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Remember Avi …The ‘passengers mate’
Remember Avi a female Conductor on duty
Persons that use the Ashaiman Traffic Light Trotro Station in the Ashaiman Municipality, are likely to be familiar with the activities of a female Conductor (Driver’s mate) called Remember Avi.
The 18-year-old second year student of Likpe Senior High School(SHS) in the Volta Region is very popular among commuters from Ashaiman to Tema with her unique way of calling passengers with additional roles of carrying their loads on the vehicle.
She described her job from the Ashaiman Traffic Light to the Tema Community Centre bus stop as an interesting one that at the same time came with challenges in various forms.
When The Spectator caught up with her last Saturday, Ms Avi disclosed that it was her biological father’s decision to get on board the Urvan bus with registration number GT- 9701-10 to work as a ‘mate.’
Her father is the driver of the vehicle.
She said the vehicle which was the main source of income for the family, however, broke down for over two years and plunged the family into financial distress.
“Luck smiled on us when we finally managed to have it repaired and returned to the road over a month ago. My father proposed that I should be the conductor so that we can save some money to be used to pay a mate from outside,” she added.
According to Ms Avi, she was into the bus conductor work for just two reasons – in obedience as a sign of respect for her father and secondly, to raise some money to support her education when she goes back to school.
It may look an unfortunate situation to the young female student but for her, it has been a good omen, as it has brought her closer to her father.
In her view, there was nothing to be ashamed of since that was regularly providing their daily bread.
On some of the challenges she faced on daily basis, Ms Avi said some passengers go to the extent of disrespecting her while others try to bully her simply because she is a lady.
“It happens very often but I see it as an occupational hazard. On my part, I try to treat every passenger, regardless of their ages with respect. I need to be respectful because this is just a phase of my life. I may find myself somewhere not knowing who I meet for help; so I hold all in high esteem,” she said.
Ms Avi’s 47-year-old father, Wisdom Avi, described his daughter as very respectful and feel blessed to have her.
“She warmly accepted my request to be my conductor. That will help us to save some money. It is considered a preserve for men so a lot of people try to make fun of her,” he said.
“I am a single parent with two children. Remember is the eldest; the other is a boy. I have been with her since age six when my marriage ended up in a divorce,” he added.
Mr Avi, who is a resident of Ashaiman Tulaku, said he was happy his daughter was helping him to save money and promised that if things got better for the family, he would reward her appropriately.
By Dzifa Tetteh Tay
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
