbing number of the Ghanaian populace have been lost to road carnage.
“These accidents are mostly as a result of human fallibility, recklessness and other uncertainties beyond control. Road carnages have sent many people to their untimely demise and have caused a lot of unforgettable pains in their loved ones. Everyone is at risk when you enter into the road space,” he said.
The Association hopes to replicate the exercise in other parts of the country.
