Rev. Charles Owusu calls for arrest and prosecution of pedestrians who shun footbridges

Reverend Charles Owusu, former Head of Monitoring at the Forestry Commission, has made a strong appeal. He wants law enforcement to arrest pedestrians who ignore footbridges. This behavior endangers their lives and those of motorists.

On Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem morning show, Rev. Owusu expressed his concerns. He noted that many people in Accra disregard pedestrian footbridges. This is troubling, especially given the government’s investment in building them.

He pointed out specific locations like Tetegu Junction, Nii Boi Town, Lapaz, and Kaneshie as problem areas. The Kaneshie footbridge is particularly concerning. It is overloaded with goods from traders and often ignored by city authorities.

Rev. Owusu questioned this indiscipline. People cross the road directly under bridges even when traffic lights are green for vehicles. In congested areas like Kasoa to Kaneshie and Lapaz, pedestrians cross at dangerous times, risking accidents.

He acknowledged recent efforts by security forces to address this issue. Last week, police and army personnel enforced compliance at Tetegu; he found this commendable but called for more sustained action.

Rev. Owusu urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to assign dedicated teams at major footbridges. These teams should arrest offenders to protect lives and enforce laws effectively.

He shared an example of a former police officer named Inspector Addai. He was known for strictly enforcing traffic laws on the Teshie-Nungua stretch and prosecuting errant drivers.

Rev. Owusu believes similar resolve can lead to success today. He emphasized that consistent enforcement will change behavior over time.

Those who refuse to use footbridges should face arrest and fines, he said. If done consistently, people will learn to follow the rules.

He also stressed the need for a national mindset shift towards lawfulness. When traffic is heavy, no one drives on the shoulders of the road; pedestrians must show similar discipline for society to be law-abiding.