TROTRO SERIES PART II: DRIVER

The man responsible for driving passengers safely to their destinations is simply addressed as “Driver” by passengers and as “Masa” (for Master) by the trotro conductor.

The driver is very good at delegating authority- he allows the conductor to handle most of the issues that arise during the journey and only comes in when the situation at hand is beyond the conductor’s control. By this, he is able to concentrate on his task.

Despite the long, closed-up and sometimes winding figure created by cars and their twinkling red lights during traffic hours, the driver is able to manoeuvre and get ahead of most cars thereby beating the time it would have taken him to reach his destination.

This man is definitely always careful with handling his source of income despite the risky escapades he makes out of desperation and sometimes, impatience.

Watch out for PART III

B_U_S_T_E_D

PROFILE:

NAME: GANIU

SEX: MALE

AGE: 6YRS

HEIGHT: 102cm

CRIME: CAUGHT DOING HIS OWN AZONTO MOVES

EVIDENCE:

Just watchhhhhhhhhhh

TROTRO SERIES PART I: ANTIQUE PRESERVATION OR INTENTIONAL OFFER?

In a city choked with plush and elegant cars, state of the art and multi-purpose high- rise buildings born out of modern architectural designs, people of all descents and religions, comfortable and inviting shopping centers, one cannot but admire the beauty and splendor of Accra. One sight to behold as a characteristic of all major modern African cities is the bumper to bumper traffic that is as a result of lack of proper planning and perhaps acute foresight of the authorities.

 A critical look at the types of cars plying the roads everyday both in and outside Accra reveals that despite the glamorous ones that keep glistering in the sunlight, there are actually other ones that defy the status quo. Most of the buses serving as means of public transportation, otherwise known as “trotro” can be estimated to be above twenty years since the first time of use simply because they are unique and fall out of the definition of modern cars!

Analysis of these buses brings out the fact that one has to be extra careful when boarding or alighting from them. An oversight could cause one to sustain injuries caused by exposed metals forming the chassis of these buses. Before boarding them, especially in the morning, a critical look should be taken at the seats to check whether they have been dusted. Else, a day started with clean and neatly ironed clothes could be turned into a premature evening of dirt-patched clothes that same morning.

A close look at the dashboard of a trotro brings to view dysfunctional meters, a clock beaten by age and an empty car radio slot in most cases. Wires connected without paying any attention to cable colour codes can be seen hanging freely under the dashboard, posing threats to the drivers who seem oblivious to them.

The bare metal gear lever used is a testimony of the ingenuity of the “Suame Magazine Engineers”, who stop at nothing in their quest to find alternatives in all situations. In the event of a driver’s ignition key getting lost, he is not so much disturbed because a pair of wires could simply do the ignition job!

Tinted plastic windows are preferred most of the times and the closing and opening of these demands a good amount of energy to carry out. Custom made seats of various dimensions serve as comfort providers with little space for passengers to stretch their legs and move their arms!

The entry point to most of these cars, aside the front seat passenger’s side, gives one a fair idea about the state of olden day cars. A typical example is to get into the bus through its back. Once inside, the seats are arranged in two long rows in a face-to-face fashion. The “modern” types have the seats arranged in the normal order.

Some of the interesting inscriptions that can be found on some of these buses are:

“ME NTWERE HWEE (I WILL WRITE NOTHING)”

“Travel and Sea”

 “TO GOD BE THE GROLY”

“POOR NO FRIEND”

“POLICE AND DRIVERS ARE NOT ENEMIES”

 “OWUO MPO SURO”

“AMEGBETOR!”

“Wo ano pe asem”

“Koomi na gaa Allah”

“MANY ARE CALLED, BUT I AM CHOSEN”

 “NO WOMAN, NO CRY”

“ALL DIE BE DIE”

“SLOW BUT SURE”

“Ghana Hard, Still Ghana Hard” …..to list but a few.

Despite the discomfort, the trotro driver and his assistant (preferably called “mate”) manage to get one safely to his destination for a moderate fare.

A question worth asking now is whether the general state of trotros is a case of antique preservation or an intentional provision of “value for money”?  

just watch

Watch out for PART II

GIVE ME YOUR HEART

I feel it, yet I pretend it is not there! The next move I make, I feel it again….how long can I keep suppressing it?

That burning desire to be closer to you, to hold you tight, to play with your hair, to whisper gently into your ears, to look deeply  into your eyes with passion, to know the colour of your eyes and get the assurance that there is someone who cares.

Give me your heart so that I can reach out and touch that masked sun in my life; the sun that gave the luminescence that overtook me the first time I saw you. I want to feel that radiance once again!

I daydream about sharing little secrets with you especially my childhood adventures that caused my heart to shrink in fear then; and my eyes to glow with sparkles now at the memories of those little naughty escapades.

I want to spend the moonlit nights watching the moon rise up higher into the sky and also count the stars with you alone, Cherie.

I want to walk the shores of the sea; hand in hand with you, feeling its cool breeze, understanding the gestures of your hands and knowing the details of the outlines of your fingers till we can walk no more!

I want to see you climb those steep hills knowing that there are strong arms ready to help.

I want to tell you stories untold; stories that will cause you to mix laughter with tears.

I want to sing songs; songs of love to you. Don’t worry when they are out of tune because there is going to be a mutual understanding between my voice and your ears.

