Joy News Prime (21-11-23) || Akufo-Addo, A Lame Duck - Speaker Bagbin
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TVTranscript
00:00 Live from our studios here at Kuku, I'm Nneme Nnakra.
00:06 This is Joy News Prime with me, Carlos Kaloni.
00:09 Coming up, Ministry of Interior imposes curfew on Nkwanta sub-municipality in the Oti region
00:15 as six people are confirmed dead in a fresh shooting incident.
00:22 Minister for Information, Kojo Pongkruma, rejects the minority's tags of the 2024
00:27 budget as useless and empty.
00:30 If anybody says that an economic program like this is useless or is empty, that cannot be
00:37 true.
00:38 And why does the National Democratic Congress NDC MP for Bulgar Central believe he needs
00:42 to apologize to Manchester United defender Harry Maguy?
00:46 Do you remember that last year, I was very quick to compare my big brother, Dr. Mahmoud
00:53 Bawumia to Harry Maguy, Mr. Speaker, and now I apologize to Harry Maguy.
00:59 And the journey to the Jubilee House heats up as Bawumia and Mahmoud go at each other
01:04 at the campaign trail.
01:07 What idea did he bring as vice president?
01:15 He did not bring even one idea to the table.
01:19 It will take the next president to fix the country.
01:23 He has lost hope himself.
01:28 And later, has President Akufo-Addo entered a lame duck season?
01:34 You have a lame duck president.
01:38 A lame duck because you have elected a flag bearer and loyalty and commitments are shifting.
01:45 So your president is now a lame duck president.
01:48 At 8pm, we'll bring you Prime Business.
01:51 Canada and China were the preferred destination for Ghana for imports in the first quarter
01:56 of 2023.
01:58 From a total import point of view, we identified our reliance on China to be predominant and
02:04 not predominant only in a single commodity, but a variety of commodities.
02:13 At 8.30pm, we'll bring you Prime Sports.
02:16 Ghana Black Stars lose to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and Jam to Fest.
02:23 Comoros picking the top sports and Ghana languishing on the fourth position with three points.
02:30 You can watch Join News on DSTV Channel 421, GoTV 125.
02:34 We are live on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, on all socials.
02:39 We are your home of independent, fearless and credible journalism.
02:43 Please stay with us.
02:48 We are grateful you could join us here on Join News Prime.
02:51 Let's begin from the UT region where government has imposed a curfew on the Nkwanta South
02:55 municipality in the UT region.
02:58 This follows a fresh shooting incident that has claimed six lives this morning.
03:03 In a signed statement, Interior Minister Ambrose Derry announced a 5pm to 6am curfew from today.
03:10 There is the footage you have from the UT region and very soon we'll be bringing you
03:35 that statement from the ministry.
03:38 According to eyewitnesses, armed assailant opened fire on residents at the Nkwanta Central
03:45 Market early this morning.
03:47 Several properties have been destroyed and residents have fled for safety, leaving behind
03:52 a ghost town.
03:53 A police officer and five others are in critical condition after suffering bullet wounds in
03:59 the shootout.
04:00 The victims are currently receiving treatment at Nkwanta St Joseph Catholic Hospital.
04:06 The region has witnessed tribal conflict involving the Adeli, the Chala and the Akilde ethnic
04:12 groups over land litigation issues.
04:14 However, in recent times, contention about a yam festival being organised by the Akilde
04:20 people in Nkwanta town has led to fresh conflict.
04:24 According to the UT Regional Minister Joshua Makubu, the UT Regional Security Council has
04:30 deployed personnel to investigate the trigger for the new attack.
04:34 It can be added that the RECSEC has also consulted chiefs and other opinion leaders in the area
04:40 to urge residents to put down their arms and restore peace.
04:46 There you have the statement on your screen and it reads, "The Minister for the Interior
04:52 has on the advice of the UT Regional Security Council and the Executive Instrument imposed
04:58 curfew on Nkwanta Township in the UT Region from 5 o'clock p.m. to 6 o'clock a.m. effective
05:04 Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
05:08 Government wishes to appeal to all to exercise restraint and to use the established mechanisms
05:14 for the resolution of all their conflict and dispute."
