VAMIJO EMERGER :DARKEH – THE CARPENTER: THE STORY OF A RISING ENTREPRENEUR

Jacked up in blue shorts and white t-shirt, he stretched his hand to welcome me to his house with a warm and firm handshake. It was a beautiful apartment painted lime-yellow and white on the outside but reddish-wine when I entered the spacious hall. Far across from where I comfortably sat was sound-player and a large flat-screen television set affixed to the wall.

The wall also host pictures of himself and his wife. A couple of the pictures also showed their little daughter. One thing also caught my attention-a neatly framed certificate of appreciation from a renowned gospel musician to him.

This is David Darkeh Ocansey, a professional carpenter and the CEO of K-DAVIDS FURNITURE who beat against all odds to be whom he is today. Beaming with confidence backed by genuine smiles, we delved straight to what I visited him that evening for. It was a conversation about him.

A graduate of a Polytechnic or some Technical University with a degree or at least a Higher Diploma in Woodwork was my assumption. WELL, I WAS WRONG! His last level of formal education was Junior High School.

“Well I completed St. Paul Methodist Junior High School, Tema in 2004. I could not further my formal education not because I was not brilliant but my father could not support me due to financial constraints. I had no choice but to see my colleagues continue whiles I stayed behind”.

.__At this point I was awed by his confidence and fine grasp on the Queen’s language__.

“My dad had me put to trade by sending me to my paternal uncle called Amannortey at the Timber Market, Tema Industrial Area to learn carpentry. And for three uneasy years, I acquired the skill of carpentry. Just like any other enterprise or training, I had very challenging times and moments of almost giving up. Those 3 years were probably my most challenging years ever. There was no money for my upkeep. I would sometimes make savings box (Susu box) and sell so I could get some money for food. It was with my uncle that I learnt how to eat the combination of mashed fried potato and gari.

In fact, my time with my uncle was beyond an apprentice-master relationship. It was total military training. I felt like I was placed at a warfront. It was tough! Most times I had to carry our tools box on my head and walked to sites. Distances not less than 15 kilometers whiles he went ahead in a public transport. It was all good. It toughened me up.

In order to survive, I would sometimes take “side jobs” and while we closed and everyone else left the shop, I would stay and work throughout the night and by morning I would deliver the finished work to the client and get something little for my pocket and save some for buying my own tools. I spent most times sleeping at the shop so I could work at night.

I remember clearly how one night my uncle damaged a finished work with his saw for not informing him about it.

Regardless of the challenges I encountered learning from him, I must say I am highly indebted to him in terms of appreciation. He thought me details of the work.

In late 2008, I started working on my own. I would save the little I accrued from works I did and started buying my own tools. Today I must say that I am on my way to success. I have worked for lots of people including designing and building the stage for Gospel Musician Ohemaa Mercy’s Tehillah Experience in 2017 among others. Today I can confidently and professionally do all kinds of wood works including Furniture and Interior, Kitchen set-up, Bedroom set-up, and wall wardrobes among others.

Currently I have a couple of apprentices who are also learning from me. My doors are opened for anybody who wants to be trained.

I ASKED DAVID WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR HIM. WITH A DEEP BREATH, HE HAD THIS TO SAY:

“Well for me, my destiny is in God’s hands. However by His grace I want in the very near future to have a bigger showroom, warehouse and have my products go beyond the shores of Ghana. It is the same carpentry work that gave me everything you see around here. I was able to wed my wife. My kid is in school. We are not living in luxury but we are OK. To me it is not what you do that matters but how you do it”.

I have a lot of people to thank however I cannot mention everyone’s name. I really appreciate everybody. Thanks to Mr. Nicholas Ofei and Prohphet Kwabena Yirenkyi for your Godly spiritual support and guidance.

IN CONCLUSION, HE HAD THIS TO SAY;

“You see, Education is good but skills training is needed. I will send my kids to school but I will also make sure that they acquire skills as well. I have plans of furthering my own formal education as well. It is possible".

[Contact K-Davids Furniture on 0244072952. Location: Tema Community 1 Opposite Obonu FM]

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SOURCE: VAMIJO

               (@vamijogh)