Ministers 'troski' ride should be regular – Psychologist

A psychologist at the University of Ghana says the one day ride in public transport, popularly known as trotro by ministers and Members of Parliament is not enough for any major policy shift in favour of commuters.

Wiafe Ahkenten told Joy News' Bernard Saibu the ministers must make it a monthly or quarterly phenomenon to fully appreciate the experiences many Ghanaians go through commuting to and from work before they could implement policies that will be in the interest of the ordinary Ghanaian.

Ministers and Members of Parliament as part of the World Transport Day on Wednesday joined rickety public vehicles to work in order to get at first hand the 'pains' of the ordinary people.

Transport Minister Joe Gidisu gulped down a 'sea of cold water' on reaching his office after a two hour journey, not in his usual air-conditioned Land Cruiser, but a fully loaded passenger trotro.

He told Joy News the experience was “humbling” after parting company with the public transport for almost 15 years.

Wiafe Ahkenten welcomed the effort and the initiative by the ministers but stressed Ghanaians will only reap the fruits of this experience if the ministers were really taken through the hassle of boarding public transport.

“Were they made to join queues, struggle like any other person for the vehicle?” he quizzed, adding if that happened, however brief it was, the ministers would have a long lasting impression of the frustrations of many Ghanaians.

He suspected the Ministers were given some “preferential treatment” by the public which he said could erode the very essence of the initiative.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana