Torgbui Nii Kpambi Vedzesu V, the National Chairman of the Max Transport Union, has cautioned commercial drivers and motor riders in Ketu South Municipality, to strictly adhere to road traffic regulations to prevent avoidable accidents and loss of lives.
As vehicular and human traffic intensifies along the Aflao–Accra and Aflao–Ho highways during Christmas and New Year festivities, there was the need to caution drivers and other road users to be vigilant.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Torgbui Vedzesu, who also doubles as a Senior Divisional Chief of Teshie-Aflao, said the Municipality becomes a major transit and destination point during the festive season, because of cross-border movements between Ghana and Togo, family reunions, and other commercial activities.
He noted that the surge in passenger numbers during the period often tempts some drivers to over speed, overwork themselves, and ignore basic safety rules in a bid to make several trips within a short time.
“In Ketu South, especially around Aflao, drivers want to go and come quickly to pick more passengers. When profit becomes the focus, fatigue sets in and judgment becomes poor, leading to accidents,” he explained.
Torgbui Vedzesu reminded drivers that speeding, dangerous overtaking and drunk-driving were punishable offences.
He stressed that many festive season crashes recorded on the Aflao–Accra and Aflao–Ho roads, could be avoided if drivers complied with these regulations.
He expressed concern that some drivers often succumbed to pressure from passengers, who insist on speeding to meet appointments or beat border closing times at Aflao.
“Drivers must understand that the law holds them responsible for the safety of passengers. No pressure from a passenger justifies risking lives,” he cautioned.
On road conditions, Torgbui Vedzesu acknowledged government efforts at patching potholes along sections of the highway but raised concern about the growing practice of residents constructing unapproved and substandard speed ramps along the main roads.
He said that, many of these speed ramps were built without reflective paint, warning signs or proper height specifications as required by road safety standards, posing serious danger to drivers, especially at night, and sometimes causing damage to vehicles and the road itself.
Touching on preventive measures, Torgbui Vedzesu said transport unions operating within the municipality, under the Transport Union Council (TUCA), regularly organised road safety education for drivers, in collaboration with the Ketu Divisional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD).
He said the education focused on road signs, speed limits, defensive driving, vehicle roadworthiness and passenger management, particularly during peak festive travel periods.
He again cautioned drivers against drunk-driving, wrongful overtaking, overloading and allowing passengers to dictate driving speed, describing such acts as major contributors to road crashes.
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Alfred Kudah, the Ketu Divisional Police Commander, said festive seasons traditionally record higher risks of road traffic accidents because of increased movements, late-night driving and congestion around the Aflao border enclave.
He said the MTTD had intensified collaboration with driver unions in Ketu South in educating drivers on road traffic regulations ahead of the festivities.
“We collaborated with the unions to form internal taskforces to monitor driver behaviour and recommend sanctions against recalcitrant drivers,” he stated.
Mr Kudah said the combined approach of education, peer monitoring and targeted enforcement had contributed to a relatively low incidence of road traffic accidents in the division in 2025.
He identified the increasing use of motorbikes for commercial purposes, popularly known as ‘okada’, within Aflao and surrounding communities as another major risk factor.
He noted that many riders initially lacked basic understanding of road signs and safety regulations, while some rode without helmets, contrary to the law.
“Through continuous engagement and education, compliance among riders has improved, and that has reflected in a reduction in crashes,” he added.
The Police Commander announced that special festive patrols and enforcement operations would soon be mounted across Ketu South, including along the Aflao–Accra and Aflao–Ho roads, to enforce road traffic regulations and arrest offenders where necessary.
He described the collaboration between the Ketu police division and transport unions in the municipality as effective and results-driven, and appealed to drivers, riders and pedestrians to play their roles in ensuring safe travel during the festive season.
He concluded that most accidents recorded over the years on the Aflao–Accra and Aflao–Ho corridors could have been prevented, if road users respected traffic regulations, road signs and placed the value of human life above haste and financial gain.
GNA
