A Ghanaian expatriate living in Saskatchewan, Canada, who relocated two years ago, shared his experience on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. Clifford revealed that before traveling, he was a student at KNUST and also ran a phone business in Adum, Kumasi. He used to import phones from Dubai and had even started helping others acquire student visas, which gave him extra income. When the time felt right, he decided to apply and travel to Canada himself, believing in the idea of schooling and visiting Canada legitimately. He mentioned that his former boss in Adum, despite his success, never had any desire to travel abroad.
Clifford described Canada as far better than Ghana in many respects, although language fluency and citizenship status often determine job opportunities. He initially traveled on what was supposed to be a full scholarship, only to later realize it was a half-scholarship, leaving him to pay $10,000 per year. Though he was sent for football training, he couldn’t make money to support himself. He noted that people back home often assume their families are financially supporting them abroad, but many of them lie about their situations.
His first school was located in Sackville, New Brunswick — a remote area with poor network access, no Uber, and just one McDonald’s. He later moved to Saskatchewan after an old friend helped him relocate, change his DLI (Designated Learning Institution), and update his resume. He enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan and later at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, where he earned a certificate in eight months. He originally studied computer science but switched to the healthcare field. He now shares a three-bedroom apartment with two other Ghanaians.
According to him, Canada benefits people who earned less than GHC 10,000 in Ghana or those who struggled financially. However, it may not be worthwhile for successful individuals. His former boss, for example, frequently traveled to Dubai with GHC 100,000 and made monthly profits of GHC 40,000 to GHC 80,000. He said those who recklessly sell their properties to travel often end up depressed when they can’t return to anything back home, especially those who seek asylum.
Clifford recalled a woman whose husband returned to Ghana and never came back. She admitted that her friends who stayed in Ghana now owned more properties than she did, although she was proud of her children’s progress abroad. Clifford has been introduced to importing cars from Canada to Ghana and prefers this to working under white employers. He once took up double jobs but fell sick and had to spend all his earnings on healthcare.
Clifford shared a story of a young man in Ghana who took a pastor’s advice, worked as a car washer, then a night security guard, and eventually saved enough to buy a taxi. He now owns four vehicles, all from hustling in Ghana. Clifford emphasized that he no longer wants to settle in Canada permanently. He plans to send GHC 120,000 to Ghana and expects to make a GHC 62,000 profit from it.
Clifford critiqued the mortgage system abroad, noting that some people plan to sell their homes at old age to buy new ones, while others lose them before finishing payment. Some build homes in Ghana, only for them to become outdated. Though building in Ghana is difficult and expensive, he believes it’s still the best investment, especially now that rent prices are rising.
Clifford concluded by saying the real depression exists abroad. He met a Ghanaian who was utterly miserable but couldn’t return home. He also mentioned a man who got a white woman pregnant in Canada and now regrets his life choices. Many wish to travel abroad but lack the money or means, while others struggle after getting there.
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