Acting Director-General, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), Abraham Amaliba, has expressed concern over the high rate of road fatalities in the country, stressing the need for strict enforcement of road safety measures.
He has urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra Region to take urgent, coordinated action to tackle these challenges effectively.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement held in Accra on Wednesday, June 5, Mr. Amaliba lamented the persistently high rate of road crashes in the country, often resulting in death or severe injury.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Today, you may be a driver; tomorrow, a pedestrian. Within a moment, your role can change—and so can your vulnerability on the road. It is for this reason we must all collaborate to ensure safer roads for everyone,” he stated.
“Everyone has a hospital card, but many won’t die of their ailments. However, a road crash could be fatal in an instant. That is how serious this matter is,” Mr. Amaliba added.
He emphasised that while the NRSA is the national regulator, the success of its mandate depended significantly on the cooperation of MMDAs, many of which manage extensive stretches of urban and local roads.
Mr. Amaliba also drew attention to the proliferation of billboards—particularly those mounted on road medians and footbridges—warning that such structures obstruct road signs and pose security threats.
He condemned the practice, stating that they not only block essential directional signage but also create hiding places for criminals, especially at night.
He cited La and Madina as examples where billboards had turned pedestrian walkways into unsafe zones.
Acknowledging the need for transition, Mr. Amaliba assured assemblies that while enforcement would be pursued, reasonable timelines would be granted to allow for compliance.
He urged the MMDAs to revitalise their road safety committees and prioritise public safety in all development plans.
The meeting, which brought together representatives from the NRSA, Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council (GARCC), and all 29 MMDAs in the region, was aimed at fostering a unified and effective approach to implementing the Road Safety Act and associated regulatory measures.
Mrs. Jemima Lomotey, Acting Chief Director at the GARCC, echoed the call for collective responsibility.
“This meeting provides us with the opportunity to align our efforts and strengthen institutional frameworks. With your dedication and shared insights, we can make significant strides in achieving safer roads for all.
“The RCC assures you of its full cooperation and support,” she stated.
Mr. Kwame Koduah Atuahene, NRSA’s Director of Regulations, Inspections and Compliance, outlined the Authority’s regulatory mandate, noting that enforcement of billboard placement, regulation of transport service providers, and the removal of infrastructural hazards were top priorities.
“We have issued directives to several assemblies to remove unsafe billboards and have received mixed responses. This meeting is also to inform you of next steps, including enforcement measures for non-compliance,” he stated.
Mr. Atuahene announced a masterclass series starting in July to train MMDA officials involved in permitting billboards and road infrastructure, aiming to close knowledge and capacity gaps.
The meeting urged Assemblies to prioritise road safety compliance, reactivate dormant committees, and remove dangerous installations, particularly from medians and pedestrian walkways.
Participants expressed appreciation to the NRSA for clear guidance and renewed focus.
“You have given us direction on how to proceed, and we believe that with continued guidance and collaboration, we can overcome our challenges,” a representative of the MMDAs remarked.
However, the assemblies voiced concerns about gaps in collaboration, particularly regarding public education at transport terminals, where they claimed assembly transport officers were often sidelined.
They also questioned the NRSA’s partnership with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, noting a lack of visible impact in removing unroadworthy vehicles from the roads.
Other concerns included inadequate staffing, limited technical officers, and only six fully operational transport departments across the region.
The Assemblies also highlighted challenges with billboard management, insufficient parking infrastructure, and general under-resourcing.
The MMDAs called for capacity-building support from the NRSA to improve enforcement and operational delivery in road safety management
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