I Can Never be Mad Again! My Scars, My Badges of Honour

By Richard Abbey Jnr.

I refuse to settle for less than my destiny. If that means charging through life like a raging bull, then so be it. I've never taken the path of least resistance, and I've managed to overcome colossal obstacles and destiny-threatening blockages to arrive at my God-ordained destination.

I've survived the unsurvivable, and I've bulldozed my way to the top of the food chain. I couldn't afford to become prey, so I chose to be the hunter rather than the hunted, the leader rather than the follower, and the trendsetter that everyone seeks to emulate. I summoned success with my resilience and determination, and it showed up.

I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I scavenged all the dumpsites life led me to and gathered every scrap I could find to make something of myself.

In this book, I've distilled my story into ten inspiring chapters:

• A Conqueror Is Born
• An Absentee Mother
• Hustling as a Means of Survival
• Finding My Footing after Legon
• Faith and Business
• Aiming to Enthrall!
• My Marriage; a By-Product of My Business
• The Difference Maker!
• I Can Never Be Mad Again
• Simplified: The Invaluable Life Lessons
• Quotable Quotes By Richard Abbey Jnr.

This memoir of my colorful life is intended to inspire, uplift, encourage, and embolden you, my reader, to live the best life God has for you. I want you to know that it is possible to change the course of your life, regardless of how far you are from your desires and dreams. It is possible to rise from every dungeon of self-sabotage and liberate yourself to attain heights you've only fantasized about.

Go for gold!

 

"One thing I personally like about him is his passion to work. He believes in assignments done to the hilt with precision. He does not countenance mediocrity but aims always towards perfection. This is evident from the pins, plaques, citations and trophies presented to deserving awardees, and also his choice of venues for the event nights." –

DAVID ATTA-PETERS, Ph. D, FGhIG,

 

Professor of Geology, Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon.

"I had known Richard for over 30 years and been a big supporter and brother to him. Richard is a man of integrity. He is the type that always looks for win-win situations. Secondly, his respect for others, especially the minority is overwhelming. His respect for ladies, beggars, children, elderly, the poor, friend and coworker cannot be challenged."

 - ING. E NII ARYEETEY.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Abbey Jnr.
• Release date: Aug 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223225966

Book preview

The authorized autobiography of

RICHARD ABBEY JNR

I CAN NEVER BE MAD AGAIN!

MY SCARS, MY BADGES OF HONOUR.

THE KEYS TO MEANDERINGTHROUGH COLOSSAL OBSTACLES AND DESTINY-THREATENING BLOCKAGES TO SUCCESS AND GREATNESS.

A tale of rugged resolve; an unrelenting aspiration to survive the turbulence of life. To demand one’s portion of destiny’s cake and not settle for less. If it meant haggling with lifelike a charging, raging bull at the sight of red in a sports arena then so be it. For me, travelling the path of least resistance was never in the cards tobegin with and so I managed tomeander my way amidst colossal obstacles and destiny-threatening blockages to arrive at my God-ordained destination.

I have survived the unsurvivable and not only that; bulldozed my way to the top of the food chainasIcouldnotaffordtobecometheprey, so have I chosen the highroad to be the hunter rather than the hunted, the leader rather than the follower and the trendsetter everyone seeks to emulate.

I summoned success with my resilience and determination and it showed up. I’m not the golden boy who had been earmarked for success nevertheless, I scavenged all the dumpsites life led me to and gathered every scrap I could find to make something of myself.

Even though I was born to John Abbey, a reverend minister and Juanita my mum, I did not experience the typical family bond and relationship because my parents separated at the budding age of one and a half.

This memoir of my colourful life is intended to inspire, uplift, encourage and embolden you, my reader to live the best life God has for you and to let you know that it is possible to succeed!

Be encouraged! You can change the course of your liferegardlessof howfaryouare from your desires and dreams. You can rise from every dungeon of self-sabotage and liberate yourself to attain heights you’ve only fantasized about.

