On 4th February 2025, at Four Seasons Hotel in Rabat (Morocco), I was a VIP guest to the official launch of a book I had translated from English to French titled “The 10 Commandments for Sustainable National Cybersecurity Development – Africa In Context: Practical Lessons & Good Practices”. It was launched during the African Cybersecurity Forum jointly organised by the Kingdom of Morocco and Smart Africa. I could not believe what was being presented on such a continental platform resulted from my sleepless nights. So much joy after a season of intense hard work and sacrifices!
Background
When I received the book for translation, I had the conviction that the project was a special one and that money should be secondary. This was mainly inspired by the demeanour of the Author of the Book (Dr. Albert Antwi-Boasiako, President of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities, ANCA) who, despite his eminence, was down to earth. In translation, a client’s demeanour can either motivate or demotivate the translator. Wherefore, when the author asked how much I would want to take for the work, I told him that I would want to deliver the work first. This is a book that has about 300 pages with over 100,000 words. In translation, the least amount for such a project should be around USD 10,000.00.
Generally, we do not translate for free, especially in dealing with people who can pay for the service. In this particular situation, I had the conviction that the translation of the book would enhance my visibility and open even more doors. Thus, money was considered secondary.
As language professionals, we often need that instinct that whispers into our ears about the uniqueness of projects and what special treatments some projects deserve. A language professional without instincts/reflexes is still a toddler and should not be left to “walk alone”.
Execution
I had about one month and some days to deliver! I had sleepless nights. At some point, I had pain almost everywhere.
I lost other projects because of the translation of the book. However, I did not think it was an issue.
I spent money just to learn to do certain things, to deliver the work.
However, I did not think all that was enough to change my initial commitment not to charge money. I told my wife, “Sometimes, you just have to follow your spirit, not your heart”.
She was surprised. Having lived with me for almost ten years, she knows that I charge before I proceed. But I thought I had to follow my spirit, not my heart!
An unexpected reward
One day, the Author of the Book called me and said: “Sir Luke, I have an offer to make. If you would be available in the first week of February 2025, I would request that you join my Team to Rabat (Morocco). We will outdoor the book that you are translating at an event. All expenses will be covered.” This included full coverage for restoration and accommodation for a five-night stay at a 5-Star hotel in Morocco.
I exclaimed, “Wow!” This was unexpected, especially from a translation client I didn’t know or work with before. Nevertheless, I accepted the offer and confirmed my availability.
Few days later, I was invited to a meeting at the Cyber Security Authority of the Republic of Ghana, the institution the Author headed. Lovely people! We had fruitful deliberations about the trip to Morocco. I could not believe that a simple translation project could make a translator so relevant among very technical people. In fact, language professionals have always played fundamental roles in shaping global discussions surrounding science, international peace and sustainable development. However, few individuals and institutions recognize and celebrate that.
On Friday, 31 January 2025, we left Kotoka for Casablanca. A departure that would unearth some treasures in the northern part of our beautiful Continent. Beautiful airport and beautiful people we met in Casablanca, the Capital City of Morocco, very close to the sea. What a view! We were ushered into our rooms as though we were kings and queens and received very special treatment throughout our stay. That was an experience I never anticipated. I was mesmerized. We savoured many traditional Moroccan dishes and made very important connections.
Aside from the beautiful hotel, its wonderful staff and the delicious Moroccan dishes, the African Cyber Security Forum was a spectacular event. In Morocco, time is money and is treasured. The event was scheduled to start around 09:00. I could not believe my eyes! Before 09:00 a.m. the conference room was almost full, with countless beautiful cars still queueing outside to “dispatch” more participants. A scene to behold it was! Automatically, the Kingdom of Morocco earned my respect. I admired every bit of the event and wondered what strategy the Organizing Committee employed.
On 4 February 2025, I felt a natural satisfaction inwardly. The original copy of the Book together with my French translation was launched at that big continental event. I could liken the experience to the one that I had on my wedding day on 04 April 2015. So much ecstasy! I felt so much pride when participants grabbed copies of the French and paid instantly for the same. I could tell at that point that my work was traveling across borders and would find an important place in bags, on shelves and hearts of very prominent players in the cyberspace in Africa and beyond.
After all the kingly treatment in Morocco, my bank account got “fatter” as the Author generously and gladly sent a considerable amount of funds to my account, to show his appreciation. I must emphasize that I was not a payment but an act of appreciation for the job done. Sometimes, we receive tokens for what we do. Such tokens are always more valuable than payments.
And the icing on the cake? In June 2025, my Department (the Department of French of the University of Ghana) boldly displayed my translation of the book among samples of intellectual works as part of the University of Ghana’s celebrations of the Day of Scientific Renaissance of Africa (DRSA). What pride and what feeling of fulfilment!
SOME LESSONS LEARNED
- We all need to pray for wisdom. Money is important. However, it is secondary. Wisdom creates sustainable wealth.
- A good relationship with a good man is better than his money.
- No course is USELESS. Many years ago, I was told that the course I chose to study at the university (French) was USELESS. I am happy I followed my spirit, and didn’t get discouraged.
- No Complacency! No Mediocrity! Sometimes, I get quite comfortable, thinking I am “almost there”. The translation of this book and recent projects have taught me that I have only started and still have much to learn. I thank God that I still have mentors who rebuke me when I make avoidable mistakes and when I get comfortable and tend to embrace “laziness”. Let us all strive for excellence.
- Be careful what you post/do online. I later realised that the Author went online to read about me before he engaged me.
Thanks to this work, my network has become broader and stronger. Special thanks to the wonderful team at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Ghana. I am also grateful to my colleague and Sister, Ms. Baaba Sagoe, for the recommendation. God bless Lawyer Cecilia at the CSA. She is an amazing lady. Very organized and hardworking. God bless Adelaide who forwarded my information to the Author. God richly bless the Author of the Book, Dr. Albert (President of ANCA), a very kind and humble
