It started as a joke. The kind of roadside banter that gets forgotten by the next traffic light.
But when Maukeni Ribeiro sat down with Nana Yaw Ofori Atta, known to many as OneMan1000, on WopeCar Talks, that moment became the start of a much deeper conversation about identity, purpose, and faith.
This conversation formed part of WopeCar’s 8 Heroes Series. A special anniversary spotlight celebrating individuals whose journeys reflect leadership, faith, and the courage to create change.
“We were driving from Cape Coast when my brother teased me and called me 'One Man Thousand,'” he recalls with a laugh.
“At first, it was just funny. But over time, it started to mean something deeper.”
In the years since, that name has grown beyond banter into a personal philosophy; one that mirrors the journey of many young Ghanaians as they find their voice in a world that demands versatility, conviction, and purpose.
Becoming More Than a Name
What began as playful teasing soon evolved into identity.
For Nana Yaw, “OneMan1000” came to describe a mindset: being open to doing many things well, and doing them with intent.
“A friend once called me a multi-potentialite,” he says. “And that word stuck because that’s who I am.”
From music and mentorship to leading The Oasis Collective, a youth-driven faith movement, his story is about embracing every part of himself rather than fitting into a single mould. In an era where everyone is told to “pick a lane,” his path reminds us that calling isn’t always linear; sometimes it’s layered, evolving, and discovered in motion.
Faith as Foundation
Raised in a home where leadership and service were part of daily life, faith became the framework that anchored his journey.
“Faith helps me stay grounded,” he reflects.
“It keeps me focused when things are moving and shaking. I believe strongly in Jesus Christ, that’s been my source.”
For him, leadership isn’t about hierarchy; it’s about people. The Oasis Collective’s mission to build “positive peer pressure” captures this perfectly, encouraging young people to influence each other toward growth, discipline, and service rather than distraction.
The Lesson Beneath the Story
Every now and then, life hides meaning in ordinary moments, even in a roadside joke. What Nana Yaw Ofori Atta’s journey reveals is that identity isn’t always found in grand gestures, but in how we redefine the small things life hands us.
At WopeCar, stories like his remind us that the road to purpose is rarely straight. It bends, pauses, and turns but every mile adds up. And sometimes, it starts with nothing more than a name and the courage to live up to it.
Watch the full podcast episode on our YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
