64 die in road accidents during campaigns

in UW since 1999

Wa, July 15, GNA - The Upper West Region recorded a total of 253 motor accidents during political party campaigns between 1999 and 2004. Mr Mohammed Mumuni, Road Education Officer of the Upper West branch of Road Safety Commission who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Wa on Tuesday said numerous cars and motorbikes were also damaged as a result.

He said 78 of the accidents were recorded in 1999 with 22 deaths, 103 accidents with 18 deaths in 2000 and 72 accidents with 24 deaths in 2004. Mr Mumuni attributed the high rate of political party campaign accidents to overloading, speeding and general indiscipline on the part of drivers

during such occasions. He therefore appealed to various political parties that have come out with a campaign code with the Commission to strictly adhere to the tenets of the code to avoid the recurrence of such accidents in the region. The Education Officer said his outfit, in addition to a public forum organised to sensitize the public in the dangers of accidents also periodically organize educational programmes on the local FM stations in the region. He said sensitization programmes aimed at reducing road accidents have also been organized for motorbike mechanics and their apprentices who usually ride carelessly during public programmes, including political party campaigns.

Mr. Mumuni expressed the hope that road accidents during this year's political party campaigns would be reduced due mainly to the high level of awareness created among he riding and driving public. "It is more dangerous with people who ride motorbikes without crash helmets and we hope that, with these educational programmes we are carrying out nothing nasty will be recorded this year," he assured.