Chief recounts miraculous escape from horrific accident

When Nene Sipim Narh Tekpertey II, Chief of Aklomuase in the Manya Krobo Traditional Area of the Eastern Region left home in his vehicle to undertake personal activities, little did he know he would have a close shave with an accident and escape by the skin of the teeth as he survived in a rather miraculous fashion.

The chief survived a ghastly motor accident on the Akuse Junction – Tema road few days ago in an accident that saw him escaped without a scratch.

When this reporter caught up with the chief at Nuaso New Town, a suburb of Lower Manya Krobo where lives, Nene Sipim narrated that what happened was for him battle against death.

At the time this reporter visited him at his residence, When Nene Sipim Narh Tekpertey II was flanked by members of his nuclear family in high spirits and rejoicing that their father and husband survived the accident as members of the community – far and near, poured in to wish him well.

Following the incident, the chief took the opportunity to appeal to commercial drivers to exercise caution on the roads especially in recent times where the incident is on the rise.

He also urged drivers to observe road traffic regulations to ensure safety on the roads and prevent loss of lives, adding that they must exercise restraint and be alert at all times on the roads.

Another area the chief touched on was the need for maintenance where he advised the drivers to avoid using worn-out tyres which were major contributory factors to fatal accidents on the roads.

He called for collaborative efforts between the various regulatory authorities, drivers’ unions and stakeholders in the road sector to help minimise the carnage on the roads.

Nene Sipim Narh Tekpertey II has therefore joined calls for drivers to take extra care on the roads and said though various stakeholders continue to play their part in awareness campaigns in highlighting the dangers of speeding and drunk driving, the onus was now on each individual driver to be cautious.

By being cautious, he noted, drivers could help reduce the number of accidents, adding that drivers must strictly adhere to all road safety requirements and regulations to curtail road crashes in the country at all times.

Many drivers have gained notoriety for drunk driving, a habit the renowned chief condemned unreservedly.

The number of persons killed in road crashes rose from 2,076 in 2017 to 2,341 in 2018 and Nene believes everybody must become ambassadors and advocates to ensure that the alarming rate of accidents are reduced.