Kumasi, Jan 06, GNA - Nana Kwaku Owusu-Bempah, the National Chairman of the Association of Liberal Transport Operators (ALTOPS), on Friday commended drivers of the union in particular and the Ashanti Region in general for ensuring accident-free Christmas and New Year. In a New Year message to the union's drivers issued in Kumasi, he attributed this achievement to the discipline exhibited by drivers on the road.

Personnel of the Ashanti Regional Motor Transport and Traffic Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service and the Regional Road Safety Committee as well as passengers, Nana Owusu-Bempah said, also needed commendation for their immense role in ensuring an accident-free Christmas and New Year.

He said even though 2005 witnessed some horrible motor accidents resulting in the death of very prominent citizens including three medical doctors and Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, a former Minister of State, statistics indicated a drastic reduction in road accidents compared with previous years.

Nana Owusu-Bempah said the government's efforts at developing the road sector was commendable and asked drivers and other road users to help reduce the spate of accidents on the road to the barest minimum and also ensure the longevity of the roads.

ALTOPS also congratulated Madam Patricia Appiagyei on her election as the Mayor of Kumasi.

The association expressed the hope that members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and Kumasi as a whole would give Madam Appiagyei the maximum support and co-operation to succeed. It asked her to come out with a comprehensive programme that would help address the environmental concerns and high rate of indiscipline that have engulfed the metropolis.