As part of outlined and activities geared towards the Christmas season,the Western North, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), in collaboration with the Police MTTD, Ghana Highway Authority and the Municipal Assembly have undertaking an intensive inspection and sensitization exercise within the regional capital to caution road encroachers to vacate with an immediate effect.
This exercise which took place on the 11th and 12th of December, 2024, 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 moulding blocks on these carriage ways.
Speaking to the media, Oheneba Kwame Acheampong, the Ag regional head of NRSA in Western North Region said some traders and shop owners, on the other hand, also display their goods on the side walks, forcing pedestrians to use the carriage ways that possess a great threat to road users.
He furthermore highlighted the aim of the whole exercise, which was to
* Assess the current level of encroachment in the municipality
ensure removal of encroachers to prevent pedestrian knock downs in the region
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.
According to him, 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, and by working towards to reduce encroachment and creating a more sustainable urban environment for all.
During the exercise, culprits were sensitized and educated on the dangers associated with their actions.
On his part, the Regional MTTD Commander, ASP Martin Luther Acheampong, cautioned perpetrators to desist from such acts since it endangers their lives and other road users.
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, who was part of sensitization, exercised disclosed on the effect encroaching the road, tipping sand, and moulding blocks 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.
Source:Sefwi Wiawso/Nana Yaw Adinkrah
