A suspected armed robber was shot dead when two gunmen attacked an Inter-City/STC Coaches Limited bus travelling from Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, at Nasia near Walewale in the Northern Region.
The plain-clothes police officer accompanying the bus who shot the assailant also retrieved from him a fully loaded AK 47 rifle. The accomplice of the deceased, who was also armed, is, however, on the run.
Two persons on the bus, both Burkinabes, also sustained injuries in the attack.
They were rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital where one of them was treated and discharged, while the other, said to be in critical condition, is on admission.
According to Mahamadu Musah, a passenger on the bus with registration number GR 9037 X, the incident occurred when they were on their way to Accra.
He said on reaching the spot, they spotted the two masked men who signalled the driver to stop. When the driver was reluctant, the robbers opened fire thus compelling the bus to stop.
Musah said the robbers then approached the bus and asked the driver to open the door. When the driver was again hesitant, they fired into the bus injuring the two passengers in the process.
“It was at this stage that the plain-clothes policeman accompanying the bus also fired at them, killing one of them instantly,” he stated.
The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Albert Johnson, confirmed the story and said the police had mounted a search for the other robber.
When contacted, the Managing Director of Inter-City/STC Coaches Limited Mr Kwabena Adjei-Seffah, said this latest incident was the ninth time their bus had been attacked by armed robbers since January, this year.
He said three of the attacks happened on the Techiman-Kintampo-Wa route. One occurred around Bamboi on the Wa-Accra road, while the other two, including the latest attack, was on the Walewale highway.
In all those cases, however, none of the passengers were injured following the alertness and bravery of the police officers who always accompany InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus passengers to their destinations, Mr Adjei-Seffah indicated.
The managing director further disclosed that the company would soon take delivery of 30 new buses that were presently at the Tema Harbour, in order to increase InterCity/STC Coaches Limited bus services in the northern sector of the country.
He assured all passengers of their safety and comfort and expressed appreciation to the police for their effective collaboration that had helped to protect life and property.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
ISLAMIC SENIOR HIGH GETS GIRLS' DORMITORY (PAGE 20)
THE Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Mustapha Ali Idris, has expressed worry over the failure by some contractors in the area to deliver projects on schedule.
He also chastised some of the contractors for doing shoddy works and blamed the situation on officials of the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) in the region for inadequate supervision and monitoring.
‘‘The regional tender committee would soon embark on an inspection of all projects in this area to see at first-hand both performing and non-performing contractors,’’ the minister said.
Alhaji Idris, who was speaking at the inauguration of a one-storey girls’ dormitory block for the Islamic Senior High School in Tamale, warned that the committee would terminate the work of any contractor whose work was found to be shoddy.
The school, which is the only science-based second-cycle institution in the region, was established about 11 years ago as a day school and introduced boarding facilities last year.
The GH¢300,000 project was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The project began last year and was completed on schedule for which reason the minister commended the contractors for their hard work.
He, however, ordered the termination of the contract for the boys’ dormitory for inefficiency on the part of the contractor, stressing, ‘‘You have no reason not to deliver on GETFund projects, because once you deliver, you are paid off.’’
The minister expressed appreciation to the board and management of the GETFund for their immense support to the education sector in the area. About 35 GETFund projects are either completed or ongoing in various parts of the region.
He, however, appealed for the provision of more female residential accommodation in senior high schools in the region to ensure proper monitoring and guidance of the girls, who, he observed, were more vulnerable as day students.
The Chairman of the board of directors of the school, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon Kambodia, suggested that one of the houses be named after the minister for his personal commitment to the realisation of the project and the development of education in the region.
He commended the management and staff of the school for their untiring efforts in spite of the difficulties they encountered.
The headmaster of the school, Mr Iddrisu Neindow, thanked all stakeholders for their support, which had resulted in the successful completion of the project, noting that it would contribute to effective teaching and learning.
He also chastised some of the contractors for doing shoddy works and blamed the situation on officials of the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL) in the region for inadequate supervision and monitoring.
‘‘The regional tender committee would soon embark on an inspection of all projects in this area to see at first-hand both performing and non-performing contractors,’’ the minister said.
Alhaji Idris, who was speaking at the inauguration of a one-storey girls’ dormitory block for the Islamic Senior High School in Tamale, warned that the committee would terminate the work of any contractor whose work was found to be shoddy.
The school, which is the only science-based second-cycle institution in the region, was established about 11 years ago as a day school and introduced boarding facilities last year.
