Accra, Jan. 23, GNA - The Ghana Highway Authority (GHA) says it has noted with concern that some unidentified persons in some communities have adopted a destructive strategy of controlling speeding/accident rates on some trunk roads passing through their areas. In a press release signed by Mr. N.B. Quarmor, Director of Public Affairs, GHA described the action as "unfortunate" saying these developments posed a threat to the safety and structural integrity of some trunk roads in the country.

The release said the unfortunate practice of cutting trenches across trunk roads posed a grave danger to the safety of motorists and road users as well as contributing to the rapid deterioration of the affected roads.

It said meanwhile, numerous illegal speed ramps, made of gravel and stones, have been constructed across a number of roads. "An unfortunate consequence of the construction of the illegal ramps is the development of pot holes at the approaches to the illegal speed ramps along the road." It said the GHA had to use its scarce resources that could have been expended on improving the quality of other trunks roads, to reinstate or repair the affected sections of the roads. "GHA would like to use the opportunity to urge people to desist from excavating trenches across the trunk roads as speed calming measures. Communities are, however, advised to seek the assistance of the GHA through its Regional Highway Directors on necessary safety measures on the trunk roads".

It gave the assurance that the GHA periodically audited the safety needs of major sections of the trunk road network and accordingly made arrangements to provide the required safety facilities along the trunk roads.

GHA said where a community was of the view that some safety facilities, such as speed-calming devices were necessary at certain sections of trunk roads, the community leadership could approach the GHA for the necessary study and remedial action. It said a team would be dispatched to the roads involved for the necessary assessment of their safety needs in both the short and long terms. 23 Jan. 09