Manual typewriters, a veritable tool for commissioners of oath

Commissioners of Oath operating around the Tema court yard say that manual typewriters which are largely ignored in a fast moving cyber world, serve as a veritable tool in processing court documents.

They told the Ghana News Agency that even though computers have replaced typewriters in homes and offices, they still rely on it to type and produce the needed documents for their clients.

The commissioners of oaths who used to operate from the premises of the court were seen busily typing on their manual typewriters under the trees in front of the court yard while calling on litigants and the public to patronize their services.

They often work on indentures, affidavits, deeds, power of attorney and other legal documents as well as provide letter writing and legal advice services to the public.

Mrs. Jennifer Asare, a commissioner of oaths, said, for them, the typewriter was yet to lose its relevance even though computers were in vogue.

Mrs Asare explained that it enabled them to easily insert names, dates and other information into already printed documents such as certificates.

She further noted that using a manual typewriter enabled them to work at all times as they do not need electricity to power them.

She added that using typewriters cut down on their cost of operations while increasing their profits as they do not have to invest into printers and tonners and payment of electricity bills.

“When it comes to issues of cost, using of a typewriter has a minimal cost compared to that of a computer, which can only be powered by electricity hence users get value for money,” she said.

The Commissioner of oath said she made an average of GHC 50 daily and above GHC100 on a good day.

Miss Eva Listobel, a commissioner of oath, who uses a computer and a typewriter to ply her trade, said even though she used both, the “typewriter comes in handy” during power outages.

Miss Victoria Ayebeng, a Senior High School (SHS) graduate, told GNA that, her mother had been in the business for 15 years and that she had helped her for barely a week now.

According to her, the typewriter was still vital because some people naturally prefer their work to be done with it whilst others prefer the use of computers.