Kumasi, Aug. 24, GNA - The first batch of 40 drivers drawn from the various transport organisations in the Ashanti Region on Tuesday began a three-day training to upgrade their driving skills. The training is being organised by the National Road Safety Commission in conjunction with the IMAS Limited nationwide.

The drivers were drawn from the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA), Metro Mass Transport, Association of Liberal Transport Operators (ALLTOPS) and other transport unions in the region.

Topics for the course include Vehicle Maintenance, driving Environment, Causes and Prevention of accidents and transport Management.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Police Chief Superintendent Augustine Gyening, Ashanti Regional commander of the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit of the Ghana Police Service said, the training was a continuation of a programme started last year, which benefited 40 drivers adding that 80 drivers were expected to benefit from the training in Ashanti this year.

Chief Supt. Gyening said the training formed part of measures being initiated by the Road Safety Commission to reduce accidents on the roads.

He said the Ashanti was the leading region in motor accidents in Ghana and said last year alone, about 394 people lost their lives in motor accidents region.

Chief Supt. Gyening attributed the numerous road accidents to over-speeding, over-taking, drunkenness, wrong observation of road signs and the lack of maintenance of vehicles and urged the participants to take the training seriously to minimise road accidents.