Meet the youngest Ghanaian entrepreneur in Italy

Meet the youngest Ghanaian entrepreneur in Italy – Obed (alias ‘Worshipper’)



At 24 years of age, Obed Amoah Duku, who lives in Brescia, is the youngest Ghanaian entrepreneur in Italy. He is a degree holder in Legal Consultancy and Estate Management, owns a Consultancy Firm and runs a Charity Organisation. Not only that; illustrious and charismatic Obed, a native of Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, is also a gospel artiste, motivational speaker and an author. In an interview with Reggie Tagoe he revealed more about himself, his business, music, charity organisation and others. Read the full text of that interview below.



Reggie Tagoe: You have so much on your plate we can talk about. Your story is one of the most amazing stories about any young Ghanaian living abroad, more especially in Italy where the situation for immigrants making it is a tough one. You are a gospel artiste, author, motivational speaker, a businessman and on top running a charity organisation. I want you to take me from the start, your life in Ghana. Run me through those years back then.

Obed Duku: Thank you for this undeniable priviledge, I feel honoured. Obed Osei Amoah Duku (alias the ‘Worshipper’) is my full name. I am the third born of my parents, John Amoah Duku and Mabel Amoah. I lived in Ghana, Obuasi to be precise, where I had my basic education. At the age of 14, I was blessed to join my father here in Italy with my mother. I actually developed the passion for singing at my very tender age - about 8 years, and joined my Church choir then, First Baptist Church choir at Obuasi. I started singing and going out professionally about 4 years ago. A young, vibrant and God fearing man whose passion is to see the Kingdom of God excel in all proportions of life.





Reggie Tagoe: Was your coming to Italy all in your plans or because you have your father here and what sense did you make about Italy when you arrived?

Obed Duku: It was never part of my plan though I knew I will eventually join my father in the course of time. You see! God has a way of doing things. As I mentioned, I am the 3rd born of my parents and when the opportunity came that my mother would have to join my father with one of her children, I shouldn’t have been the one because my little sister was there and more so my two elder siblings as well. As God will have it, my parent’s decision of bringing me instead was influenced by what happened to me. I was ill most of the time, I had a close encounter with death at the age of 13, when I was struck with a deadly virus. I remember staying off from school for almost a semester. I can recollect it was in those moments as I lay on the hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, my mother said she wouldn’t come to Italy unless with me, and God made her wish come to pass.

I was very young when I came so I really didn’t hear much of the negative influences and comments people were passing about bringing their children to Italy. All I knew was that I have joined my parents and also have the opportunity to further my education abroad. I believe that is the dream of many students in Ghana or Africa in general. I therefore encouraged myself to make the best out of this so I wouldn’t go back and see my colleagues back home doing well than me.



Reggie Tagoe: Let me take you back a step. What were some of the experiences in the early years in Italy?

Obed Duku: I found myself in a different world altogether, a world of white people, the language was a barrier to me, their way of living, reasoning, thinking and parent’s relationship with their children at home - everything was different from where I was coming from. It wasn’t easy adopting the system here, besides from where I was coming from, most of the things we saw as bad was norm in Italy. I remember my first day at school I wept and a few days after, I had an encounter with some of my mates. Someone did something wrong in class, the teacher asked who did it and they all pushed the blame on me, I couldn’t defend myself because of the language, I became a defenceless student. Ministry wise, it was a bit challenging because it wasn’t easy trying to bring out what I had in the inside. When I try to, they wouldn’t easily give you a platform to explore your abilities. I remember I had to, sometimes, beg at programmes to sing.



Reggie Tagoe: Did it occur to you, you cannot succeed here and that you have to go elsewhere. Many of your compatriots think relocating from here to places like the US, UK or another country in Europe can give them better opportunities – for them Italy is not a land of hope for the immigrant?

