GPRTU takes steps to prevent accidents

Page 30 Wednesday November 5 2008
THE Neoplan Branch Number 4 of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) in Accra has initiated measures to ensure that drivers plying the Accra-Kumasi route avoid accidents ahead of the December elections and Christmas festivities.
The Chairman of the branch, Mr Paul Kwabena Badu Aidoo, told the Daily Graphic that most of the buses were in very bad shape as a result of the numerous road accidents they were involved in.
He said Prudential Bank, in collaboration with some companies, had pooled resources and purchased 250 buses for the branch.
He said further that the bank provided 30 long buses; Stanbic Bank, 200 Urvan buses, and Ghana Liaison gave them 20 Hyundai minibuses to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.
Mr Badu Aidoo said the companies had agreed with the branch that the drivers allocated the buses would pay for the vehicles every month for four years.
Mr Badu Aidoo cautioned all drivers against making political arguments while driving and not to think that they could outwit the police by associating themselves with some political party figures.
Mr Badu Aidoo also advised Ghanaians to stop rumour mongering when it came to issues pertaining to politics.
He said: “God knows the right leader for the country and it is therefore our duty to concentrate on whatever work we are doing for the betterment of the nation”.
Mr Badu Aidoo further advised drivers to pay attention to sirens when driving in order not to get into trouble.
The Financial Secretary of the branch, Mr John Tettey, said for about a month now drivers plying the Accra-Kumasi route had been educated every two weeks on road safety.
Mr Tettey said: “I am pleading with all drinking bar operators to close their bars on December 7, 2008 in order to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers because some people misbehave especially when they are drunk”.
The Station Master of the branch, Mr John Ankomah, for his part, said the branch had provided a restroom for drivers to relax after a long journey in order to avoid road accidents especially when they became tired.
Mr Ankomah appealed to Ghanaians especially drivers to avoid discussing political issues and concentrate on driving as such distraction was one of the causes of accidents.