Upper East Regional Coordinating Council(RCC) in collaboration with the Garu District Assembly over the weekend – (April 13) held a mass memorial service for some 47 person who lost their lives as a result of the March 22, accident at Kintampo. The accident which involved two long distance buses, claimed over 55 lives.
Aside the total of 47 deaths that were reported to the Garu and Tempane District Assemblies, it has also been revealed that 5 persons in Bongo district, 2 in Bawku West District and 2 in Kassena-Nanaka Municipality also lost their lives in the same accident.
These additional figures brings death toll in the region as a result of the accident to 56.
Islamic and Christian prayers were said for the departed souls while traditional worshipers poured libation and also performed other rites to call on their ancestors and gods never to allow a similar incident to occur.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Overlord of Bawku Traditional Area, Bawku Naba Abugrago Asigri Azoka II, said intake of alcohol, smoking and other forms of narcotic substances are responsible for accidents on the roads.
He called on Parliament to regulate public transport sector and ensure full implementation of safety measures so as to save lives and properties on the roads.
Upper East Regional Minister, Paulina Patience Abayage supported to the call by the Bawku Naba, saying, all long distance buses should have two drivers to avoid sleep driving.
Madam Abayage announced that Lawyer Anthony Namoo who doubles as the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party in the Region would take on all transactions leading to insurance claims for the injured and deceased persons by assisting in securing letters of administration for the deceased and relatives in court and follow up on their insurance claims with the insurance companies.
Source: a1radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Ghana