Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has likened road traffic crashes to a global pandemic and public health issue, advocating that the meance must be addressed collectively.
Akufo-Addo made the declaration at the pioneer edition of the Kofi Annan Road Safety Award held in Accra, Ghana o Wednesday.
He emphasised the need for the award ceremony to be sustained so as to encourage African countries on the need to learn from global best practices.
The Nigerian Award was received by the Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
Apart from Amaechi, the Nigerian entourage at the Award included the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s office who represented the SGF, Dr Maurice Mbaeri, Corps Marshal, FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi and FRSC’S Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem.
Speaking on the development, the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) said the Federal Government (FG) received the award for its continuous support towards the entrenchment of safety of lives and properties on Nigerian roads, and its commitment to excellence in the implementation of African road safety action plan.
FRSC Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem state further that the award was organised in recognition and honour of African countries that have made significant contribution towards effective implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action for road safety in the last decade.
The maiden editionKazeem disclosed honoured five countries who have performed excellently in the implementation of the African road safety action plan between 2011 and 2020.
He added that while Nigeria won the Excellence in Road Safety Management award, the Kingdom of Morocco was handed the award for Leadership in Road Safety Data Management as the Leadership in the Ratification of the Africa Road Safety Charter awards went to Namibia accordingly.
Similarly, the Government of Ghana was recognised with the award of Excellence in the implementation of the Africa Road Safety Action Plan as South Africa went away with the award of Leadership in Mobilising Resources for Road Safety.
Meanwhile, FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi has expressed delight on the award, appreciating the commitment and support of the President Muhammad Buhari led Government to road safety in Nigeria.
“I must applaud Mr President for his unflinching support to the Federal Road Safety Corps through the provision of basic operational and rescue tools, since the inception of his administration. This support has immensely impacted on the operations of the Corps and we are glad to be recognised not only nationally, but also within the African sub region” Oyeyemi restated.
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