body-container-line-1
15.09.2016 Social News

Amend provides school children with road safety actions

15.09.2016 LISTEN
By GNA

By Kwamina Tandoh, GNA
Accra, Sept. 15, GNA - Amend, a road safety non- governmental organisation, has delivered its School Area Road Safety Assessment and Improvement (SARSAI) programme, with a new footpath and speed humps at Christ Mission School in Kwashieman and its environs.

It is aimed at reducing pedestrian knockdowns, especially school children and to make the road safe for the pupils.

The project is in partnership with FIA Foundation, Global Initiative for Child Health and Mobility (a coalition of organisations) coming together to advocate a safe and healthy journey to and from school for every child to become a reality by 2030.

Ms Ayikai Poswayo, Programme Manager, Amend explained that through SARSAI Amend develops, implements, and evaluates evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of road traffic injury among the most vulnerable road users in Africa, whilst working to help create an environment for long-term, sustainable injury reduction.

She said it's about reflecting on the road safety challenges, which African countries have been facing over the years, grasping the lessons learnt, and jointly working towards improving road behaviour to preserve the lives of the country's children.

Ms Zoleka Mandela, Ambassador of Global Initiative for Child Health and Mobility was confident that the road safety measures would play a significant role in preserving the lives of Ghana's next generation of leaders, thus positively impacting the future of the nation.

Mr Joseph Quansah, the Head Teacher of the Christ Mission commended Amend, FIA Foundation and the Global Initiative for Child Health and Mobility for its efforts to reduce road traffic injury.

Mr Quansah called on them to sustain the noble idea in other communities and Ghana as a whole.

He bemoaned that the traffic accident at the N1 George Bush Motor and its connecting routes was alarming due to lack of proper overhead.

He narrated a gloomy incident that befell the school in 1999, 2003 and 2016 where students were knocked down by motorist and sustained serious injuries which led to the death of one.

He lauded the project and expressed the hope that it would benefit the school, the community and surrounding schools.

The return to school of a student, Michael Obeng, who suffered a serious road traffic injury which kept him in hospital for two months, coincided with the event, and his aunt and teacher both spoke about the impact that the injury had on him, his family and the wider community.

Ms Catherine Hamilton, Regional Manager, National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) reiterated the Commission's efforts to pursue campaigns on child, pedestrian and passenger safety.

She said in Ghana it is estimated that 21 per cent of fatalities involve children below the ages of 16.

Ms Hamilton noted that the NRSC had employed conventional approaches, interventions and strategies that are cost effective, practical and result oriented including the use of crossing aids popularly called lollipop stands to aid children and Persons with Disability cross the roads.

She called on civil society organisations and NGO's to partner the NRSC to promote and further the agenda.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick Adusei Sarpong, Director General of the Motor Transport and Traffic Directorate echoed the Police commitment to assist school children cross roads safely.

GNA

body-container-line