Nhyiraba Lydia, a Ghanaian Based in Paris, Shares Her Life Journey and Advice for Women Abroad
Nhyiraba Lydia, a Ghanaian living in Paris, France, appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where she opened up about her experiences growing up, living abroad, and the challenges of maintaining relationships from afar.
According to Lydia, she comes from a family of six siblings. Her late father was a soldier, and they grew up together in the military barracks. “Eventually, all of us moved to France except my eldest sister, who stayed in Ghana. Sadly, we lost one of my brothers during the COVID-19 period,” she revealed.
After spending ten years abroad, Lydia returned to Ghana in 2008. “France has really helped me in terms of work, finances, and healthcare,” she said.
Reflecting on her migration experience, Lydia shared how difficult it was to leave her child behind. “I traveled when I was 25 years old with one child. I didn’t see my child for ten years — we had no communication, and it broke me,” she said emotionally.
She advised people, especially women, to reconsider maintaining long-distance relationships after traveling abroad. “I always tell people — if you’re traveling, it’s better to break up with your partner. Most women who bring their boyfriends from Ghana end up separating, but the men who bring their wives tend to last longer,” Lydia explained.
She also spoke about relationship challenges among Ghanaians living abroad. “If you leave your man in Ghana, he’s likely to get a side chick. They’ll bond emotionally, and his focus will no longer be on you,” she said. “And when women bring men from Ghana, some of the men misbehave because the women are the ones with the residence permit and the rented home — so they can’t submit, and it causes problems.”
Talking about life in France, Lydia admitted that single life isn’t easy. “Most men here aren’t truthful. Many of them are married but still date other women. My father advised me to attend a language school, but I didn’t, and that made things difficult because without the language, getting good jobs is hard,” she said.
She compared Ghanaians in France to those in other countries. “I’ve been to Britain and America — the Ghanaians there have gone to school, polished themselves, and are doing better. But I still prefer living in France,” she said with a smile.
“My child is now in America,” she added, “but France will always feel like home to me.”
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