Story by Eric Crentsil
Albert Quansah, a Bolt driver in Ghana, has captured the hearts of many with his extraordinary display of honesty after a passenger mistakenly transferred GHS 38,600 to his mobile money account. His selfless act has not only earned him the appreciation of the public but also recognition from Bolt, which rewarded him with an undisclosed sum of money and a sound system.
The incident occurred when the passenger, while trying to transfer money to a business partner during the ride, mistakenly kept sending the money to Quansah’s mobile money account instead. By the time he realised his error, he had already transferred GHS 38,600 to Quansah. In a state of panic, he reached out to Quansah, who had been trying to contact him to return the funds.
Recounting the incident, Quansah said, “When I noticed the large amount in my account, I immediately tried to call the passenger to let him know about the mistake, but his number was busy. I then decided to drive back to the location where I dropped him off, hoping that he would still be there.”
According to the passenger, Quansah’s calm and composed response to the situation took him by surprise. He praised his efforts, saying, “He kept his cool and reassured me that he was trying to reach me. I couldn’t believe that he actually came back to the spot where he dropped me off, just to return the money. His honesty truly restored my faith in humanity.”
Going above and beyond, Quansah transferred GHS 15,000 back to the number the passenger initially intended to send the money to and even left his mobile phone and password with him, stating that he had exceeded his daily transfer limit. He promised to return for the phone the next day, trusting that the passenger would handle the rest of the transfer.
Quansah’s journey into the online driving profession is as remarkable as his act of honesty. In an interview, he explained that he had lived with a friend for ten years and had been trained as a plumber. However, he faced financial difficulties as a plumber, which led him to seek other opportunities to support his younger siblings.
“I completed high school, and with my siblings being younger, it was challenging to make ends meet,” Quansah shared. “I found out about online driving and told the man I was staying with about my interest. He’s a very good man—he took me to driving school and even got me a car to start my driving career. Thanks to him, I can now take care of my family.”
Quansah’s honesty has proven to be rewarding in more ways than one. Since the incident went viral, he has received numerous gifts and monetary rewards from well-wishers who were touched by his integrity. He reflected on the experience, saying, “I have been getting a lot of messages, gifts, and even money from people who heard about what happened. It’s overwhelming, but it makes me happy to know that my honesty is appreciated.”
This is not the first time Quansah has gone out of his way to return items left in his car by passengers. “I’ve always made it a point to return anything a passenger forgets in my car. It’s just the right thing to do, and I don’t expect anything in return,” he added.
Quansah offered some advice to his fellow drivers, urging them to remain professional and ethical in their dealings. “To all drivers out there, be good and truthful to your profession. Build a good relationship with your passengers, and always see the challenges you face as lessons rather than setbacks,” he advised.
He also took the opportunity to commend Bolt as an online driving agency, stating, “Bolt has been a great support to us drivers. I’m grateful for their recognition and the reward they gave me. It has been an emotional experience since the incident happened, and I’m still in shock at how much people appreciate what I did.”
The passenger, deeply moved by Quansah’s gesture, even offered to pay his daily sales, which amounted to GHS 700, as a token of appreciation for his honesty and professionalism.
Albert Quansah’s story serves as an inspiring example of the impact that honesty and integrity can have in today’s world. His actions have not only set a high standard for his peers in the transportation industry but have also renewed faith in the goodness that exists within people. As the story continues to spread, it stands as a testament to the belief that honesty truly is the best policy.
