Vision-impaired sorters misdirect mails

By Wiliam A. Asiedu

Many customers of the Ghana Postal Company Limited may not know that most of the sorters who put mails in their letter boxes are vision-impaired. This has resulted in letters going to the wrong people.

An eye screening exercise carried out by the Medical Service Department of the company in the Greater Accra Region revealed that, as many as 187 out of 413 staff members tested, suffer from some form of optical defect and therefore, needed spectacles to facilitate efficiency in their work.

According to the head of the medical department, Mr Ohene Karikari, the company has embarked on a nation-wide eye screening exercise for its staff and has already covered nine out of the ten regions, saying that the only remaining area to be covered is the Volta Region.

He said the company?s medical department has also treated a number of its staff who suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes.

He said most of the workers who were diagnosed to have diabetes were not aware that they were carrying the disease, adding that such conditions cut down the productivity of workers and greatly affect the company?s general performance.

Mr Karikari said management has also drawn up a programme to motivate the staff to give of their best. According to him, the motivation will be in the form of welfare packages and other incentives.

Answering questions on allegations of finanacial impropriety against him, the Director of Finance, Mr F. E. Adu Boateng, denied allegations that he had furnished his office to the tune of ?50 million, saying the amount involved is about ?38 million and that it was spent on rehabilitation works in four offices, and not one as being alleged.

He assured the workers that he was doing everything possible to address some of the concerns raised about the company?s salary structure.

The Head of Corporate Communication , Mr Otuo Acheampong, called on the workers to continue to support management in its efforts at addressing their numerous problems.