Retirees in Upper East grieve over non-functioning traffic lights

Retirees in the Upper East region have expressed grief over what they describe as “traffic mayhem” encountered by road users especially on market days.

The lamented mayhem, which is nothing new to residents, is largely so because all traffic lights in the region have remained in a state of disrepair since they crashed before the 2016 polls.

As the region’s vehicular population swells by the day, overstretched police traffic wardens are hardly found at several intersections to direct movement. It has been a free-for-all affair for almost 2 years now at such intersections, with panicky road users now committing their safety to God as they say a quick prayer in solemn silence before they take the risk to cross.

The latest statistics made available to Starr News by the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) reveal that 40 persons perished with 121 people injured in 89 road crashes involving 151 vehicles between January and May, this year, in the region.

The senior citizens hammered on this concern, urging government to do something about it quickly when the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council organised a party and an awards ceremony for them Sunday to celebrate their past and present contributions towards the development of the region as the country marked its Republic Day yesterday.

“I would like to make an observation which I think it’s very paramount to the region,” said a British-accented retired nursing officer, Mary Abaah.

“I have observed that on market days— not only market days but also ordinary days— traffic within the Bolgatanga markets is a mayhem. Worse still, on market days. It is dangerous to children, to market women and to anybody who accesses the markets. Can something be done about that?” she commented.

Whilst some pensioners decried the inconsistent functioning of streetlights in some parts of the region and the threats the situation posed to road users at night, Augustine Atampugre, a Judicial Service geriatric, also drew government’s attention to some parking violations he said had become an everyday spectacle on the Bolgatanga Stadium Road.

Minimise Alcohol Consumption, Exercise Regularly— Minister tells Old-timers

Addressing the retired persons, the Upper East Regional Minister, Rockson Bukari, who took note of the concerns raised with a promise to put things in order, underscored the need for them to observe “good health” lifestyles.

“While congratulating you for your service to mother Ghana, I would urge you to practise good health habits such as minimising alcohol consumption and smoking, exercising regularly, taking healthy balanced diet, socialise a lot by making friends and avoid acts that have the tendency to injure you,” he advised.

The Regional Minister added: “Fellow pensioners, there is an adage that says ‘every individual was once a child but it is not every individual that has the opportunity of getting to old age’. Hence, let us serve as ambassadors of peace and live exemplary lives worthy of emulation because the youth are looking up to us for direction and future.”

No Senior Citizens, No Headway— RCD

A welcome address delivered by the Upper East Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Mahamadu Azonko, dwelt strongly on how Ghana’s journey to sovereignty began.

It also pointed at how the country’s freedom from external control could only move forward in leaps and bounds if the young generation would tap from the rich experience acquired by the senior citizens.

“Ghana attained its Republican status on 1st July, 1960. This action figuratively severed the umbilical cord which tied the destiny of this country to the apron string of our colonial masters. The joy, splendour and solemnity that characterised the celebration were not only fantastic but also infectious.

“It is a fact that the value and experience of the aged cannot be quantified in monetary terms and must, therefore, not be allowed to go waste. The nation stands to lose if these valuable assets are not fully tapped and utilised. The future course of our dear nation Ghana cannot be clear without reference to the forebears in national reconstruction efforts,” the Regional Coordinating Director stressed.