By: Ebenezer Madugu
Today, I decided to ride home in a TroTro, comfortably seated in the front seat. The air was laced with a peculiar Christmas vibe—not the cheerful jingles you’d expect, but a mix of emotions ranging from excitement to frustration.
The mate had a running battle with most of the passengers, and guess why? Christmas packages. Yes, today was the day many workers received their much-anticipated office packages, and these came in all shapes and sizes.
For some lucky folks, the packages were enormous—so much so that transporting them in a TroTro was out of the question. They had to book online taxis, leaving behind envious stares. Others, unfortunately, received disappointingly small packages that barely lifted their spirits. Then there were those in the middle—neither thrilled nor disappointed. Most of my TroTro companions fell into this category.
But here’s where the drama began. The mate wasn’t too pleased with passengers who wanted to haul their Christmas goodies home without paying for extra seats. At almost every stop, tempers flared, and words were exchanged.
The sights at the bus stops we passed were just as fascinating. At the 37 bus stop, a woman, determined not to miss the TroTro, dragged her sack of rice with the speed of a Makola truck pusher. It was both hilarious and inspiring.
Beside me sat a visibly frustrated man who sighed and grumbled every time we stopped. Curious, I asked him, “Bossu, enti Bronya wei wo de no sen?” (loosely translated: “So how are you marking this Christmas?”).
He heaved a long sigh before launching into a story about his manager’s decision not to distribute Christmas packages this year. As it turns out, it wasn’t about stinginess. His boss had faced tough times in 2024, and the company simply couldn’t afford the extras. But my fellow passenger wasn’t concerned about his boss’s struggles. His worry was more personal: “What am I going to tell my wife? My co-tenants have all brought nice packages home.”
It was a bittersweet conversation that left me reflecting.
A Message to Employers and Employees.
To employers, while there’s no law mandating Christmas packages, a little communication can go a long way. If times are tough, explain why packages might be smaller—or nonexistent. It’s about managing expectations and fostering understanding.
To employees, remember that the lack of a Christmas package doesn’t make your employer heartless. Sometimes, they sacrifice more than you realize to ensure those packages are even possible. And in some cases, prioritizing the company’s stability might mean putting festive extras on hold.
Let’s practice a little emotional intelligence this season. Perhaps every employer could use CEO of Addison International, James Addison’s expertise in managing this sensitive issue for a win-win outcome in 2025.
For now, let me alight at Amegashie Bus Stop and wish you all the best this Christmas. Enjoy your packages, big or small, and for those who didn’t get any, let’s hold on to hope for a brighter 2025.
Lord Knows
