Samuel’s Struggle in Mauritania: 10 Years Abroad With Nothing to Show
Samuel, a Ghanaian living in Mauritania, shared his story in an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami.
He revealed that before leaving Ghana, he was farming carrots which were almost ready for harvest. However, his brother’s wife convinced him that there was a “connection” to Spain through Mauritania. Believing this opportunity, he abandoned his farm and traveled.
When he arrived, his brother—who was already in Spain—assured him that he would send money to help him cross the sea. But after several calls that went unanswered, Samuel got stranded in Mauritania. To survive, he worked as a mason and sometimes took small labor jobs.
Later, he started a small business buying cow feet (“kotodwe”) and smoked fish (“kako”) to send by car to Ghana, where they were sold. The business grew, expanding to Mali and eventually to Kumasi, Daaban. Unfortunately, when he saved about GHC 30,000, his brother and a friend betrayed him and ran off with the money.
Samuel gave up on the dream of crossing the sea to Spain after witnessing friends who attempted it perish in the waters. “I forgot about Europe after that. I decided to focus on business,” he said.
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Sadly, he was later diagnosed with diabetes, which consumed all his savings. The illness left him slim and weak, and he felt too embarrassed to return to Ghana. For over 10 years, he has been in Mauritania with little to show for his struggles.
He explained that life for Ghanaians in Mauritania is extremely difficult. Many who came have either returned home or risked the dangerous sea journey to Spain. According to him, European authorities now fund strict crackdowns on illegal migrants, leading to frequent deportations. “Most people are indoors hiding from arrest. I myself have been indoors for seven months, relying on others to buy groceries for me,” he recounted.
Samuel now wishes to return home to Asante Mampong but fears having nowhere to stay since his family house is overcrowded. He appealed to SVTV Africa to help him rent a place in Ghana so he can start life afresh and repay the rent later through work.
Reflecting on his wasted decade, Samuel warned: “If a connection man tells you there’s a way to Europe through Mauritania, don’t believe it. It’s a lie. They charge as much as GHC 50,000 and often connive with police to arrest you. My 10 years abroad have been wasted—I couldn’t make money, and everything I earned went into treating my sickness. If I get the chance, I’ll just return to Ghana and stay in my own country.”
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