Clement C. Blay Foundation “Shaip Africa Foundation” in conjunction with the Ghana National Fire Service in Jomoro municipal and the Ghana Police Service in Aiyinase in the Ellembelle district of the Western Region, has organised an educational workshop for about 200 motor and Pragya riders on various road safety regulations.
The riders from Essiama, Aiyinase and Asasetr3 were taken through various topics such as road traffic regulations, personal road safety precautions and processes of securing a valid rider’s licence at the DVLA.
The Chief Executive Officer for the Non-governmental Organization, Shaip Africa Foundation, Mr Clement Clinton Blay speaking to New Day FM journalist Kaakyire Kwasi Afari on Saturday, he mentioned that the main goal for the one-day workshop is to help ensure the safety and the well-being of these riders and the communities they operate in.
Mr Clement Clinton Blay after the education training, presented over one hundred reflective gears to some motorcycle operators association popularly referred to as Okada in the Ellembelle district.
Mr Clement Clinton Blay bemoaned the increasing number of accident caused by the Pragya or the Okada riders in Ellembelle district and Ghana at large.
“2020 accident report issued by the Police MTTD revealed that, about 40% of road accident in Ghana are caused by Okada/Pragya riders as a result of reckless riding of some riders, and I believe that this engagement would help to reduce the system and that has been the goal of Shaip Africa Foundation”
He urged the riders to put on reflective gears especially at night to aid visibility and to try to have their driving license and insurance before hitting the road.
On his part, the Ellembelle district Police Commander, ASP Kofi Darko stated that after the education, his office in conjunction with the DVLA will arrest any recalcitrant okada rider who would disobey the road regulations and would not be spared but prosecuted.
The district commander urged the riders to try and have their licences, road worthy certificates and insurance before going to their daily activities.
He also urged them to always put on riders’ protective gears, including a reflector and helmet to prevent death in road accident.
The Pragya Association Chairmen from various communities were thankful to Shaip Africa Foundation and the security agencies for the workshop and called for more engagement periodically to help reduce road accident in the district.
Moreover, they pledged to be law-abiding for the betterment of their own safety and that of other road users.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. New Day FM.