Kweitey Quaynor

Am KWEITEY QUAYNOR, but well known as Maurice Oj. Born in Accra -Ghana. I completed my professional education after High school, offering Economics, Finance, and Accounting at T’Poly Institute at Takoradi in 1986. 

Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.

Some Key Points In This Episode

• Why leave Ghana for Italy in the 1990s?
• Why stand as a candidate in the 2022 local election in Verona?
• What problems are the African community in Verona, facing?

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The Full Interview with Kweitey Quaynor

About The Guest: Kweitey Quaynor

Had my Diploma in Accounting the year after but left halfway through my Career in 1989 to migrate to Italy.

I’ve been here since 1990, but I, unfortunately, left the academic career to follow after the first ones I met here in entering into the factory, something that, though has brought me where I am now, I really regret that I did not pursue.

Now am the owner of a Transport Company of HGV and a driver as well.

So, I’ve been here for the past 32 years.

I Am married with 3 little kids, but I’ve 3 grown-up boys as well, from previous relationships.

Am a staunch believer, a born-again Christian.

My routine life mostly works, the family and Church, church is one of the most important things I’ve never left out in my 32years of being here.

My wife is also from Ghana, I should say, my beautiful wife. She is such an amazing woman who has been my best friend since we met, she stands out as a pillar of vision in my life and I am so grateful to God for making our paths cross.

When I got to Italy in 1990 life was just so different from the luxury type that the firstcomers came to portray to us back home.

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In fact, I thought I was going to “make the money” in just about 5 years then return to Ghana and set up my own company or business with it, so I followed the trend and decided to quit schooling for a job in the shoe factory. Then three years went past, I still didn’t even own an apartment to my name.

I took up several other jobs which were all full-time, some even from 07:00 am to 18:30 pm, so you get out of the yard so tired and worn out, how would you go to school?

Along the line, I got married to my first wife (now ex) and had a son. So the responsibility now doubles, you have to do more than you were doing before when you were single to be able to maintain a normal family life.

The more the years rolled past quickly the farther my Career as an accomplished Accountant distanced me from my life. It’s just a pity, cos that’s what I desired to do most.

Ok, that’s what I brought to myself, cos going back was no more the best decision, what was I going to do?

I, therefore, took up the challenge to enroll for the HGV Driver’s License in 1999. Spent a great capital and got it after 1 and half years so since 2001 I’ve been in the transportation business till now.

Though I don’t practice my profession it has always been the extra factor that differentiates me from other migrants who have a less educational portfolio. In fact, there have been many instances where I stand out as one person, just because of the CV that I carry.

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If I could ever advise anyone from our continent who wants to travel here to be “an ordinary laborer” I would say rather get a better qualification cos you would bank on it along the line.

I have learned a lot in Italy. I speak, read and write perfectly fine Italian because I took the pain to train myself.

Learn More About Obehi Podcast

Obehi Podcast brings you leaders and experts from different industries to share their experiences, relating to Africa and the African diaspora. Listen to Obehi Podcast across different platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube, and much more. 

Download the first chapter of The Storytelling Series: Beginners’ Guide for Small Businesses & Content Creators by Obehi Ewanfoh.