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Do you want to
marry a driver?
A GNA Feature by Bajin D. Pobia
January 24,
2007
Tamale, Jan. 24, GNA - Many people call it a common
profession. Others think it does not take much brainwork to
become one. Some people also hold on to the view that there
is no much promotion in this career.
No wonder, one prominent politician in Tamale discouraged
his son from becoming one. He is said to have asked the son:
“Why do you want to go into a profession where the highest
post you can get is Chief Driver?”
It is known that some people discourage their daughters from
marrying drivers because of the perception they have about
those in the profession.
In time past the driving profession was held in very high
esteem. There was this popular highlife tune; “Me ware no na
ma wu Driver ni na me ware no”, which extolled the
advantages in getting married to a Driver.
This writer has every cause to disagree with the wrong
perception, which people have about the profession. It is a
profession where the fastest and accurate thinkers can be
found. The slightest mistake one of them makes can lead to a
fatal accident and bring sorrow to families.
They act as medical doctors. Like the medical doctor who
ensures that patients brought to the theatre come back
alive, those in this profession also ensure that the lives
of their masters are secured. The survival or otherwise of
their masters are under their care.
They are mostly disrespected and disregarded by some chief
executives of Government establishments and politicians.
They receive more insults and humiliation from these
officials than other workers. Even children and wives of
some of these officials order them around as if they were
their house servants.
They carry their masters to their girl friends' places and
become enemies of their wives without cause. They also take
their children to school and back, as well as convey their
wives to the market. Some even help their masters to steal
government property while others cover up for their masters
when they use official vehicles and get involved in an
accident. Truly speaking, without them government businesses
- social, economic or political - would come to a
standstill.
They are never told when they would make a journey. They are
ordered to move when their masters decide.
But all these, notwithstanding, when it comes to receptions
or refreshments, they are treated like vultures; only the
leftovers are good enough for them. Yet they perform the
most tedious work of ensuring the safety of those who insult
and maltreat them. They are often regarded as a "common
driver".
Drivers are often times seen
eating either roasted yam or plantain with fried groundnuts
while others simply chew cola nuts to keep body and soul
together for the day. Their masters are found in
air-conditioned restaurants eating the best food. When they
come out satisfied, they pick pieces of meat left between
their teeth. Once a while, they belch sending the aroma of
the sumptuous meat and beer into the car, disturbing the
breath of their drivers, who just drive them to their
offices, hotels or residents.
Their masters are always lodging in the best hotels and
enjoying the breeze and the best meals, while the "poor
drivers" sleep in their cars or mosquito-infested offices on
empty stomachs. While the masters are in the best and latest
dresses, the drivers must be in uniform.
At the close of work, the only reward for the driver is to
drive his or her master home and walk back to his own home
at odd hours at the risk of their lives from criminals and
armed robbers. Is the driver a beast of burden?
This writer, who was a driver's mate during his school days,
has this to tell. All those who maltreat their drivers do so
at their own peril. The driving profession has its positive
and negative sides. Any chief executive or politician should
never allow his or her driver to apply the negative aspects
of the profession on him or her.
Any official, who is wicked to his driver either dies in the
slightest car accident or is maimed for life. The driver
would make sure that he crashes the side of the car where
his wicked master is seated either deliberately or
accidentally into any object that he meets.
Officials should this year change their attitudes towards
their drivers and treat them with respect and not with scorn
as the country prepares to celebrate her "Golden Jubilee".
The contribution of Government drivers to the national
economic growth is immense and all efforts must be made to
recognise and reward them appropriately.
Both chief executives and politicians should be seen dining
on the same table and restaurants with their drivers and
accommodating them in decent abodes when they travel out
with them.
There should be a dressing code for all drivers of
Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make them
dress decently and look smart at work. All must hail the
driving profession for it is great to be called a driver and
nobody should think that the profession is just common as
some officials perceive it.
GNA
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