“Watchman” Earns First Degree, Motivation for the Fainthearted

“WATCHMAN” Earns First Degree is a touching story of how one young gentleman takes the advice of a concerned adviser and realizes his dream. Read the full unedited story.

THE “WATCHMAN” NOW HAS The FIRST DEGREE: During my extra-special “national service and sacrifice” in 2014;-), I was assigned a modest apartment in Cantonments, to facilitate my journey to and from work in “the Big House of Ghana”.

It was a gated compound, and there was this one security guard, who simply stood out because he was sharp, conscientious, apologetic, and humble. He took his job seriously. He never asked for anything and he reluctantly, apologetically, and thankfully accepted the little tip I gave him once in a while. Sometimes, the gratitude he expressed was so genuine and overwhelming that you want to give him a little more. He was more than “the one leper who returned”

His attitude was so admirable that I felt the urge to offer him some encouragement, to persuade him to look beyond his station at the time – a watchman or security guard. I told him he was capable of doing something bigger than “security.” I motivated him to consider going back to school. I think I saw myself in him, somehow. He nodded on those occasions but I wasn’t sure if he was just being polite or if my words had hit him favorably.

Then, a few months after I left “the Big House” to return to the United Nations in New York –just four years ago – I received this touching message in my inbox:

“This is Richard Agbedor, once security in your apartment at Cantonment. I want to thank you for your advice given to me about going to school, God being so good am now at the University for Development Studies.”

Wow. With my own “tumultuous” transition from Accra back to New York, I had forgotten about Richard. I didn’t even know how he managed to trace me to Facebook. His message made my day. Just wonderful. Richard had started degree studies in Agricultural Technology at UDS. Admirable. I felt so happy that I sent him “something little” to encourage him, on top of more prayers, encouragement, and motivation.

A YEAR LATER – IN FEBRUARY 2016, he wouldn’t stop thanking me. I got another message from Richard,
“You have added value to my life that no one can do except God.

On that day you called me Richard…and you told me I am so young. I should use this opportunity and go to school so that one day I will drive and pass by Cantonment and tell myself I was once security.

Hhmmm… Yes, truly it’s coming to pass…Thank you for making my future bright through Christ Jesus. Your name is part of my story.”

Frankly, I’d forgotten that part about him driving by the apartment complex and telling his own story of how far he had come … This young man from a modest background persevered and prevailed. Along the way, we had to address some issues of school fees … and challenges. Then a big request for a laptop came up so he could do his coursework better.

It took a while but we worked at it, and my cousin Eddy Torkornoo, helped to get the new laptop to Richard’s brother, a mechanic in Ashaiman, who then sent the laptop to the budding Agricultural Technologist.

JUST THIS MORNING, Richard sent me his B.Sc. degree Certificate with A SECOND UPPER B.Sc. in Agric Technology.
FROM WATCHMAN TO GOOD DEGREE HOLDER – To GOD be the glory. The only way is up, Richard.
QUESTION: Is there a “Richard” hiding in (your) plain sight?

This story “WATCHMAN” Earns First Degree” should motivate every one of us never to give up. Believe in your self, take chances, live your dream and tell your story.

We at NewsGhana24.com are inspired and we hope you did as well.