Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister has urged the Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service, to enforce road and traffic regulations to help curb the spate of road accidents in the country.
The Minister made the call during the 10th Anniversary celebration of National Road Safety Commission and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, in Bolgatanga.
Mr. Woyongo blamed road accidents in the region, especially those involving motor cycles on the inactivity of personnel of the MTTU to enforce the law and entreated them to redouble their efforts to reduce the disaster especially during the forthcoming Christmas festivities.
The minister also attributed the problem to lack of road signboards and the bad state of the roads and called on the Ghana Highways Authority to help reverse the situation.
Mr. Woyongo advised motor cycle riders to use crash helmets, acquire driving licenses and other relevant documents before plying the roads.
He said the Regional Co-ordinating Council had approved a contract for the erection of street lights and the work would start soon.
Speaking on the theme: "Road Safety - Shared and Collective Responsibility," the Regional Road Safety Committee Chairman, Assistant Commissioner Police (ACP) Bright Oduro said to curb road accidents there was the need for all stakeholders to display some sense of responsibility towards the problem.
He called on the police to punish reckless drivers, who he said were the major causers of motor accidents.
ACP Oduro who is also the Regional Police Commander said this year the region had recorded 41 deaths due to road accidents, mostly involving motor cycles.
The Regional Manager of the Road Safety Commission, Mr. Alexandar Ayatah said plans were far advanced for a joint security taskforce to deal with the motor accidents.
Earlier on, the regional minister joined a march to draw public awareness about road safety.
Some of the placards read: "Don't drive when drunk", "Don't over load, don't overtake when driving" and "Don't swerve, Look before you cross."