AMA- BIGRS, NRSA organise candlelight vigil, to commemorate Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) in collaboration with the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has organized a symbolic candlelight vigil, to commemorate this year’s Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, observed annually on the third Sunday of November, aims to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of road accidents and advocate for improved road safety globally.

With each candle representing a life lost on Accra's roads during the past year the flickering flames served as a poignant reminder of the human toll exacted by road crashes and underscored the importance of promoting responsible driving habits.

The solemn ceremony, held at the Bu Teaching Hospital brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies, road safety advocates, as well as victims and families affected by road accidents.

The Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, in an interaction with the media after the event acknowledged the devastating impact of road crashes on families and communities emphasizing the urgent need for collective efforts to enhance road safety measures and reduce the alarming statistics of road traffic incidents in the city.

He said speeding was believed to be the leading cause of nearly half of all road crashes in cities like Accra adding that this should serve as a stark reminder that "speeding knows no geographical boundaries."

"To put it into perspective, pedestrians have a 90% chance of surviving a crash at 30 km/h or below, but that survival rate drops to less than 50% at speeds of 45 km/h or higher. The well-being of both drivers and pedestrians hinges on the choices we make behind the wheel," he said.

He said the AMA was collaborating with stakeholders including Bloomberg to address key challenges, including increased public education, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and improved road infrastructure to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities.

He said the Assembly’s active participation to commemorate the day reflects its commitment to fostering a safer road environment for its residents and contributing to the global efforts to reduce road traffic fatalities.

Speaking at the event, Mr Osei Kufour, Initiative coordinator of the Bloomberg Philanthropies for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) stressed the need to work collectively to create a road culture that prioritized safety, respect and responsibility and called on policymakers, law enforcement agencies and all road users to actively contribute to ending the carnage.

He added that road crashes were preventable incidents and called on everyone to create a road culture that promotes safety, respect, and responsibility.

Dr Opoku Ware Ampomah, Chief Executive Officer of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital said the Hospital had gained accreditation from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons to train more emergency nurse specialists and emergency physicians to reduce pressure on the hospital's staff due to increasing numbers of road accident victims.

Dr Ampomah said the challenges of the hospitals were financial costs associated with victims and appealed to the government, policymakers, and various road safety stakeholders to invest in road designs and architecture to improve road safety in Ghana.

He urged various stakeholders to intensify advocacy to reduce road crash fatalities.

The event featured representatives of the Ghana Police Service and the National Road Safety Authority, who shared insights into ongoing initiatives aimed at improving road safety.

As part of activities to commemorate the Day, a cash donation was presented to management to offset the bills of some crash victims at the Accident and Emergency Centre and the Trauma and Orthopaedics Department of the Hospital.