Everything is possible, it is within your reach.

You must stretch yourself to accomplish. Stretch yourself by unlearning hazardous principles that are injurious to your existence and elevation and relearning systems of thinking and living that will bring you within the radius of your dream life, dream job, dream marriage, dream family, etc.

All Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.

I CAN NEVER BE MAD AGAIN!

My Scars, My Badges of Honour.

ISBN:978-9988-3-6148-8

©2023 by Richard Abbey Jnr Published by MBN BOOKS Printed in the Republic of Ghana.

Editing, Proofreading, Book Cover Design, Book Layout Design by MBN Books.

East Legon Hills, Accra Behenase, Kumasi.

Marketed and Distributed by Xodus Communications

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All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical –including photocopy, recording,

or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the authors and publishers.

Please direct all enquiries to [e-mail] / richardabbeyjnr@ gmail.com

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK AND THE AUTHOR

IhaveknownRichardAbbeyJnrsince2005when I was the Senior Tutor at Legon Hall, University of Ghana. He was a student leader who was proactive in students’ activities in the hall and championing the cause of students’ welfare. His leadership skills were unlimited and I saw potential in him for the future. I was thus not surprised when in 2015 I gotacallfromhimandafollow-upvisittomyoffice to tell me he was the CEO and events director of a communications outfit (Xodus Communications Ltd). He invited me to be a member of the awarding board of events registered under the company which I gladly did and later to be the chair of the awarding board. The brands for the awards are the Forty Under 40 Awards, Ghana Oil and Gas Awards, Ghana Auto Awards, Ghana Insurance Awards, and the Ghana Manufacturing Awards. It is a remarkable feat for the organization through the dints and hard work of Richard to run these awards for all these years.

One thing I personally like about him is his passion to work. He believes in assignments done to the hilt withprecision.Hedoesnotcountenancemediocrity but aims always towards perfection. This is evident from the pins, plaques, citations, and trophies presented to deserving awardees, and his choice of venues for the event nights. He has vision and has looked outside the comfort zone of Ghana to organize his first event, Forty Under 40 Africa in South Africa. Richard has a remarkable sense of reasoning, judgement, and great powers of self-expression, making our meetings on awards to deserving individuals and organizations thought- provoking, challenging, insightful and rewarding. I say it with pride to be part of his team.

DAVID ATTA-PETERS, Ph. D, FGhIG

Professor of Geology, Department of Earth Science, University of Ghana, Legon. Chairman, Awarding Board, Xodus Communications.

A must-read book on how to turn a chaotic and disadvantaged background into a fledging business career and an even more peaceful and successful family life.

An absolute home run!

ALEXANDER QUAYE

This memoir is a single life story that takes the reader through many lives and places in Accra. It spans over four decades, from the 1980s to the 2020s. The author provides a vivid description of a hard, troubling, and humbling journey from the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder to midway up.

While every mile of the author’s journey provides an eye-opening personal experience, it is the miles through secondary school to the university, and the leadership roles that the author played along the way, that provide the most empathetic and clear definition of his unique personality. The miles through school also give the reader a frank glimpse into the complex network of friendships that would underlie the next five decades of Ghana’s national politics.

Simply put, this memoir is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to climb up the Ghanaian social ladder on the back of absolutely no inheritance.

DR. JUSTICE SREM-SAI

Law Lecturer, Accra.

I have known Richard for over 30yrs and have been a big supporter and brother to him. What I admire about Richard are numerous but let’s settle for the list below:

1.      Humility – His ability to accept and love others the way they are, without pretensions. Without hiding the flaws, neither the blessings.

2.     His ability to learn, not just in a pure-knowledge way but in a life-changing way.

3.     Integrity – as in the honest behaviour of loyal human beings. He is the type that always looks for win-win situations. Never gives up!

