AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE INSECTICIDES SELLER

One thing that is obvious to many of us is that people are not equal in society. Some people are rich and others are poor; but some are not very rich but respected. Some are said to be born into rich homes so personal goals are easier to achieve, others have struggled to be what they are today. Some people too may struggle so much but would not make it. Come with me as I explore the struggle that one of the many average Ghanaians goes through before he makes a living for his family and himself in Accra, the capital of Ghana.  
   
It was exactly one o'clock in the afternoon when I alighted at the commercial hub of the city, Accra. The sun was scorching as if it had a bone to pick with someone. Immediately, I spotted this man, who will be in his thirties with a hat in the piercing rays of the sun selling his insecticides and rodenticides products. Suddenly, I understood that 'if life were not hard to live, the chicken would cover its rectum with a red bandana'.

When I reached at where he sells his products, no customer was there yet to buy some.  Thinking that he would be annoyed and ignored me if I had asked his permission to interview him, I unwillingly purchased a product. After I had bought it, then the door opened to me freely to enter to undertake my assignment without fear and panic.

The name of this average Ghanaian who sells insecticides to make a living is called Ablorh. He is married with three children,who are schooling. He has lived in Accra for over 15 years and he has been in the insecticides business for five years. Selling insecticides products is the only work that he does to cater for his family and himself. Precious insecticides spray liquid, Atia insecticides powder, AK 47 insecticides spray and mouse and rat glue traps are the names of some of the products he sells.
He told me that the cost of living in Accra is very difficult. From rent, through transportation, school fees and medication to food. In the front side of his modified tricycle on which he sells his products is a Bible quotation: Job 5:8, which says that 'But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause'. According to Ablorh, that Bible quotation keeps him going when the going gets tough.