Obed Duku: Naturally, I love being exceptional. I have always had this feature right from childhood, I love doing things different from others, even sometimes in dressing. What people call fashion or the order of the day never inspires me. I am not easily influenced by the norm, no, this is me and I thank God for that. Let me be very frank with you, I have travelled across Europe and never, have I decided relocating permanently to any of these places because I think, opportunities there are greater. Life is about how you see it. I am a believer and therefore try possibly to live as one, scripture says: ‘wherever the soul of my feet shall tread, that place, God will give unto me. It can be Italy, Ghana, Iraq, anywhere … it’s all about your attitude towards the situation. I see great opportunities in Italy than any other place, sure it has its own challenges, nevertheless, they are everywhere. Come to think of it, where do I begin from if I should relocate, I will be a failure to initiate something and not live to complete it. I will only move when I’m lead not because the economy or circumstances tells me so.



Reggie Tagoe: Let’s talk more about your music career as gospel artiste. When and where did it kick-start?

Obed Duku: As I said earlier on, it started at a very tender age, I realised that I inherited that from my father. When I joined him in Italy, he was the leader of our church’s music department. I had the passion right from childhood, I remember following almost everything that had to do with music, was so driven by the passion having no knowledge of it. My mother registered me into a Musical School at Obuasi and started to learn how to play the keyboard and singing as well. The name Obed - 'the Worshipper', as I’m popularly known was born as a result of a programme I hosted on Shepherd Radio (a Ghanaian owned station in Vicenza) called ‘Inspirational Worship’.



Reggie Tagoe: Tell me about some of your achievements so far.

Obed Duku: My Hall of Fame is replete with these significant laurels: In 2010 and 2011 by the grace of God, together with my Ministry - ‘Worshipper’s Outreach Ministries’ - I organised a Praise and Worship Concert in Italy in congregation with blacks and whites. There were about 1000 people, featuring great International gospel icons, among them; Minister Atta Boafo, Diana Antwi Hamilton, Minister Allen (all from the UK), Pastor Uche from South Africa, Christiana Love and Ernest Opoku (both from Ghana). I authored a book titled Basic Issues of Life in 2005/2006, I was honoured by the current Ghana Ambassador to Italy, Her Excellency Anita Evelyn Stokes-Hayford, on an invitation to pay her a courtesy call at the Embassy in Rome to discuss issues that concerns most of the things she has heard I do and also about the Ghanaian Youths in Italy in general.



Reggie Tagoe: What’s your relationship with the Church in Brescia where you fellowship and tell me about some of the programmes you’ve been involved?

Obed Duku: I’m a son to all the Christian Churches in Brescia. I have ministered in almost all of the Pentecostal Churches around and also have a very good relationship with the Pastors. This is because; though I fellowship with a particular church, I believe I’m fed and natured by almost all of these Pastors around me. I’m actually a product of the body of Christ and therefore try as much as possible to extend my service to the Lord in all Ministries. I have been involved in so many programmes, I can’t mention all but just to mention a few: I co-founded one of the finest Mass Choir in Italy – ‘Harmonic Clarion’. I also pioneered the birth of the non- denominational Youth Organisation, ‘Youth and the Future’, which is one of the productive youth wings in the northern part of Italy you can talk of. Finally, I also preside and coordinate one of the best and finest gospel event organised within the black community. It brings people from far and near under one roof to Worship and Praise God - ‘Festival of Worship and Praise’.

Reggie Tagoe: I have seen you a couple of times performing with Rev. Dayana Akosua Biney. She is one of the most hard working Ghanaians in Italy you can think of – a pastor, cultural mediator, author, journalist and gospel artiste all rolled into one. You seem to be walking on the same path with her. What’s the relationship like with her?

Obed Duku: Obed wasn’t known outside his confines here in Italy until one day, when I divinely got in touch with Rev. Diana Adu Biney of Rete Brescia Television. She was the first in Italy to expose me and brought me to the limelight, by inviting me to join her group, then Afro Gospel Band. Some months after, she began taking me on set, on TV with her and from that time, I have not seized being a blessing to our community at large. She discovered me when I was nobody, stirred up most of the gifts in me, gave me an ear and platform to bring the ‘Worshipper’ in me out. No wonder, she is now a prophetess. My desire and decision to become a Radio Presenter was inspired by her. Out of the many things she taught me, I became an MC at local and national events and now travel outside Italy for events. She also inspired me into becoming a lingual mediator. Rev. Dayana, together with others, among them, my parents (Mr. & Mrs. Duku), Pastor Alex Opoku Mansony and his wife Rebecca Opoku, have done so much for me so far as my Ministry in Italy is concerned than any other individuals. I have a very good relationship with Rev. Dayana and I know it will continue - I’m her ‘first son’. Let me take this opportunity and thank her for all she has done in my life.



