By: Mavis Offei Acheampong
The Western North Regional office of the National Road Safety Authority as part of its outlined activities geared towards the Christmas season collaborated with the Police MTTD, Ghana Highway Authority and the Municipal Assembly to undertake an intensive inspection and sensitization exercise on the 11th and 12th of December, 2024.
This exercise was necessitated due to the sprouting of construction sites tipping gravels and sand onto carriage ways with some people even going to the extent of mould blocks on these carriage ways.
Traders and shop owners, on the other hand, also display their merchandise on the side walks, forcing pedestrians to use the carriage ways that possess a great threat to road users.
During the exercise, culprits were sensitized and educated on the dangers associated with their actions.
The Regional MTTD Commander, ASP Martin Luther Acheampong, cautioned perpetrators to desist from such acts since it endangers the life of pedestrians and other users of the road. He also pledged his support to NRSA to help reduce crashes in the upcoming Christmas festivities.
Ing. Romi Anku of Ghana Highway Authority and the Municipal Roads Engineer Ing Albert K. Davis educated encroachers on the effect tipping sand and moulding blocks has on the road. They made it clear that such acts could weaken the road and, in the end, create potholes of which government would have to spend extra money in filling and patching.
The Ag. Regional Head of National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Oheneba Acheampong, highlighted the aim of the whole exercise, which was to;
- Assess the current level of encroachment in the municipality
- Evaluate the impacts of encroachment on public infrastructure (road)
- Educate road users and sensitize encroachers
- Suggest measures to help curb and prevent further encroachment
He also called on traditional leaders, opinion leaders, and political parties to help and support the course.
Encroachment is a significant challenge in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality, therefore, by strengthening sensitization and education then following up with the necessary enforcement by all stakeholders, we can all work towards reducing encroachment and creating a more sustainable urban environment for all.