The GH¢300,000 project was funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). The project began last year and was completed on schedule for which reason the minister commended the contractors for their hard work.
He, however, ordered the termination of the contract for the boys’ dormitory for inefficiency on the part of the contractor, stressing, ‘‘You have no reason not to deliver on GETFund projects, because once you deliver, you are paid off.’’
The minister expressed appreciation to the board and management of the GETFund for their immense support to the education sector in the area. About 35 GETFund projects are either completed or ongoing in various parts of the region.
He, however, appealed for the provision of more female residential accommodation in senior high schools in the region to ensure proper monitoring and guidance of the girls, who, he observed, were more vulnerable as day students.
The Chairman of the board of directors of the school, Alhaji Mohammed Haroon Kambodia, suggested that one of the houses be named after the minister for his personal commitment to the realisation of the project and the development of education in the region.
He commended the management and staff of the school for their untiring efforts in spite of the difficulties they encountered.
The headmaster of the school, Mr Iddrisu Neindow, thanked all stakeholders for their support, which had resulted in the successful completion of the project, noting that it would contribute to effective teaching and learning.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
KOTOKO FALL TO RTU (BACK PAGE)
THE Pride of the North, Real Tamale United, yesterday lifted their game a notch higher from their recent poor home performances to inflict a 1-0 defeat on visiting Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the plush Tamale Stadium.
The goal was registered in the 47th minute by Kabiru Imoro after he had squandered several chances in the first half.
The defeat of Kotoko, the second this season, was masterminded by a former player and coach of the Porcupine Warriors, Abdul-Razak, who now handles RTU.
The homesters had the better of exchanges in the first half of the game but failed to convert all the chances they had to bury the visitors.
However, getting to the dying minutes of the half, the Tamale lads lost focus and were saved by their agile goalkeeper, Charles Kipo, who either parried or blocked all attempts by the fast-running Kotoko attack.
RTU made their intention of collecting the maximum three points known early after recess when the dextrous petite Alhassan Tuah rallied his attackers with skilful inter-personal passes and made a lot of incursions into the Kotoko box, leading to the goal by Imoro.
The goal ignited the ‘Kum apem’ spirit in the Porcupine Warriors who exhausted their substitution by the 65th minute, pushing forward for an equaliser, but the resolute RTU defence marshalled around Fatawu Jnr, frustrated every move of the desperate Kotoko attackers.
The visitors were reduced to 10men in the 74th minute when Isaac Anderson was shown the red card after an earlier booking for bringing down danger man Alhassan Tuah, who wasted an opportunity to make it two for RTU on the 80th minute.
Realising that they could not increase the tally, coach Abdul Razak exhausted his bench on the 88th minute to consolidate their only goal in the interesting but tactically disciplined match.
The goal was registered in the 47th minute by Kabiru Imoro after he had squandered several chances in the first half.
The defeat of Kotoko, the second this season, was masterminded by a former player and coach of the Porcupine Warriors, Abdul-Razak, who now handles RTU.
The homesters had the better of exchanges in the first half of the game but failed to convert all the chances they had to bury the visitors.
However, getting to the dying minutes of the half, the Tamale lads lost focus and were saved by their agile goalkeeper, Charles Kipo, who either parried or blocked all attempts by the fast-running Kotoko attack.
RTU made their intention of collecting the maximum three points known early after recess when the dextrous petite Alhassan Tuah rallied his attackers with skilful inter-personal passes and made a lot of incursions into the Kotoko box, leading to the goal by Imoro.
The goal ignited the ‘Kum apem’ spirit in the Porcupine Warriors who exhausted their substitution by the 65th minute, pushing forward for an equaliser, but the resolute RTU defence marshalled around Fatawu Jnr, frustrated every move of the desperate Kotoko attackers.
The visitors were reduced to 10men in the 74th minute when Isaac Anderson was shown the red card after an earlier booking for bringing down danger man Alhassan Tuah, who wasted an opportunity to make it two for RTU on the 80th minute.
Realising that they could not increase the tally, coach Abdul Razak exhausted his bench on the 88th minute to consolidate their only goal in the interesting but tactically disciplined match.
Monday, June 2, 2008
TAMALE NDC SUPPORTERS IN ACCIDENT (PAGE 17)
One person died while several others sustained various degrees of injuries when the KIA vehicle conveying supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to Datoyili on the Tamale-Kumasi road was engaged in accident.
The deceased, Suweibatu Baba, 19, has since been buried. Some of the injured persons have also been treated and discharged from the Tamale Teaching Hospital while families of others who sustained broken limbs and legs have been sent to traditional healers for treatment.
