The training was held at the Prisons Clinic in partnership with the NRSA
The Prisons Clinic at Roman Ridge, Accra, has organised a road safety training programme and general medical screening exercise for drivers and orderlies of the Ghana Prisons Service as part of efforts to enhance road safety and promote the health of personnel.
The programme, held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the Prisons Clinic in Roman Ridge, was organised in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA).
Addressing participants, the Officer-in-Charge and Administrator of the clinic, Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Dr Augustina Ama Boadu, also known in traditional circles as Nana Korlekwor Korli Yohi III, underscored the importance of regular medical screening in preventing road crashes and safeguarding the lives of drivers and other road users.
Dr Boadu, a public health expert, noted that research has established a strong link between driver ill-health and increased accident risks. She observed that many drivers are often unable to undergo routine health checks or update their knowledge of road safety regulations due to the demands of their work schedules.
“Service drivers and orderlies, because of their busy schedules, do not usually participate in periodic healthcare interventions organised for staff of the Ghana Prisons Service. In addition, some may have limited knowledge of current road safety regulations. As a preventive health practitioner, I consider the link between refresher training, regular medical screening, and road accident prevention to be critical for ensuring early disease detection and safety on our roads,” she said.
She further stressed that just as drivers are required to inspect their vehicles before embarking on journeys, their health must also be regularly monitored to ensure they are fit to operate those vehicles safely.
Dr Boadu expressed appreciation to the Director-General of Prisons, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, for approving and supporting the initiative.
Delivering a presentation on road safety, Director at the National Road Safety Authority, Felix Owusu Akyeaw, highlighted alarming road crash statistics recorded between 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
According to him, nearly 4,000 people lost their lives, while close to 17,000 others sustained injuries during the period. He identified human error, mechanical faults, and poor road conditions as some of the leading causes of road crashes. He also cited health-related factors such as sleep disorders, alcohol consumption, stress, depression, fatigue, and anxiety as significant contributors to road accidents.
Akyeaw commended the Ghana Prisons Service and the Prisons Clinic for initiating the programme, describing it as a proactive measure to promote the health and safety of service drivers and orderlies.
On behalf of the participants, the Assistant Chief Transport Officer, ADP Emmanuel Tetteh, expressed gratitude to the management of the clinic for organising the programme.
He described the intervention as timely and beneficial, noting that it would contribute significantly to the effective deployment and performance of drivers within the Service's Transport Department.
The training and screening exercise forms part of ongoing efforts by the Prisons Clinic to promote preventive healthcare and strengthen road safety awareness among personnel of the Ghana Prisons Service.