Pernod Ricard Ghana, a subsidiary of the No.2 worldwide producers of Wines and Spirits, in collaboration with Street Sense Organisation, has organized the second edition of its road safety campaign dubbed ‘Metwi a, Mentwa’ to sensitize drivers on the need to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.

The ‘Metwi a, Mentwa’ campaign launched in December last year aims to promote responsible behavior among high-risk commercial drivers to provide enhanced and safer transport services for commuters. The second edition of the campaign kicked off on Friday, 25th November 2022 to Friday16th December 2022.

Areas marked for these sensitization efforts include Ashaiman, Kasoa Main Lorry Station, Kaneshie Main station, Abeka-Lapaz Station, Amasaman Lorry Station, Nsawam Main Station, Obra Spot Lorry Station, Neoplan Lorry Station, Tudu Central Lorry Park, and Accra-Tema Station.

Speaking at the second edition, Sustainability and Responsibility Manager for Pernod Ricard Ghana, Eunice Osei-Tutu, said the campaign seeks to strategically keep the knowledge and education afresh on drink-driving in the minds of commercial drivers ahead of the festive season in December.

“What we hope to achieve is to curb drink-drive related accidents during this festive season. Our message for the drivers as has always been straightforward – Metwi a, Mentwa! – which means ‘If I drive, I won’t drink.

“The campaign aligns with Pernod Ricard’s Sustainability & Responsibility roadmap which directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in this instance SDG Goal 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. The ‘Metwi a Mentwa’ programme falls within the fourth pillar of our roadmap ‘Responsible Hosting’ which is to ensure that we fight alcohol misuse in society by taking action on harmful drinking and that our brands are enjoyed responsibly,” Ms. Osei Tutu added.

For her part, Mrs. Gloria Laryea, a Member of Trustees of the Board for Street Sense Organisation, said the event also formed part of their annual education and awareness creation during and after festivities.

She said: “We all know that during festivities, drivers rush to their destinations and return for more passengers, causing so much havoc in terms of road accidents.

Over speeding, wrong overtaking, and alcohol abuse are mostly the root causes of carnages on our road, she said, and appealed to the drivers to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations to save more lives.”

Mrs. Laryea said this year, the records had shown a decrease in road accidents and urged the drivers to work hard to sustain the success chalked.

The sensitization efforts coupled with the distribution of campaign logo-branded reflective jackets and campaign logo stickers and other souvenirs are expected to serve as reminders to both drivers and other road users on the need to be responsible on the road to prevent casualties during the festive season and beyond. This will be followed by a digital campaign to reach more drivers during the festive season.