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Be discipline, responsible to avoid accidents – police urges ‘okada’riders
Motorcycle riders have been urged to observe road safety regulations in order to prevent accidents and loss of lives.
The appeal targets commercial operators, amid concerns over rising indiscipline and disregard for basic safety requirements on the roads.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Anthony Zumoh Baligi, Osu Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) Commander, gave the advice during a health screening and safety training for riders in Accra.
The exercise, organised by Impact World 360°, a non-profit corporation, trained more than 70 riders in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), bleeding control and safe handling of accident victims to improve response at crash scenes.
ASP Baligi said many riders undertook journeys without considering the consequences, despite having dependents.
He said some operators rode without valid licences, insurance, and proper registration of their motorcycles.
“In some cases, riders are unable to confirm whether the motorbikes they use are roadworthy or even legally acquired,” he mentioned.
ASP Baligi also indicated that some riders even attempted to bribe police officers when arrested, but later accused them of corruption, stressing that compliance with the law remained the best way to avoid confrontation.
He said disregard for traffic rules, including lane discipline and right-of-way, as well as riding against traffic and weaving through vehicles, increased the risk of crashes.
ASP Baligi identified fatigue as a major risk factor, noting that long hours on the road without adequate rest impaired judgment and reaction time.
He further stated that road crashes also imposed financial burdens, including costs of investigations and mandatory testing, which could be avoided through responsible riding.
ASP Baligi advised riders to ensure their documents were in order, respect traffic regulations and allow sufficient time for rest.
He also urged employers to avoid placing undue pressure on riders to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines.
The programme included health screening for conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes as well as practical emergency response training.
Nana Noi, Coordinator of Impact World 360°, described the initiative as a “gamechanger,” combining health awareness with emergency response training.
She said the initiative could help reduce fatalities associated with road crashes.
The programme, supported by the United States Embassy in Ghana, aimed to encourage participants to share life-saving knowledge within their communities. –GNA
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) has initiated a lecture session to broaden the horizon of level 400 students at the Social Work Department of the University of Ghana (UG).
The initiative is under the auspices of the Counselling Unit and OIC of the Station, in consultation with the University.
The inaugural lecture delved into education of Social Work students about the role of Ghana Prisons Service and its core mandates, while emphasising the need for counseling as a psychological intervention for inmates mental health and well-being.
It also gave clearer insights about what was required of them in contributing their quota to creating awareness about the Service’s reformational agenda.
The session forms part of the ‘Think Prisons 360 degrees’ initiative, a collaborative efforts of the SCC Counseling Unit to conscientise the final year students of their roles as future social workers.
ASP Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, a Public Relation Personnel highlighted on the core roles of the Service which include the welfare of inmates, safe custody of inmates, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, respectively.
Discussing the ‘Think Prisons 360 degree’ agenda birthed by the Director General of the service, DGP Patience Baffoe-Bonnie Esq, Mr Ankrah enumerated the five core pillars of the initiative which include welfare of inmates and staff, agriculture mechanisation, industrialisation, wealth creation and strategic relations.
DSP Belinda Adjei-Attah, Head of SCC Counselling Unit schooled the final year students about the role of counseling as a pivotal reformational tool in the service with the tendency to enhance inmates’ psychological needs.
DSP Adjei-Attah further highlighted how Prison Officers and social workers could work together to reduce recidivism.
DSP Eugene Ansu Ohene-Tutu, a Counseling Personnel at SCC further elaborated on the role of social workers in aiding psychosocial interventions, expanding support systems and bringing in-house psychiatrists to help circumnavigate inmates’ mental health.
Dr Abena Oforiwa Ampomah, Lecturer at the Department commended the Senior Officers for their time with the final year students and commended the Officer-In-Charge of SCC, DDP Yayra Ashong Mettle, for releasing the officers to make such a memorable lecture.
By Spectator Reporter
