(THE TOURISM VIEWPOINT)

Tourism involves the movement of a person from his/her origin to a destination. To this regard transportation is very vital to the tourism industry as a matter of fact, we can’t discuss tourism without making mention of transportation, they move in tandem. As most of us know, mode of transport takes the form of road, rail, water and air but it is imperative to note that, tourism development in the developing countries like ours thrive on roads to the extreme the railways. Transportation is an integral part of the tourism industry and it is largely due to the improvement of transportation that tourism has expanded globally and most importantly in developing countries.

The state of our roads is a major concern to the authorities in charge and the society at large, but as a tourism advocate, I would like to zero in on how tourism stand to lose the most if the carnage on our roads does not stop. After the average tourist, traveler or excursionist has thought of travelling or making a trip, the next ‘’key’’ thing that comes to mind of the person will be the question? How do I get there? Or which mode of transport will be safe and secure for them to get to their destination.
It is at this point that, developing countries like Ghana should be worried about the road transport and how it is increasingly turning to be a ‘’slaughter house’’ for travelers and motorists. It is also important to note that, it is also at this stage that travelers, tourists and excursionists make the obvious decisions to ‘’abandon the ship’’ and think about something else since issues of safety and security are very prime to every individual.
The repercussions of the decision to abandon the ship are enormous to both the micro and macro economy but most especially the local economy (tourist enclave) is much affected. A classical example of this would be the component of single traveler/tourists where the supply chain and its multiplier effect are very important to the local economy, i.e. the bus/coach-the cab driver-accommodation-food vendors-craftsmen-artifacts-tour agents-entertainment supplier and a whole lot whose livelihoods are affected by such decisions. Tourism is one of the few sectors that touches base with the local economy and really provides for the gullible and marginalized in society. Tourism has been hailed globally to be one of the efficient mechanisms to reduce poverty in developing countries. At this point pause and think about how the ‘’poor woman/man’s goods will be left to rot when there is low turnout at these catchment areas?
The above issues raised goes to entrench the position of some of us about how the carnage on our roads does not only affect the families or deceased involved but it has a holistic negative repercussions. In tackling this menace, the authorities would have to adopt a very efficient approach to sanitize the situation. In the process, I believe the drivers of these buses makes about 50% of the problem, where recklessness and drink driving has become the order of the day. To buttress this point, I would like to cite a classical example of how consistently, these bloodbath on our roads has involved the private buses/coaches, trucks and other mini buses. For the purpose of my tourism inclination, I would like to place the emphasis on the private buses/coaches. Though no one can out rightly exonerate the state transport company (Inter city STC) from these gory accidents, it will only be fair to say that their well trained coupled with the discipline of the drivers of the state transport company has seen little of their fleets involved in these numerous accidents. With all its problems currently, the state company has carved a niche for its self with safety assured to its passengers.
Tourism development can never be realized if road crashes continue to scare away potential domestic and international tourists. When a nation gains a reputation for dangerous or unpredictable roadways, other nations caution their visiting citizens, scholars and investors against road way travel, which discourages tourism and foreign investment. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1.2 million people are killed on roads every year with over 50 million more seriously injured. The organization predicts that by 2020, the number of people killed each year can reach two million if swift and coordinated action is not taken both at global and national levels
In this light I suggest there should be a deliberate policy for the private bus drivers and their companies to undergo training may be twice a year to refresh them for the techniques and new development or dynamics in the automobile industry. Though it wouldn’t be the instant end to the problem, there is no doubt about 50-60% of the problem would have been solved. The Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (M.T.T.U) and the driving vehicle and Licensing Authority (DVLA) should be up and doing to help curb this canker which is fast becoming an albatross to the development of our country.

Finally I will like to use this platform to express my condolences to the families, friends and close associates who lost loved ones in the recent gory accident at the Konongo-Kumasi high road

Kojo Bentum-Williams
Tourism Advocate
Youth In Tourism Ghana (Yito)
kojofabio@gmail.com
www.tourisminghana.blogspot.com