Indoor Program
The launch of Road Safety Action International was a resounding
success, attracting partners
from across the road transport sector, as well as government officials and members of the
public. The event took place at the office of the organization, with over 100 invited guests
in attendance.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Gregory T. Blamo, Secretary General of the Liberian National Red
Cross Society (LNRCS), in his speech, emphasized the importance of road safety, and the need
for collaboration between all stakeholders to achieve safer roads. He stressed the strain
road fatalities and injuries are putting on the global economy and pinpointed the precarious
situation in the global south. He also stressed the devastation that road accidents are
having on young people, with statistics indicating that those aged 5–29 are highly affected.
The keynote speaker further elaborated on the risk factors that lead to motor accidents. He
also commended Road Safety Action International for its farsightedness in establishing a
civil society organization that joins in the effort of advocating for road safety
improvement.
The chief launcher, Juah Cassell, Deputy Minister for Administration and
Public Safety
at the Ministry of Justice, officially launched road safety into operation, cut
the ribbon,
and opened the office of the organization. In her launch remark, the Minister
spoke about
the government's commitment to improving road safety and highlighted the efforts
the
government has made to strengthen road safety, especially through the
establishment of the
National Road Safety Secretariat. The minister stressed the government's
willingness to
partner with Road Safety Action International in fulfilling its aims and
objectives, which
are aligned with the government’s plan for road safety nationwide.
The event was also attended by several high-profile guests, including
representatives from
major multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank, the
African
Development Bank, and the development community, including the European Union
Delegation to
Liberia, the UK Embassy, the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID), the
Liberian National Red Cross Society, etc., and members of the public who had
been affected
by road accidents.
In his statement outlining the reasons for the establishment of the organization, the
Founder and Executive Director, Engr. Eric Gabriel Jenn-Judgges, a specialized transport
engineer who had executed many road transport projects across the African continent,
expressed unfavorable encounters with the devastation that road accidents are causing on the
lives of the people the road transport network is supposed to help. He believes that Road
Safety Action International would make a significant contribution to improving road safety
by restructuring the way, awareness, education, enforcement, and regulation of the road
environment are conducted. Outline the structure of the organization, which is divided into
four departments: road safety awareness and education, road safety policy and advocacy, and
road safety data collection.
In his final remark, the Executive Director thanks the partners, especially the WHO, EU,
USAID, LNRCS, MOH, MOT, MPW, and many others, for their continuous support in the fight to
improve the road environment.
He spelled out the organization's mission, vision, and goals for the future. Lastly, but
most importantly, he highlighted the importance of data-driven solutions and the need for
increased awareness and education around road safety issues.
Overall, the launch of Road Safety Action International was a highly successful event with a
strong message of collaboration and commitment to improving road safety. The presence of a
wide range of stakeholders, including development partners, government officials, and
members of the public, highlighted the importance of this issue to all sectors of society.
With the support of these partners and the wider community, the RSAI is well-positioned to
make a significant impact on this critical issue.
Outdoor Program
The launch of Road Safety Action International was a momentous
occasion, marking the official
opening of the organization's office and the start of its efforts to improve road safety for
all. The launch was attended by a variety of individuals, including members of the national
government, representatives from the development community, organizations, and businesses,
and concerned citizens who are passionate about road safety.
The launch began with the indoor program, which saw scores of speeches. After
the speeches,
the official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place. The ribbon, which was
emblazoned with the
organization’s colors, was cut by the Chief Launcher, Hon. Juah Cassell, and the
Keynote
Speaker, Mr. Gregory T. Blamoh. The ribbon cutting was accompanied by cheers and
applause
from the attendees, who were thrilled to see the organization finally open its
doors.
Following the ribbon cutting, the attendees were invited to take a tour of the
organization's new office. The space was thoughtfully designed, with bright
white colors and
billboard graphics highlighting the organization's mission and values. There
were
interactive exhibits and displays, that showcased the dangers of distracted
driving.
The unveiling of the 3D billboard was a highlight of the launch program. The
billboard was
situated in a white fence location outside the office, visible to all who passed
by. It
depicted realistic visibility, which is one of the key messages to the driving
public:
observe road signs and symbols. The image, designed to be attention-grabbing,
was
electronically lit, with the green, amber, and red being simulated in
alternating format
like a real traffic light.
Throughout the launch program, there were opportunities for attendees to learn more about
the organization's initiatives and to get involved in their efforts. Overall, the launch of
Road Safety Action International was a resounding success. It marks the beginning of a new
chapter in the fight to improve road safety and inspires individual citizens to take action
in their own communities. With the new office and the dedicated team behind it, the
organization was poised to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by road
accidents.
