Gifty, a Ghanaian based in Essex, just outside London, has lived in the United Kingdom for the past two years. Originally from Asante Akyem Agogo, she grew up in Sunyani, where she studied while also learning a trade.
According to Gifty, her father and siblings were already living in the U.K., and he eventually helped her join them. When she first arrived, she stayed in a room arranged through an agency that cost her £500 a month.
“I remember one day I was using Google Maps to find my way around, and it started raining heavily,” she recalled. “I cried that day, but my landlady encouraged me and told me not to give up. Her words really inspired me.”
Gifty had learned how to braid hair back in Ghana, so she mentioned it to her landlady, who offered her space to start braiding. Soon, people began coming regularly to get their hair done.
“One day, I braided a Nigerian lady’s hair,” she said. “Her husband owned a shop and was looking for someone to manage it. He gave me the opportunity, and in my first month, I paid him £500 from the earnings. He was so impressed.”
Today, Gifty runs a beauty business that offers hair braiding, lash fixing, and nail services under the name Boomi.fs. She says learning a trade has truly changed her life.
“Thanks to my skill, I can earn up to £1,800 a month after paying my rent, and I’m even able to send money to my sister back home,” she said. “I work every day, and my advice to anyone planning to travel abroad is to learn a trade before leaving Ghana — it will open doors for you.”
Speaking about her personal life, Gifty shared that she once dated a man in the U.K. who often went out with friends but would become controlling whenever she went live on social media. “He would join my live videos and act jealous,” she said. “I want a man who’s supportive and close, not someone who tries to dominate me.”
Gifty revealed that she currently has space available in her shop for a barber, and she’s looking for someone reliable to join her team.
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