Former NPP Oti Regional Minister Blast Authorities Over Poor Public Education And Road Safety Concerns
Former NPP Oti Regional Minister Daniel Machator has criticised the implementation of Ghana’s new traffic light enforcement measures, accusing the authorities of failing to adequately educate the public and engage key stakeholders before introducing the regulations.
Reacting to concerns raised by transport operators on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Machator acknowledged that enforcing traffic regulations is a positive initiative but insisted that the government must first provide the necessary infrastructure to guarantee road safety.
He questioned the effectiveness of the measures, pointing to malfunctioning traffic lights, inadequate speed limit signs and concerns about some bus stops that have been taken over by traders, making it difficult to assess them.
According to him, broader stakeholder engagement, particularly with commercial transport operators, could have prevented the growing agitation surrounding the enforcement measures.
Machator also raised concerns about the conduct of some police officers stationed at traffic lights, alleging that their activities sometimes obstruct the free flow of traffic.
He further criticised the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for what he described as failure in public sensitisation on new government policies and regulations.
“I blame the NCCE for not educating the public on government policies and sensitising citizens on new laws,” he stated.
He maintained that transport unions have legitimate concerns and urged the government to adopt a pragmatic approach to resolving the challenges associated with the new traffic regulations.
Machator stressed that road safety enforcement must go hand in hand with proper infrastructure, public education and meaningful stakeholder consultation.