05:18 It goes on to say, "Meanwhile, government likes to reiterate that there is a ban on
05:23 all persons in Nkwanta Township and its environment from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive
05:29 weapons and any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted."
05:37 That's the statement from the Interior Ministry.
05:41 Now our correspondent Obrenpon Gba Owusu joins us via Zoom for details of this particular
05:48 incident.
05:49 Obrenpon, so what is the latest from the Township as we speak?
06:14 So we are trying to get Obrenpon to speak to us on this particular issue where the Interior
06:21 Ministry has issued a statement imposing curfew on Nkwanta South Municipality following some
06:27 clashes earlier this morning that led to the death of some six persons in that particular
06:34 municipality and according to the statement we just read to you, based on advice from
06:40 that Security Council in the municipality, the Interior Ministry has actually imposed
06:46 a curfew from 5pm to 6am to prevent the situation from escalating to another level.
06:57 So I think we have Obrenpon now.
06:59 Obrenpon, if you can hear me, I was asking what is the latest situation in the Nkwanta
07:06 Township as we speak?
07:07 Kindly unmute your device so we can hear you.
07:30 We'll bring him back when we have him on that particular story.
07:34 Moving on, Minister for Information Kweku Asante has rejected the minority's portrayal
07:39 of the 2024 budget as useless and empty.
07:43 Minority leader Dr Kesele Tufosin told Join News that the budget presented last week offers
07:48 no hope to the suffering Ghanaian public.
07:51 Now kick-starting the debate in Parliament, Kweku Asante argued that the 2024 budget will
07:56 restore stability in the economy and bring down the high cost of living.
08:01 Our parliamentary affairs correspondent Kweku Asante has more in this report from the first
08:06 day of the 2024 budget debate.
08:09 The 2024 budget debate has now started in earnest with MPs from both sides going neck
08:15 and neck with each other.
08:16 In fact, today on the floor, MPs were literally at the throats of each other when Kojo Pongkuma
08:21 started the debate and criticised the minority for describing this budget as useless and
08:27 empty.
08:28 The best objective of any sound economic policy or economic programme at this time should
08:32 be to bring back stability.
08:33 If you look at this programme, pages 1 to 164, as I mentioned, where you find the full
08:41 outline of the economic programme, you will find that the objective number one is stability,
08:47 to bring the cost of living down to a level that our fellow compatriots in this country
08:53 can accommodate.
08:54 Inflation sitting somewhere around the 50s, brought down or being brought down this year
08:59 currently to about 35-32% and the forecast is that in the 2024 financial year to bring
09:08 inflation further down to 15%.
09:10 Mr Speaker, if anybody says that an economic programme like this is useless or is empty,
09:16 that cannot be true.
09:17 We also heard from acting ranking member on the finance committee, Isaac Adongo, who actually
09:22 went back on last year's comparison between Vice President Dr Mahmoud Bamiya and Harry
09:28 Maguire of Manchester United.
09:30 You may be wondering why the footballer is up on the floor of parliament on this debate.
09:34 Listen.
09:35 Taking an additional amount of 279 billion from the poor people in Ghana, you still remember
09:41 E-Levy.
09:42 They said E-Levy was going to be the aqua bank of the world.
09:45 Now where have you reached?
09:47 Mr Speaker, you remember that last year I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr
09:57 Mahmoud Bamiya to Harry Maguire.
09:59 Mr Speaker, I now apologise to Harry Maguire.
10:03 Mr Honorable Osachie Mensah, you got very angry when I used your defender as an example.
10:10 Today Maguire has turned the corner as a transformation footballer.
10:14 Maguire, Harry Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.
10:19 Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United.
10:23 As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF.
10:28 With a cup in hand.
10:30 With a cup in hand.
10:32 As for our Maguire, the economic Maguire, now was able to get pensioners to leave their
10:37 homes and come and parade in the streets.
10:39 Deputy Finance Minister Benazir Assare has been assuring that government will not overspend
10:46 in 2024 and derail the progress the economy has made so far.
10:50 Mr Speaker, when you come to our expenditure, in the past, like I said earlier, governments
10:59 have used election year as auctioning periods and getting all kinds of projects to win votes.
