Isaac Kwame Agyare, a pharmacist based in Texas, is the CEO of Agyaresco Farms. In an interview with DJ Nyaami on the Daily Hustle Worldwide show, he shared his journey from Ghana to the United States, detailing his struggles and successes.
Born in Kumasi, with roots in Suame and Ash Town, Isaac attended Agrey Memorial Secondary School. Like many of his peers in the Sixth Form, he aspired to travel abroad. After his father passed away, he applied for a scholarship and moved to Budapest, Hungary, where he completed a master’s degree in pharmacy. From there, he moved to London, where he lived for ten years, got married, and started a family before eventually relocating to the United States.
Isaac’s father, a goldsmith, strongly believed in education and initially opposed his decision to travel. However, Isaac was determined to explore opportunities abroad. Looking back, he sometimes wishes he had stayed in Ghana, especially since many of his friends who remained there have become successful.
While studying in Hungary, he struggled with the language but learned it through daily interactions. He befriended a Jewish roommate who later became a billionaire in the pharmaceutical industry. After graduation, his roommate moved to Nigeria to start a business, while Isaac continued his journey in London. Without a work permit, he worked illegally, leading to multiple arrests. Eventually, he prioritized helping his family, securing papers for his brother, his brother’s wife, and his own wife, but not for himself. When he was finally deported to Ghana, he saw it as a chance to rebuild.
Determined to continue his career, Isaac moved to the U.S. to complete his pharmacy board exams. He later earned a master’s degree in toxicology and veterinary medicine. Despite facing initial struggles, he built a stable career, working for 18 years in the pharmaceutical industry.
Beyond his pharmacy career, Isaac developed a passion for farming. While in London, he visited a centenary farm and was inspired by a young millionaire milking cows. This motivated him to invest in agriculture in Ghana. His initial plan was to start a goat farm, but local chiefs opposed it, leading him to buy 30 acres of land at Nkaseimu, where he began cocoa farming. Over time, he expanded his farm to include livestock, cashew, and coconut. Labor shortages and theft have been challenges, but he remains committed to making it work.
Isaac’s wife plays a crucial role in their farming venture. She spends six months in Ghana each year supervising the farm and overseeing their three-bedroom house with a garage. At one point, they had 70 goats, but 28 mysteriously died despite having security cameras and fencing.
Reflecting on his experiences, Isaac believes that if people are serious about farming, they don’t need to travel abroad. He has visited over 2,100 farms in Texas and sees great potential in Ghana’s agricultural sector. He plans to transition into food processing, recognizing its profitability, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Isaac advises young Ghanaians against unnecessary migration. One of his friends took his advice and stayed in Ghana, eventually becoming successful. Another friend, who initially moved to America, returned to Ghana and now visits the U.S. every three months, running a business in eye care and hand sanitizers. In contrast, a woman he knew raised $8,000 to move to South Africa, only to be deported from both South Africa and London before considering another attempt at America. Isaac discouraged her, insisting that she could succeed in Ghana.
He strongly believes that making it in Ghana allows one to travel anywhere. He is committed to setting up his nieces and nephews in Ghana to spare them unnecessary struggles abroad. He also emphasizes that migrating with the right qualifications or through legal family sponsorship makes the journey smoother.
In hindsight, Isaac wishes he had listened to his father’s advice about staying in Ghana. However, his experiences have shaped his belief that success is possible anywhere with the right mindset and effort.
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