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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