Gideon, a Ghanaian living in the UK, recently appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where he opened up about his life abroad and offered advice to others considering migration.
Currently based in Birmingham, Gideon has been in the UK for two years. Before traveling, he studied ICT at Christ Apostolic University College in Kumasi, Kwadaso, where he also worked as a student employee handling admissions, graphics, the school’s website, and social media pages. He shared that while his parents supported him with tuition and accommodation, he worked to earn his own money.
Reflecting on his experience, Gideon explained that depending solely on a monthly salary can keep one stagnant. He always wanted to travel and initially applied for studies abroad but could not secure a scholarship due to high fees. Inspired by a friend who had traveled, he pursued opportunities and eventually secured a Skilled Worker visa to the UK.
However, life abroad was not as easy as expected. Gideon revealed that he stayed seven months without a job after arriving, and even those who come through “connection men” with job promises often face disappointment. He cautioned that the UK system has changed, making it harder to find immediate employment. Unlike in the past, software systems now track employment, and losing a job could mean months of waiting before finding another.
Gideon also shared that he had started building a project back in Ghana, hoping to complete it after traveling, but it stalled once he moved. “Back in the day, there were more opportunities abroad, but now things have changed. It’s not as profitable as many think,” he said.
His advice to Ghanaians was straightforward: do not sell your properties or thriving businesses in Ghana just to travel abroad. At the airport, one could even be denied entry, losing everything. “If you already have something sustainable in Ghana, it’s better to grow it than to gamble it all abroad,” he warned.
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