Reggie Tagoe: I have asked this question a number of times about immigrants in Italy. What do you think the future holds for the migrant to Italy?

Obed Duku: The future is bright and you can see that from now. Everything we see happening in our generation can tell, compare the Italy of today to that of 15 years back, there has been a drastic change. God used the young people of Israel to possess the promise land, the old people laboured for it, some lost their lives for it but guess what, the generation after were the ones to possess it. Italy can become better with time, if we the young ones will keep on the good foundation our parents toiled for, educate ourselves and explore Italy to the maximum instead of running and relocating to other places. Who knows, we might all, maybe one day relocate to another country for various motives, education, work, family etc… but in the meantime, let’s give our best to where we are now. How long can we run from problems, we need to stick our heads into them and face them sometimes, that makes us winners.



Reggie Tagoe: What do you make of the difficulties, impediments, frustration that immigrants face here? Is it the State and its laws, Italians or the immigrants themselves?

Obed Duku: All three but what I can say here is, let us as migrants be the ones to resolve most of the difficulties. Some can be eradicated if we educate our children, if we learn the Italian language very well as it’s the basic for success in this land, if we begin to appreciate the good side of Italians and not always talk about their bad side. The best way you can teach a person into something is by practicing it yourself.

Reggie Tagoe: At 24, you’re in a Consultancy Business (WOM Consultancy) and that’s not common among the population of immigrants here, even Italians at that age. How did you get this started and what’s involved here?

Obed Duku: It all began from the Ministry, ‘Worshipper’s Outreach Ministries’. After our first event which was a success, I decided to register it and have an office or set-up. Embarking on that vision, the question of maintaining the office came up, so I had to apply and bring in certain things that can generate money or funds for this course. Before then, I was involved in helping people with services like, renewing of staying permit, visa applications, flight ticketing of which I was an agent for BBC ticketing service - working on allowances as to how many tickets I’m able to sell. I had also attended a 3 months course at CISL of Brescia (one of the Trade Unions) that was purposed at, training people into services like, calculating one’s yearly taxes and wages - ‘Calcolo 730’, examining pay slips among others. I was doing several things, some of which I had the license to and some not, so I decided to officially register and get a license to do all these services. I also affiliated with some lawyers who will deal with all legal problems and challenges. And now, legally, WOM Consultancy provides all these services to migrants. So you see, when we seek God first, all other things shall follow.



Reggie Tagoe: Tell me about the difficulties you encountered getting off with this business and how you overcame those challenges.

Obed Duku: Challenges I faced were many and all cannot be recounted here but one thing I know is, each time I face a challenge, it’s simply telling me that there's room for enlargement, greatness. Every level in life, depending on what you wish to achieve has its own challenges. Some of which may be from peers, parents, finances etc., but in all of these, you don’t run away from them, you stand and face it, to overcome it. It will interest you to know that I even started most of these things I’m doing, like the Consultancy, even before informing my parents especially when I realised they might stop me, either by reason of finances or whatsoever. Challenges in life are inevitable, love it and make it your friend. I believe no man can stop a dreamer, except himself. Whatever you wish to do, so long as the purpose is godly it will not only help you but others. Face it when getting it gets tougher, Jesus will show up.





Reggie Tagoe: Interestingly, you are also running a Charity Organisation against the backdrop of all your busy schedules. Take me into what it is all about here.



Obed Duku: To whom much is given, much is required from. This is simply the beginning of a journey of 1000 miles. For Obed, it is an honour and priviledge to stand and lead God's children in the art of spiritual intimacy. My Ministry houses the presence of God and where God's heart is, His hand will be. Testimonies of healing and breakthrough follow wherever I set up to praise Him. I have performed in several places alongside gospel music stalwarts such as Minister Atta Boafo, Diana Antwi Hamilton, Minister Allen (all from the UK) Pastor Uche – South Africa, Christiana Love, Ernest Opoku (all from Ghana), Dsp Kofi Sarpong, Minister Anne Marie, Rev. Dayana Biney and others. But guess what, none of these gives me all the satisfaction or joy, none of these makes me accomplished than showing love to the needy, rejected and orphans. What will it profit me if I do all this and don’t have love. Pure and undefiled religion, the Bible says: ‘is to visit the fatherless and motherless in affliction.’ At the moment, my main task is to help improve the lives of those less priviledged in Africa and indeed other parts of the world as God extends my borders. In this regard he has stepped up my Ministry Charity Project - ‘WOM Second Chance Foundation’.





