In Ghana, billions of dollars are pumped into the education sector every year to build infrastructure and train hundreds of thousands of students to make them competitive in a global environment.
This is because formal education is seen as the key to success, and therefore a high priority. Education has transformed the lives of many people across the world for the better. But time and time again, people have proven that formal education is not the only pathway to success.
In the US, people like Bill Gate and Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of the university, but still managed to build the some of the world’s most valuable companies. In Ghana, there are several successful people who either did not have the opportunity to pursue education or simply did not excel at it. Here are 13 powerful Ghanaians who failed at school, but still won at life.
Yvonne Nelson
She failed the West African Senior School Certificate Exam (WASSCE) when she first wrote it. she followed up with the November/December private WASSCE exams and failed as well. She wrote the exam the following year and passed, enabling her to attend the Central University College. Today, she is one of the richest and most powerful actresses in Africa.
Kwadwo Nkansah (Lil Win )
He has a weak educational background and cannot express himself in English. But he has established himself as one of the most successful Twi language actors in Africa.
Agya Koo
Like Lil Win, Agya Koo has a weak educational background. He can hardly speak English, yet he is one of the richest and most popular Twi language actors in Ghana.
Osei Kwame “Despite”
He doesn’t have a university degree. He started life as a petty trader, dealing in music cassettes, padlocks, feeding bottles and other merchandise at Dunkwa-Offinso. He later became a chainsaw operator. Today, Despite is easily one of the richest individuals in Ghana. He owns the Despite Group of Companies, which includes media organisations such as Peace FM, UTV, Okay FM, Hello FM. He has received honorary doctorate degrees from several prestigious universities in the country.
Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantnka
The founder of the Kristo Asafo church, Great KOSA network of companies has a weak or non-existent formal educational background, but he is one of the richest and most successful people in Ghana. He is believed to be the brain behind Kantanka Automobile company.
Nana Aba Anamoah
She did not have a university degree before going on to become one of the most recognisable faces on television in Ghana. She only did some short courses in journalism and allowed her talent and tenacity to do the rest for her. Today, however, she has a degree in banking and finance from GIMPA.
Mzbel
Her dream of becoming a newscaster could not be realised because, according to her, financial challenges prevented her from attending the Ghana Institute of Journalism. Today, however, she is a successful musician and businesswoman.
Hassan Ayariga
The former leader of the All People’s Party (APC) did not allow his weak educational background to put him down. He travelled to Germany in search of greener pastures at an early age. He reportedly made his first $1 million at the age of 24. He is one of the most successful business people in Ghana.
Akua Donkor
The Ghana Freedom Party (GFP) leader has been ridiculed as a joker, but she is actually a very rich and successful farmer and businesswoman. She cannot read and write, but she has many people working for her. She also has strong political connections.
10. Mercy Adu Gyamfi
The member of parliament for Akwatia in the Eastern Region is a trained hairdresser. She has no credible formal education to speak of and struggles to express herself in English. However, due to her hard work, belief and extraordinary commitment, she contested and won the Akwatia seat, beating the NDC’s Baba Jamal in the process.
11. Stephen Appiah
The former black stars did not actively pursue education. He allowed his football talent and skill to take him places. Through hard work and determination, he helped Ghana to qualify for her first World Cup. He also played for top sides like Juventus and Fenerbahçe.
12. Mercy Asiedu
The actress has no solid education background to speak of but is one of the richest and most popular entertainers in the country.
13. Nana Ama McBrown
Nana Ama McBrown dropped out of school at JSS 2 and does not have even a BECE certificate. However, she did not let that deter her. She is one of the richest and most accomplished actresses in the country today. She is also a successful media personality. Which other Ghanaians do you know of who failed at exams but won at life? Share your views with us in the comments section below.
