In an effort to reduce the increasing carnage on roads, Perno Ricard Ghana, a wines and spirits company, has launched its flagship road safety campaign dubbed, ‘Metwi a, Mentwa’’ a coined expression in Twi, loosely translated as ‘If I drink, I will not drive’ at the Accra Neoplan Station.
The launch is a precursor to a series of road safety education campaigns, targeting 1,000 commercial drivers in the Greater Accra Region.
The three-week campaign, which 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 seeks to ensure safety on roads especially during the Christmas festivities.
The campaign will involve raising awareness and sensitizing drivers on the dangers of drink-driving and alcohol abuse. It will also include sharing of road safety educational stickers.
Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Ghana, and Western Africa, Sola Oke said the campaign was one of the programmes under the responsibility hosting pillar of the company’s sustainability and responsibility roadmap. “It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (UN-SDGs) which involves ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages,” he said.
He indicated that provisional data from the MTTD revealed 2,126 commuters from January, 2021 to September, 2021 have been killed in road traffic crashes, representing a 16.37% increase compared to the same period last year.
He said his outfit is optimistic that creating awareness among commercial drivers on dangers of drunk-driving, is one way to help reduce deaths and injuries related to road traffic accidents. He added that they are committed to fighting alcohol abuse and creating a better way to live and work together, as well as bringing safety to generations to come.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Martin Ayiih, Commanding Officer, Accra Central MTTD, said statistics indicated that men who died through road accidents and crashes outnumbered that of the women.
He appealed to both drivers and pedestrians to obey road traffic regulations to curb road accidents, urging all drivers to pledge to have zero accidents during these festivities and beyond. “Drivers must change their attitudes, minimise their speed and stop the killing on our roads,” he said.
Manager in charge of Planning at NRSA, Felix Owusu, also advised drivers to leave space between their vehicles and other vehicles ahead of them to avoid accidents.
For his part, Secretary at the Circle Neoplan Station, Vicent Alhassan lauded the initiative and Pernod Ricard’s subsequent sensitization programmes sets to take place this month at 10 major lorry stations in Accra including: Ashaiman Main Station, Tudu Central Lorry Park, Accra Tema Station, Kaneshi Main Station, Madina Station, Kasoa Main Station, 37 Lorry Station, Achimota New Station and New Nsawam Lorry Station.
Pernod Ricard Ghana was incorporated in July 2013, as a subsidiary of Pernod Ricard, the number two worldwide producer of wines and spirits.
