The Obuasi Area Head of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle David Kankam Beditor, has cautioned Ghanaians against attributing road accidents solely to witchcraft, stressing that human error remains the leading cause of road crashes.
Speaking at a road safety sensitisation campaign dubbed “Kwanso Dwoo Dwoo”, Apostle Beditor acknowledged that some people hold such beliefs but urged road users to take personal responsibility by observing traffic regulations and driving attentively.
The campaign, organised by AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine in collaboration with the Pentecost Men’s Fellowship (PEMEM) and Vivo Energy Ghana, aimed at creating awareness on safe driving ahead of the Christmas festivities.
The comprehensive education drive targeted Pragya riders, motorbike riders, and commercial drivers. A major highlight of this year’s Kwanso Dwoo Dwoo programme was roadside engagement with drivers along the Dadwen–Kyekyewere stretch of the Kumasi highway, an area considered an accident hotspot.
Addressing drivers at the site, Apostle Beditor emphasised strict adherence to road safety regulations, noting that “a good driver is one who arrives home safely.” He also advised spouses and family members of drivers to exercise patience and avoid putting undue pressure on them, explaining that domestic stress often affects drivers’ concentration on the road.
Emmanuel Massey, Stakeholders and Land Management Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, said the company’s decision to organise the programme was driven by its purpose of “mining to empower people and advance societies.” He noted that since the inception of the road safety campaign a few years ago, reported road accident cases in the area had reduced significantly.
“We are not complacent despite the reduction in accidents. Rather, the encouraging statistics motivate us to intensify awareness on safe driving. We are grateful to our partners for their support in making this programme successful,” he said.
On her part, the Corporate Communications Head of Vivo Energy Ghana, Shirley Tony Kum, said the company joined the campaign to help reduce the spike in road accidents that usually characterises the Christmas season.
“As an industry leader in fuel and energy solutions, we felt compelled to support this initiative. We believe that by the end of the campaign, many road users will be better informed about road safety regulations and the importance of staying safe on our roads,” she stated.
The Kwanso Dwoo Dwoo programme also received support from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, as well as the Obuasi East and Obuasi Municipal Assemblies.