By Hassan Gbassay Koroma (Intern, SLRSA)

Following Sierra Leone’s official deposit of its instrument of ratification of the African Road Safety Charter, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Baggie Bio, has affirmed the Authority’s full readiness to implement the Charter and improve road safety nationwide.

He was speaking at his Kissy Road office in Freetown, after the formal deposition ceremony  by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Rex Bhonapha and SLRSA Secretary to the Authority and Board Abu-Bakarr Sheriff Esq., in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and expressed excitement over Sierra Leone’s role in spearheading the ratification process to its successful conclusion.

“Being the lead Road Safety Agency in Sierra Leone, we are poised for the Charter to enter into force upon the 15th ratification and depositing the the instrument of the rafitification.

“The SLRSA stands ready under my leadership and with the support of my team to implement the provisions of the Charter,” he said.

The African Road Safety Charter serves as a policy framework for improving road safety across Africa, acts as an advocacy tool, and creates an enabling environment to significantly reduce road traffic crashes on the continent.

The Charter facilitates the formulation of comprehensive national road safety policies, speed up implementation of road safety programs at national, regional, and continental levels, as well as contribute to coordinated road safety efforts across African countries and enhance participation of the private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs), and NGOs in road safety initiatives.

Speaking last Friday at the depositsion of the instrument ractiofication ceremony in Addis Ababa, Deputy Minister, Rex Bhonapha informed the Commission that Sierra Leone’s ratification of the Charter was a promise fulfilled through hard work and due diligence by his ministry and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, noting that the swift process of ratification was made possible as a result of the political will and support of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Parliament of Sierra Leone.

Rex Bonapha pledged Sierra Leone’s continued cooperation with the African Union Commission to effectuate the core purpose of the Charter and encouraged other Member States to ratify or accede to it.

Also, speaking at the event, Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Dr. Kamugisha Kazaura, representing the  Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Her Excellency Lerato D. Matabonge, congratulated Sierra Leone for depositing the instrument of ratification of the African Road Safety Charter, added: “By taking this decisive step, Sierra Leone has demonstrated leadership and commitment to safeguarding the lives of its citizens, and to advancing the continental road safety agenda. Today, Sierra Leone becomes the 14th member state to ratify the Charter, bringing us to the threshold of history. We are now just one step away from the Charter entering into force. This moment is both a celebration of Sierra Leone’s dedication and a call to action for the remaining AU Member States to join this transformative path.”

He underscored the importance of the Charter, stating that it provides the African continent with a shared framework to strengthen institutions, harmonize policies, and ensure accountability for results.

Dr. Kazaura re-affirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Member States, through the African Road Safety Observatory (AfRSO), to mobilize resources, provide technical assistance and build strong institutions that can deliver on the promise of the Charter and commended Sierra Leone’s leadership and vision to ratify the Charter and urged all African Union Member States to follow the decisive step taken by Sierra Leone so that the Charter could enter into force without further delay, and give Africa a stronger platform to address the road safety crisis.

He highlighted that Africa bears a disproportionate burden of road traffic crashes and fatalities, despite having the lowest motorization rates globally and that the  road crashes continue to claim the lives of Africa citizens especially the young and productive segment of the populations, causing immeasurable suffering to families, communities, and nations.

He emphasised that road safety is not only a transport issue, but also a public health, social, and economic development priority and noted that safe roads are the backbone of Africa’s economic and social integration and they connect the people to markets, education, healthcare, and opportunities.

David Niyonsenga, head of Secretariat at the African Road Safety Observatory, also congratulated Sierra Leone on the historic milestone and pledged support to the country’s formulation of a road safety policy, strategy and data management.

“The African Road Safety Observatory is keen to work with you (Sierra Leone); this is not the end but the beginning of our collaboration,” he assured.