Professor Charles Appeadu, a Ghanaian scholar, has spent 38 years abroad—34 in the United States and 4 in Canada. His remarkable academic and professional journey began at St. Augustine’s College and continued at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he studied BSc. Technology.
In 1987, he won the Commonwealth Scholarship, which took him to Vancouver, Canada. Sixteen days after marrying his wife, Christina, the couple relocated together, with his wife joining him as a dependent. Professor Appeadu pursued his master’s degree in Civil Engineering, but life in Canada came with a cultural shock. He was the only Black student in his program and had to adjust to racial and social differences he had never experienced in Ghana.
Despite completing his studies, job opportunities in Canada after graduation were scarce, compelling the couple to move to the United States. His wife, previously a nurse in Ghana, was initially unable to work legally and had to take informal jobs while he survived on student stipends. During these early years, they faced serious financial challenges, often depending on food supplies from Catholic food banks.
With determination, Professor Appeadu transitioned from engineering to finance, eventually earning his PhD in Finance. He graduated in 1996 after successfully defending his thesis and later secured employment, setting the foundation for an impressive academic career.
Today, he is a Professor of Finance at the University of Cincinnati, where he teaches both undergraduate and master’s students. He also serves as a Director in Financial Planning and Chartered Financial Analysis programs.
Professor Appeadu earns between $190,000 and $300,000 annually, reflecting the high standards and competitive nature of academic positions in top U.S. universities. He encourages Ghanaian youth to embrace vocational and technical training, noting that trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, hairdressing, and cocoa processing offer strong and employable career paths.
He observed that many Africans struggle to pass certification exams abroad because they lack the discipline and commitment required, while others—such as Indians—study intensively for months to qualify.
Despite his long stay abroad, Professor Appeadu remains deeply connected to Ghana. He has taught in several Ghanaian universities and is currently building his retirement home in Ghana, although he already owns a house there. His plan is to retire between Ghana and abroad, maintaining strong ties to both worlds.
Professor Appeadu’s journey—from financial hardship to becoming a distinguished finance scholar—serves as inspiration for many, highlighting the power of perseverance, education, and adaptability.
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