Are Government Drivers Beasts of Burden?

A GNA Feature By Bajin D. Pobia

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: 93Why 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; 93Me 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.