Jerry Ahmed Shaibu, Member of Parliament for Weija Gbawe Constituency, has raised a pressing concern regarding pedestrian safety in Ghana’s urban areas.
In a statement to Parliament, Hon. Shaibu emphasised the value of using pedestrian footbridges, which were put in place to protect pedestrians from the risks associated with crossing busy roads.
Despite the substantial investment in constructing these footbridges, many pedestrians still fail to utilise them, opting instead to risk their lives by crossing the roads directly.
This not only jeopardises their own safety but also leads to accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
The statistics on pedestrian accidents in Ghana are alarming, and Jerry Ahmed Shaibu is emphasising that this issue is largely preventable if pedestrians would simply use the provided footbridges. He urged the public to take responsibility for their own safety and to make use of these vital infrastructure elements.
To address the issue of pedestrian safety, he added that a multi-faceted approach is necessary.
This can be achieved through a collaboration between the Ministry of Roads and Highways, the Road Safety Authority, and the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorates of the Ghana Police Service.
He stated that educating the public through mass media, community outreach, and educational programs in schools is crucial, as pedestrians need to understand the dangers of jaywalking and the importance of using footbridges.
He also underscored the need to enforce road safety regulations, adding that ensuring footbridges are designed and constructed to be accessible to all, including elderly persons, is essential.
“By implementing these strategies, Ghana can reduce pedestrian accidents and create a safer environment for all road users,” the MP added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