4.     Responsibility – He takes ownership and finishes what he has started. He does not quit when things get tough. Richard can be relied on and will be there until the end. I have seen it in raising his children and managing the home.

5.      Respect for others, especially the minority is overwhelming. His respect for ladies, beggars, children, the elderly, the poor, friends, and coworkers cannot be challenged. Respectful leaders are not always able to change the world. Buttheyseetheintrinsicvalueineverysingle person and respect that value. They respect people’s time, efforts, and desires. They take care of tiny things because small things matter. That is, Richard Abbey Jnr.

6.     His resilience is seen in his capacity to pursue a goal, dream, objective, or wish until the very end. Richard is like bamboo in a hurricane—they bend rather than break

7.      His big vision tends to inspire people who think big because, whenever we do not dare to follow our own dreams, he proves to us that big goals are possible. And this is clearly admirable. Human beings tend to narrow their vision down to daily affairs, regular stuff, and daily chores. And thisis how life passes by for many. So, when he finds someone who sees the big picture; the whole thing, the long-term end, he manages to look up and refresh his perspective.

8.     He can inspire, make other people follow and fight for their battles. He uses his special talent to emulate others close to him. This is clearly a desirable quality because it proves to us that we are doing things right. His name is Mr. Possible!

ING. E NII ARYEETEY

From September 2013 as I got employed with Xodus Communications Ltd, I had the real meaning of the word perseverance and was possessed with the can do spirit because I had the opportunity to work under a workaholic, Mr. Richard Abbey Jnr.

Many people are called bosses but when you see Mr.

Abbey, you see the definition of a boss.

Full of inspiration, he is someone who always wants to get the job done perfectly even if it takes a whole day or several times to get things done right. When you hear of John Possible it means everything can possibly be done by Mr. Abbey. I love that name.

Working with him for six years has made me a complete leader. See the results of Xodus right now on the international front, it is driven by a Man of Prayer.

DANIEL NII HARRISON

When I was asked to do this for Mr. Richard Abbey Jnr, the verse that readily came to mind was Proverbs 9:9, which says, Instruct the wise and they will even be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will even learn more (NLT). I met Abbey about 10 years ago at ICGC Abofu-The Lord’s Tabernacle where I was serving as the resident pastor. He invited me to attend his furniture fair exhibition at the National Theatre in Accra. Impressed with what I saw, I encouraged him to expand it to include other areas.

Concerning the God, Gold andTheGlory Conferences,Ihavealwaysbelievedthatinthis end time, GOD wants to put money in the hands of faithful and passionate people who want to expand His kingdom. Abbey was among the young peopleinthechurchwhowerereadytoavailthemselves to carry this vision forward. He personally bought into this concept and was ready to move with it. I taught him a lot of principles like giving, anointing, and moving on with big projects without planning. This can be scary but it works. At any opportunity, he will come home and drop some offerings to receive impartation for the next move. God used me to speak several prophetic words into his life (Proverbs 4:18, Isaiah 60: 3, 8). Today, I can confidently say that most of the prophetic words God spoke concerning his life have all come to pass.

PASTOR KWAME BOATENG SARPONG

Heavens Dew Ministry, West Legon, Accra. Former Resident Pastor,

ICGC The Lord’s Tabernacle.

He is very humble and smart enough to learn very fast.

DR. KWAKU FRIMPONG

Richard Abbey Jnr is a true force of nature. Over the last two decades of knowing him, he has consistently exhibited a track record of making things happen. He proactively pursues opportunities, leaving nothing to chance.

This resilience and hard work have propelled him to great heights, and this debut book is a testament to his unwavering drive. In the realm of authorship, I have no doubt that his book will leave an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to read it, resonating long after the last page is turned. ‘Ayekoo’ on this great step!

JOHN OSEI-WUSU

As a single mother, I raised my children with a strict sense of discipline and the fear of the Lord. I ensured they had total development.

