Ernest, Ghanaian in UAE, Shares Life and Work Experience on SVTV Africa
Ernest, a Ghanaian currently based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), shared his migration journey and experiences during an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show.
He recounted how his father and elder sister organized his trip to Dubai. “I thought I would enjoy a tourist visa and the winter weather, but the heat that welcomed me at the airport was something else,” he laughed. He added that his first accommodation was a bed space shared with many others, which was a shocking experience.
Ernest arrived in Dubai in 2015 and has since learned how the system works. “Here, it’s possible to change jobs within a day. The UAE protects foreigners, and with the right documents, it’s easier compared to Europe. Tourist visas here can be converted, and unlike Europe, you’re not stuck in one position,” he explained.
He highlighted the importance of skills and communication: “If you can speak English, you can work in call centers, which makes things easier. There are jobs here, but many people who complain simply don’t have the right qualifications or determination.”
Initially, Ernest worked in construction, but a friend advised him to take a course that helped him secure a security job. Today, he works as a controller in Sharjah. “Construction is tough and can affect your health in the future. Taking a course was the best decision for me,” he said.
Comparing Dubai to Europe, Ernest stressed that opportunities in the UAE are often underestimated. “Here, you don’t pay rent, water, or electricity bills, and there’s no tax. My friends in London pay over £200 for bills alone. In addition, we get medical insurance, free accommodation, flight tickets, one month paid leave, and proper rest,” he revealed.
He also spoke about salaries: “Engineers earn up to 22,000 dirhams, while technicians make around 10,000 dirhams. Unfortunately, some people can’t even sacrifice one month to learn a course that could upgrade them.”
Ernest advised Africans to plan carefully before traveling and not to assume that life in Europe, Canada, or the USA is automatically better. “Dubai’s visa process is straightforward, and refusal rates are low. Many of my friends have built houses here. People should stop underrating the UAE—it offers great opportunities if you know what to do,” he concluded.
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