Like every profession in Ghana, artisans are usually seen as people who have little time in organizing and branding their activities to the liking of the public.
The uniformity amongst artisans is so challenging that people especially clients often conclude that the profession lacks orderliness and operates like a jungle.
These assertions have however compelled some auto mechanics in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region to form an association called “Bolgatanga Association of Motor Mechanics” (BAMM).
The association is mainly made up of mechanics in the Bolgatanga Municipality that have specialized in the repair and maintenance of motorbikes who are mostly known as “Motor fitters”.
The focus of BAMM will be on the welfare of members and also how to regularize the pricing of their activities.
Speaking in an interview with A1 Radio, the chairman of BAMM, Master Ali Abdullai, said the association may sound new, but it was formed in the year 2007.
He explained that it was however abandoned due to nonperformance and the demand for strict adherence to rules and regulations of the association.
Master Ali noted that “Most often, users of motorbikes usually complain to us that we charge differently when servicing their bikes. So we are looking at how we can come up with a new price rate to be pasted at each member’s shop. So if we agree that servicing of a motorbike is going to be Ghc10.00, or Ghc20.00, it will be the same across. The old ways of working are over.”
He added that the association which currently has over one hundred members will also address a popular allegation that motor fitters are thieves.
“One important thing is that a lot of people think that we are thieves. Whenever the name of the motor fitter comes out, they will conclude that he is a thief. So, we are looking at how we can work hand-in-hand with the police to protect and also clamp down on unscrupulous persons amongst us who may want to put the profession into disrepute.”
He went on to urge nonmembers to come and register and be part of the association as every grouping thrives with numbers.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
