Manfred, a Ghanaian tiler based in Austria, shared his migration journey in an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami.
He revealed that he traveled to Austria at the age of 16. After attending German school, he completed his studies in 2004 and by 2010 had joined different companies, eventually working his way up to become a foreman.
Reflecting on Ghana’s education system, Manfred believes it does not provide enough practical opportunities for students. “Our parents push us to graduate, but after school many become jobless. Before you travel abroad, it’s better to learn a skill first,” he advised.
According to him, acquiring a skill is especially important for those seeking asylum because it increases their chances of survival. He also pointed out that while some Ghanaians spend up to GHC 20,000 on traveling, the same amount could be invested to make more back home.
Manfred currently invests in farming in Ghana, but says it has not been easy, as he pays workers monthly only to discover animals being stolen. Still, he believes business opportunities in Austria are possible if one has enough capital. “To set up my own tiling business here, I’ll need at least €50,000 to pay workers and cover social security. Without proper capital, it’s not easy,” he explained.
He also noted that many Africans in Austria work in cleaning jobs earning about €900, but he believes skilled jobs like tiling or barbering pay much more.
Looking ahead, Manfred says he once thought of pursuing a master’s degree, but changed his mind because the little he studied back in Ghana already gave him headaches. Instead, he advises Ghanaians abroad—especially asylum seekers—to return home with skills they’ve acquired and use them to build something meaningful in Ghana.
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