Stephen in Malaysia: From Singapore Job Scam to Daily Struggles Abroad
Stephen, a Ghanaian currently based in Malaysia, shared his story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. He has lived in Malaysia for two years, but the journey that brought him there was full of challenges and regret.
Back in Ghana, Stephen lived in Kasoa. He worked as a pastor and also served as a guidance and counseling teacher in a school. Through his sister, he was introduced to an agent who promised him a well-paying job in Singapore. The offer sounded too good to be true – a salary of $5,000 a month. Stephen believed if he could make that money, he could fulfill his dream of building a church for God.
Unfortunately, the supposed job in Singapore turned out to be a scam. He and four others paid about $3,000 each, plus their tickets, but when they arrived, the agent stopped answering calls. Jobs were unavailable, and many companies openly told them they could not hire Africans. Stuck in an expensive hotel, they eventually moved to a hostel where they paid $40 a night just to survive.
With no hope in Singapore, Stephen’s brother-in-law advised him to try Malaysia, where he could at least find construction work. He and two others moved to Malaysia, while the rest tried Dubai. He sold his car back home in Ghana to make that move.
Now in Malaysia, Stephen works in construction, but the job is tough, the language barrier makes life harder, and saving money is almost impossible. Despite leaving his family in Ghana over two years ago, he struggles to support them consistently. He says many Africans are stuck in Malaysia, and some even compare the situation to living in prison.
Returning home is not easy either. Stephen explained that anyone who overstays must pay heavy fines and also buy their own ticket before being allowed to leave. Deportation is worse, as authorities destroy passports, forcing deportees to apply for temporary travel documents.
Looking back, Stephen regrets leaving Ghana. “If the Ghanaian government arranged free flights for citizens here, many would gladly return home,” he said. His advice to others is simple: be vigilant, don’t fall for fake promises, and think twice before chasing greener pastures abroad.
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