Ali Nouroudine, a Ghanaian based in Italy, has been living on the island of Sardinia for the past ten years. He describes himself as a Lama Borga (someone who traveled to Europe through the desert). His journey to Italy was a challenging one, passing through Libya and enduring harsh conditions before finally making it to Europe.
Ali was born in Dua Yaw Nkwanta, a town in Ghana. He grew up in a difficult environment, especially after losing his father in 2002 when he was just 11 or 12 years old. His father was a devout Muslim and raised him with strong religious values. After his father’s passing, his aunt took him to Abidjan, where he was supposed to learn a trade. At 11 years old, he found the experience enjoyable and stayed in Abidjan for four years before returning to Ghana.
In an interview with Dj Nyaami on Svtv Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, Ali revealed that Back home, he wanted to learn motto fitting (mechanical work), but his brother was against it. During this time, he impregnated a girl at the age of 25. The situation was overwhelming, and he even considered taking his own life. The girl refused to have an abortion and eventually left the country. Facing threats from the girl’s family, Ali’s brother helped him financially, and he decided to leave Ghana for good.
Ali set off on his journey, traveling from Ghana to Agadez, Niger, and eventually to Libya. The journey was brutal—he and 20 others were crammed into a pickup truck crossing the desert. Along the way, he fell from the speeding truck, but the Arabs picked him up and continued the journey. He witnessed people dying in the desert as their vehicle capsized, and he endured hunger and exhaustion for days.
Upon reaching Libya, he found work as a mason in Tripoli. Despite the hardships, he managed to save money and even bought land in Ghana within a year. However, he was still afraid of crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Eventually, he decided to take the risk, knowing that many had died trying.
The sea journey was terrifying. A group of 120 people was crammed into a makeshift boat, with a faulty motor. They drifted at sea for days with no food, and four people died before a rescue team finally found them. They were taken to Norway briefly before being relocated to Sardinia, Italy.
In Italy, Ali faced new challenges. He was placed in a five-star hotel for a month, then moved to a different accommodation. A kind Italian woman helped him adjust, enrolling him in school to learn the language. He worked hard, taking on farm jobs that paid 50 euros a day. Later, he found a job at a restaurant, where he secured a six-month contract.
Ali has lived in Italy for ten years now and speaks fluent Italian. He believes that many Ghanaians struggle abroad because they fail to adapt. He criticizes some Ghanaians for expecting financial support without working hard themselves.
When it comes to relationships, he has a strong stance. He has seen how many Ghanaian men bring their wives abroad, only to be betrayed. Because of this, he has no interest in bringing a Ghanaian wife to Italy unless he first helps his entire family migrate. He believes that white women are more understanding and cause fewer problems in relationships. However, out of respect for his mother’s wishes, he has not married a white woman yet.
Ali once planned to marry a Ghanaian woman, but she betrayed his trust. He later found out that she intended to divorce him after securing European documents through him. This experience reinforced his belief that men seeking success abroad should avoid marrying Ghanaian women.
His advice to those seeking to succeed overseas is simple:
- Avoid associating too much with fellow Africans abroad.
- Stay away from Ghanaian women who might only be interested in using you for citizenship.
- Work hard, save money, and focus on building a stable life.
Ali now focuses on his work and investments. His TikTok handle, Trust No One, reflects his personal experiences and the lessons he has learned throughout his journey.
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