By Princetta Williams, Information Attaché, SLHC Accra
A three-man delegation from Sierra Leone, comprising Abu-Bakarr Sheriff Esq., Secretary to the Authority and Board at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Arthur Brima, Director of Transport, SLRSA, and Dr. Adams Steven, Senior Technical Director, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, has concluded a study tour on Ghana’s implementation of policies and regulatory framework on vehicle safety.
Speaking during engagements with officials of institutions such as the Ministry of Transport, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, National Road Safety Authority, and the Ghana Standards Authority, the head of the delegation, Abu-Bakarr Sheriff Esq., said the key objective of the study tour is to learn from Ghana the implementation of vehicle safety standards, including but not limited to imposing an age limit on imported used vehicles and related issues.
He noted that with Sierra Leone and Ghana having shared strong bilateral ties over the years, and having supported each other in times of need, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority is of the considered view that studying the successes of Ghana in areas of vehicle safety, road safety, and transportation was significant.
While at the different institutions, the delegation from Sierra Leone was warmly welcomed in Accra, Ghana, and was promised support throughout the entire tour by heads and representatives.
PowerPoint presentations were made to the team from Sierra Leone on operations, legal frameworks, penalties, public awareness, and strategic data, with additional presentations and interactive discussions on road safety strategies, operations, and the transport services sector.
Officials at the respective institutions expressed willingness for further engagement with the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority and the Ministry of Transport in Sierra Leone to continue sharing knowledge, discuss challenges, and how they were addressed, among others.
The study tour in Ghana, according to members of the delegation from Sierra Leone, was “very productive,” and they expressed appreciation to the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) of Ghana for facilitating the meetings and visits to the Ministry of Transport, Ghana; Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA); Ghana Standards Authority and its Vehicle Testing Centre.
The three-man delegation of Abu-Bakarr Sheriff Esq., Secretary to the Authority and Board of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Arthur Brima, Director of Transport, SLRSA, and Dr. Adams Steven, Senior Technical Adviser, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, will conclude their tour on Wednesday, 29th April.
Meanwhile, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra on Tuesday, 28th April.
