Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - A National Road Safety Policy to serve as reference point for policy formulation for all road safety related stakeholder institutions was launched in Accra on Thursday. It is a re-aligned single document, which is comprehensive and coherent to provide a broad policy framework. It is also a consistent document, based on best global practices and emerging trends of the road safety needs of the country.

Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, who launched the policy, said non existence of a National Road Safety Policy had resulted to apparent drawback in the sector with each stakeholder developing its own strategic focus. He noted that the development of the policy took into consideration the road safety situation in the country and expressed the hope that stakeholders would be motivated and committed to road safety efforts.

Mr. Hammah said the policy would serve as the blueprint for stakeholders to develop policy related issues and provide a broad integrated policy framework for road safety management. "As politicians and policy makers, posterity would not forgive us if we fail in our civic and professional responsibilities towards road users in the country. "We must develop the mental attitude and harness all available resources and the will power to reduce and prevent road accidents, "he said.

Mr. Hammah said road transport played a vital role in the nation's developmental agenda and the Ministry would continue to pursue policy interventions that would contribute positively to safe, affordable, accessible and reliable transportation system for all categories of road users.

Mr. Noble Appiah, Executive Director of National Road Safety Commission, said road safety must be a priority of the country's development agenda and "treated as a disease comparable to malaria and HIV/AIDS". "Road safety is a sustainable development issue, which has implications for public health, tourism, human resources and national development," he said.