Professional videographer and Ghanaian-born, Barcelona-based Mr. Dartey Young was a guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. He currently resides in Martorell, Barcelona.
Mr Dartey shared his migration journey, stating that he left Ghana on July 3, 2001. He spent one year and two months in Libya before moving to Spain on October 18, 2002.
Reflecting on his time in Libya, he mentioned that although life in Spain was better in some ways, he initially regretted leaving because many things were free in Libya.
He hails from Drobo, with his father, Osahene Boakye Ryan, having been involved in a coup with Rawlings. His grandparents were from Wenchi and Akrobi, while his grandmother was from Gendsoso.
Before relocating to Libya, he felt a strong urge to move. He recalled that when Gaddafi deported many Libyans, he realized the importance of seeking better opportunities elsewhere.
He left Ghana in August 2001 and arrived in Libya, where many of his classmates quickly migrated to Europe. Seeing their success encouraged him to take the same path.
Dartey spent a long time in Saba before saving up enough money to travel to Tripoli. He explained that Ghanaians in Libya mostly worked in construction, particularly plastering buildings.
While in Libya, he struggled to find a job and had to rely on money sent by his aunt in America to rent a place.
Despite this, he believed moving to Spain would offer better opportunities. He emphasized that in Libya, they did not have to pay for electricity or water bills, and they lived in free housing.
Dartey recounted his journey to Morocco, describing how he left Libya on September 24, 2002.
He stayed in Magania for a long time before helping people cross into Spain.
Fortunately, he was never arrested, unlike others who were deported. When he reached Rabat, he saw the Moroccan lights but was unfamiliar with the city. He connected with a man named Kwame Attah, who helped many people attempting to cross.
Many migrants, he explained, waited at the seafront for up to a year or six months before making the journey.
He was lucky to board an asa boat to Spain. They left at 8 p.m., stopped at Fetimatula, and arrived in Spain at 5 a.m. He expressed deep gratitude for making it to Spain, emphasizing the freedom there.
In 2011, Dartey briefly stayed in Frankfurt, Germany, for 11 months. The beginning was tough, but he eventually returned to Barcelona, where he secured a stable job, which he continues to do today.
He believes Spain is the best country in Europe because the police do not harass immigrants. Even those without residency permits (nkrataa) can live freely, and after spending two to three years in the country, they are granted legal documents.
According to him, such opportunities do not exist elsewhere in Europe, as Spain is planning to grant residency to 300–900 undocumented immigrants. He compared Spain to the U.S., stating that while Trump wants to deport immigrants, Spain was welcoming them.
Dartey also highlighted the financial advantages of living in Spain. Unlike other countries that charge monthly parking fees, Spain only requires a yearly payment.
Additionally, the Spanish government provides free healthcare, whereas medical expenses in Germany and other European countries are costly.
On a personal note, he shared that he married his former girlfriend in Ghana in 2006, and she joined him in Spain six years ago. He has visited Ghana 18 times and expressed frustration when people insult the country.
Dartey emphasized that many Ghanaians who migrated to Spain have achieved great success. Some have even become lawyers.
He himself worked at a Volkswagen company that employed 15,000 workers. He noted that in Germany, one needs specific qualifications to work in such companies, but Spain offers more opportunities.
He concluded by stating that once someone obtains Spanish residency, they can travel freely to any country in Europe.
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