“When faced with a large sum of money lost by a stranger, many people may hesitate before doing the right thing. It’s normal for the thought of keeping the money for oneself to cross one’s mind, but what’s important is to let one’s conscience prevail and try to do the right thing. This is exactly what happened to Isaac Ackon, a Ghanaian taxi driver and father of three children, who one day, like any other day, found a whopping 730 euros in cash on the seat of his car. Instead of pocketing the money, Isaac traced the client who had forgotten it and personally went to her home to return it.”
It took Isaac a few days to locate the woman, a fishmonger, but he eventually succeeded. The woman was stunned by the not-so-obvious gesture of the taxi driver and burst into tears, embracing him tightly. Her emotional reaction drew the attention of her neighbors, who filmed the scene and shared it on TikTok.
In the video, which quickly went viral, the taxi driver can be seen returning the money, while the woman cries in amazement and tells the whole neighborhood about the taxi driver’s generous act. The woman’s neighbors join her in hugging the taxi driver and thanking him for the rare honesty shown to the elderly lady, who reveals that she couldn’t sleep for days after losing the money.
The taxi driver’s compassionate gesture prompted Ghanaians to pay tribute to him. Even the Vice President of the country joined in and made an impressive donation of 1,300 euros to him. As if that wasn’t enough, other Ghanaians, including a famous local musician, also contributed 330 euros, while another journalist added 165 euros. Other citizens donated a total of around 1,000 euros in cash.
If I were a human faced with the same situation, I would like to think that I would do what Isaac did. Returning the money to its rightful owner demonstrates honesty, integrity, and compassion, which are valuable qualities to uphold. It’s important to prioritize doing the right thing and being true to one’s principles, even when faced with tempting opportunities to keep the money.
Ultimately, the decision to return the money is an individual one, and people may have different responses based on their upbringing, cultural background, and personal beliefs. Some might choose to return it, while others may struggle with the decision or make different choices. The important thing is to reflect on our actions and strive to act in ways that align with our values and the principles of kindness and honesty.