According to party sources, one other female victim who sustained serious injury on the leg is likely to be flown to Accra to receive medical attention. The accident occurred between 2p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2008.
The KIA vehicle and the driver could however not be traced as the vehicle was quickly moved away from the accident scene before the Police arrived.
According to an eye witness account, more than 60 jubilant supporters were in the KIA vehicle when the accident occurred. The witness, Iddrisu Musah, said, the driver of the truck that was heading towards Datoyili, lost control in his attempt to avoid hitting an on-coming vehicle, resulting in the accident.
The victims were part of thousands of ecstatic supporters who were on their way to Datoyili to welcome the running mate of Prof. John Atta Mills of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to the Tamale metropolis.
On arrival late in the evening, Mr Mahama and his entourage were driven to the Tamale Hospital where he visited the victims of the accident and wished them a speedy recovery. He also called on the family of the deceased, Ms Suweibatu, to express his condolence. Mr Mahama is on a three-day tour of the Northern Region to formally introduce himself to the chiefs and people of the area. It is his first visit since he was selected by the presidential candidate of the party, Professor John Atta Mills to partner him on April 9, this year.
A Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, an executive member, Bafo Bonney, the 2004 Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, and some Members of Parliament from the area are accompanying Mr Mahama on his rounds.
Among the areas he would visit are Damongo, Salaga, Bimbilla, Yendi, Nalerigu and Walewale.
And on Sunday, Mr Mahama paid courtesy calls on the respective chiefs in the metropolis where he asked for their blessings to carry on with his campaigns successfully.
At the Gulkpena’s Palace, he expressed concern over the downward trend of agriculture in the region which he said was the main occupation of the people.
Mr Mahama promised to reverse the situation for the better when the NDC was elected to power.
He, however, urged all eligible voters to register massively when the Electoral Commission begun the exercise later in the year.
“We do not need to congratulate ourselves now, we can only commend ourselves when you come out in your numbers to vote the NDC back to power to help move the nation forward,” he stated.
The Regent of Gulkpegu, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai, called for peaceful electioneering adding that in “everything you do, think of strengthening the unity and peace of the nation first.”
The deceased, Suweibatu Baba, 19, has since been buried. Some of the injured persons have also been treated and discharged from the Tamale Teaching Hospital while families of others who sustained broken limbs and legs have been sent to traditional healers for treatment.
According to party sources, one other female victim who sustained serious injury on the leg is likely to be flown to Accra to receive medical attention. The accident occurred between 2p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2008.
The KIA vehicle and the driver could however not be traced as the vehicle was quickly moved away from the accident scene before the Police arrived.
According to an eye witness account, more than 60 jubilant supporters were in the KIA vehicle when the accident occurred. The witness, Iddrisu Musah, said, the driver of the truck that was heading towards Datoyili, lost control in his attempt to avoid hitting an on-coming vehicle, resulting in the accident.
The victims were part of thousands of ecstatic supporters who were on their way to Datoyili to welcome the running mate of Prof. John Atta Mills of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, to the Tamale metropolis.
On arrival late in the evening, Mr Mahama and his entourage were driven to the Tamale Hospital where he visited the victims of the accident and wished them a speedy recovery. He also called on the family of the deceased, Ms Suweibatu, to express his condolence. Mr Mahama is on a three-day tour of the Northern Region to formally introduce himself to the chiefs and people of the area. It is his first visit since he was selected by the presidential candidate of the party, Professor John Atta Mills to partner him on April 9, this year.
A Vice-Chairman of the NDC, Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, the General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, an executive member, Bafo Bonney, the 2004 Vice-Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, and some Members of Parliament from the area are accompanying Mr Mahama on his rounds.
Among the areas he would visit are Damongo, Salaga, Bimbilla, Yendi, Nalerigu and Walewale.
And on Sunday, Mr Mahama paid courtesy calls on the respective chiefs in the metropolis where he asked for their blessings to carry on with his campaigns successfully.
At the Gulkpena’s Palace, he expressed concern over the downward trend of agriculture in the region which he said was the main occupation of the people.
Mr Mahama promised to reverse the situation for the better when the NDC was elected to power.
He, however, urged all eligible voters to register massively when the Electoral Commission begun the exercise later in the year.
“We do not need to congratulate ourselves now, we can only commend ourselves when you come out in your numbers to vote the NDC back to power to help move the nation forward,” he stated.
