Kofi Apaw, popularly known as Daddy 4Days, is a Ghanaian currently based in Kumasi, Ghana. His nickname “Daddy 4Days” comes from a memorable childhood story — he once ate his grandmother’s banku for four straight days, which earned him the nickname.
Kofi’s story is a powerful tale of resilience, dreams, and the realities of migration. Originally from Kumasi-Dakyemso, he spent time living in Austria and returned to Ghana just three months ago. Though he was supposed to fly back to Austria recently, he postponed the trip due to personal reasons.
In an Interview with Dj Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle worldwide show, he revealed that Growing up, he had dreams of studying in Canada and hoped to gain admission to KNUST. However, he couldn’t pass the Common Entrance exams at first. Later, after a personal revelation, he returned to school in Ghana and passed. His mother encouraged him to learn a trade before thinking about traveling, so he trained as a welder.
Determined to help his family and build a better life, Kofi avoided starting a family too early, as he didn’t want his children to grow up without him. At age 21, his mother made the difficult decision to send him to Saudi Arabia. Life there was tough — smoking, drinking, and personal freedom were all restricted. He worked there for four years on a long-term project contract.
Still determined to reach Europe, Kofi sent money home but was unsure who to trust. He eventually decided to travel through Libya, starting his journey from Ghana through Burkina Faso and Niger, pretending to be searching for a lost woman to avoid arrest. He spent 15 days crossing the desert and two years in Libya. From there, he crossed the Mediterranean Sea and landed in Lampedusa, Italy, where he was arrested but later released with travel papers.
Kofi traveled through various European countries including Germany, the Netherlands, and finally Austria. In Austria, he met a Spanish woman who eventually helped him gain residency through adoption and asylum. He later married her, though she was 18 years older than him. After her death, he married her friend and lived with her for seven years.
While in Austria, tragedy struck. Three weeks after returning to Ghana, Kofi’s father died. Within four months, he also lost his sister and stepfather. He had always promised to support his family once he became successful abroad, but sadly, many of them passed away before he could fulfill those promises.
Now a citizen of Austria, Kofi has several certifications in welding and skilled trades. He has two children — a boy and a girl — with a young Austrian woman he met. Though he and the woman later divorced, he continues to be involved in his children’s lives.
Kofi believes there is more money and opportunity in Ghana than many realize. He reflects that the cost of living abroad is far higher, and that many people spend so much trying to migrate that they forget the potential back home. “Ghana has money — more than abroad — if only we value what we have,” he says.
Today, Kofi shares his story not just to inspire others, but to caution those who see traveling abroad as the only path to success. His journey, filled with hardship, heartbreak, and healing, is a testament to the power of perseverance and self-belief.
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