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UGPulse Promo
School/Institution: Interactive College of Technology. I will transfer in Kenessaw State University in May 2010.
Major/minor: Medical Biology
Giving back: I did volunteer work for a retirement home (caisse nationale de securite sociale) in Gabon. I was helping senior citizen with their everyday chores (eating, taking their medicines, keeping them in a good mood). When I was in the university, I also assisted women with the HIV virus in the public hospital of Libreville for two years.
Five-Year Aspirational Plan: In Five years I see myself as an intern at Emory University; I will work and acquire knowledge in the field of Obstetric gynecology; my aspiration will bring another competent doctor in Africa especially in Gabon.
Country you are representing: Gabon.
Platform: I truly want to fight against cervical cancer in Gabon (Central Africa).
UGPulse asked: Traffic road accidents in Africa kill more Africans than some of the diseases that get more attention in the media. Sometimes vehicles strike pedestrians and leave them for dead. Given that most African countries lack resources, what are some of the things Africans and their governments can do to curb road carnage?
Coretha Antchouey:
Driving across the world should be taken seriously. In Africa, most drivers are negligent and don't follow the driving guidelines established by their governments and as a result, many accidents are observed in major highways throughout the continent. Certain steps have to be taken by Africans and their authority to ensure the safety of pedestrians and improve road traffic.
First and foremost, Africa has a lot of corruption. Indeed certain drivers have their driving license in exchange of money. People with no knowledge of traffic laws and driving rules are given the permission to drive. As a result there are numerous traffic violations and accidents. Governments should take necessary steps to assure that every citizen takes and passes the driving license test before entering the driver's seat of an automobile.
Contestant Coretha Antchouey from Gabon.
Secondly, drivers in Africa should take responsibility for their behaviors. Life is important so one has to make the required judgments in regard of the so called "Hit-and-Run"; Driving license offices have to teach their students to be accountable for their own actions. Cowardice is not the solution and in fact it is the opposite if someone assumes his/her mistakes- the situation will be solved much more easily than avoiding it.
Another value that comes with responsibility is Education. Indeed, a person's education is a real important point; African drivers have to educate themselves properly before entering a vehicle. They should be aware of the danger of the roads and be sure to know entirely the lexicon of traffic laws.
In order to enforce traffic regulations in Africa, governments along with their citizens have to understand the drawbacks of corruption. No one should be allowed to drive a car without the necessary knowledge of traffic laws. Driving license offices should appropriately teach people about the danger of Hit-and-Runs and their consequences. Ultimately drivers should educate themselves and take responsibility for their own actions.
Contestant Coretha Antchouey from Gabon.
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