The Regent of Gulkpegu, Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai, called for peaceful electioneering adding that in “everything you do, think of strengthening the unity and peace of the nation first.”
Sunday, June 1, 2008
NORTHERN REGION RECORDS THREE SUICIDE CASES (MIRROR, PAGE 34)
From Zakariah Alhassan, Tamale
The Northern Region has recorded three cases of suicide and one attempted suicide this month alone, Mr Albert Johnson, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer has disclosed.
He said another person was beaten to death by two assailants now on the run while yet another received various degrees of injury through assault.
Two of the victims, Bori Manator, 43, and Kwesi Ndenin, 32, reportedly shot themselves in a community called ‘Konkomba’ near Nalerigu and Kayang in the Yendi municipality respectively, while Wofa Binahi, 32, the third person hanged himself at Kabliya, near Bimbilla.
The fourth, named only as Kojo, 32, allegedly shot himself with a locally manufactured gun on May 10, 2008 in the Bimbilla North District and was rushed to the Bimbilla hospital where he is responding to treatment.
He said Richard Kwabena Bresu, 26, was allegedly beaten to death at Talkpa, a village near Salaga in the East Gonja District by two suspects who are now on the run.
According to Mr Johnson, Manator allegedly shot and killed himself in his living room with his own shotgun around 4 a.m. on May 20, 2008.
He said the police later retrieved the gun and an empty cartridge at the crime scene.
An autopsy report at the Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu indicated that Manator died as a result of self-inflicted wounds and a close range shot in the abdomen. His body has since been released to his family for burial.
Inspector Johnson added that Ndenin shot and killed himself on May 4, 2008 in his room with a single-barrelled gun that had since been retrieved by the Yendi police. The body has been deposited at the Yendi hospital morgue.
Binahi was said to have hanged himself after calling his sister to inform her about his intention. The officer said when the police arrived at the scene, Binahi’s body was hanging on a tree. The body is at the Bimbilla hospital morgue.
Inspector Johnson said the injured victim, Kojo, was rushed to the Bimbilla hospital where he was responding to treatment after shooting himself with a locally manufactured gun.
The other person, Bresu, died through an alleged assault by two suspects who absconded after the incident that occurred around 3 p.m.
Bresu was said to have been accused by the two people of stealing some items although he explained to them that he had purchased the items and placed them in the care of the shop owner. The said shop owner had closed at the time of the incident.
The officer said after the beatings, Bresu returned home to report the case to his brother, Kwabena Mensah. He, however, died later around 7 p.m. the same day.
The suspects are yet to be apprehended.
The Northern Region has recorded three cases of suicide and one attempted suicide this month alone, Mr Albert Johnson, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer has disclosed.
He said another person was beaten to death by two assailants now on the run while yet another received various degrees of injury through assault.
Two of the victims, Bori Manator, 43, and Kwesi Ndenin, 32, reportedly shot themselves in a community called ‘Konkomba’ near Nalerigu and Kayang in the Yendi municipality respectively, while Wofa Binahi, 32, the third person hanged himself at Kabliya, near Bimbilla.
The fourth, named only as Kojo, 32, allegedly shot himself with a locally manufactured gun on May 10, 2008 in the Bimbilla North District and was rushed to the Bimbilla hospital where he is responding to treatment.
He said Richard Kwabena Bresu, 26, was allegedly beaten to death at Talkpa, a village near Salaga in the East Gonja District by two suspects who are now on the run.
According to Mr Johnson, Manator allegedly shot and killed himself in his living room with his own shotgun around 4 a.m. on May 20, 2008.
He said the police later retrieved the gun and an empty cartridge at the crime scene.
An autopsy report at the Baptist Medical Centre at Nalerigu indicated that Manator died as a result of self-inflicted wounds and a close range shot in the abdomen. His body has since been released to his family for burial.
Inspector Johnson added that Ndenin shot and killed himself on May 4, 2008 in his room with a single-barrelled gun that had since been retrieved by the Yendi police. The body has been deposited at the Yendi hospital morgue.
Binahi was said to have hanged himself after calling his sister to inform her about his intention. The officer said when the police arrived at the scene, Binahi’s body was hanging on a tree. The body is at the Bimbilla hospital morgue.
Inspector Johnson said the injured victim, Kojo, was rushed to the Bimbilla hospital where he was responding to treatment after shooting himself with a locally manufactured gun.
The other person, Bresu, died through an alleged assault by two suspects who absconded after the incident that occurred around 3 p.m.