I want to share in both your sad and cheerful moments, calming your nerves and relishing in the prospect of brighter days.

I simply want an avenue to tell you how much my heart warms at the thought of you.

Give me your heart so that I can overcome the stupefying daze that gave me away in your presence.

And trust me to guard it with jealous CARE.

Dedicated to: HER

WHO AM I

Who am I that I have been brought into this world from an unknown place by LIFE?

That I continually wish to live?

That I am so unique?

That I am very complex inside, yet so simple outside?

That I have a physical and a spiritual nature?

That I have a conscious and a subconscious mind?

That I have to go along with the rhythm of nature?

That I perceive things in either positive or negative ways?

That I make either progressive or retrogressive decisions?

That I desire for love?

That I crave for power?

That i seek wealth?

That I hate failure but embrace success?

That I keep secrets?

That I grow more mature, yet lose my beauty over time?

That I have a sense of guilt when I go wrong?

That I have faith in the SUPERNATURAL BEING?

That I tend to emulate others’ lifestyles though I am unique?

That I continually fear to die?

Who then am I that I am eventually sent away from this world to an unknown place by DEATH?

EVER WONDERED?

WHEN DECENCY DISAPPEARS

“There was good and evil, we chose both” depicts exactly what pertains in society.

On the other hand, looking at modern times, it is evident that we have dwelled so much on the latter, making perversion set in.

Corruption has reared its ugly head in society. The poor are constantly trodden upon by the rich. Government officials take no chance at enriching themselves. Some of our young ladies allow themselves to be exploited and robbed of all feminine pride. Dressing is redefined to mean near-nudity all in the name of fashion. All values are thrown to the dogs!

Should we always point accusing fingers at Western culture and its impacts on our lives when we have living consciences? Are our perspectives and beliefs meant to unanimously create socially corrupt people who have no choice than to go along with the dictates of the societies that created them?

We are all being swept along by the wind of technological advancement, bringing in its trail sophisticated crimes. Traditional values that add richness and splendour to our lives are traded for artificial intelligence thus creating the platform for hazards that have now become indelible in our everyday lives.

It is undeniably true that positive changes bring comfort and fulfilment but should decency be hanged all in the name of change?

We have experienced evil, we are still experiencing it but in the near future, will we ever like to experience it again? It is high time we chose good.

ONE DAY

After all the sleepless nights and constant prayers, I received my admission letter. My joy was beyond comprehension. Moreover, I was offered my choice in relation to my programme of study, bingo!

I reported to the Universe City on the date mentioned in my admission letter. After the struggle and frustration offered every Fresher by this new environment, I was given my room number and key. Thinking that was all, I was told to go and register at my College. In fact, that registration caused a loophole in my finances because it was not budgeted for.

I started lectures in all eagerness and with all the enthusiasm that I could gather. I even planned to revise any lecture note given to me just after the lecture but I was wrong! The religious activities were and are still staring at me. Meetings are no exceptions.

I realised I had to double up my efforts but the frustration from the lecture halls and the constant “go to the net”, “go to the library”- from the lecturers- were counteracting my efforts and time. I thought I was going to be taught but here I am being lectured.

Not long, the tests and quizzes started flooding in. I was tense most of the time and never really had time for any other thing save my books. Then, the midsemester examination came. I had no choice than to write and fight a battle for thirty per cent of my total mark at the end of the semester.

Sooner than later, I was made to render account for all the lectures that I was given throughout the semester in the end of semester exam. This exam accounted for the rest seventy per cent of my total mark.

My joy was beyond bounds when I finished writing my last paper for the semester. I went home not knowing my fate with respect to the outcome of the exam but that did not prevent me from enjoying the love and comfort of home.

Towards the end of the holidays, all my thoughts were about my first ever WA (Weighted Average). I was disappointed when the reality hit me that I performed way down my own expectation. I therefore resolved to learn harder and forego all extra curricula activities.

After my second semester holidays, I came and realised that my CWA (Cumulative Weighted Average) was not as expected. This reality set into motion the struggle for survival in my CLASS. This struggle has moved on through the years as a cycle and here I am in my fourth and final year ready to leave the four walls of the Universe City with a decorated A4-sized paper that has so much weight and value!

I just cannot wait to leave and face whatever fear or favour there is outside there. My confidence lies in the fact that the transition period that the Universe City took me through has moulded and refined me for the Herculean task ahead of me.

The ever faithful God, Almighty who is always on my side is my shield and buckler and I know I will forever be a victor wherever I might find myself after school.

Dear World, here I come!

EVERYTHING’S AN ARGUMENT

If everything’s an argument, then the piece of writing before you here is no exception.

Do the fonts used argue that “there is none better”?

What argument does Republic Hall Week Celebration make- that it is the best?

Does the Cupid call upon us to love? What about the colour RED? Is a colour ever just a colour; and what does it symbolise on Valentine’s Day?

The title of this article sums up two key assumptions we share. First, language provides the most powerful means we have for understanding the world and its systems and using that understanding to help shape our lives.

Secondly, all language- including the language of visual images or of symbol systems and writing- is persuasive, pointing in a specific direction and asking for response.

You are hereby challenged to take seriously the arguments made by everyday images and words and to recognise how such arguments permeate our lives.

Take some time and look around you. We are surrounded by texts that beckon, that aim to persuade. In short, we walk, talk and breathe persuasion very much as we breathe the air: everything’s an argument!