Paul Patrick Ah-Hing tastes success in Ghana

Paul Patrick Ah- Hing, 39 years old immigrated to Ghana with his family to write a new success story. He narrates his story with the readers of News On Sunday.

In 2008, Patrick moved to Ghana in search for a new quest. After working at Blanche Birger as an aluminum and PVC skilled worker after school in 1997, he worked as technical manager at PVC Des Iles and then at Manser Saxon in 2002. He stayed there for four years. It is there that his career will know a big shift. “In December 2006, a friend from Italy, who was also one of my suppliers while I was working at Manser Saxon, approached me and told me that a company in Ghana is searching for a person like me. He introduced me to my current boss and the latter invited me to come and visit his factory. He even paid for my ticket and I visited his factory for one week. I was really impressed. The company was huge and had a lot of potential. The company was mainly in wholesales and distribution at that time. I was offered the job of starting his processing factory, which I did, and now the processing department is the leader in West Africa. He trusted me and offered me a job in Ghana. Even if the responsibilities were new to me, I took the challenge,” he revealed.

It has been a life changing opportunity for Patrick despite not having any any academic achievements. He had the opportunity to learn and benefit from professional experience with an architect like Philippe Piat and the entrepreneur Michel Miniapen. Quickly, with his passion and enthusiasm to work, he sees his responsibilities increasing. He became the technical director of operations, imports and sales. His work consists of looking for new products and suppliers. In addition, he is responsible for the purchase and implementation of new products and staff training. He also manages a team of 100 people in production unit aluminum.

Referring to his life in Ghana, he says: “We are having a very good experience here. Despite the heat and dry season, we are coping. The cost of living has increased due to the depreciation of the Cedi and therefore prices are rising across the sector. There is also a number of Mauritians living there, we often meet for occasions such as Divali, the Independence Day, birthdays or for a dinner,” he says. 

“ There are so many potentials in Ghana and there is a lack of skilled as well as qualified labour in almost all sectors. There is possibility for growth."

Open his own company  

Patrick explains that being an expatriate brings its share of difficulties. “The ‘obronis’, as they call us here, are privileged but there are also many prejudices for being a foreigner. There is a lack of skilled labour, hence making our work more complicated as you always have to teach them.” Patrick cherishes the dream of opening his own company. “I have lots of projects. I am thinking of investing in Mauritius and Canada in real estate. I have already started. It is more about buy, renovate, sell and rent,” he states. 

He encourages to settle in Ghana. “There are so many opportunities in Ghana and there is a lack of skilled as well as qualified labour in almost all sectors. There is possibility for growth.”

“ I have lots of projects. I am thinking of investing in Mauritius and Canada in real estates. I have already started. It is more about buy, renovate, sell and rent."