Emmanuel, a Ghanaian now based in Canada, shared his life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Back in Ghana, Emmanuel faced serious financial challenges. He started a susu savings scheme but soon ran into difficulties, forcing him to sell some of his properties just to pay rent. Searching for a fresh start, he moved to South Africa with hopes of venturing into business. However, the high crime rate discouraged him, especially after considering remittance services, so he returned to Ghana.
That same year, he attempted to travel to other countries without success until a friend recommended Dubai. Emmanuel spent three years there, working mainly in warehouses. Unfortunately, the job agents had deceived him—there was no proper work waiting for him. The factory job he eventually got was grueling, requiring him to stand on his feet almost 24/7. Despite the hard labor, his monthly salary was less than GHC 2,000 between 2016 and 2018.
After returning to Ghana in 2019, he heard about care jobs in the UK. He stayed for a year but the COVID-19 pandemic ruined his plans. He then turned to farming in Kumasi, investing in livestock, particularly piggery. However, the rising cost of feed and limited capital made it difficult to sustain. Once again, he decided to pursue opportunities abroad.
This time, Emmanuel focused on Canada, since the UK process was too difficult. He sold some belongings, booked his flight and accommodation, and made the move. In Canada, he started working immediately, securing his documents and settling in Montreal. So far, he has worked in grocery stores, care homes, and cleaning jobs—all tedious, but far better paying compared to his struggles in Dubai. He is now schooling as well, since Canada requires foreign-trained graduates to upgrade before they can work in their professional fields.
According to Emmanuel, Canada is full of opportunities if one is willing to move around. “If you live in Toronto and can’t find a job, then you need to move to another province. Where I am, jobs are plenty—they even call me to come to work,” he revealed.
Looking back, he admits nearly selling his house in Ghana just to make his trip to Canada possible. He also reflects on how tough Ghana has become: “In the past, nobody paid bribes to become a teacher or police officer, but now corruption has taken over. It’s like the country is moving backwards.”
Despite missing his family, video calls keep him connected. For him, Canada represents hope and a brighter future. “In Dubai, I worked 7 am to 7 pm for little pay. Here, the work is hard, but the salary makes sense. Even when you’re broke, there are food banks to support you. Ghana has no future like this.”
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