Reggie Tagoe: As I mentioned in the beginning, you are one of the few immigrants in Italy at your age who seems to have broken the back of impediments and frustration and making progress in this country. What is the secret behind your achievements so far?

Obed Duku: God first and the last in all I do. Many begin with Him but leave him along the way. Secondly, hard work and persistency, when I am bent on doing something, no matter the cost involve, I see to it till I finish. Humility, I have known as one secret and that is, the way to the top is from the down. This is one area my father advices me very often. And then of course, teamwork, I can never do all this if not with the support of others, especially, in the area of my Ministry, I won’t mention names here because they are many but all of those people have been behind my success story and supported me.



Reggie Tagoe: You were given an Award at the recent Ghana-Italy Excellence Awards Night, hosted in Brescia, as the BEST RISING STAR within the Ghanaians community in Italy. What’s your take on the event and how did you feel on that night?

Obed Duku: Being nominated under 4 categories, I managed to pick up one and guess what, it was the most voted and aimed category among all. This Award makes me feel so humbled. It doesn’t make me the best among my contemporaries, certainly not, but I believe, life is about time, season and turn. This is my season, time and turn, it tells me that, God and then the people, appreciate what I’m doing.



Though I see it as an honour, I also view it as a challenge thrown on my life, the entire Ghanaian community in Italy and even Europe are looking up to me, I can’t fail them. I pray God that who picked me up, started with me, will finish up the race with me also.



Reggie Tagoe: You were smartly dressed on that day of the event, your English and accent was perfect on the stage and on the other hand you are fluent in Italian too. Most of your compatriots here in your age group doesn’t have that, they speak mostly in Italian and doesn’t have a good command of the English language and even their mother tongue. How will you address that?

Obed Duku: Well I think my fluency in English also has to do with the fact that I had my Junior Secondary School (JSS) education in Ghana. I often speak it with friends, I am not a frequent reader but will advise my compatriots to read more of English literature and also make it their first language after school hours, it will help them a lot.



Reggie Tagoe: What are your plans for the future?

Obed Duku: A lot but to mention just a few. Italy and the world should watch out. I am currently prayerfully working on my album which should be out somewhere middle of next year. I also look forward to taking my Ministry to the next level where I can affect a lot of lives with the things I do. I should also say that, I don’t only sing or just a philanthropist but I am also an upcoming preacher and a motivational speaker. I have been a seminarian in most youth engagements. I wish to take all of these things to the next level with the support of God. OH YES I CAN!!!



Reggie Tagoe: What advise will you give any Ghanaian or African youth abroad?

Obed Duku: Don’t be influenced to think you can’t do it, you can’t get there. You can make it. Let me be very frank with you, it doesn’t take so much to become what you want to be, all you need to do is to be ready for the task, position yourself and watch God as He takes you through step by step. It may take long but you will certainly get there. Be the common person that does the uncommon things. Finally, the race is not for the swift or he that runneth but God, who gives utterance. God first and all other things shall follow.





Reggie Tagoe: It’s a pleasure talking to you Obed. I appreciate your time for this interview



Obed Duku: Thank you instead for this honour and for your time. Hope you give me this opportunity again?

Min. Obed Osei Amoah Duku (de Worshipper)

President of Worshipper's Outreach Ministries,

Director of WOM Second Chance Foundation,

C.E.O of Wom Consultancy

Via Matteotti 180

25063 Gardone Val-Trompia

Brescia - Italy

Tel: +39 388 697 7978

E-mail: obedduku@yahoo.ca

mogobed@gmail.com

Skype: www.skype.com/obeddeworshipper

- Reggie Tagoe in Brescia, Italy (rtagoe@live.com)