11:04 But this government is committing itself to strong fiscal consolidation and efficient
11:09 management of existing commitments in order not to derail the hard-won stability that
11:14 we are witnessing.
11:15 Mr Speaker, as part of this commitment, government is not initiating new commercial loan funded
11:25 projects.
11:26 And so when you check appendix 10c, where we usually have commercial loan funded projects,
11:33 that place is blank.
11:34 This tells you government is really committed to living within its means.
11:40 But the minority are not enthused about that assurance and says it will be taken with a
11:45 pinch of salt.
11:46 John Dinapol is a ranking member on the Mines and Energy Committee.
11:49 Firstly, let me just deal with a factual inaccuracy.
11:54 Because in this chamber, I do know that Mr Speaker, you encourage a lot of intellectual
12:00 debate based on facts.
12:01 You can have your different opinion, but you cannot have different sets of facts.
12:07 Madam Deputy Speaker, Madam Deputy Minister, you said that you have a track record in election
12:15 year expenditure.
12:16 For the record, in 2016, go and read the updated data, the deficit was about 6%.
12:26 In 2020, under your regime, election year, your deficit was a whopping 17%.
12:34 It has never happened.
12:37 And in that year, no country had that deficit of 17%.
12:45 The debate is now going to continue in the subsequent days until the 28th of November,
12:50 when the minority leader and the majority leader will conclude the debate.
12:54 And from now until then, we are going to expect more jibes and jabs at each other.
12:59 If what happened today on the floor is anything to go by, the next few days will be about
13:04 jabs and jibes.
13:06 As the minority seek to make Dr Mahmood Bamiya the centrepiece of their debate on the floor,
13:11 while the majority also clearly want to take on former President John Dramani Mahama.
13:16 These are the two persons who will be going at each other in 2024 when the election is
13:22 set to happen.
13:23 Reporting for JOY News, Miku Asante, Parliament House, Accra.
13:27 Still in Parliament, Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagby says majority leader of SECE
13:33 Mensah Bonso is not a limping leader and therefore expects the majority to treat the NDC MPs
13:40 softly in order to elicit their support in prosecuting government business.
13:44 Now the Speaker also described President Akufo-Addo as a limber who is having loyalty shifting
13:49 from him to Vice President Bamiya, the new MPP flag bearer.
13:53 Listen to him.
13:54 I expect the majority to have a limping majority leader.
14:01 Limping because when you look at his back, you are less than those in front of you.
14:08 You have a lame duck president.
14:13 A lame duck because you have elected a flag bearer and loyalty and commitments are shifting.
14:21 So your president is now a lame duck president.
14:24 You need this side of the house to support you to finish your eight years.
14:31 And so if you don't behave well, we have a difficulty in proceeding as a nation.
14:39 Please, I expect you to cooperate. I will not allow them to bully you.
14:45 That one, you will get sufficient time to put across your case.
14:49 [Music]
15:17 Former President John Mahama says the clergy and civil society organizations should partly be blamed
15:23 for the country's economic woes.
15:25 He believes these groups have failed to criticize government for squandering loans contracted.
15:30 He's been speaking at the Tichima Timor market on a campaign tour of the Bono East region.
15:35 Here's Yao Jimenez's report.
15:37 According to the former president, loans contracted by the NPP government,
15:44 which he pegs at $3 billion annually, were not invested in productive ventures.
15:51 He says the watchdog roles of various actors were left to the NDC alone.
15:58 [Speaking in foreign language]
16:12 The clergy, civil society, and others in authority reneged on their watchdog role.
16:19 From 2018, all vigilant people noticed the economy continued to dip.
16:25 The economic crisis was imminent.
16:28 Only the NDC told the president that his brother, who serves as finance minister,
16:33 has refused to use the $3 billion loans contracted every year judiciously.
16:39 [Speaking in foreign language]
16:52 To the NDC, the willing government has admitted its inability to put the country on the right track.
16:59 [Speaking in foreign language]
17:07 The president himself, in response to questions on the economy,
17:11 admitted it would take the next president to fix the country.
17:16 He has lost hope himself.
17:18 [Speaking in foreign language]
17:31 We know that the John Mahama administration is the government to fix the challenge.
