37-year-old taxi driver, Kwesi Ackon who returned an amount of Eight Thousand Ghana cedis (Ghc 8,000) belonging to a fishmonger which was left in his cab has become a hero.

Due to his honesty, he has received three times more of the amount he returned as his reward.

The driver’s action has gone viral on social media and attracted commendation and rewards, including cash of Twenty Thousand Ghana cedis (GHC20, 000) from the Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Other individuals have also made donations to him to turn his life around.

Mr. Ackon who works within Kokomlemle said he had been surprised by the reaction that had greeted his action as he was only living his Christian principles, of being honest.

“When I returned the money, I did not think it was a big deal as it was just the right thing to do, but what has happened after that tells me that honesty, truth truly pays,” he said.

Speaking to the media, the taxi driver said it began last Saturday, May 7, when he transported a fishmonger and her ware from Mallam Atta Market to Teshie around 8 p.m.

He said the next day, as he cleaned his car, he noticed something suspicious in the vehicle and when he checked, he realized it was money.

“At first it looked like a rug due to how it was folded, but later I realized it was an apron smelling of fish. So I looked inside and to my surprise, I found all that money,” he explained.

Mr. Ackon said he did not count the money initially, but subsequently, it was disclosed to be an amount of Eight Thousand Four Hundred Ghana cedis (GhC8,400.00)

He emphasized that his first instinct was to track down the woman and return the money to her since she was the last passenger he picked.

“Returning the money was the only thing that came to my mind and my wife also encouraged me to and so I did exactly that. As a Christian, my conviction is: If something does not belong to you, don’t take it or keep it.

“Returning the money was nothing new to me on the job. People lose their phones and other valuables in my taxi all the time and every single one of them has always been returned to them.

“I listen to my heart and it instructed me to return the money,” he stressed.

Having tracked the woman to where he dropped her off the previous night, he returned the money and the woman’s children, moved by the gesture, apparently recorded and shared the short video.

“I honestly never expected this attention. I never thought that the video would reach as far as it has to attract that reaction,” he said.

Donations, Gratitude

Apart from the GHC20,000 that he has received from the Vice- President, he has received other donations from many other people.

Mr. Ackon used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude to the Vice-President for the support he had received saying that he would put the money to good use.

“I have plans for the money and key among them is getting my own car and then use the remaining for other things in my life,” he said.