Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, on Monday urged Ghanaians to desist from using motorcycle for commercial purposes popularly known as Okada as it is against the law.
The National Chief Imam, who also doubles as National Road Safety Ambassador, said this at a press conference in Accra which was organized in collaboration with the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC).
Sheikh Sharubutu said the Muslim communities should support the NRSC in its quest to stop the use of Okada, by adhering to road traffic regulations.
He said passenger empowerment was one area of road safety campaign that had not been given prominence and commended the NRSC for launching the Passenger Empowerment Campaign as a way to empower bus occupants to be active road users.
�Statistics from the NRSC shows that about 23% of total road traffic crashes which was in excess of 2,000 deaths are bus occupants. Bus occupants are the second most vulnerable road user and there was the need to shift public attention to that area with a view to creating the necessary attention,� he said.
Sheikh Sharubutu advised all road users and particularly the Muslim community to always wear their seat belts when travelling as they save lives.
He said passengers should also take their safety serious and act as the �Police� in vehicles and always advice drivers to obey all traffic rules and if necessary report any misconduct to the nearest police post or station.
Sheikh Sharubutu also appealed to the media to be advocates and champions of road safety.
�You must justify the confidence reposed in you as the fourth estate of the realm and demand accountability from stakeholders, share ideas and use your medium to propagate road safety behavior that could lead to the realization of the nation�s goals for safer roads,� he said.
Mr Kwame Kodua, Head of Communication at NRSC, said the partnership with the National Chief Imam would yield good results and make positive impacts especially in the Muslim communities.
Chief Baba Sadik, Chief of Wangara Community in Accra commended the NRSC and said "We must take it upon ourselves to educate our families, on the dangers on our roads�.
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