Love whatever job you are doing if you want to succeed in life, says Heros Djaone
35-year-old Heros Djaone is a refugee living in Krisan Camp since 2012. He had fled his home country Chad in 2008 to Cote dÍvoire after war broke out there. Then in 2011, when post-election violence escalated in Cote dÍvoire, he had to flee again, but this time to Ghana.
With a wife and five children plus other extended family members to feed, life became complicated when not finding work to do. Heros had studied Marketing Pharmacy while in exile in Cote dÍvoire but could not secure a job in that area when he came to Ghana. He resorted to producing charcoal. He quit, realizing how bad his activities were destroying the forest and environment. He then joined a small-scale mining business popularly referred to in Ghana as ‘galamsey’ near Nkroful in the Western Region, but the site closed in 2013. Somewhere in 2018, he joined a Chinese fishing group in Tema. The pay and working conditions were poor, he said. Djaone’s woes were far from over. He decided to switch to a tricycle business referred to as ‘okada’ in Ghana. He used all the little savings he had to buy the tricycle. Unfortunately for him, the man who sold him the bike borrowed it from him for an errand and never brought it back; neither has he been found in the town since. Heros said this was a harrowing experience that almost made him lose his mind.
After careful pondering, Djaone decided to get into farming about two years ago because back home in Chad, his parents were farmers. He says that agriculture is in the blood and has since focused his energies on vegetable farming with his wife.
At the last National Farmers’ Day awards held in Ghana, Heros received the Best Vegetable farmer award for the Ellembelle District.
“If you work hard, you will see the fruits of your work” says Heros
When asked about what made him stand out, he attributed it to his cucumber, which he describes as one of the best in the market. He said his vegetables are organic, and he uses the best farming practices to ensure an excellent yield.
Heros, after harvesting cucumber in his farm at Krisan Camp in the Western Region.
“I had failed many times before succeeding. Thanks to training support by UNHCR and Partners, I overcame the challenges. UNHCR also gave us seeds, cutlass, pump machine, manure, and everything that a farmer will need to start their work”
Aside from the cucumber, he farms other vegetables like pepper, carrots, lettuce, and cabbage. He has recently added piggery farming, and he says that he is also doing well. According to Heros, one cannot go wrong with agriculture.
“You cannot be deceived by agriculture because people give birth every day, children grow, and they have to eat. So farming is good business.”
For the other refugees who have resigned themselves to fate or waiting for donor support, Heros says that is not the way to go.
“Being a refugee doesn’t mean you should fold your arms and wait on UNHCR to give you everything”
The word of encouragement from Heros to everyone -carpenter, the mason-whatever job-to have the love the job and do it well.
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