17:36 [Speaking in foreign language]
17:42 The building Ghana tour made a stop at Tisseman magazine,
17:47 where a town hall meeting was organized to seek the consensus of the public for the NDC manifesto for 2024.
17:56 [Speaking in foreign language]
18:02 A national apprenticeship program campaign policy was preferred
18:06 as a solution to challenges of apprenticeship raised in the meeting.
18:11 [Speaking in foreign language]
18:20 Skills training is one of the means of reviving the economy.
18:23 Even graduates will have to learn a skill.
18:26 Even if you want to travel abroad, it is easier to get a job as a skilled person.
18:32 No matter your qualification, you should learn a skill.
18:35 [Speaking in foreign language]
18:40 At Benkrum in the Kintampo North constituency,
18:43 a donation was made to victims of the recent floods in the area.
18:48 The former president called on government to resource the National Disaster Management Organization
18:55 for such purpose.
18:57 [Speaking in foreign language]
19:13 When we were in government, we released funds for the NADMO promptly for disaster management.
19:18 But this time when the floods happened, NADMO told us they haven't received funding for the last two years.
19:25 [Speaking in foreign language]
19:31 I will plead with government to fund NADMO to support disaster victims.
19:36 [Speaking in foreign language]
20:05 Similar town hall meetings were held at Kintampo South and Nkwanzaa North.
20:11 The Bunu East edition of the Building Ghana tour has been brought to an end.
20:15 Opinions and challenges of various groupings invited to the town hall meetings will be packaged into a manifesto.
20:24 It will be replicated in other parts of the country.
20:28 For JOY News, Nanaia Ojima reporting.
20:33 Vice President Dr. Mahmoud Obamya has criticized former president John Mahama for what he sees as empty promises to Ghanaians
20:40 in the former president's quest to return to power.
20:43 Dr. Obamya said Mr. Mahama lacks a thorough understanding of his own policies, particularly the 24-hour economic initiative.
20:51 Samuel Mbura reports.
20:53 [Speaking in foreign language]
21:15 The vice president was warmly welcomed by enthusiastic party supporters during his homecoming tour in his native region, northeast.
21:23 His visit included a courtesy call on the overlord of the Mampuruku Kingdom in Nalirigu, followed by a grand rally in Tamale, the northern regional capital.
21:33 Notable party figures including the MPP national chairman, majority leader, and the entire northern MPP MPs caucus joined him.
21:43 Dr. Obamya addressed the supporters, expressed surprise at the campaign messages of NDC flag bearer John Mahama.
21:50 [Speaking in foreign language]
22:15 He particularly criticized his understanding of the 24-hour economic policy.
22:20 [Speaking in foreign language]
22:49 While highlighting his own achievements as vice president, Dr. Obamya challenged Mahama to present a single idea from his tenure as vice president.
23:07 [Speaking in foreign language]
23:30 Majority leader Ossechi Mensabonsu asserted that Dr. Obamya is pivotal to reshaping the economy, a reason all of them are supportive.
23:40 [Speaking in foreign language]
24:00 Minister for Land, Natural Resources and MP for Damangu, Samo, Abuja, Napa also emphasized that Dr. Obamya's selection to lead the MPP is based on his integrity, not because he is a Nodna.
24:15 [Speaking in foreign language]
24:41 The vice president's homecoming tour will extend to Yendi, Bimbila and Damangu in the Savannah region later in the day.
24:50 Samuel Mbura, JOY News, Tamale.
24:55 Former President John Mahama has promised to run a government with only 60 ministers if he wins the 2024 elections.
25:04 He said a lean government will save resources which will be diverted to cater for the allowances of assembly members.
25:11 127 ministers were appointed to office in the present government first term.
25:16 But the NDC flag bearer says he will reverse the trend by running a lean government.
25:21 [Speaking in foreign language]
25:50 Assembly members will be given some allowances for their hard work so that they will be able to work diligently.
25:58 [Speaking in foreign language]
26:27 We are going to decrease the number of ministers to be able to pay these assembly members.
26:34 [Speaking in foreign language]
26:55 Now ahead of the December 19th district level elections, several developmental projects in some communities in the Ashanti region,
27:02 especially road networks, have been intensified.
