ONE-ARMED WONDER: THE INSPIRING STORY OF A FATHER OF TEN

Society, even in its evolvement, associates the role of provision in a family to Men. Except in certain cases, where life’s circumstances forces women to be the primary breadwinner of the family. Knowing the economic state we live in, the strife for men to provide for their families seems to get more daunting, leading many to give up.

It is with this thought that Vice Versa Media Ghana, on Father’s day, decides to honor an unsung hero who defies convention and inspire us with his unwavering dedication to his family. This unsung hero is George Japong. Despite losing an arm in a tragic accident, he has become a successful cocoa farmer and father of ten, overcoming significant barriers to provide a comfortable life for his family.

His story is a powerful testament to resilience and determination thus, we tell it today.

The Road To Adversity

George Japong, affectionately known as Mr. Akete, was raised in a farming family in KumiKrom, a rural village in Ghana’s Western North Region, renowned for its thriving cocoa farming community. His parents, both dedicated farmers, instilled in him the value of hard work and cultivation, laying the foundation for his future success in the field.

From a young age, George was naturally immersed in the responsibilities of farm life, observing and participating in the day-to-day activities essential for maintaining their livelihood.

 KumiKrom, is a rural village in Ghana’s Western North Region  

His parents were not very affluent but did everything they could to provide for him and his siblings. He did what a normal child growing up in Ghana would do, follow his father and support him in the farm to the best of his ability. This was before the unfortunate happened that would change the trajectory of his life.

The unfortunate incident took place in 1979 when Mr. Akete and his siblings were sent to gather fresh pears for the family to sell. They all climbed the trees, but George lost his grip and fell, breaking his arm.

George Japong is a successful cocoa farmer 

“According to my father, I had the accident between ages 17 and 18. We went to pluck pear, around the Easter festivities, fell and broke my arm. When rushed to the hospital, the only solution was amputation. How my life would turn out was a major concern for my parents but deciding on the next steps did not cross their mind. They did not enroll me into any skilled training and I felt my father was always discouraged seeing me in this state” Japong recounted.

Settling in this new way of life, George decided to voluntarily follow his father to the farm and support his daily farm activities like weeding and harvesting crops, doing everything they did with a single arm. “I did not want my life to take a turn where I beg on the streets for money or become a burden to my community. I wanted to be a breadwinner, have a family of my own and provide for them. I wanted to live life as normal as everyone else” he says. Initially, it was difficult, as his dominant hand was amputated, but he learnt to use his left hand.

Resilient to properly play his Fatherly role

In 1987, using the lessons and experiences he got from his father, George acquired a piece of land and started cocoa farming. His journey was fraught with various difficulties, which were majorly physical. The loss of his arm in a tragic accident during his teenage years posed a significant obstacle, casting doubt on his ability to be productive and effective in his daily endeavors.

“In the early and late 90s, we did not have the technology we have today to make the farming activities easier. We had to manually prepare the farmland for plantation. For instance, today when we want to cut a tree, we use a chainsaw. Back then, we had to use ropes and an axe to cut down a tree. Imagine doing that with one hand. It was difficult” He recounts.

Mr. Japong is determined to not let the remnant of the accident define his future 

Being a man meant he would need to be the provider for his home, in order to be considered a great father by his wife and children. With this thought, he strived to adapt to his circumstances with remarkable ingenuity, developing new techniques and ways to manage the farm effectively with one arm.

Remaining steadfast and embracing his limitations, he employed the services of others in his community to help him start, maintain and manage the Cocoa Farm.

Today, not only is George in a position to provide for a comfortable life for his family, he has established a mentorship program that recruits young individuals with a genuine passion for agriculture.

“What I look out for is someone who is interested in farming so that we know that farming is not just for the one who did not go to school. Some of our professional teachers, some are agriculture officers. They all have their portions in my farmland that they are working on,” he noted.

My Life, My Testament

It is interesting to see that through a series of tough times, challenges, and relentlessness, George manages his farming business and raises his own children, who now assist him on the farm.

He says that he wants his life to be a testament of inspiration for people living with and without disabilities. “Whatever it is you want pursue, pursue it. We are the breadwinners and our children need to see fight regardless of our circumstances. We are the examples as Fathers and our tool is practicality and experience.” George Advices.

George’s journey truly provides a great lesson for all fathers; you can overcome any challenge life throws at you with the right attitude and determination. As we honor George and fathers like him, let us be reminded that true strength lies in perseverance.