Tamale – Professor Stephen Tabiri, Dean of the School of Medicine at the University for Development Studies (UDS), has emphasized the critical importance of helmet use for motor riders in reducing severe head injuries. This advice was part of an awareness campaign organized by UDS in collaboration with the Fogarty Injury Research Project, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Tamale Teaching Hospital, held at the Sagnarigu Chief Palace.

According to Ghana News Agency, During the event, Professor Tabiri highlighted the role of helmets in safeguarding motorcyclists, who are among the most vulnerable road users in Ghana. “When crashes occur, motorcyclists need adequate head protection to prevent one of the leading causes of deaths and disability in Ghana, head injuries,” he stated.

Mr. Francis Afukaar, Chief Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Building and Road Research Institute, provided insights based on research findings. He noted that helmet wearing in the northern sector of Ghana had increased to 30% in 2010 but had unfortunately decreased to 20% by 2022.

Sergeant Mohammed Kamal-Deen, Northern Regional Commander of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service, called on traditional, opinion, and religious leaders to support the advocacy campaign on helmet wearing in the northern sector. This effort aims to enhance road safety and save lives.

Mr. Bawa Gamsah, Northern Regional Director of the National Road Safety Authority, appealed to parents not to allow underage children to ride motorcycles unsupervised, as it often leads to accidents with disastrous outcomes.

Professor Charles Mock, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington, urged the media and the public, particularly motorcyclists, to support the helmet-wearing awareness campaign. He suggested using social media platforms to spread the message more widely.

The event concluded with Traditional and Opinion Leaders of Sagnarigu pledging their support towards the helmet-wearing awareness advocacy in northern Ghana, demonstrating a community-wide commitment to improving road safety.