Remove unauthorised speed ramps— Volta Regional Minister
The Volta Regional Minister, Ms Helen Adjoa Ntoso, has spoken against the increasing spate of unauthorised speed ramps on highways in the region and has ordered communities found to be engaged in the objectional practice to dismantle such ramps within two weeks.
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She noted that even though a large number of the speed ramps were constructed with good intentions in order to prevent speeding and dust blown in the wake of passing vehicles, the nation could not sit down unconcerned for the structures which are without official authorisation and specification to continue to be put up.
Ms Ntoso gave the ultimatum at a meeting with members of the Volta Region Security Council (REGSEC) in Ho.
According to her, while communities in the southern sector constructed illegal ramps against speeding, those in the northern sector constructed them to prevent dust from entering into their homes.
application of standard ramps
She has directed that any community that needed a speed ramp must apply for the facility through the District Assembly for consideration and action.
She further directed that the regional Information Services Department and National Road Safety Commission should embark on a public education exercise in order to draw the people’s attention to the problem.
Ms Ntoso advised transport unions and drivers at the various lorry parks in the region to follow road signs and comply particularly with those which caution against speeding in areas where there is human settlement.
According to her, a task force would be formed to ensure that the ultimatum given was complied with.
Hikpo and Agbagorme experience
Meanwhile, the people of Hikpo and Agbagorme in the South Tongu District have appealed to the Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) to construct standardised speed ramps in their communities.
According to some residents in the two communities who spoke to the Daily Graphic, drivers oversped on the asphalted West African Highway that linked Accra to Aflao and passes through the two towns. They said 11 people had died through vehicular knockdown in Agbagorme and five at Hikpo as a result of speeding.
It is observed that a number of communities in the Volta Region have on their own and without skill constructed very high speed ramps with laterite. There are as many as five speed ramps over a stretch of 100 metres.
In another development, Ms Ntoso said a task force was to be constituted to ward off infiltration into the region by nomadic Fulani herdsmen considering the threat they posed to established social order.