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The leading Member of Kumasi MPs Bloc and Member of Parliament for Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, has urged immediate action to increase the use of pedestrian footbridges and lower traffic accidents, pointing to research showing that pedestrians are killed in more than 40% of traffic incidents in Ghana.
Hon. Asenso-Boakye, speaking in Parliament in response to a statement made by Weija-Gbawe MP Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, emphasized the necessity of better footbridge design, public education, and more stringent enforcement of safety standards in order to reduce preventable deaths.
The government’s dedication to pedestrian safety was emphasized by Hon. Asenso-Boakye, a former Minister for Roads and Highways and a qualified designer.
He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo administration had incorporated footbridges into the designs of new trunk roads in high-traffic regions.
In order to keep people and fast-moving automobiles apart, important projects like the Adenta-Dodowa Road, Kasoa-Winneba Road, Kokoben-Anhwiankwanta Road, and the Accra-Tema Motorway expansion all have pedestrian footbridges.
Despite these expenditures, a large number of people still disregard footbridges and often cross highways in dangerous places, which leads to preventable collisions and fatalities.
In order to tackle this issue, Hon. Asenso-Boakye suggested a number of crucial interventions:
1. Optimizing Design and Improving Accessibility: Footbridges should be planned with user convenience in mind, making sure they are not just positioned strategically but also have ramps for the elderly and those with disabilities. To promote pedestrian use, covered pathways, contemporary design, and appropriate planting should also be taken into account.
2. illumination and Security Measures: Due to inadequate illumination and security issues, particularly at night, many people steer clear of footbridges. To improve safety and discourage criminal activity, the government should give priority to installing security cameras, lamps, and frequent police patrols at footbridges.
3. Public Education and Sensitisation: To raise awareness of the risks of jaywalking and the advantages of using footbridges, extensive education efforts should be stepped up through schools, community events and the media.
4. Strict Enforcement of Safety Regulations: The National Road Safety Authority and the Ghana Police Service are required to police pedestrian safety legislation rigorously, which includes fining people who jaywalk in dangerous places.
To guarantee compliance, the use of technology such as automatic sanctions and surveillance cameras should also be investigated.
He further emphasized that construction delays frequently lead to pedestrian non-compliance and requested the Minister of Roads and Highways to give the Tetegu footbridge in the Weija-Gbawe constituency top priority.
“While the government is making large investments, it is imperative that all Ghanaians embrace a culture of safety because road safety is a shared duty.
To guarantee that these footbridges fulfil their intended function and save lives, the public, road safety authorities, and the government must cooperate,” he said.