27:05 Abandoned road construction projects at Bokhane and Sokoban, for instance, have seen some rehabilitation work spearheaded by aspiring and incumbent assembly members.
27:15 However, some residents and motorists say the ongoing road projects are just meant to influence their voting pattern in the upcoming district level elections.
27:24 Now, Wachiyadom has the rest of the story.
27:27 At Sokoban, a one kilometer stretch of road which had turned a debt trap has been rehabilitated through the initiative of the local assembly member who is seeking re-election on December 19th.
27:39 The road construction at Bokhanchi in the Akumamwa-Bidja district has been abandoned for years.
27:45 The road, which serves as alternative access to regions in the north, currently has contractors busy at work.
27:52 Some residents are excited at the attention to the road construction, but others believe the intensified attention is to influence votes in the upcoming district level election.
28:03 [Speaking in foreign language]
28:09 We have seen that contractors are on site. We know it's because of the upcoming district level election.
28:15 We don't want them to start and end after the election.
28:19 This is a major road which needs all the attention.
28:23 [Speaking in foreign language]
28:43 We have always complained. They are now constructing the road due to the upcoming elections.
28:48 The MP has failed us all.
28:51 [Speaking in foreign language]
29:04 Meanwhile, concerned motorists and residents have prevailed on the local assembly and government to ensure project completion.
29:11 [Speaking in foreign language]
29:24 We thank the government for fast tracking this road project.
29:28 We have been suffering whilst using this road.
29:31 They should make sure the project is completed on time.
29:34 I know the district level elections and the 2024 general election has influenced the construction of this road.
29:41 [Speaking in foreign language]
29:48 The government should help complete the project even after the district level election.
29:53 We suffer as drivers whilst using this road, so government must intensify the construction.
29:59 We have heard they only have a contractor on site to influence votes in the upcoming district elections.
30:05 But the government should also see to it that the road is constructed.
30:09 [Speaking in foreign language]
30:13 For JOE News, Nana Bwajidang Kwa Iyadom. Good night.
30:17 Just a watch in JOIN News Prime. We'll take a short break. We'll return with more. Stay with us.
30:27 Welcome back and thank you so much for staying with us.
30:30 Let's still head to the North. As Dr. Bomiya's homecoming tour enters day two,
30:34 Overlord of Dagbon, Yana Abukari Mahama II has admonished him to recognize John Mahama as a brother and not an enemy as the political campaign heats up.
30:45 Now he stressed that both of them are his sons and whoever wins the elections bring the trophy home.
30:51 Hands should not be divided.
30:53 Samuel Mbura has more in this report.
30:57 Yana Abukari Mahama II said this is a big opportunity for Northerners to demonstrate maturity, competence and honesty to move the country forward.
31:08 And therefore urged Dr. Bomiya to run a clean campaign and not allow anyone to push him to engage in politics of name calling and insults.
31:18 He made these comments during a casualty call on him by the MPP flag bearer during his homecoming tour of the Northern regions.
31:26 Your team worked tirelessly for you because of what they have seen in you. So don't disappoint them.
31:32 Lead them and don't let them lead you or else you have wasted all their efforts and sleepless nights.
31:38 So strengthen your team with charisma and good nature.
31:41 Let people come into contact with you, put nature in their actions. Only this way can you truly lead and get the work done.
31:49 So once again please move heaven and earth and run a clean campaign Dr. Ernest Bomiya long after you have left the political scene.
31:57 I wish you all Dr. Ernest continued abundant blessings in all your endeavors especially your political activities.
32:03 I also wish you Ernest Bomiya for endless traveling blessings as you crisscross the country to express your gratitude to all in Sandra.
32:11 In response to the counsel by the Dagbong overlord, Dr. Bomiya indicated with firm assurance that he has come to the political space with ideas and will contest John Mahamma in that direction
32:23 but would not depart from his humble nature to engage in politics of vilification.
32:29 We are fortunate to have you as a father and grateful for this advice.
32:42 I will not allow partisan politics to divide us because of our different interests.
32:56 I will assure you that the 2024 election campaign will not be about attacks and insults. It will be about competence and who can lead this country better.
