Kasoa GPRTU records no accident in five years

Kasoa (C/R), May 22, GNA - The Kasoa Number One branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has not recorded any accident in the past five years.

Mr Rahiyenu Shaibu Artey, Secretary of the branch, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) attributed the achievement to the intensified road safety education the Union had undertaken for its members. Speaking to the GNA after three separate elections for the branch, the Kasoa-Buduburam Taxi-Mini Bus and the Kasoa-Gomoa Nyanyano branches at Kasoa in the central Region, Mr Artey commended drivers of the Number One for adhering to road traffic regulations.

Alhaji Mahamadu Adamu was elected Chairman of the Kasoa Number One branch, Mr Awudu Shaibu, Vice Chairman, Mr Shaibu Gomar, First Trustee and Mr Daniel Amoh, Second Trustee.

The Chairman for the Kasoa-Buduburam Taxi and Mini Bus branch is Peter Prince Essel, Vice Chairman, Mr Daniel Botchy, Secretary, Mr Francis Shun Williams while Mr Stephen Serf and Mr Joseph Amanquandoh were elected First and Second Trustees respectively

For the Kasoa-Gomoa Nyanyano branch, Mr Frank Ayiquaye was elected Chairman, Mr F K Mensah, Vice Chairman, Mr Bismarck Coffie, Secretary, Mr Frank Ewusi, First Trustee and Mr J K Arthur, second Trustee. Mr Artey explained that the accident free record could also be attributed to the refusal of the branch executives to load "floating" vehicles not registered with the Union at the lorry station. Most of the drivers of the floating vehicles lacked experience, he said, adding that, "After their short period at driving schools their relatives buy them cars without gaining experience from older drivers because they refuse to enter lorry parks to load because they do not belong to any Union".

"The various transport unions and other stakeholders should check these drivers who are causing carnage on the highways", he stated. The secretary appealed to the Police Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) to be vigilant on the Awutu Bawjiase-Kasoa and the Winneba Junction-Accra trunk roads to check over-speeding, wrong overtaking and other traffic violations to reduce the spate of fatal accidents on the highway.

Mr Artey said the recent accident at Okyereko, which claimed 41 lives, was due to over-speeding and carelessness on the part of the drivers.

He called for peaceful elections in other branches of the Union in the Region yet to go to the polls, saying, "Unity is the hallmark to make the Union vibrant and progressive to ensure quality life for our members".

Mr Artey said branch polls should be held to pave the way for the election of regional executives of the Union.