In the bustling streets of Techiman’s central business district, a young man known as “Doctor H₂O” is drawing attention—not just for his unique marketing style but for the powerful story behind his hustle.
Chophel Daniel, a 20-year-old Level 500 Doctor of Optometry student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), sells sachet water to support his education and ease the financial burden on his parents.
With a serving bowl in hand and a courteous approach, Daniel, offers his water with professionalism and humility.
He began selling water in 2019 after completing senior high school, using the proceeds to fund his university admission and support himself ever since.
“This is what I’ve been doing to support my parents since 2019,” Daniel shared. “After completing SHS in 2021, I used the money I made to buy my university admission forms. I often feel shy, but the profit is always worth more than any mockery,” he said confidently to 3News.com, an online portal.
Though initially ridiculed by some of his peers, Daniel stayed focused. His resilience has not only kept him in school but also turned him into a role model for many young people.
To inspire others, he travels to markets across Ghana, selling water and promoting the value of dignity in labour. He urges young people to seek honest livelihoods and avoid shortcuts such as fraud and crime.
“I always try to encourage the youth to support their parents in productive ways, rather than resorting to guns or fraud,” he said.
Looking beyond his own challenges, Daniel has a bold vision: to establish a water production company that will provide clean drinking water to Ghanaians while creating employment opportunities for street youth.
“I aspire to build my own water production company to create jobs for the youth and help reduce unemployment,” he said.
While selling sachet water is common, Daniel’s exceptional customer service and dignified work ethic make his story stand out.
His dream, passion, and determination remind us that no job is too small when it is pursued with purpose.
