{"id":133304,"date":"2015-07-10T14:53:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-10T14:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=133304"},"modified":"2015-07-11T00:04:38","modified_gmt":"2015-07-11T00:04:38","slug":"accras-taxi-driver-with-a-coventry-uni-masters-degree-targets-phd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2015\/07\/accras-taxi-driver-with-a-coventry-uni-masters-degree-targets-phd\/","title":{"rendered":"Accra’s taxi driver with a Coventry Uni. Masters degree; targets PhD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Driving a taxi in the streets of Accra is not an option a typical Ghanaian Masters Degree holder from a respected UK based Coventry University would choose, after looking for a job for months.<\/p>\n

He returned from the UK, full of hope, with a degree in\u00a0Oil and Gas Management hoping to grab a good paying job in Ghana’s budding oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n

Peter Seshi was a teacher but with the quest to upgrade himself, he applied to the University of Ghana to do a degree programme in Sociology after teaching for three years.<\/p>\n

[contextly_sidebar id=”lBGZjTlcfUYr3iqeLSVwKjYwHs7TlIfD”]After his first degree, he returned to the classroom to teach for a while until he got the opportunity to study at Coventry University for a year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came back on the 7th of December 2012 which was the day of the election,\u201d he told Traffic Avenue on Citi FM<\/strong> host, Jessica Opare Saforo.<\/p>\n

He planned, but the country had other plans.<\/p>\n

Peter searched for months, in and outside the oil and gas industry without any luck.<\/p>\n

With over 20,000 unemployed graduates in the country\u00a0(according to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research), Peter refused to be part of the statistics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I came back, I had to look for a job. I went to all the Oil Companies, wrote applications here and there, you go and they tell you no vacancy; those who are a bit polite, they will acknowledge receipt but then you won\u2019t hear anything from them. You will do a follow up and still no vacancy,\u201d he narrated on\u00a0Traffic Avenue on Citi FM<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

After an endless search in and out of the oil and gas sector, Peter settled on a plan many with his qualificiation would not take.<\/p>\n

\u201c… I was unemployed and in the house but I had this car at home so I decided that while sitting around and doing nothing, why don\u2019t I get myself doing something to at least make some earns meet.\u00a0I decided to convert the car into a commercial vehicle. I went through all the processes, I sent the car to the mechanics, they sprayed it and I hit the road and started my work as a taxi driver.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Peter<\/a>
Peter Seshi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mixed reaction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peter Seshi disclosed that his family was very supportive of his decision especially his wife but the story is not the same with his friends.<\/p>\n

According to him, he became a laughing stock among some of his friends who thought being a taxi driver was beneath him considering his impressive academic qualifications.<\/p>\n

But he did not budge!<\/p>\n

The ‘shocked’ passengers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of my passengers are surprised when they get to know who I am,\u201d he recounted, “but I check out the personalities and demeanor of my passengers before starting a conversation with them because not all of them are friendly.”<\/p>\n

Seshi also revealed not all his passengers treat him with respect. Some talk down at him but others are polite and very conversational.<\/p>\n

What next?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Definitely, for Seshi, holding a Masters degree from one of the best universities in the world is not enough.<\/p>\n

He is determined to continue his education to acquire a Doctorate degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I get the opportunity, I would want to do my PhD. Two degrees are not enough so at least a PhD. It will be my last stop,\u201d he said smiling.<\/p>\n

Asked what he will do with the PhD, Seshi said: \u201cYou will get so many options; you can go back to the classroom and teach; you can do consultancy services and all sorts of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
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Follow @ osamidan<\/a>
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