Dreams vs Reality: The trader who aspired to be a government worker but ended up selling palm fruits

In a remarkable twist of fate, Mavis Asante, who once dreamt of working as a government employee, nurse, or teacher, has seen her career path take an unexpected turn. Today, she is a palm fruit seller at the Agbogbloshie market.

Growing up, Mavis always aspired to have a good education and a stable career to fend for herself and her future children. However, life had different plans for her.

When she appeared on GhanaWeb’s Everyday People programme hosted by Victoria Kyei Baffour, Mavis Asante recounted how financial difficulties faced by her parents led her to take over the palm fruit business which was initially run by her mother.

She told the host, Victoria Kyei Baffour, that she has been in the palm fruit business for about 6 years.

“I have been doing this for almost six years. My mother introduced me to this business. She used to travel to other places for the items; when she returned, I would join her in the market to sell. But now, she no longer comes here, so I do the selling myself," she said.

"...Growing up, I aspired to have a good education and become a government worker. I never wanted to sell, but that's how it turned up. The education I hoped for would have determined my career, whether as a secretary, a nurse, or something different,” she recounted in Twi.

Regarding her education, Mavis mentioned that she completed a vocational school and would have loved to pursue her education, however, lack of support from her parents and financial challenges shattered that dream.

Mavis Asante stated that she is unafraid to challenge her schoolmates at events due to her financial status now.

She believes that market women can achieve anything they wish for just as educated people.

“One thing I've come to understand is that once you start working, you can achieve what someone who has attended school does. These days, there's no distinction between the market and school. When there's an event, you can attend and present yourself just like an educated person. There's no pressure at all,” she said

Despite her initial dreams, she has embraced her new role with determination and resilience, finding fulfilment in her work as a trader.

Watch her full interview below:





VKB/SA