News

Friday, March 11, 2016

Ghana losses over $165m annually to road accidents
Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

Statistics from the National Road Safety Commission shows that Ghana loses over $165million annually, representing 1.6% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to road accidents.

While human loss which leaves in its trail, grief and pain and untold economic as well as psychological hardships to victims' families and their dependants are on the ascendancy.

Even this week alone about 70 people died in a road accident with two vehicles involved in separate collusion.

In this regard, the government wishes to reiterate that roads safety is a shared responsibility and that everybody should take full interest in their safety by demanding desirable road safety practices from drivers.

To boost transport industry in Ghana, the government is collaborating with Modern Auto Services Limited and Silver Star Auto Limited to partner vehicle manufacturers in Asia to establish an assemble plant to assemble wide range of vehicles in the country.

This would give real meaning and demonstrate a genuine transfer of technology in Ghana to further strengthen the south-south co-operation.

The establishment of the assemble plant sits well with the vision of government to create job opportunities for Ghanaians as enshrined in the government’s strategic development programme.

The new Minister of Transport, Mr. Mike Hammer disclosed this in a speech read for him at the launch of Foton Range of vehicles in Accra .

He added that the government is also determined to make the country a transport hub in the West African sub-region, stressing that it is the desire of the government to provide the necessary enabling environment for both local and foreign entrepreneurs to enable them contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the country.

Acting Managing Director of the Modern Auto Services, Mr. Abdul Somad Musah indicated that the recent shift in the world economic dominance from the West to East has generated a rush by most investors in the developed economies like Britain, USA , among others to focus their attention on the Chinese market in many aspects of businesses.

Touching on the Foton range of vehicles, he explained that Foton vehicles have been built to meet the rough and rugged terrains. They included equipped with fuel efficient engines, tough and robust body, rigid suspension and safety features.

The vehicles also come in various forms which are affordable, quality, durable and convenient. These are essential ingredients in the automobile shopping list for a potential customer in Ghana , Mr. Musah emphasized.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Silver Star Auto Ltd, Mr. Nouhad Kalmoni believed that, the recent confidence in the Chinese ability to produce quality automobile, couple with the dominance of China as a world’s economic giants in the 21St would bring good returns on customers’ investment in the Foton vehicles.

Mr. Kevin Gao, The Deputy Manager of Foton Light-Duty Company that Foton is one of China’s largest producers in the commercial vehicle industry and acquires its technologies through joint ventures with the best know manufacturers in Europe and Japan.

Ghanadot