A Cobbler's Triumph: How a 70-year-old craftsman built 5 homes and educated 7 children

He was fortunate to have become the football player he wished to be, but he couldn’t go further to become popular because life took a different direction. 

He sustained an injury to his left leg while doing what he was passionate about, ending his football career.

In this episode of Everyday People, GhanaWeb’s reporter, Eugenia Diabah, engaged 70-year-old Richard Homefa, who did not allow his failed career to deter him from pressing on and succeeding in life.

According to Richard Homefa, he moved from Sekondi to Accra on October 24, 1975, saying it wasn’t a smooth ride as he navigated his way through life in the city.

“I left Sekondi for Accra on October 24, 1975, and stayed with my mother and stepfather for some time. My stepfather received a contract to work at Lome. My mother wanted me to go with them, but I refused and stayed with my brother in Accra. Through the hustling, I got my first job in Accra as a store boy in Circle and I was paid GH¢1.00 every day,” he said.

Mr. Richard continued that, along the way, he was betrayed by a woman who he thought had his best interests at heart, and that betrayal led to his cobbler business, which he has been operating for over 50 years.

“I was working with this woman at Circle, who came up with an idea to save the GH¢1.00 I earned every day. According to her, that money would be used to fix my left leg. I agreed, but after some months, I urgently needed money so I went to her to ask for my savings. She never gave me the money after going back and forth with her, so I quit my job. I remembered that when I was in Sekondi, I used to visit the prison headquarters and polish the officials’ shoes, so I decided to start a business here, and that’s how I started with this job,” he told the reporter.

Over the 50 years of being a cobbler, he has reaped benefits, which include funding the education of his seven children, with some becoming teachers and nurses.

In addition to his achievements, he has built five houses and boasts that since he started his shoe repair business, he has never been a tenant.

Watch the interview below:





ED/OGB