Afia Linking, a Ghanaian businesswoman based in Istanbul, has lived in Turkey for the past 19 years. Speaking on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show with DJ Nyaami, she shared her journey of resilience, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation.
Afia was born in Berekum in the Bono Region but grew up in Afrancho, a suburb of Kumasi. She began her education in Kumasi and later attended Christian Secondary School. She then furthered her studies at Kwadwo Women’s Training Center. After her training, she secured a job opportunity in the mining sector with AMS Explosion in Ahafo. Her entry into the mining world was unexpected — she met a white man who offered her a contact. Though she didn’t call him at first, they met again and he encouraged her to reach out. She eventually joined AMS Explosion, working as a cleaner. Her manager at the time was an Australian.
Afia later relocated to Turkey, initially working as a fashion model and doing cargo shipping. She noted that during her early years in Turkey, many Ghanaians ignored the requirement for residence permits (locally called “ikamet”). Though her host discouraged her from getting one, Afia went ahead to acquire hers. Ten years on, she still maintains her valid permit, despite others facing cancellations.
She emphasized the importance of hard work and self-reliance. “I stayed with a friend for a month and then moved out to rent my own apartment. Paying bills motivated me to work even harder,” she said. “Some people prefer shared apartments and avoid responsibility. That comfort zone can be dangerous.”
Afia quickly realized that the Turkish people rarely spoke English, so she learned the language to integrate better and communicate effectively. She worked in a clothing factory before founding her own company, Afia Linking Logistics, which specializes in shipping goods, especially Zara products, from Turkey to Ghana. She believes Turkey is an excellent place for cargo business due to the country’s high-quality goods.
She also warned about ongoing human trafficking scams. “Some agents are still deceiving people into using Turkey as a route to Greece, but many of them end up getting arrested,” she said. Despite these challenges, she has no plans to leave Turkey except for vacations. “Some people go to the UK and struggle, but I’m doing well here in Turkey and earning good money,” she added.
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