IGP tasks MTTD to curb road crashes

The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, has directed the Motor Traffic and Transport Department  (MTTD)  to begin an enhanced enforcement operations to curb increasing road crashes  in the country.

This operation, which also aims at checking indiscipline on the country’s roads, will be fully backed by the deployment of Close-Circuit Television (CCTVS) cameras.

The Director, Police Public Affairs, Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng, disclosed these to journalists on Thursday at the main Takoradi- Accra Lorry Station where the IGP met with commercial transport owners to discuss   ‘in doors’, challenges posed by current road crashes in the country.

The meeting also formed part of IGP’s tour of the Western Region to monitor patrols  in the Sekondi- Takoradi metropolis and also other operations in the  Tarkwa and Asankragwa Divisions.

He was accompanied by Director- General, Police Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mohammed Suraj and Director -General, Welfare, DCOP  Mrs Habiba Sarpong.

Supt Obeng indicated that,  the CCTVS had been deployed throughout   most regions and districts in Ghana to enhance  surveillance, monitoring,  effective  policing, crime detection and road traffic offences.

He said: “This is to position the state to ensure that when you are committing  a  crime there is an eye watching you and the police is using this  technology  right from  our offices  to detect and ensure that all criminal  acts and including  road traffic offences  are detected for investigations and prosecution.” 

He  explained that the MTTD had been directed to enhance enforcement  with more police officers and more equipment throughout the country and that the operations took immediate effects.

These, Supt Obeng added, was to ensure compliance with vehicle constitution, licensing and road behaviour, and that, those caught would be arraigned.

He  reported that between January and October,  this year,  Ghana had recorded 13, 244 road crashes  involving all manner of vehicles and that this  had impacted  on lives and  stated  again that “ so far morbidity is 4,898 including adults and  minors  while   mortality recorded is  also 2,380.”

Supt Obeng stated that the meeting with the transport owners was to identify the main stakeholders in traffic operations, and for all major developmental agents to come together, listen to them and share concerns on what could be done to curb increasing road crashes in Ghana.

He continued “It’s clear that road traffic is  multi- faceted and covers concerns relating to the police on patrols traffic offences,  transport operators, vehicle owners,  driver behaviour and road engineering and that administration has taken it within it strides to bring the crashes to a  halt.

“We are all involved; Christmas is coming and this is a clarion call on all of us in this our contemporary times. Let’s all cooperate. Road crashes are escalating and we need to confront the challenges and save lives.  It’s so pathetic, unacceptable and worrying.”

FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, TAKORADI