Everyday People: Why this aspiring engineer paused education to sell okra in the market

Francis Botwe, once a dedicated engineering student at Accra Technical University, has put his studies on hold to work at Dome Market in Accra, selling okra.

His love for engineering, evident from a young age, shaped both his academic and personal pursuits.

However, an unexpected family challenge has diverted his path for now.

When his sister, his primary financial supporter, fell seriously ill, Francis found himself at a crossroads.

Facing the uncertainty of funding for his education, he decided to defer his course and step into his sister’s role, running the okra business to support her and save up for his return to school once she recovers.

“Growing up, it has been my dream and passion to be an engineer, and I have pursued that to some certain level,” Francis explained. “Right now, I’ll say I have deferred my course because the person supporting me was down, so I need to take over from her so that the business can grow.”

In his interview on GhanaWeb TV’s Everyday People with Victoria Kyei Baffour, Francis described how he has transformed the business by introducing entrepreneurial skills he learned in school.

He has taken the family okra trade beyond the usual market boundaries, creating a unique Assorted Okro brand and extending his sales online to reach a broader clientele.

“I took over from my sister, who was hospitalized for some time now. They used to do it in the normal way, but I’ve added some little business or entrepreneurial skills that I learned in school. Now, I have a TikTok account and a name—Assorted Okro—that everyone knows me by. People come looking for ‘Assorted Okro’ at the market,” he shared. “I even take orders on WhatsApp, and in the evening, I deliver them to customers, including those working at restaurants.”

Francis believes that his current work is sometimes more rewarding than certain white-collar jobs in Ghana.

He encouraged the youth to seek productive avenues rather than waiting for white-collar opportunities, adding that creating one’s path can lead to greater success.

Watch Francis’s full interview on Everyday People on GhanaWeb TV with Victoria Kyei Baffour below:



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