James Twumasi, a Ghanaian currently based in Greece, shared his migration journey in an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami. According to James, he left Ghana in 2019 with no concrete plan to travel abroad. In fact, he was working as an electrician in Ablekuma, Accra, and had moved back to his village in 2012.
“I never planned to travel. One day, my pastor asked if I had a passport. That conversation led me to get one, even though I knew very little about life abroad,” James said.
His first stop was Turkey, where he spent about four months. James quickly realized that life in Turkey wasn’t what he expected.
“Back then, many of us thought Turkey was part of Europe. But I later understood that staying in Ghana would’ve been better than struggling in Turkey,” he explained.
Though his family questioned why he was leaving Ghana despite having a good job, James was determined to explore new opportunities. Unfortunately, the promises made by agents did not reflect the reality in Turkey.
“My brother in Dubai warned me, but by then I had already paid the agent,” he said.
When things didn’t work out in Turkey, James took the risky route to Greece. He traveled to Izmir, a coastal city, and crossed the sea with other migrants.
“I didn’t eat for days. Eventually, we were rescued by Greek immigration officers and taken to a refugee camp.”
James spent about six months in the camp seeking asylum. He noted that most people had to fake illnesses, act mad, or pretend they didn’t speak English just to avoid deportation.
“I even slept in a church for three months because I had nowhere to stay,” he revealed.
Life in Greece hasn’t been easy for James.
“Jobs are available, but racism is real. I’ve worked many jobs, including sharing flyers during lockdown for just 20 euros a day,” he said.
In 2020, James’ father passed away, but he couldn’t return home due to immigration issues. After his father’s funeral, he was evicted from his home due to betrayal by someone he helped accommodate. Since then, he found a place to rent and has lived there till now.
Despite the hardships, James has grown in experience.
“I now work in a tech-related field—dealing with electronics, WiFi, and cable installations. I’ve even helped over 30 people get employment.”
Reflecting on his journey, James advises young people to think carefully before traveling.
“If you want to travel, make sure you do your research. And if possible, have a child before leaving. It’s been six years now and I have no child. That’s time I can never get back.”
He also spoke about the challenges of finding partners abroad.
“Women are scarce here. Most Ghanaian women come here through sponsorships, and even that’s rare. Life here is expensive and lonely.”
James acknowledges that while his journey has been difficult, it has taught him valuable life lessons.
“Travelling through the sea to Europe has given me deep experience, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.”
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