Ghanaian Heavy Equipment Operator Regrets Traveling to Canada Due to Job Struggles
In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide, a Ghanaian heavy equipment operator shared his regrets about moving to Canada, emphasizing the challenges of securing employment and the financial strain on his family.
Originally working in Ghana’s mining industry, he earned between $750-$800 per month, a stable income that provided for his family. However, he was convinced by a friend in Kumasi—who ran a travel and tour business—that relocating abroad would offer better opportunities.
“He told me that with my skill set, working abroad would be more beneficial,” he explained.
Despite preferring a work permit, he was given a visitor’s visa, which made it difficult to secure long-term employment.
“I didn’t want to go at first, and even my wife wasn’t in favor of it,” he admitted. Nevertheless, he traveled to Canada in July last year and only submitted his resignation letter to his employer after arriving.
Since arriving in Canada, he has struggled to find work, noting that some Ghanaians he met there had been unemployed for over a year.
“It’s not that we don’t want to work or that we’re lazy, but finding a job is extremely difficult,” he said.
He now believes that the GH₵80,000–GH₵100,000 he paid to a connection man for travel arrangements could have been better invested in a business in Ghana.
“Getting that money back through work in Canada is not easy,” he stressed.
His decision to travel has placed a heavy burden on his family back in Ghana. He used to cover all household expenses, including his children’s school fees and transportation costs. However, since moving to Canada, he has struggled to send money home. His wife’s family now provides some financial support, but the situation remains difficult.
“I even had to call the headmistress of my children’s school to plead for them to continue attending classes,” he revealed.
With no stable job, he has had to rely on financial support from home, receiving around $2,000 from his family.
“It’s frustrating because I was the one supporting them, and now they have to send me money,” he lamented.
After realizing his mistake, his wife encouraged him to return home and resume his previous job. However, many of his acquaintances in Canada advised him to stay, hoping things would improve. He has since overstayed his visa and sought asylum.
Now over 40 years old, he is temporarily living with a friend in the UK, but he acknowledges that this arrangement is not free. Despite his background in mining and a certificate in mineral operations, his job applications in Canada have been unsuccessful.
“If you have a good job in Ghana, it’s better to focus on it. The stress here is far worse,” he advised.
Having spent GH₵70,000 on his journey to Canada, he regrets the decision.
“I never watched SVTV Africa while in Ghana because I was always busy working. But now that I’m here, I have more time to watch and learn what’s happening back home. That’s when I realized I made a big mistake,” he concluded.
He currently resides in Winnipeg, Canada, and is still contemplating his next steps.
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