Regional News of Wednesday, 20 August 2008

Source: GNA

Drivers develop strategy to save sunken image

Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - The Keneshie-Odorkor-Kasoa branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPTRU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) at a meeting decided to save the sunken image of commercial drivers by wearing a pair of trousers with white shirt and a flying tie. "The action takes effect from Monday and it would be compulsory," Mr Stephen Addo-Boateng, Chairman of the branch union said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday.

He said it was discovered during the meeting that the appearance of the drivers was not appealing to commuters hence the commuters treated them with contempt, totally disregarding the role drivers played in the economy of the country.

He said people did not recognise driving as a profession and so hurled insults at them at the least provocation.

Mr Addo-Boateng said the union's decision could also make commuters to have confidence in drivers and enhance the relationship between them. He said he was of the opinion that the initiative by the branch union would inspire other branches to emulate them to give drivers the needed respect.