Bresu was said to have been accused by the two people of stealing some items although he explained to them that he had purchased the items and placed them in the care of the shop owner. The said shop owner had closed at the time of the incident.
The officer said after the beatings, Bresu returned home to report the case to his brother, Kwabena Mensah. He, however, died later around 7 p.m. the same day.
The suspects are yet to be apprehended.
TAMALE NGO SUPPORTS GIRLS (PAGE 31)
THE state of children, particularly underprivileged girls, in some parts of the Northern Region, is not only lamentable but also distressing. They often suffer from neglect as a result of poverty, ignorance or sheer wickedness by some guardians and family members.
Most communities in the region practise child fostering where young girls under the ages of 10 are sent to their aunties or other family members for grooming instead of being sent to school.
In some cases the fostered children are maltreated and molested by their guardians for the least offence.
As a result, majority of them are compelled to flee home to the southern sector due to lack of job opportunities in the north, to engage in menial work, to earn income to buy their personal effects and also acquire vocational skills.
Others are also trafficked across the borders to engage in all sorts of neck and back breaking jobs to enrich their masters’ purses instead of being in school.
In most cases, those who are lucky to be in school are convinced by their friends and relatives to eventually drop out to join the bandwagon.
At the end of their toil, they often have nothing, but diseases and unwanted pregnancies to show for their long years of hustling. They come back home with all kinds of diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Some arrive from their sojourn with miserable and innocent looking children strapped on their aching backs with only polythene bags to show.
It is for these reasons that a Tamale based non-governmental organisation, Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS), is equipping children of school age who find themselves out of school for various reasons with vocational skills to help stem the tide of child trafficking and child labour in some selected districts in the region.
Under the initiative, dubbed Next Generation Programme (NGP), Child Surveillance Teams (CSTs) have been established in all the 20 communities where the project is being executed in the region.
Members of the teams are to supplement efforts at the local level to prevent child trafficking and also lead community efforts at finding lasting and culturally appropriate responses to enhancing child welfare.
They are to be provided with bicycles to facilitate their work in the respective communities.
The project is co-ordinated by Comic Relief, a UK Charity. The beneficiary districts are Savelugu/Nanton and West Mamprusi.
The three-year project would support 1,600 girls in formal school with learning materials while 1,200 girls would also be equipped with employable skills after which they would be offered working tools.
The programme manager of RAINS, Mr Alhassan Musah, announced this when he presented the first tranche of GH¢12,000 to the two districts in Tamale at the weekend.
He noted that previous interventions to stem child trafficking and labour by other organisations rather focused on government officials and opinion leaders instead of targeting rural and marginalised communities.
The manager noted that as a result most of the information remained sporadic with little impact on educating families and children, stressing, ‘‘it is time to shift focus.’’
According to Mr Musah, community involvement in reversing the negative trend was crucial for which reason it required the establishment and reinforcement of community structures for awareness creation and monitoring.
The manager further pledged the commitment of his outfit to collaborate with the Attorney General and departments in charge of children’s affairs to build the capacities of members of the CSTs in their bid to extend opportunities to marginalised children.
‘‘We also call on the respective district assemblies to support the CSTs and further ensure that the whole concept finds place in their plans and policies,’’ he emphasised.
On behalf of the beneficiaries the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, Mr Sulemana Nabila, expressed appreciation to their benefactors for their immense support which he said would complement the government’s efforts at developing the education sector and child welfare.
Most communities in the region practise child fostering where young girls under the ages of 10 are sent to their aunties or other family members for grooming instead of being sent to school.
In some cases the fostered children are maltreated and molested by their guardians for the least offence.
As a result, majority of them are compelled to flee home to the southern sector due to lack of job opportunities in the north, to engage in menial work, to earn income to buy their personal effects and also acquire vocational skills.
Others are also trafficked across the borders to engage in all sorts of neck and back breaking jobs to enrich their masters’ purses instead of being in school.
In most cases, those who are lucky to be in school are convinced by their friends and relatives to eventually drop out to join the bandwagon.
At the end of their toil, they often have nothing, but diseases and unwanted pregnancies to show for their long years of hustling. They come back home with all kinds of diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Some arrive from their sojourn with miserable and innocent looking children strapped on their aching backs with only polythene bags to show.
It is for these reasons that a Tamale based non-governmental organisation, Regional Advisory Information and Network Systems (RAINS), is equipping children of school age who find themselves out of school for various reasons with vocational skills to help stem the tide of child trafficking and child labour in some selected districts in the region.
