Accra: Mr. Abraham Amaliba, Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), has raised concerns about the alarming rate of road fatalities in the country, emphasizing the critical need for robust enforcement of road safety measures. He appealed to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region to take urgent, coordinated action to address these challenges effectively.
According to Ghana News Agency, during a stakeholder engagement in Accra, Mr. Amaliba expressed his distress over the persistently high incidence of road crashes, which often result in death or severe injury. He stressed the shared responsibility for road safety, noting that roles can quickly change, making everyone vulnerable on the roads.
Mr. Amaliba highlighted the crucial role of the NRSA as the national regulator and the significant dependence on MMDAs for successful implementation, given their management of extensive urban and local roads. He also pointed out the problem of billboards, particularly those on road medians and footbridges, which obstruct road signs and pose security risks.
While acknowledging the need for enforcement, Mr. Amaliba assured the assemblies that reasonable timelines for compliance would be provided. He urged MMDAs to revitalise their road safety committees and incorporate public safety into development plans.
The meeting, which included representatives from the NRSA, Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), and all 29 MMDAs, aimed to establish a unified and effective approach to implementing the Road Safety Act and related regulations. Mrs. Jemima Lomotey, Acting Chief Director at the GARCC, supported the call for collective responsibility and assured full cooperation and support from the RCC.
Mr. Kwame Koduah Atuahene, NRSA’s Director of Regulations, Inspections, and Compliance, emphasized the Authority’s priorities, including enforcement of billboard placement regulations and the removal of infrastructural hazards. He announced a masterclass series to train MMDA officials in billboard and road infrastructure management, addressing knowledge and capacity gaps.
The meeting encouraged assemblies to prioritize road safety compliance, reactivate dormant committees, and remove hazardous installations from medians and pedestrian walkways. Despite appreciation for the NRSA’s guidance, the assemblies expressed concerns about collaboration gaps, particularly in public education at transport terminals, and questioned the impact of NRSA’s partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority in removing unroadworthy vehicles.
Additional challenges highlighted by the assemblies included inadequate staffing, limited technical officers, and insufficient parking infrastructure. They called for capacity-building support from the NRSA to enhance enforcement and operational delivery in road safety management.