A student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has gone viral for selling sachet water commonly known as pure water on the streets of Kumasi while dressed in full corporate attire to fund his university education.
Identified as Emmanuel Kwabena Asare, a third-year student studying Business Administration, the young man was captured by a passerby wearing a neatly ironed shirt, tie, and trousers, confidently walking through traffic while hawking water under the scorching sun.
The images and video, which have since circulated widely on social media, have sparked a wave of admiration, with many praising Emmanuel’s work ethic, dignity, and refusal to let financial hardship derail his academic journey.
Speaking to journalists, Emmanuel said he deliberately wears formal clothing to change perceptions about street hawkers and to show that “there is no shame in hard work.”
“People expect that if you’re hawking, you must be in tattered clothes or look desperate. But I want to show that you can be smart, decent, and still hustle,” he said.
“I sell during weekends and sometimes after lectures. Every cedi I earn goes into my fees, books, and upkeep.”
KNUST authorities have not officially commented on Emmanuel’s case, but some alumni and members of the public have already begun rallying to support him through scholarships and donations.
On social media, the hashtag SupportEmmanuel has been trending, with many calling for institutions and philanthropists to assist him in completing his studies.
“This young man is the definition of resilience and dignity. We need to invest in people like him,” one commenter wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Emmanuel says he hopes to one day run his own business and sponsor students facing similar challenges.
“My dream is not just to graduate, but to build something that creates opportunities for others like me,” he said.
