Kofi Babone: From Stowaway to Comedian and Business Owner in Bulgaria
Kofi Babone, a Ghanaian, Bulgaria based, recently shared his journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami.
Originally from Kwahu Pepease and Kwahu Abetifi, Kofi spent his early years in Takoradi and Accra, working in the furniture business before deciding to leave Ghana.
At just 17-18 years old, he embarked on a perilous journey through the desert, passing through Benin, Togo, and Libya. Despite warnings from his brother, he was determined to reach Europe.
During his time in Libya, he endured hardships, including being shot three times in Tripoli. Eventually, he moved to Benghazi in 1984, where he lived in abandoned bombed buildings. After facing deportation at one point, he managed to obtain Russian and Bulgarian visas, leading him to Bulgaria in 1989.
Upon arriving in Bulgaria on December 25, 1989, Kofi decided to stay and make a life for himself. He married a Bulgarian woman, secured legal documents, and started a business selling various products. Over time, he built a successful career in comedy, even performing on national television.
Kofi has helped many Ghanaians settle in Bulgaria, offering them shelter and financial support. He has also facilitated the migration of Ghanaian footballers to European clubs, including Orlando Wellington and Kofi Anambra. However, he laments that many of those he helped have not shown appreciation or maintained contact.
Currently, Kofi Babone owns a thriving cosmetics business in Bulgaria, specializing in cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, and other skincare products. He also has a license to recruit workers from Ghana for construction jobs and factory work in Bulgaria.
Despite his long stay abroad, he remains connected to Ghana, owning land near Accra and a cocoa farm in Wassa. His children, though born and raised in Bulgaria, have never visited Ghana, but he plans to take them there soon.
Kofi is a well-known figure in Bulgaria, with connections to notable personalities, including football legend Abedi Pele. His wife plays a key role in Ghana-Bulgaria relations as an honorary consul. Looking ahead, Kofi hopes to bring more Ghanaians to Bulgaria for work opportunities while continuing to expand his businesses.
Through resilience and determination, Kofi Babone transformed his life from a struggling migrant to a successful businessman and entertainer in Bulgaria, proving that with the right mindset, one can thrive anywhere in the world.I
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