Therefore, I am glad that Richard came out as a successful person. Seeing him makes me happy because I can confidently say that my labour has not been in vain. There are things Richard has grown up with that I really admire. He is the type who does not easily take delight in criticizing people. I remember before he went to the university, he wanted to study journalism and I strongly opposed it. He obliged and changed it without any resentment. Today, he is happy about that decision.

Richard is humble and submissive and always willing to learn. Interestingly, anytime I commend him for these things, he will insist that he learnt them from me.

GIFTY ANKRAH (AUNTIE).

I met Richard Abbey Jnr at the University of Ghana. In those days, I was very entrepreneurial as a young person. Richard and his friend as young guys also wanted to do something for themselves. They had come to see me for advice on some business they had started. Interestingly, in those days, you could not see me for free. I was in hot demand! You had to come along with some pizza or burger with apple juice or something special. Despite this strict requirement, Richard was able to meet the condition, and that opened my eyes to the kind of person he was. Richard is a goal-getter and an achiever!

Over the years, we’ve been great friends, and I now consider him a brother. Richard is someone I can talk to about anything at any time. Anytime, I get off the phone with him, I am just motivated to do more. His faith in God is unprecedented.

In fact, I have always seen myself as someone with great faith, however, Richard’s faith is on another dimension. If you should ask me the two things Richard loves the most: I will say, God and money. You dare say anything bad about God in his presence, and you dare not keep his money, he will chase you for it. That’s Richard for you.

As friends, we fight all the time but at the end of the day, he is one of the people I bounce off my business ideas on. We discuss everything, from business to family to God. I admire Richard so much and am very proud of his achievements. I am happy to be associated with him and to call him a buddy. My prayer for him is for God to plant his feet on higher grounds. I also pray that anyone who reads this book will be inspired to challenge the status quo, and that, it does not matter where you start from if you are determined to succeed.

REBECCA DONKOR

What a groundbreaking masterpiece from one of Ghana’s leading events managers. Richard has given the world his best gift! This book is destined to impact destinies and transform millions of lives. I highly recommend it.

NELSON SEMANU BOANDOH-KORKOR

Richard Abbey’s I Can Never Be Mad Again isan extraordinary memoir that takes readers on a compelling journey of personal transformation and triumph. In this deeply introspective and candid account, Abbey shares his remarkable story, shedding light on the scars that have shaped his life and how they became his ultimate badges of honor.

With vulnerability and raw emotion, Abbeyexplores the experiences that led to his scars, both visible and invisible. From childhood hardships to moments of profound loss and self-discovery, he unearths the profound lessons hidden within each scar. Through his introspective storytelling, Abbey reveals how these scars have not only molded his character but have also become a source of immense strength and resilience.

I Can Never Be Mad Again is apowerful testament to the humanspirit’s capacity to rise aboveadversity through faith in God. Abbey’s journeyofhealingandself-acceptanceservesas an inspiration to readers navigating their own challenges. With unwavering honesty and courage, he offers profound insights on finding meaning in pain, embracing vulnerability, and reclaiming one’s inner power.

As readers embark on this transformative narrative, they are invited to reflect on their own scars and the stories they tell. Abbey’s book reminds us that our scars, far from being symbols of weakness, can be transformed into powerful reminders of our resilience and personal growth. It is a poignant reminder that the greatest triumphs often emerge from the depths of our most challenging moments.

Richard Abbey’s powerful words will resonate with readers, encouraging them to look to God, embrace their scars, find strength in their vulnerability, and discover their own badges of honor.

LOM NUKU AHLIJAH

Lawyer and Academic

Co-author, Commercial Law in Ghana: Sourcebook

DEDICATION

To my children

SHIDAA

(Thanksgiving)

YIJIEMO

(Praise)

And

NYOGMODA

(God is great)

These names represent my appreciation to God for all the great things He has accomplished with my life!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Embarking on this project brings to mind