At the Haatso KFC Bus Stop, in the Greater Accra Region, a Person With Disability (PWD), Sumaila Mohammed, has made fixing potholes his career.
The Nigerien who came to Ghana in search of a decent source of income said that even though he sees some of his colleagues who are disabled begging, he doesn’t want to do so, and that is why he decided to take advantage of the bad roads to make a living.
He said that in fixing the road, he felt he was giving something to the road users and also receiving something in return, which made every income earned dignified. The resident of Madina disclosed that he also goes to other communities such as Achimota, Abokobi, Accra, Oyarifa, and Achimota, all in the Greater Accra Region, to fix the roads.
Mohammed, Mustapha and Muamar fixing the road.
He admitted that sometimes the drivers are very generous and he goes home smiling, but other times it is not a good day. The Nigerien said he does the work with two other young men, also from Niger, called Mustapha and Muamar, who walk metres to get sand and stones to fill the road.
He said he was not oblivious of the busy nature of the road and the possibility of a vehicle running into him, and so, to reduce the risk of his job, he wore a reflective jacket and also ensured he stayed close to the speed bump so that he could be easily noticed by the drivers to avoid any road crash.
A road user showing appreciation by giving Mohammed money.
I tried to steal a glance at his money bag tied to his waist to see the denominations in there, and most of them were Gh¢5, 10, and 20s. Mr Mohammed said he was able to meet his basic needs and those of his dependants, and it also gave him fulfilment knowing he was doing something honourable and not being disrespected like other colleagues who beg.
Mustapha and Muamar, in an interview, said they had partnered with Sumaila for the business because they felt he needed help, and they also needed a source of income. They disclosed they do not want to engage in illegal businesses, which is why they have come to the road to make money, and they were happy to be earning what they described as a decent income.
Mohammed in the middle of the road.
In a reaction to the issue, the National Vice-President for the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Courage Mawuli Wormenor, described it as both inspiring and heartbreaking. “It is amazing to see him taking initiative to create his own employment opportunities, despite the challenges he faces as a physically challenged person. He is using what he has (his resourcefulness) to make a living and even giving back to the community by fixing potholes,” he said.
He was, however, of the opinion that “the roads were hazardous, and one mistake could be fatal. It’s not sustainable or safe for him to be working on the roads like this.” He expressed the need for the government and organisations that have the interest of Persons With Disabilities at heart to provide support and resources to help individuals like him to thrive.
An Okada Rider stationed at the Haatso KFC Bus Stop, Eric Kwakye, also known as MTN, said he had known Mr Mohammed to be working on the road for over a year, and when he was not at Haatso, he went elsewhere to work. He said much as he commended him for not begging, he was concerned about his safety as many vehicles ply the road, and he may be crashed at the least recklessness of a driver.
He was optimistic that if Mr Mohammed had a decent job or a good support system, he wouldn’t be on the road, and so he called on public-spirited persons to help him with a safer job to get off the street. Mr Kwakye said it was worth noting that providing support and resources isn’t just about charity, but about creating a society where everyone has equal opportunities to make progress.
Meanwhile, a Freelance Journalist, Nana Ama Asantewaa Kwarko, has said it was concerning that no help or commendation has come to him. “We shouldn’t wait until something goes wrong before we rush to address the situation. In a society where systems work, this should not be happening. He is a danger to himself and all other road users,” she said.
She, however, appealed to duty-bearers to fix the deep potholes at the Haatso KFC Bus stop to make it more motorable because what Mr Mohammed and his colleagues were doing, although helpful, was not sustainable as he has no formal training on fixing roads or using the right materials.
Mr Mohammed’s story highlights the need for support and opportunities for vulnerable individuals. It is important that as a society, we all work together to create a safer and more supportive environment for all road users. END
#Potholes #povertyIs #choice
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