The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) in its goodwill message to the public, has cautioned against activities that are conducive for disasters in the Xmas season.
This is due to the high rates of incidents including violence and armed robberies, and road carnages that have been recorded over the years.
Data from the Ministry of Transport shows that in the first nine months of the year 2021 alone, 2,126 commuters were killed in road crashes, while 11,659 people also sustained various degrees of injuries within same period.
The carnages were reported to have been caused by the following: drunk driving, constituting some 10% of carnages; over-speeding, constituting about 50% of them; poor driving skills which is considered a major cause; driving while talking on mobile phone.
Others include: gross indiscipline on the roads; broken-down vehicles on the roads; driving on worn/second-hand tires; the unworthiness of some cars on the roads; over-loading of vehicles beyond their expected gross weights.
The rest are: Fatigue driving among long-distance drivers; the poor nature of some of the roads in the country; disregard for traffic regulations; non-existent road markings and signs.
The GPCC, considering these factors which are conducive for causing such disasters as road carnages among others, urged drivers to be disciplined on the roads.
“We urge all motorists to be extra patient, tolerant and cautious to avoid needless accidents, injuries and deaths on our roads” a communique issued by the President of the council, Reverend Professor Paul Frimpong-Manso, said.
Alluding to the increased visibility of police personnel on major highways and communities as part of measures adopted by the Ghana Police Service to curb the high crime wave in the country, the GPCC is hopeful that the step taken will “instill discipline in motorists on our roads and criminals in the society to ensure that citizens spend the Yuletide in peace and security”.
While urging all and sundry to celebrate the festivities in “moderation, eschewing all vices that may end up in disaster”, the Council reiterated the need to contribute to societal development as patriotic citizens.
“As we enter 2022, let us commit ourselves collectively as patriotic citizens to serving mother Ghana in whatever small way we can towards improving the socio-economic wellbeing of our Country”
“On behalf of all National Executive Council Members and Heads of Member Churches, I wish all Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New year” the statement concluded.
