“I Cried When I Received My First Paycheck in the U.S.” – Ghanaian Truck Driver Alexander Nsonwah Shares His Journey Abroad
Ghanaian man Alexander Nsonwah, based in the United States, has shared his inspiring story of determination and hard work after migrating to America. Speaking in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show, Alexander opened up about his journey from Ghana to the U.S., his early struggles, and his success in the trucking industry.
Alexander revealed that his father played a major role in supporting people during the 1983 famine in Ghana. “My father provided food for many people during the 1983 hunger period. He even hosted journalists, and I used to cook for them,” he said proudly.
He recalled his humble beginnings in Ghana, saying,
“I was only two years old when I bought my first Tico car. When I came to the U.S. and received my first paycheck, I cried. I worked at a university hospital and realized how far I had come.”
According to Alexander, his transition abroad was not difficult because he already had a skilled trade.
“Before coming abroad, I was an auto electrician. Anyone who’s serious in that field knows how to fix almost everything in a car — from air conditioning to electricals, except the engine. Having a skill before traveling makes life easier,” he advised.
He encouraged young people planning to travel to learn practical skills before leaving Ghana. “If you want to come abroad, learn how to drive a backhoe, forklift, or truck. It helps a lot when you get here. After all, you’ll still go to school small in America,” he said.
Alexander shared that he got into trucking after a man who lived in their house inspired him. “The man didn’t have papers, but he used to clean warehouses. He once told me truck drivers earn a lot and drive expensive cars. That’s how I became interested,” he recounted.
He later enrolled in a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) school and started driving trucks.
“I even taught kids how to drive forklifts. I used to work night shifts at the hospital and attend trucking school during the day. Eventually, I started my own trucking company,” he revealed.
Despite owning a company, Alexander believes trucking is overrated. “Most Ghanaian truck drivers exaggerate their salaries. The truth is, buying a truck is not the problem — getting experienced drivers is the challenge,” he explained.
He also cautioned Ghanaians abroad to be wise with investments and partnerships. “I trusted people in Ghana with my money, and I’m still paying for those mistakes. I even introduced some people to scammers,” he admitted.
Alexander, who is married to a Ghanaian woman and has three children in the U.S., shared lessons about financial management abroad. “Many people take mortgages here and end up paying for 30 to 40 years because they didn’t do proper research. You need to plan well,” he advised.
Looking ahead, Alexander plans to retire from truck driving in the next five years. “There’s money in Ghana; the only challenge is getting capital. My plan is to build in Ghana, stop trucking, and return home to do business,” he concluded.
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