The Chairman of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) Asafo Neoplan branch in Kumasi in charge ofTakoradi, Elubo and Sekondi routes has rallied the NPP government to institute a national award scheme to honor commercial drivers who display excellence in their work.
According to Mr Sumaila Boakye, such a venture will serve as a morale booster for all drivers in the regions of the country.
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper during the branch’s end of year award ceremony, Mr Boakye said any venture that will be instituted to recognize drivers will spur them on to conduct themselves well in their profession.
He mentioned the difficulty in the job drivers do and urged the government to consider the idea of recognizing their efforts in the area of transportation.
COMPARISON:
Comparing the driving profession to that of farmers and teachers, the Branch Chairman noted that all face difficulties in their areas of expertise.
According to him, commercial drivers sometimes brave the odds such as bad weather and bad roads to transport people to their various places of residence and destination.
Drivers, he mentioned at times drive to places at the peril of their lives, adding despite the huge risks they take most of them are resolute to ensure they get their customers and passengers to their destinations safely.
This difficult job, he noted calls for equal treatment from government so as to ensure drivers also get the needed recognition for the kind of jobs they do.
HOLIDAY:
Mr Boakye recommended to government to come up with a special day or date where drivers across the country could be celebrated.
Just as farmers and teachers have a day which the Ghanaian people celebrate them publicly with the conferment of national awards on best performing ones, the Chairman wished same is done for drivers.
Giving an award to the Station’s best driver, Mr Francis Ofori, the branch chair noted the commitment of the driver to driving safely at all times.
He urged other drivers across the country to learn the qualities such as discipline and diligence in their profession so as to attract similar honors in future.
