Master's students at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) in Accra are sounding the alarm on faulty traffic lights across the city and Kasoa. The Lights for Life Social Change Movement, a group of students, has been advocating for the repair of malfunctioning traffic lights, which they describe as "silent dangers waiting to claim victims."
A Silent Danger Lurks on Accra's Roads
The students' 25-day advocacy campaign aims to raise awareness among 4,000 people, encourage citizens to report faulty traffic lights, and engage city authorities to prioritize repairs and routine maintenance. According to Ms Salamatu Issah Zin-Mara, leader of the Movement, many traffic lights have remained non-functional for months due to inadequate maintenance, vandalism, and power cuts.
The situation is particularly dire in areas like Nima and Kanda, where the students have been visiting streets to assess the situation. "We have seen firsthand the dangers associated with daily movements under such conditions," Ms Zin-Mara said. "Traffic safety is a shared responsibility, and we urge duty bearers to take immediate steps to repair faulty and damaged traffic lights."
A Call to Action from the Movement
The Lights for Life Social Change Movement has been engaging with road users and residents to understand the dangers associated with faulty traffic lights. They have also interacted with media houses to educate the public on the need to adhere to road safety regulations and to advocate for the fixing of faulty traffic lights. Ms Zin-Mara emphasized that fixing traffic lights is not only about infrastructure but about saving lives.
The Movement's campaign is centered around the idea that traffic safety is a collective responsibility. "We are not just talking about fixing traffic lights; we are talking about saving lives," Ms Zin-Mara said. "We urge stakeholders to act swiftly to prevent avoidable tragedies." The students' advocacy is a timely reminder of the importance of road safety in Ghana.
A Death Sentence on Ghana's Roads?
The situation on Ghana's roads is dire, with faulty traffic lights putting the lives of pedestrians and drivers at grave risk. According to the Movement, many traffic lights have remained non-functional for months, creating confusion at intersections, delaying emergency services, and exposing road users to grave risks. The students' advocacy campaign is a call to action for duty bearers to prioritize the repair of faulty traffic lights and to take immediate steps to prevent avoidable tragedies.
The Lights for Life Social Change Movement's campaign is a reminder that road safety is a collective responsibility. By working together, we can prevent avoidable tragedies and create safer roads for all. As the students' advocacy campaign continues, it is essential that city authorities and duty bearers take immediate action to repair faulty traffic lights and prioritize routine maintenance. The lives of pedestrians and drivers depend on it.
Source: Joy Online
