Sammy’s Story: A Ghanaian’s Journey Through Europe and the Realities of Life Abroad
Sammy is a Ghanaian currently living in Paris, France. He left Ghana in 2010 when his older brother brought him to Italy. However, Sammy didn’t stay there long—within a year, he moved to France in 2011.
Back in Ghana, Sammy lived in Accra, where he learned a skilled work (mechanic) and worked in the hardware business. Although he initially resisted the idea of traveling, he eventually accepted the opportunity for a holiday visit after receiving a one-year visa. After just two months in Italy, he returned to Ghana, resumed work, and later processed his documents to officially move to Europe.
Sammy had learned fitting (mechanical work), and business in Ghana was going well. But in Italy, he found no job opportunities and decided to leave.
“We were struggling in Italy,” he recalls. “I never worked there.”
He had plans to move to Germany but lacked a solid support system there. Eventually, he landed in France, where life was initially tough. He slept in a church for some time before landing a job and renting a place.
“Even when you work for nine months and stay home for three, the system still deducts money from you,” he said.
While staying at Apostle Continuation Church, Sammy used to collect used goods and ship them back to Ghana.
“When I moved out, the pastor even called me to come and pick up the rest of my things,” he shared.
He remembers a time when he couldn’t even afford to buy 30 euros worth of gas, yet people in Ghana would call and ask him for money, not believing his struggles.
“Life abroad is not easy,” Sammy admitted. “I met a man who said if he ever had €1,000, he’d go back to Ghana. Later, he got his documents and is now doing well.”
“When I first came, I promised myself I’d visit Ghana every year. But the reality is, the system here determines your destiny,” he reflected. “Even the person who brought me to France has now returned to Ghana permanently.”
His last visit to Ghana was in February. Despite the challenges abroad, Sammy believes Ghana is still full of opportunities.
“There are a lot of things I saw as normal in Ghana, but abroad, everything is expensive,” he said.
He added some sharp observations about life abroad.
“If you see money lying on the floor, it’s probably for Black people—White people use credit cards. Many people here are depressed and living on free but tasteless food. We take beautiful pictures in nice places to show off abroad, but we hide the bad sides. Some people even post ugly pictures just to portray a negative image of abroad.”
“Rich people will never bring their good children here unless it’s the troublesome ones,” he said. “Even if you hold a degree in Ghana, you might have to start high school again here. I personally know someone with a degree who is working as a cleaner. And it’s wrong for people to convert foreign earnings to Ghana cedis if they don’t actually live there.”
Watch The Video Below:
About The Author
