Editorial
Respect road safety regulations
According to reports, despite many interventions by the Ghana Road Safety Authority (GRSA) and the Department of Urban Roads (DUR), pedestrians at the Tamale-Bolgatanga junction continue to violate road safety regulations.
When the GRSA and the DUR realised that some pedestrians were crossing the roadway inappropriately close to the interchange, a concrete barricade was reportedly built when the junction opened in March 2022.
Our reporter has observed that the measure has not curbed the menace. In an interview with some of the pedestrians they cited the distance to the nearest crossing point as a reason for disregarding the barricade.
Others asserted that they were unaware of the barricade’s significance or planned use. They did, however, recognise that crossing to the other side carries some risk because there could be an accident with a car using the interchange.
Despite the risks, same obstinate behaviours are also seen in Accra, particularly on the N1 highway and other locations. Some people choose to cross major highways by unapproved routes, even though this behaviour has resulted in the deaths of several pedestrians.
The Spectator is worried about the trend and requests that the Metropolitan Assembly and other relevant authorities launch an awareness campaign to inform pedestrians of road regulations so they better protect themselves from death.
Thus, we applaud NRSA’s decision to further up its “Stay Alive!” education initiatives and include stakeholders in road safety.
To discourage other pedestrians from acting similarly, authorities must be on the lookout and arrest disobedient individuals. In accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (LI 154), it is illegal for a pedestrian to cross over or utilise an underpass when one is available.
“Upon summary conviction, an individual found guilty of violating this regulation faces a maximum fine of five penalty units, a maximum sentence of seven days in jail, or both.”
To stay safe, we also implore everyone who uses the roads, especially pedestrians, to follow the laws and guidelines set forth by the authorities.
Dear Editor,
I wish to use this esteemed platform to urge the traditional councils of Osu and La to call for independent investigation into the recent demolition exercise at Kaajaano.
The exercise rendered hundreds homeless.
Information about the reason for the demolition has been scanty with those desiring to know feeding heavily on social media posts.
One particular name –Jato, has been associated with it but under whose instruction the exercise was carried is also not known.
Sadly, instead of getting to know who ordered the demolition and for what reasons, traditional authorities of Osu and La have been embroiled in a tug-of-war over ownership of the said land.
This is premature. At this moment, they should call for investigation into the exercise to know the people behind it.
When that is done, then discussions about the owners of the site can begin. That would end the posture of the two neighbouring town which has the potential to turn into something else.
Ataa Osa Mensah,
Osu
Dear Editor,
I wish to use your respected platform to draw the attention of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to the behaviour of traders and some drivers about the use of lower denomination coins, specifically the 20 and 10 pesewas.
About two weeks ago, I read in your sister newspaper, The Ghanaian Times about this problem and the caution that followed from the BoG and some economic analysts.
The warning they gave was that the continuous rejection of the notes could create pricing problems which can eventually affect inflation.
I thought that would put to bed that practice or refusal to accept the coins when given out as change or use to pay for particular service.
Unfortunately, the problem still persist among traders, drivers, customers and passengers alike. Only last week, there was as altercation in the Accra Central area where a woman refused to accept five 20 pesewas note totaling one cedi.
As the argument continued, the trader decided not to sell to the customer again after by-standers explained to her that it was still a legal tender and those that refused it could become offenders.
This is an issue the BoG and other regulatory agencies must go and explain to the people and let them know that it is unlawful not to accept a currency that is still in use.
It nothing was done, it could create a much more serious problems.
Mary Osei Badu,
Swedru
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