play videoYahaya Alpha Subaru when he was interviewed by the CNN recently
Yahaya Alpha Suberu, a filmmaker and University Lecturer at the Ghana campus of New York University, achieved a remarkable feat in 2007 by becoming the first Ghanaian to undertake a road trip from Ghana to Sweden.
The idea to travel from Ghana to Sweden was born during Alpha's first visit to his family in Stockholm. Inspired by the city's beauty and tranquillity, he expressed his desire to return by road during an evening stroll with his brother and uncle.
Alpha was also inspired by the celebration of Ghana's 50th anniversary in 2007. According to him, he wanted to let the world know the 1st African country to attain independence from its oppressors.
His journey was particularly unique as he completed the 11,677km distance in a 1986 2CV Citroen (602cc), a compact economy car from the French manufacturer Citroën.
The voyage commenced from the Independence Square in Accra and culminated in Sergels Torg, Stockholm. Despite the convenience of air travel, Alpha's determination led him to embark on this extraordinary road trip.
The journey spanned 24 days and covered nine countries. The considerable distance and diverse terrains demanded significant amounts of petrol, totalling over 900 litres.
Because there was no Google map or smartphone by then to aid him in navigating through the journey, Alpha had to buy a Michelin map of West Africa, North Africa, and Europe.
Alpha encountered various challenges on his voyage, at one point his gearbox broke down in Mauritania and had to spend 6 days searching for a replacement.
With a limited amount of money, he sometimes slept outdoors and on one occasion, he slept in the cold desert. Unlucky for him, the wind blew off his tent and he had to sleep bare-chested in the cold.
Above all, Alpha noted that he was determined to maintain his integrity by not greasing the palms of corrupt officials who wanted bribes from him at the borders.
Although this was not shared on social media then, Alpha's remarkable achievement was celebrated by fans who welcomed him at the Kotoka International Airport after hearing of his story in the media.
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Yahaya Alpha Subaru in 2007 after completing his journey
He managed to ship his car to back Ghana and still has it to date.
In a world increasingly reliant on technology, Alpha's journey stands as a testament to human resilience, resourcefulness, and a spirit of adventure.