Africa-Press – Ghana. The Church of Pentecost, Agorve District at Akatsi in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region has held its maiden ‘Motor Riders Conference’ with a call from authorities to all riders to ensure safety on the road.
The one-day event, held at the Central Chapel of the Church at Akatsi-Agorve bypass, was aimed at equipping riders with formal skills, knowledge of road signs and traffic regulations, practical riding tactics, and general safety tips.”
Reverend Prosper Kofi Kpeli, the District Pastor of the Church in a welcome address, explained that the conference remained an important initiative on the Church’s calendar which formed part of their core mandate of preaching the gospel to everyone.
“The conference would also offer the Church the opportunity to seek God’s guidance and protection for the riders in general and contribute to society’s transformation as well as the vision 2028 agenda of possessing the nations by influencing every sphere of society with the values and principles of the kingdom of God.”
Mr Daniel Dagba, the Municipal Chief Executive for Akatsi and a Special Guest at the event, expressed gratitude to the Church and event organizers.
He emphasised the importance of riders adhering strictly to all rules and regulations on the road, while indicating that his outfit would crack down on the use of unregistered motorbikes and noisemaking on the part of some recalcitrant riders within the Municipality.
Mr Dagba revealed that some hideouts for criminals and smokers popularly known as ‘ghettos’ within the area would be dealt with to reduce the incidents of theft and motor snatching cases.
He also commended the participants for availing themselves and assured them of the government’s plan to back commercial motor riding business by law.
Mr Hayford Acheampong, the Municipal Manager for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), on his part, exposed participants to the dangers associated with non-registration of motorbikes and other documentation processes such as roadworthy, insurance, and riding permit acquisition.
He appealed to all vehicle and motorbike owners to ensure proper registration and other documentation processes were done to avoid any denial during accident claims requests and others.
Other speakers, including officers from the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana National Fire Service, centred their presentations on safety on the road and other security-related tips.
Chief Inspector Farouk Merigah, a representative from the Police Service, urged riders to always ensure to put on their safety kits such as helmets, boots, and others when using the road.
Reckless riding such as carrying iron rods and other materials on a motorbike, according to Station Officer 1, Mr Emmanuel Ankrah from the Fire Service, could result in a fire disaster if not handled properly.
Stephen Egbenya, a commercial motor operator who attended the event, told the Ghana News Agency that the event must be sustained to enable them to adhere to safety in their activities.
The beneficiaries have also been assured by officials from Winners Cooperative Credit Union, a leading credit union in Volta and beyond of their readiness to partner with the DVLA to mitigate documentation challenges due to lack of finance on the part of riders.
There were distributions of free reflector jackets by the Women’s Ministry of the Church.
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