Asabea – 30 Years in the U.S., From Interior Décor to Project Management
Asabea, a Ghanaian based in Northern Virginia, has lived in the United States for over 30 years. In an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, she shared her journey from Ghana to the U.S., her career path, and her personal experiences.
Born in Takoradi, Asabea’s roots trace back to a mixed heritage—her mother was half Kano and half Ahanta. Her father, a pilot, moved the family frequently, so she grew up between Kumasi, Takoradi, and Accra. She attended Gey Hey and later Polytechnic, after which she worked with Critical and Mother Company before moving to the U.S.
Initially, Asabea studied interior décor, but her career took a different turn when she ventured into construction. “I didn’t go to school for construction; I was trained on the job,” she explained. Over the years, she worked across the U.S., Asia, and Europe, spending 15 years with one company before her boss left, which led many employees, including her, to move on. She eventually rose to the level of project manager, proving that one does not always need to follow traditional paths like nursing to succeed abroad.
Asabea is divorced, and after her divorce, she faced challenges in her personal relationships. She recounted how one Ghanaian man she dated admitted he was only using her to complete his master’s program. Another man she was engaged to was later deported to Ghana. “Abroad is not meant for single people,” she reflected. “If you waste too much time playing around, you’ll realize you’ve lost valuable years. You have to be careful.”
Despite the ups and downs, Asabea keeps herself fulfilled. She enjoys attending Kennedy shows in her free time and has a passion for cooking and sharing food with others. On a recent trip to Ghana, she was impressed by the beautiful building projects she saw and noted the opportunities in the construction industry back home.
For her, life has been a balance of resilience, career growth, and learning from relationships