33:16 Let's now take you to the court as Anakrahai court has refused to stay proceedings pending determination of a process filed by lawyers for MP for Asinof James Jachikwesen at the Supreme Court.
33:30 The MP is seeking to prohibit the court from going ahead with this case citing issues of bias against him.
33:37 The court presided over by Mary Iyanza says it has no order from the Supreme Court asking it to stay proceedings and questioned why the MP was not present in court and also refused to join a virtual link provided by the court for him to participate in the proceedings.
33:54 Legal affairs correspondent Richard Kujunyaku was in court and has come through with the following report.
34:00 Counsel for James Jachikwesen, Chachuchikata, announced in court that his side had filed a process at the apex court to prohibit the court from going ahead with the case.
34:11 He cited issues of bias and unfairness against the MP and indicated the judge had prejudged the matter on the legislator's health status.
34:20 Presiding judge Mary Iyanza indicated to him that the court had received no orders from the Supreme Court asking them to stay proceedings.
34:29 James Jachikwesen's purported health issue then took a center stage at the court with the judge asking why the MP was not in court and also refused to join a virtual link sent to him by the court.
34:41 Mr. Chichikata stated that his client was undergoing medical tests in Canada hence his inability to be present in court.
34:49 Before Chachuchikata disclosed this in court, both parties had met in the chambers of the judge and a letter was handed over to the judge with a plea by Chachuchikata for the judge not to disclose the medical condition of Judge Jachikwesen because of how confidential medical conditions are.
35:05 But the judge says the letter handed here does not disclose any health condition and has no attachment of a medical report.
35:12 Deputy Attorney General Alfred Shiayeboa affirmed what transpired in the judges chambers emphasizing that the counsel for the MP has failed to bring any medical expert to testify on the health condition of the MP.
35:25 The court then directed Mr. Chachuchikata to move his motion for the case to continue.
35:30 It's now unclear whether the MP for St. Nod, Judge Jachikwesen will be present in court on the next adjourned date or join a virtual link supplied by the court to participate on the proceedings virtually.
35:42 The case has been adjourned to Wednesday.
35:44 Reporting from the court complex, my name is Richard Kweje Nyanku for JOY News.
35:50 From the court, let's go to the road where the Department of Urban Rules is debunking the widespread public assertion that their negligence is the cause of the prevalent dysfunctional traffic light across the country.
36:01 Now the department rather blames rampant crashes into traffic infrastructure, theft and vandalism as the main causes of the confusion and accident occurring at traffic intersections.
36:12 Now the latest data released by the department reveals 85 and 46 incidents of crashes and theft respectively have been recorded since January this year, destroying rumors and traffic infrastructure.
36:25 My colleague Kwesiya Diakwaten sat through a road safety stakeholder meeting and has filed the following report.
36:31 Malfunctioning traffic lights in the city have been on the radar of JOY News for months. Faulty traffic lights have led to accidents and confusion at traffic intersections.
36:41 Numerous reports by JOY News have uncovered the stress and anxiety road users endure at dysfunctional traffic intersections.
36:48 JOY News' Samuel Mbura in his main report touched on how chaotic the situation is at some traffic intersections.
36:55 On my left here you see that this intersection leads directly into the airport. Right behind me, just where this traffic light is, the dysfunctional traffic light is, two salon cars, one blue in color, another red, had a crash because there is no traffic controlling the flow here.
37:15 You have this police officer directing from both sides. So at the time the police officer asked them to stop, the one behind quickly lost control and hit.
37:27 The Department of Urban Roads, the authority responsible for fixing this traffic management infrastructure, has come under heavy criticism.
37:34 The public blames the menace on the negligence of the department.
37:37 By speaking at a multi-stakeholder road safety forum, the department blamed faulty traffic lights on rampant crashes, vandalism, and theft.
37:45 Neville Doe Dukote is a principal electrical engineer at the department.
37:49 The data we have for this year, we have recorded vehicular crashes of 83 from January to now. 83 vehicular crashes. Then another trend that is disturbing a lot is vandalism and theft.
38:06 I should say most of the traffic lights that are not functioning in the central business district is as a result of vandalism and theft.
38:18 It is overwhelming the department. But we have engaged the national security, the police, even though we had formal engagement with them, we are now building a closer bond for them to help us out.
