Accra: The Lights for Life Social Change Movement (LLM), in partnership with UniMac University of Media, Arts and Communication, is urging duty bearers to address malfunctioning streetlights in Accra and Kasoa to enhance safety and save lives.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Salamatu Issah Zin-Mara, a student leader from UniMac University and a key figure in the project, highlighted the importance of reporting faulty traffic lights immediately during an engagement with Kasoa residents. She emphasized that traffic safety is a shared responsibility and urged prompt action to mitigate the risks posed by non-functioning streetlights.
Ms. Zin-Mara noted that many traffic lights in Accra and its surrounding areas, including Kasoa, have been faulty for extended periods, creating hazardous conditions for road users. She explained that what should facilitate smooth traffic flow and safety instead creates confusion and danger, affecting drivers, pedestrians, school children, and families.
The LLM project is a 25-day advocacy initiative focusing on improving road safety through the timely repair and maintenance of traffic lights. The movement aims to promote safer roads and efficient traffic management by ensuring functional traffic signals and encouraging public involvement in reporting malfunctions.
Ms. Zin-Mara pointed out that inadequate maintenance, power cuts, vandalism, and slow reporting contribute to confusion, accidents, congestion, and increased risk for road users. The project's goal is to raise awareness, advocate for repairs, and reduce congestion, targeting 4,000 individuals to educate and encourage reporting of faulty lights.
The advocacy strategy involves direct engagement with city authorities and road agencies to prioritize repairs, hold stakeholder meetings, and sensitize various groups on the dangers of faulty lights. Ms. Zin-Mara announced efforts to encourage residents to identify and report issues with traffic lights to prevent accidents and fatalities, stressing the need for a systemic approach to address the root causes of these malfunctions.