NYC Taxi

NYC Cabbie Splits Time as Tribal King in Africa

NYC Taxi
Taxi © Marvin Kuo

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I always knew lots of cabbies work two jobs. But for NYC taxi driver Isaac Osei, that second gig involves mediating village disputes, donning gold robes, and blessing harvests in Ghana.

After arriving in Accra, the capital of Ghana, he will don a delicate gold crown, take a seat on his throne or stool and work 20-hour days out of his 10-room palace. Rather than focus on taxi tune-ups and inspections, Mr. Osei will assume judicial and other powers, like mediating family disputes. Ms. Osei, who is happiest talking about chassis and alternators, will have to fulfill the responsibilities of a chief’s wife by running women’s groups in each town and helping with preparations for a 1,000-person banquet in September, at which Mr. Osei will bless the yam harvest. Residents are waiting to eat the yams until after Nana Gyensare’s arrival.

Read the whole incredible story from the NY Times.

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