Kpandai; The 21-year-old SHS graduate who sells fish on the streets to support his family

Dignity is not defined by the kind of work one does, but by the discipline, purpose, and integrity behind it. On the scorching streets of Kpandai in the Northern Region, that dignity walks quietly—fish balanced on a head pan, dreams firmly held in the heart.

At 21, Nambu Christopher spends his days moving from house to house, selling dry and fresh fish to support his family, despite having completed senior high school. A graduate of Bishop Herman Senior High School in Kpando, Volta Region, Christopher has been in the fish-selling business for 12 years.

He began assisting his mother at the age of eight after the family adopted the trade as their primary source of livelihood. Today, he describes the business as the backbone of his family’s survival and education.

“This is the business my mother does to take care of us. I started helping her when I was eight years old. It is what has fed us and paid our school fees,” he told Graphic Online.

Christopher is one of eight siblings. Two are married, while the others are still in school. He said proceeds from the fish business have enabled several of his siblings to pursue higher education.

“I completed SHS last year. My immediate brother will complete university this year. Another is in a teacher training college, one of my sisters is a nurse and another is a teacher. All this came from the fish business,” he said.

Despite completing secondary school, Christopher has continued selling fish to help meet household and educational expenses. He works from morning until about 6 p.m., taking short breaks depending on the availability of fish.

Financially, he said the business earns between GH¢300 and GH¢400 on slow days, while good days can bring in between GH¢600 and GH¢800, from which the cost of fish is deducted.

Christopher admitted that the work has not been without challenges, including ridicule from peers and members of the public because of his age and gender.

“Some people call me ‘fish wura’ when they see me, but that does not discourage me. Instead, it motivates me to work harder,” he said, adding that others have encouraged him and praised his sense of responsibility.

He hopes to return to school in the future to pursue a career in teaching but has chosen to postpone his ambitions until his younger siblings complete their education.

"I still want to go back to school, but for now I have chosen to help my family. When my siblings are done, then I will continue my education,” he said.

Christopher advised young people to embrace honest work and take advantage of available opportunities, regardless of social perceptions.

“No honest work is shameful. If you don’t feel shy spending money, why feel shy doing the work that brings it? Young people should not wait for handouts but work hard and plan for their future,” he said.