Omanghana
The Ghana Tourism Authority Ex-Staff Association is launching a US$400,000 national initiative aimed at reducing road traffic accidents and strengthening confidence in Ghana’s tourism sector.
Known as the Road Travel Safety and Tourism Project, the five-year programme is being implemented in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority, the National Road Safety Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts.
The project will officially be launched at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park in Accra. It will target commercial transport operators, driver unions, commuters and tourists through public education, direct sensitisation and policy advocacy.
Road transport remains the main means through which domestic and international visitors travel to Ghana’s heritage sites, tourism businesses and local communities. GHATEX therefore considers safer roads essential to protecting lives and supporting the sustainable growth of the tourism industry.
A major component of the project will involve the production of short educational and animated videos addressing common causes of road crashes. The content will focus on dangerous practices such as speeding, overloading, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and continuing long-distance journeys while fatigued.
The educational materials are expected to be broadcast on television and distributed through social media platforms. They will also be shown at bus terminals and inside selected long-distance passenger vehicles to reach drivers and travellers directly.
GHATEX and its partners will conduct physical awareness campaigns at lorry parks, rest stops and frequently visited tourist destinations. These activities will be organised in collaboration with transport unions, commercial drivers and the Ghana Police Service.
Safety education teams will engage road users on defensive driving, passenger responsibility and the need to comply with traffic regulations. The initiative will also encourage commuters to speak out when drivers engage in reckless behaviour that could place passengers at risk.
Beyond public education, the project will promote policy discussions involving the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other major transport stakeholders.
The forums will focus on practical measures to address dangerous sections of Ghana’s road network, including locations identified as accident black spots. GHATEX is expected to advocate for better warning signs, improved road markings and other infrastructure upgrades at high-risk locations.
The association said frequent road crashes do more than cause deaths, injuries and financial losses. They can also damage Ghana’s reputation as a safe and attractive destination for domestic and international visitors.
Data cited from the World Health Organization identifies road traffic crashes as a significant cause of accidental death and injury among travellers worldwide. Concerns about road safety can influence tourists’ decisions about where to visit, how long to stay and whether to travel beyond major cities.
The Road Travel Safety and Tourism Project is therefore intended to help build public confidence in Ghana’s transport network while protecting the people who depend on it.
Through the US$400,000 investment over five years, GHATEX and its state partners hope to promote lasting behavioural change among drivers, passengers and transport operators.
The initiative is also expected to complement existing road safety enforcement and public education programs by highlighting the direct relationship between safe transportation, economic development and tourism growth.
Organizers believe that reducing preventable crashes will help protect lives, improve the travel experience and strengthen Ghana’s position as a safe and competitive destination for holidaymakers.
Source: Omanghana
