We Spent All Our Years in Ghana and Had Nothing, But in the UK Life Is Taking Shape – Ghanaian Man Shares Journey from Qatar to the UK
Charles, a Ghanaian currently living in Frankford, UK, shared his emotional journey in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide.
Recounting his past, Charles said he initially traveled to Qatar in 2017 and returned to Ghana in 2022. Before his international travels, he lived at Atwima Abebo on the Obuasi road and worked as an electrician in Ghana, handling high-tension lines and meter installations. He worked with Chinese contractors during former President Atta Mills’ time, but a change in government led to the team being laid off.
Later, he joined a microfinance institution in Fomena, but due to issues involving ghost names on the payroll, he was once again laid off.
When he arrived in Qatar, he faced new challenges. “Being an electrician in Ghana is different; you can just pick up your tools and get to work. But in Arab countries like Qatar, you need to learn the language before you can even be considered,” Charles explained. With limited options, he learned how to operate a stone crusher used for construction work, especially for the World Cup stadiums.
Unfortunately, trouble found him again. He and others unknowingly bought a stolen machine, which led to their arrest and time behind bars. After their release, work became scarce, and the crusher was shut down. He had no choice but to do basic cleaning jobs until he eventually returned to Ghana.
Back home, his brother-in-law, who lived in the UK, visited during Christmas and criticized him for returning empty-handed. At the time, Charles’s wife had completed university but was unemployed. Soon after, she got pregnant. With the help of his in-law, their visa and tickets were secured, and they moved to the UK, where she gave birth.
Charles recalled a difficult moment in Qatar when he became stranded and his pregnant wife had to buy his ticket back to Ghana. After arriving in the UK, his wife got a job in a care home, but when her pregnancy became known, the job was canceled. The Home Office later gave them 60 days to leave the country. They were told they needed £15,000 to switch their immigration status, but they had no jobs and lived in a single room. Thankfully, they’ve now secured a flat, and Charles works with the council.
“We’ve now been granted five years, which is almost like indefinite leave,” he shared. “We spent all our lives in Ghana and had nothing to show, but in the UK, even though it’s hard, there’s progress. Some Ghanaians believe they can build a house and achieve everything within a year in the UK, but that’s not realistic.”
He also praised Nigerians for their strategic approach. “Nigerians spend their first year surveying, identifying where the money is, and learning the requirements. That’s how they succeed. I once had GHS 60,000 in my account and didn’t know what to do with it,” he added.
Looking forward, Charles said, “If I get my documents, I will do business both in Ghana and Nigeria.”
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