Ebenezer Ackon, a Ghanaian currently based in Germany, has an inspiring story of resilience, humility, and determination.
Having left Ghana in 2021, Ebenezer has since navigated the complexities of life abroad while striving for success.
In an interview with DJ Nyaami, the founder and leader of SVTV Africa, on the Daily Hustle Worldwide show, Ebenezer revealed that he completed his Junior High School (JHS) education in Akyem Akyease before moving to Bogoso.
Early Life in Ghana
In an interview with Ebenezer grew up in challenging circumstances. Losing his father at the tender age of seven, he spent most of his life under the care of others.
Despite the hardships, he completed junior high school in Akyem Akyease and later moved to Bogoso and Tarkwa for his high school education.
After high school, he immediately sought work to support himself and his family.
His first opportunity came at Tarkwa Mines, where his humility and willingness to help led to an unexpected breakthrough.
While waiting for assistance, he washed the dirty shoes and dishes of a woman whose husband, a white foreigner, later offered him a job as a personal cleaner.
With his first salary, Ebenezer paid for his younger brother’s school fees.
He worked as a cleaner for four years while pursuing a degree in Health and Safety Management at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT).
Upon completing his studies, his younger brother took over the cleaning job, enabling Ebenezer to focus on building his career.
After graduating, Ebenezer secured a job at Ghana’s airport, where he drove buses transporting passengers to and from aircraft.
He recounts the challenges of learning to drive large buses, initially failing but eventually mastering the skill by studying videos on YouTube.
During his time at the airport, Ebenezer had the privilege of driving high-profile passengers, including Presidents Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama.
He also transported Ibrahim Mahama, who often tipped him generously.
Notably, Ebenezer was the bus driver who transported 63 passengers to the Starbow aircraft that tragically crashed in 2017.
Pursuing a Life Abroad
In 2019, Ebenezer left the airport job to pursue opportunities abroad. He initially sought a visa to Dubai but faced setbacks.
However, his perseverance paid off when he secured a visa to Spain.
Arriving in Spain during winter, he struggled with the harsh weather and unreliable hosts but eventually moved to Italy, where he obtained his residency papers after two and a half years.
In Italy, Ebenezer worked as a cleaner at McDonald’s before teaching himself how to operate machinery, which earned him a promotion to train others on using chicken-frying equipment.
READ ALSO:I was jobless in Italy for 6 years and warned my family against calling for money – Italy-based Ghanaian
However, low wages prompted him to explore better opportunities in Germany.
New Beginnings in Germany
Ebenezer’s first visit to Germany with his Italian documents nearly ended in deportation.
He convinced immigration officers to let him leave voluntarily, which later allowed him to return legally.
A lady he met on TikTok welcomed him into her home, providing him with a fresh start in Germany.
He now works as a bus driver and finds the job market in Germany more lucrative than in Italy.
Though he still resides with his TikTok host, he plans to secure his own accommodation soon.
Lessons Learned
Ebenezer attributes his journey to humility, hard work, and faith. He believes that being humble opens doors to help in difficult times.
Reflecting on his experiences, he advises others to research thoroughly before traveling abroad and to be cautious about the people they trust online.
Today, Ebenezer dreams of working at an international airport again, building on his unique experiences and skills.
His story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and determination in overcoming life’s challenges.