Perno Ricard Ghana, a Wines and Spirits Firm, has launched its flagship road safety campaign dubbed, “Metwi a, Mentwa” at the Accra Neoplan Station.
The three-week campaign is in collaboration with Street Sense Organisation (SSO), a road safety educator, National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
It’s to enhance the efforts of the MTTD and partners to scale back accidents on the road, particularly throughout the festivities.
The launch is a precursor to a series of road safety education campaigns, focusing on one thousand commercial drivers within the Greater Accra Area, that shall be undertaken prior to the Christmas festivities.
Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Ghana and Western Africa, Mr Sola Oke stated the campaign was one of many programmes under the responsibility hosting pillar of the company’s Sustainability and Responsibility Goal (UN-SDGs 3) which includes ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.
He stated they have been optimistic that, creating awareness amongst commercial drivers of the risks of drunk-driving, was one way to assist reduce deaths and accidents associated with road transport in Ghana.
He, subsequently, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to combating alcohol abuse and creating a better way to live and work together, in addition to bringing safety to generations to come.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Martin Ayiih, Commanding Officer, Accra Central MTTD, mentioned statistics indicated that men who died by means of road accidents and crashes outnumbered women.
He appealed to both drivers and pedestrians to obey road traffic regulations to curb road accidents.
He mentioned alcohol only gave dead/false courage and urged all drivers to pledge to have zero accident throughout the festivities and beyond.
“Drivers must change their attitudes, minimize their speed and stop the killing on our roads,” he stated.
On his part, the Manager in control of Planning, NRSA, Felix Owusu said between January and October this year, over 2000 individuals lost their lives through road carnage.
He advised drivers to leave space between their vehicles and other vehicles ahead of them to keep away from accidents.
The National Coordinator of SSO, Sampson Addoye stated majority of road accidents have been via careless driving and urged drivers to be responsible when drinking to safeguard the lives of those on board.
“What is the worth in maiming and killing people through dangerous driving?” he asked.
Secretary at the Circle Neoplan Station, Vicent Alhassan mentioned an excellent driver is the one who drove with care without any accident.
He thanked the organisers for choosing the Neoplan Station and pledged their commitment to continuously and jealously guard their records of safe driving.
Pernod Ricard was incorporated in Ghana in July 2013, as a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, the number two worldwide producer of wines and spirits.
“Metwi a, Mentwa”, is a coined expression in Twi, loosely translated to imply, “If I drink, I will not drive”.