The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, has expressed worry at the rate at which young people lose their lives through motor accidents in the region.
He has therefore urged the security agencies especially the police to step up their surveillance on people who flout traffic regulations.
The Minister stated this in an exclusive interview with TODAY when he presented 300 motorbikes for health personnel in the region.
Hon. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister
The motorbikes—which is the second consignment to be given to public health institutions in the region—is to aid health workers to get to the hinterlands to provide quality health care to the rural folks who find it difficult to receive health care.
The motorbikes have special features such as the embossment of the Ghana Health Service logo as well as a special alarm system to prevent them from being stolen.
The first consignment saw 112 motorbikes being distributed to the health workers and therefore brings to 412 the total number of motorbikes.
According to Mr Woyongo, the commonest cause of these accidents was over-speeding and the use of motorbikes without helmets.
“There is the need for the police to insist on the use of crush helmets by riders to reduce the current spate of motor traffic accidents,” noted the Minister.
The Upper East Regional capital has in recent times witnessed an increase in accidents with an average of 3 deaths in a week.
This has raised public outcry and the need for drastic measures to address the situation.
It is against this background that the Minister said he has ordered the police in collaboration with the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) to enforce all laws governing transport in the region especially the regional capital Bolgatanga.
Mr Woyongo used the opportunity to advise young people in the region to be cautious whenever they ride their motor bikes and cycles in order to save their lives.
He stressed that the future of the region lies in the hands of the youth and they should use whatever talents they have into profitable ventures for their own benefit and for the development of the region which has been described lately as the second poorest region in the country.
FROM MUSAH LANSAH, BOLGATANGA