Under the initiative, dubbed Next Generation Programme (NGP), Child Surveillance Teams (CSTs) have been established in all the 20 communities where the project is being executed in the region.
Members of the teams are to supplement efforts at the local level to prevent child trafficking and also lead community efforts at finding lasting and culturally appropriate responses to enhancing child welfare.
They are to be provided with bicycles to facilitate their work in the respective communities.
The project is co-ordinated by Comic Relief, a UK Charity. The beneficiary districts are Savelugu/Nanton and West Mamprusi.
The three-year project would support 1,600 girls in formal school with learning materials while 1,200 girls would also be equipped with employable skills after which they would be offered working tools.
The programme manager of RAINS, Mr Alhassan Musah, announced this when he presented the first tranche of GH¢12,000 to the two districts in Tamale at the weekend.
He noted that previous interventions to stem child trafficking and labour by other organisations rather focused on government officials and opinion leaders instead of targeting rural and marginalised communities.
The manager noted that as a result most of the information remained sporadic with little impact on educating families and children, stressing, ‘‘it is time to shift focus.’’
According to Mr Musah, community involvement in reversing the negative trend was crucial for which reason it required the establishment and reinforcement of community structures for awareness creation and monitoring.
The manager further pledged the commitment of his outfit to collaborate with the Attorney General and departments in charge of children’s affairs to build the capacities of members of the CSTs in their bid to extend opportunities to marginalised children.
‘‘We also call on the respective district assemblies to support the CSTs and further ensure that the whole concept finds place in their plans and policies,’’ he emphasised.
On behalf of the beneficiaries the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive, Mr Sulemana Nabila, expressed appreciation to their benefactors for their immense support which he said would complement the government’s efforts at developing the education sector and child welfare.
Friday, May 30, 2008
INDISCIPLINE, CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS IN TAMALE (PAGE 29)
THE growing indiscipline on the well laid-out roads in the Tamale metropolis is claiming the lives of motorists in the area.
Not only do most motorists flout traffic regulations, they also do not protect themselves by their refusal to wear helmets and seat belts in spite of efforts by the police and officials of the Road Safety Campaign to sensitise them to those safety measures.
What has even compounded the problem is the constant breakdown of traffic lights at various intersections in the metropolis resulting in the scramble for right of way with its ensuing chaos and accidents.
Some residents have, therefore, appealed to the police to step up their operations and arrest recalcitrant motorists and bring them to book to stem the tide.
Following the rising spate of accidents, there has been an increase in the number of fatalities from 25 deaths between the periods of January and April last year to 33 within the same span of time this year, representing an increase of 32 per cent.
Last year, 65 people died in the metropolis from 193 accidents recorded by personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the police in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Albert Johnson, ‘‘in February this year, 17 motorists lost their lives in Tamale. And worst of all, 82 per cent of motor accident fatalities recorded last year, occurred in Tamale”.
He said 104 other traffic offences were registered in the metropolis and 46 culprits arraigned.
Meanwhile most of the fatal cases have been referred to the Attorney-General’s office for advice.
‘‘We would therefore want to advise all motorists and other road users to observe road traffic regulations and signs to ensure the safety of their lives and those of pedestrians,’’ Inspector Johnson admonished.
Not only do most motorists flout traffic regulations, they also do not protect themselves by their refusal to wear helmets and seat belts in spite of efforts by the police and officials of the Road Safety Campaign to sensitise them to those safety measures.
What has even compounded the problem is the constant breakdown of traffic lights at various intersections in the metropolis resulting in the scramble for right of way with its ensuing chaos and accidents.
Some residents have, therefore, appealed to the police to step up their operations and arrest recalcitrant motorists and bring them to book to stem the tide.
Following the rising spate of accidents, there has been an increase in the number of fatalities from 25 deaths between the periods of January and April last year to 33 within the same span of time this year, representing an increase of 32 per cent.
Last year, 65 people died in the metropolis from 193 accidents recorded by personnel of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the police in Tamale.
According to the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Albert Johnson, ‘‘in February this year, 17 motorists lost their lives in Tamale. And worst of all, 82 per cent of motor accident fatalities recorded last year, occurred in Tamale”.
He said 104 other traffic offences were registered in the metropolis and 46 culprits arraigned.
Meanwhile most of the fatal cases have been referred to the Attorney-General’s office for advice.
‘‘We would therefore want to advise all motorists and other road users to observe road traffic regulations and signs to ensure the safety of their lives and those of pedestrians,’’ Inspector Johnson admonished.
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