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By Abdulai Zulkaninu – March 1, 2021
On Sunday 28th February, the Paramount Chief for the Mankpan Traditional Area, Mankpanwura Achor Ade Borenyi (I) and his cabinet through the Land Priest, Kasawulewura Binimu Eloge, pacified the gods of the area in a move to help mitigate the numerous accidents that have been occuring between Fulfulso junction and Domeabra/Mpaha junction on the main Buipe-fufulso mile 40 highway in the central Gonja district of the Savannah region of Ghana. About 28 lives have been lost to road carnage on that stretch in 2021 so far.
Addressing the media shortly after pacifying the ancestors, the Chief and leader of the Mankpan Traditional Area Mankpanwura Achor Ade Borenyi (I) opined that losing 28 lives through road carnage within February 2021 alone is worrying hence, the need to get that part of the road pacify to appease the gods of the land.
Mankpanwura said “we the chiefs and people of Mankpan Traditional Area (MTA) today have taken bold steps to halt the frequent and untold road carnage which has already claimed about 28 innocent lives this year in February alone, leaving several others injured along the Gbuipe-mile 40 stretch of the Gbuipe-Fufulso highway”.
Mankpanwura is concerned about the importance and complex nature of lives and properties and said everything single live is valuable and must be protected. He called on the Savannah regional Highways Director to as a matter of urgency, construct some speed ramps around the spot to halt the frequent accident.
“Society is very complex and every life is important and must be protected. Social stability requires the right social mix to resolve societal complexities. Therefore, pacifying the ancestors and cleansing the area traditionally is equally as important as providing three (3) speed calming devices (speed ramps) on the stretch.
Therefore, I call on the Savannah regional Highways Authority Director, Mr. Paul Duah as a matter of urgency, to take steps to provide at least three (3) speed calming devices – a scientific approach to help halt the accidents, while the chiefs and people of Mankpan Traditional Area handle the social approach of pacifying and cleansing the ancestral realm”.
Mankpanwura Achor Ade Borenyi (I) recounted how four (4) different accidents in February alone claimed 28 lives on the same stretch and leaving many road users injured.
He said It will be recalled that within a spate of 20 days in February 2021 alone, about 28 lives have been lost in four (4) separate accidents on the stretch leaving several others injured. Every life is important so therefore, the Mankpan Traditional Area cannot sit unconcern while precious lives continue to perish hence, the decision to take steps to halt the carnage.
“The view that the stretch is a highway does not suggest that lives should be lost unchecked. It could be you or your very loved one”, he added.
He called on the public to join the chiefs and people of Mankpan Traditional Area to halt these carnages by adhering to simple road safety measures.
Mankpanwura Achor Ade Borenyi expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their effort during the hard times. He commended the Ghana National Ambulance Service, Fire service, the Central Gonja district assembly, the health service and community members along the stretch for their immense contribution.
The Land Priest of the area Kasawulewura Binimu Eloge called on the district assemblies, the Savannah RCC and central government to value and respect the activities of traditional authorities and work closely with them to bring total development to the people.
He said important traditional component of road construction is always almost left unattended to by government hence, the occurrance of some of these numerous accidents. Whilst commending successive governments on their resolve to develop the area, he said the role of traditional authorities must be recognized greatly to bring lasting peace and development to the people.
The hon. Assembly Member for the Domeabra electoral area, Akati Kewura thanked the traditional leaders of the area for taking the bold steps to pacifying the ancestors and called on road users to obey simple road instructions to halt the frequent accidents and lost of lives.
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