Starting a moving company and learning the language was the key to acceptance for Happy Djebou as an African in Denmark
The year was 1988 and Kofi ‘Happy’ Djebou had just arrived in Denmark from Ghana with his mother, his father remaining in their homeland. As a black 12 year-old in a very white society, his presence was well-noted by Danes.
‘There were like two blacks in Copenhagen when I came,’ joked Djebou. ‘All the Africans knew each other then and said hi to each other on the street. Now it’s no big deal.’
Like nearly all immigrants, the Danish language was the major stumbling block for Djebou in making friends and being accepted.
‘It was a difficult language for me. It took about four or five years before I felt like I could speak it well. With English the words can be in whatever order and you can still be understood. But as a black man here, the language was and still is my passport.’
Djebou eventually joined the Danish army where he was the only black man in the entire outfit. After a rough start, he said he enjoyed the experience and still sees the guys from his unit at reunion parties they hold periodically.
After working various odd manual labour jobs, including moving, Djebou decided to start his own moving company. He said it was a difficult process having to get his truck licence, register his business and find employees willing to do the hard work.
He originally ran the business on his own, getting workers from the city’s job placement programmes.
‘Moving is one of the hardest jobs there is, so you have to have some big, strong guys. I used to get workers from the job centres, but after two or three days moving they’d call in sick.’
To keep the business afloat, Djebou decided he should get some help running the business from the people he knew best.
‘I was paying for all the repairs and maintenance myself, which cost a lot. So I decided to get my friends and family involved in the business. I got my younger brother to be my general manager and I’ve got a couple other full-time and part time employees.’
After four years, Djebou said his business is finally starting to take off. He said he likes Denmark well enough, but believes Danish society is more closed and harbours more prejudices against foreigners than many European countries.
‘I lived in England for a couple years as well, and friends I have in Sweden say that it’s much different over there - easier. I think they’re more used to foreigners in those places. But it’s getting better and better here.’
Djebou plans to return to Ghana at some point, using his knowledge to set up a business consulting operation.
‘I have a side business making contacts for investors in Ghana, so I’d like to go back someday. It’s a wonderful place - very peaceful and very beautiful.’
