The Amansie West District Assembly in the Ashanti Region has inaugurated a nine-member District Road Safety Committee to intensify public education and sensitisation on road safety and help reduce road crashes in the district.

The committee, made up of representatives from key institutions and stakeholders, is expected to engage road users and other relevant groups on the causes of road accidents and measures to prevent avoidable crashes.

Its membership comprises the District Coordinating Director, traditional leaders, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) Commander, the Ghana National Fire Service, the District Medical Director, a representative of the National Ambulance Service, the Ghana Education Service, the District Engineer and the Information Services Department.

The District Coordinating Director and Chairman of the committee, Mr Thomas Kwame Okrah, speaking at the ceremony, said the committee had been tasked with undertaking sustained sensitisation programmes for drivers, motor riders, passengers, spare parts dealers and other road users.

He said the initiative is aimed at promoting responsible road use and ensuring that road users understand the consequences of reckless and unsafe driving.

Mr Okrah called for the cooperation of individuals, transport operators, traditional authorities and other stakeholders to support efforts to reduce road crashes in the district.

He noted that road accidents continued to have serious social and economic consequences, including loss of lives, injuries, destruction of property and financial burdens on families and communities.

The committee Chairman expressed particular concern about the conduct of some motor riders and urged them to exercise greater caution and discipline while using the roads.

According to him, records available to the Assembly indicated that motor riders are involved in a significant number of road crashes recorded in the district, making it necessary to intensify direct engagement with them.

Mr Okrah said the committee would, therefore, organise targeted sensitisation programmes for motor riders and other road users to promote compliance with road traffic regulations and responsible use of the roads.

He appealed to all stakeholders to support the committee's activities and urged road users to make road safety a shared responsibility.

He said the Assembly remained committed to working with relevant institutions and communities to promote safer roads and reduce preventable road crashes in the Amansie West District.