Rita Saakwa: Traffic warden with dedication, commitment
Some years ago, the traffic wardens normally seen on the roads were mostly officials from the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
However, following the introduction of the National Youth Employment Agency by President John Agyekum Kufuor in 2006, and the increase in the traffic situation, a number of young civilians were recruited to assist officials of the MTTD on the roads.
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One of such young persons is Ms Rita Saakwa, who has distinguished herself under the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and won the admiration of the travelling public with her dedication to duty.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic in an interview, Rita recalled that at the tender age of seven, she developed interest in becoming a traffic warden in future when she observed the performance of her late father, then a traffic warden, in Accra Central.
Determined to serve her nation, Rita joined a private company, Trafficter, just after senior high school to be trained as a traffic warden.
Work
After Ms Saakwa’s training, she was contracted by Trafficter and was stationed at McCarthy Hills in Accra. She worked with Trafficter from 2010 to 2012 after which she joined the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC). She worked with the commission for two years and was stationed at the Sakaman Junction during the period.
However, she did not secure permanent recruitment by the commission when her contract ended after two years.
Challenges
According to Ms Saakwa, after her contract with the NRSC ended, she became unemployed, but because of her love for the job, “I continued to direct traffic right here at Sakaman Junction for two years without salary. I did not even earn a pesewa for the two years but I have not regretted because it was a service I did for my nation.’’
She noted that she often had problems with ‘Okada’ riders who refused to obey traffic rules by jumping red lights.
She said she also came under attack from hawkers because anytime she was on duty, there was free flow of traffic, making it difficult for them to sell.
According to her, she was fortunate to have been employed under the NYEA last year.
“Through the Grace of God, I was employed last year and that is where I have been to date,” she stated.
Passion
Touching on what kept her going all these years, Rita said the secret behind her dedication to duty was the passion she had for the job, stating: “I love the job and I enjoy doing it.”
She disclosed that the late Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Angwubutoge Awuni, a former Commanding Officer of the national MTTD recommended that she should be enrolled in the Ghana Police Service but it was just around that time that he was transferred to the Eastern Region.
That, she said, ended her dream of becoming a police officer.
She said for her recognition as a dedicated traffic warden, she was awarded a certificate by the nationa MTTD on March 15, 2013.
Ms Saakwa said although she was supposed to report to work at 5 a.m. every day, she actually set off very early from Odorkor, where she lived to start work at 4 a.m,. just to make sure the traffic was under control.
‘’That is why I have my flashlight with me always. At 4 a.m., the weather is not too clear so I always use the flashlight for visibility,’’ she noted.
Ms Saakwa is 29 years and has been working as a traffic warden for eight years. According to her, the kind of appreciation she normally received from the travelling public was amazing, adding that some people usually passed comments such as ‘keep up the good work’ and ‘we heard your name on air’, while others gave her gifts just to show their appreciation of her work.
Future dreams
Ms Saakwa’s only dream is to be enrolled in the Ghana Police Service as a police officer, adding that if that dream did not materialise, she would continue to serve her nation.
‘’I love the job and even if in my old age I have to stand here with my walking stick and direct traffic, I will do it,” she said with a smile.
