Nana Yaw, known as the Black Chancellor, is currently based in Ohio. He traveled to America in 2019. Before that, he had tried traveling earlier but it didn’t work out. As he got older, he tried again, got a visa, and finally came. He explains that the value of the dollar has been affected by the trade tensions between China and America, causing depreciation. However, he believes the dollar will rise again soon, so those holding dollars should be patient.
Back in 1999-2000, Nana Yaw also tried to travel to America but was unsuccessful. In Ghana, he worked at a radio station, then moved to Annanom FM, and later to ASHE FM in Kumasi. He eventually moved to Accra and started working for Private Ghana Limited, dealing with products like pomo (cowhide). He then moved on to Olam Ghana and Lavon, working with cars and other equipment. At one point, he was involved in a major factory project on 20 acres of land but wanted something new, so he traveled to the USA for a visit and eventually moved there.
Nana Yaw shares that his perception of America changed once he arrived. He found the reality different from what he expected. He mentioned some financial calculations he did comparing Ghanaian cedis to dollars, and how he sold assets like his house and land to fund his projects and move to the US, a decision he now regrets because making big money abroad is very difficult.
He explains that starting fresh in the US is tough, especially without a credit score. He worked various jobs including at Amazon and Walmart, often with long hours and overtime. He pays $120 monthly for insurance, which is quite different from Ghana’s yearly system.
Currently, Nana Yaw works with a mechanic in the US, where the mechanic’s position is higher than his. He works 8-hour shifts plus 2 hours overtime and also works weekends. He talks about how hard it is to send money back to Ghana and how many Ghanaians in America prefer to work alone rather than in teams or partnerships.
He praises the Japanese car industry, mentioning that his Japanese community produces over 40 million cars and more than 800 cars daily for major companies. Nana Yaw’s family is spread across Ghana, America, and Germany.
He advises people not to stay in America for just a few months but to focus on building businesses. Nana Yaw also shared that he buried his mother in 2024, and the cost of living, even for simple things like a cup of tea costing 100 Ghana cedis, is very high.
Watch The Video Below:
About The Author
