Samuel, a Ghanaian Uber driver based in Alberta, Canada, recently shared his inspiring journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Samuel has been in Canada for two years. Before migrating, he was a student at the University of Education, Winneba. Like many students, he heard rumors that finishing school would automatically lead to visa opportunities—but he quickly realized that wasn’t the case. “By God’s grace, I found someone to guide me through the application process. A girl helped me apply to the school, and I handled the visa application myself,” he said.
Samuel emphasized the importance of personal research and perseverance. “People believe you need ‘connections’ or agents to get visas. But if your documents are in order, and the officials see merit in them, they can grant you a visa,” he added. He had no family abroad at the time. His cousin, who studied in Israel, warned him that coming to Canada without a scholarship would be tough. Nevertheless, Samuel moved forward on his own, collecting all the necessary information and applying independently.
Upon arriving in Canada, things were not easy. “I thought I’d get a job right away, but that didn’t happen. Eventually, I had to drop out of school because I couldn’t pay the fees,” he revealed. His cousin in Israel sent him money to keep him going. He eventually landed jobs in a bakery and later in home care, but was laid off due to scheduling issues.
That’s when Samuel decided to try Uber Eats. He upgraded his Ghanaian driver’s license, which initially qualified as a Class 7 license in Canada, and trained to obtain a Class 5 license—required for Uber drivers. A fellow Ghanaian who had helped him earlier also mentored him in driving for Uber. Samuel started with a Toyota Camry and later upgraded to another vehicle suitable for rideshare.
Today, Samuel works both as an Uber driver and takes care jobs when available. “The good thing about Uber is the flexible hours—you work at your own convenience,” he said. Samuel also mentioned that he was a pizza chef for eight years in Ghana and used that experience to support himself as a student. He even ran a clothing business while in school.
“If I had a business in Ghana that was doing well, I would have stayed. But if you don’t have a steady source of income in Ghana, you can explore opportunities abroad,” he shared. Samuel’s goal is to eventually become a truck driver, and he plans to save up to enroll in a truck driving program.
He advises others planning to travel to learn a skilled trade—whether it’s cooking, driving, or caregiving. “Don’t wait for your parents to do everything for you. Hustle your way through school if you have to,” he said. “I used to close my ice café job at 12 midnight and still make it to class the next day.”
Samuel credits his mother for teaching him to be independent. “I have six siblings—one is in the UK and the rest are in Ghana. I’ve never been in a fight. I work hard and sleep just two hours some days,” he said. He also expressed admiration for content creators like Erico and Obeng Darko, who inspire many Ghanaians abroad.
“Ghanaians in Canada are doing well,” he concluded. “It’s tough, but possible.”
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