Chiefs and Assembly members protest against arrest

Gomoa Jukwa (C/R), May 19, GNA- About ten chiefs and some assembly members in the Gomoa District have spoken against the arrest of people in the town by the Swedru Police for erecting speed ramps on the Winneba-Swedru and Swedru-Apam roads.

Nana Odum Amanfo the IV, chief of Gomoa Akropong who was addressing traditional rulers and assembly members at an emergency meeting at Gomoa Jukwa, said charges preferred against those arrested were that they had placed impediments in the way of the public without the consent of the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA).

He stated that the erection of the speed ramps on the highways were "ad hoc measures, taken to prevent reckless driving and over speeding, that could lead to the killing of innocent citizens, especially school children, by some commercial and private drivers".

Nana Amanfo said from the year 2,000 up to date, about 86 people in the area including school children, had been knocked down by vehicles through reckless driving and over speeding, adding that more than 56 of them either died on the spot or on their way to hospital.

He said the towns which were affected included Gomoa Asiebu, Gomoa Oguaakrom, Gomoa Managoase, Gomoa Brofoyeduru, Gomoa Jukwa, Gomoa Akropong5, and Gomoa Beseasi.

Nana Amanfo said the chiefs and assembly members discussed with the Ghana High Authority (GHA) and agreed that signposts or road signs and speed ramps would be erected to enable the drivers to observe the signs.

He said the GHA did not do it, adding that this had caused the lives of many citizens of school going age, the elderly and even the blind. Nana Amanfo said this prompted them to mount the ramps, adding that it has worked to perfection.