James, a Ghanaian currently living in the UK, appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his migration story, challenges, and insights.
According to James, he completed his first degree at the University of Education, Winneba, in 2021 and was posted to Winneba Senior High School for his national service. In 2023, he decided to pursue further education in the UK and gained admission to Northernham University.
Before traveling, James had a passion for teaching and also worked as a taxi driver in Ghana. However, the income wasn’t enough to support his needs, so he reached out to friends abroad who helped him secure admission. He took out a loan to build in Ghana and described the process of traveling as long and difficult. He emphasized that while some people are secretive about their travel processes, and some “connection men” are scammers, others are genuine.
James advised that anyone planning to travel should come prepared financially. He noted that applying to schools abroad requires significant funds, including tuition deposits, plane tickets, accommodation, and at least £2,000 in pocket money. He cautioned that while some people may host you, they might later ask you to leave if you become a financial burden.
James graduated in 2024 with a masters degree in biotechnology and is currently applying for jobs in his field. However, many of the positions require prior work experience. He encourages Ghanaians coming to the UK to take their studies seriously, warning that neglecting school could lead to the revocation of their sponsorship. He explained that some people focus solely on working after arriving but fail to realize their visa conditions may change after a year, putting them at risk of deportation.
“If I had a skilled job, I would be earning well,” he said, adding that those planning to travel should aim to acquire skills before moving. Although he now holds a master’s degree, he does not intend to pursue a PhD due to financial constraints and the difficulty of securing jobs even after graduation.
James acknowledged the challenges abroad but still believes life in Ghana is harder. “If I were earning GHS 5,000 in Ghana in 2023, I wouldn’t have traveled,” he said, explaining that he earned far less, which pushed him to relocate.
He is now married with children and has applied for his wife and kids to join him in the UK to study as well. Despite living in a well-structured country, he admits corruption still exists in the UK. Nonetheless, James believes that there’s still wealth and opportunity in Ghana and says he may consider returning home someday.
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