'I Thank God I Am In One Piece' - President

'I thank God, I am in one piece', President John Agyekum Kufuor told newsmen after escaping unhurt in a motor accident involving his convoy at a crossroads on the Airport - 37th Military Hospital Road in Accra, yesterday.

He was on a normal drive from his Airport Residence to work at the Castle, Osu, when a blue black Mercedes benz elegance saloon car with registration number GT 2989 W, being driven at top speed, overtook a line of vehicles that had stopped for his motorcade to pass and rammed into his car.

The impact was such that the armoured black benz classic carrying the President, fell on its side landing on a golf saloon car parked on the other lane.

Giving his account of what happened, he said, all traffic had stopped as the motorcade passed and 'all of a sudden there was a flash and I saw this vehicle'. He said his driver quickly swung the vehicle and 'I heard a big bang. Before I knew my car was on its side with the wheels up'.

President Kufuor, who looked well composed and showed not the slightest sign of shock or pain, said people around helped to turn it back on its wheels and forced the door opened to enable him to come out.

Asked about the condition of his health, he responded, 'I should think I am fine', a viewpoint, shared by medical experts, after examination.

The Minister for the Interior, Mr Kwamena Bartels said the tragic accident showed the kind of carelessness, irresponsible conduct and negligence on the country's roads. He said if the driver had heeded the siren and stopped, this would not have happened.

'I hope we would all learn a lesson from this and obey traffic regulations,' the Minister said. On speculations that there could be a sinister motive behind the accident, Mr Bartels said the police were investigating the accident and did not think there was any basis.

A test conducted by the police with a Breathalyzer on the driver just after the accident showed his alcohol in-take at 1.8, which is well beyond the permissible level. He has been placed in police custody.

Meanwhile, President Kufuor continued with his normal routine, granting audience to two delegations from the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area and Birem North District.

The chiefs of Wassa Fiase led by the Omanhene, Osagyefo Kwamena Enimil IV, conveyed their appreciation to the Government for the construction of the Agona Nkwanta - Tarkwa road, the upgrading of the Tarkwa School of Mines into a University, elevation of Tarkwa into a Municipality and the creation of the new district for Bogoso.

They appealed for the establishment of a Petroleum Engineering Department at the University of Mines, saying, this had become necessary with the discovery of oilfields at Cape Three Points.

President Kufuor said the Agona - Nkwanta - Tarkwa road was of immense economic importance to the economy in view of the huge volume of natural resources transported on it, hence Government's decision to put it in good shape. He said the elevation of Tarkwa into a municipality and the creation of a district for Bogoso would enable the area to earn more resources for development.

The Birim North delegation said they were at the Castle to show their gratitude for the appointment of their Member of Parliament, Madam Esther Obeng-Dapaah, as Minister for Mines, Lands and Forestry.

They complained about the slow pace of work by the contractors on the Ayirebi - Ofoase - Kotoku road. President Kufuor warned that non-performing contractors would have their contracts terminated.