Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is set to become Ghana's first Olympic skier – just six years after taking to the artificial slopes of an indoor British ski center.

The 35-year-old is hoping his experience in Vancouver later this month will inspire other young Africans to chase their dreams.

Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, Ghanian Skier]:

"I think the thing is I'm doing something different. I'm showing Ghanians it's not only about going to the Olympics and sport, it's about being able to do something different if you have the feeling or the desire."

Nkrumah-Acheampong took up the sport after getting a job at a ski center in central England where he had free access to the artificial slope.

After discovering a talent for the sport, the 'Snow Leopard', as likes to be called, went to the mountains to hone his skills.

Passion and perseverance have taken him far but it hasn't been easy – the Ghanaian has fought an uphill battle every step of the way to secure funding and support.

Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong, Ghanian Skier]:

"It's really frustrating when you've got to jump through so many hoops to make an Olympic committee do what you expect or what you think should be done. It's been really tough getting everything I've had to get out of them, really tough." 

Africa will only have a sprinkling of athletes in Vancouver for the Games.

Nkrumah-Acheampong is unlikely to win a medal, in either the Slalom or the Giant Slalom, for Ghana but he's already sealed his place in history.