38:33 Because it is going beyond the budget that the government releases for the maintenance of traffic lights.
38:41 Another trend that we are seeing is excavation. Some of the utility companies, when they are giving permits, because of lack of supervision, they will be digging along and they will just cut the cables and they will not reinstate them.
38:54 So that is also a trend that is also worrying.
38:56 Head of research and training at the Motor Transport and Traffic Division of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Alexander Obin Disclose Vach, the security agency is currently mapping out strategies to clamp down on these unscrupulous persons.
39:08 With what has emerged, and I am aware, same concerns from the road engineer has been forwarded to the police administration.
39:20 And I know currently the road engineer engaging the police administration.
39:27 Having said that, I am also aware that the urban roads is bringing this to the attention of police at various divisions and districts, even in Accra, where this situation is pervasive.
39:47 Acting Director General of the National Road Safety Authority, Engineer David Osafardon, emphasized on the need for a collective and shared effort to address the menace.
39:57 Still on the highways, road traffic crashes in Kumasi roads from 1,255 to 1,555 between 2021 and 2022, representing 24% increment.
40:13 Now, findings from the Kumasi Road Safety Report shows pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists accounting for 84% of the reported fatalities within the period.
40:24 Now, studies of road injury risk factors on selected corridors found that 30% of drivers in Kumasi were speeding.
40:32 Here's a report by Clinton Yeboah.
40:37 The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly has launched the third edition of the Kumasi Road Safety Report.
40:43 Using 2022 police crash data, the report provides characteristics of victims of road traffic crashes, high-risk periods and high-risk locations in Kumasi.
40:53 The report is aimed at reducing road traffic deaths and injuries by implementing evidence-based interventions.
41:00 The report revealed road traffic deaths dropped from 160 to 134, a 16% decrease.
41:07 Similarly, deaths per 100,000 population also declined from 4.6 in 2021 to 3.4 in 2022.
41:16 Males accounted for 78% of deaths and 67% of serious injuries in 2022.
41:23 The highest proportion of deaths was recorded among those aged 20 to 29 years.
41:29 Kingsley RECO is the Bloomberg Philanthropies' Initiative for Global Road Safety Surveillance coordinator in Kumasi.
41:36 In 2022, we recorded police reported 134 fatalities.
41:42 Out of them, pedestrians are the majority and it's consistent from previous years since 2017.
41:48 Fatalities are recorded following crashes in 6pm to 10pm.
41:52 In Kumasi, where pedestrian fatalities are occurring, we have Sufalan Station,
41:59 Eseabwa Traffic Intersection, Dakuai Road, Santasi Station, and then Pivy or Bean Park.
42:07 There are many interventions or things we could extract from.
42:10 For example, DUR can go and have a corridor inspection on a high-risk location.
42:15 If there are any engineering interventions that they could do, it can be done.
42:19 Also, based on mass media, PPRTU can pick up any of their drivers, maybe education for their drivers and even the public.
42:26 Kumasi Metro Chief Executive Samuel Pine, in acknowledging the reduction of the fatality rate,
42:32 assured of stringent enforcement exercises.
42:35 He disclosed plans to retool the police in the metropolis to curtail road crimes.
42:41 When you look at the fatalities, mortality rate decreased between 2021 and 2022.
42:48 But now we are also embarking on enforcement, which is the best that we can do.
42:52 I'm looking at the speed limits within the cities and on the highways.
42:57 Also, we got in some equipment for the Ghana Police Service, that's the MTTD, to work with.
43:02 We're also looking at road markings, where there are intersections, where there should be zebra crossings and all that.
43:08 The use of the workways that we're going to enforce,
43:11 make sure that our city guards are with 30 of them to make sure they embark on that activity.
43:18 Again, we're in line with the Ghana Police Service and the Road Safety Authority to also work.
43:28 The report was enacted in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority,
43:33 Bloomberg Philanthropies,
43:35 and the Global Road Safety, the Ghana Police Service, Vital Strategies and John Hopkins International Injury Research Unit.
43:44 Reporting for JNU's Clinton, Yabua.
43:47 We'll take a short break. We'll return with Shelby. Stay with us.
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