Ghanaian fashion entrepreneur Richard Brown, popularly known as Osebo the Zaraman, recently shared a deeply emotional and inspiring story about his journey from poverty to success during an interview with Nana Romeo on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo.
The man known for his bold fashion statements revealed a past marked by struggle, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to overcoming adversity.
“Until you die, you can never tell what you’d achieve,” Osebo said, highlighting the unpredictable nature of life and success.
He supported this idea with personal anecdotes from his early life, offering listeners a glimpse into the hardships he faced growing up.
Born into a poor family, Osebo recalled how, as a child, he walked over 60 kilometers from Bechem to Nkekaasu at the age of ten to try and earn a living as a shoeshine boy.
“I was a shoeshine boy, and on my way, whenever I saw people working on a gutter, I’d join them to work. I’ve hawked Fan Ice and Fan Yogo. I’ve cut and sold firewood,” he shared. His struggle didn’t stop there.
Osebo also worked as a “kayayei” (a head porter) and even sewed sacks to earn money. Despite these challenges, Osebo remained determined. “I told myself I ought to succeed,” he said, noting that his hardships shaped his strong work ethic.
This determination, he said, came from a sense of responsibility to his family. As the eldest son, Osebo felt obligated to lift his family out of poverty.
He dropped out of school in Form 4 to push a market truck, taking on the role of the family’s “bosiako,” a person who dedicates himself to fighting for others.
“I took it upon myself to be my deprived family’s bosiako. I accepted to sacrifice myself and take care of my father and siblings,” he said.
Reflecting on the hardship he endured, Osebo’s voice trembled with emotion. His dark sunglasses couldn’t hide the tears streaming down his face as he explained how seeing others in need reminds him of his own struggles.
“I have suffered and toiled, so when I see someone suffering, I am reminded of my own pain,” he said.
During the interview, Osebo also shared a touching story that illustrated his gratitude for the opportunities he received.
He recounted the story of a man named Atongo, who worked as a houseboy after being taken in by a generous employer. Despite receiving new clothes, Atongo tied his old, tattered garments to a tree and wept before them each morning.
When his employer asked why, Atongo explained, “Anytime I rise from bed, I come to look at my previous situation, my old and tattered clothes. But you met me, had mercy on me, and changed it all. I reasoned not to do anything to cause you to drive me away into these old clothes.”
Osebo’s recounting of this story brought him to tears, as it mirrored his own sense of gratitude for the help he received along his journey. He explained that when he makes donations, he does so out of an understanding of suffering.
“When I do donations, it is from an understanding that I’ve also suffered. I am grateful for what God has done for me. So, when I am expressing kindness, I don’t bother about quantity or amount,” he said.
For Osebo, giving back is a way to honour his personal covenant with God, to ensure that he does not return to the deep and dark pit he once found himself in. “If I am not blessed, my child surely will be,” he added.
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