Gilbert, a Ghanaian currently based in Leeds, UK, shared his journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami. He has been living in the UK for about 3 to 4 years and originally worked in the banking sector in Ghana for six years before migrating.
“In Ghana, I worked hard but couldn’t achieve the things I desired,” Gilbert explained. “I had built a two-bedroom apartment and ventured into fish farming. I also wanted to go into poultry and pig farming, but I lacked the capital.”
He initially came to Scotland to further his education, enrolling in a one-year master’s program in Science Project Management at a university in Scotland. At the time, his wife had just given birth to their second child, a two-month-old baby. After completing his studies, he brought his wife over, while their two children were left in the care of his mother in Elubo until they could join them later in the UK.
Gilbert emphasized how difficult it was to access sufficient farming loans in Ghana.
“Even though I qualified for a loan of GHC 15,000, that amount couldn’t buy enough birds for poultry. Most successful farmers access larger loans, but it’s not easy to get those.”
Now in the UK, Gilbert has acquired land and has already cultivated nine acres of rubber. He is working towards establishing pig and poultry farms, and has also started building a hotel.
“Farming is still my dream. I just needed the financial push,” he noted.
He spoke about how strategic his schooling was, saying,
“We had a four-month vacation during which I worked and used that money to pay my fees.”
He advised against relying solely on a visit visa, saying it often leads to frustration. Instead, he recommended coming with a clear plan, a tailored CV, and relevant job references.
Gilbert and his family now live in a four-bedroom house, paying about £1,500 a month in rent and bills.
“Life in the UK is not easy without a car. I used to ride a motorbike in Ghana. Now, because of our different work schedules, my wife and I sometimes don’t see each other for up to three days,” he said.
His wife, a former secondary school elective math teacher in Ghana, now works in the UK. Gilbert praised her for being humble and focused.
\“She’s not on social media, and many people don’t even know she’s abroad.”
Raising children in the UK comes with its challenges, he added.
“Kids raised in Ghana tend to change when they move here. That’s why we’ve set our goals—once we reach them, we’ll return to Ghana.”
Gilbert cautioned Ghanaians considering migration to be strategic.
“Don’t come blindly. Without legal documents, you may suffer for over ten years. Things are changing, so do your research, plan well, and come with the right skills,” he advised.
“Skilled jobs are important here, and many positions require degrees and English proficiency—even for dependents.”
His final message:
“Upgrade yourself. Add value to who you are before coming abroad.”
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