Michael, a Ghanaian based in Verne City, Germany, has shared his migration journey and hard-earned lessons after appearing in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show.
Michael revealed that life in Ghana became extremely difficult for him, but he believes God used education and opportunity to save him. At the time, he was a university student at the University of Education, Winneba (Mampong Campus), in Level 400, working on his project during a spring vacation. One day, a course mate sent him a flyer advertising an internship program in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany.
Before applying, Michael said he verified the authenticity of the program with his department’s Head of Department (HOD) and confirmed that it was legitimate. In 2023, after discussions with his father, who was very close to him, they decided to take the risk. He contacted the person leading the program, whom he did not personally know, and after being given the cost, he sent all the required money. He was assured the process would take about three months.
Michael later received an internship contract from Denmark. Before his visa was issued, he had completed his final semester in Level 400, where he studied Cultural Service Engineering. He explained that students who traveled earlier, before COVID-19, were more fortunate because they secured permanent contracts. The internship, he noted, was a government-supported project, and participants were allowed to return to Ghana after completion if they wished.
Upon arrival, Michael said he had close to two years of internship, during which he observed his environment carefully and searched for better opportunities. He noticed that many East Africans participated in similar internship programs and were very strategic about their stay.
According to him, he was later told that if he wanted to remain in Europe, he could be assisted to move to another European country. He was then linked to a contact in Uganda, whom he had never met, and paid 2,000 euros to start another process. Fortunately, the application worked, and he obtained his documents. On the same day he received his papers, he applied online for employment in Germany and successfully relocated.
Michael identified language barrier as the biggest challenge in Germany. He also addressed a common misconception among Ghanaians, stating that marriage is not the only way to obtain residency documents. According to him, anyone who legally stays and works in Germany or Denmark for about four years through recognized programs such as internships can apply for permanent residence without marrying a citizen.
He added that although Denmark pays workers better, Germany offers easier social integration and community life. Michael cautioned that people who already have stable businesses and capital in Ghana should think carefully before traveling, as running a business from abroad can be difficult. He noted that some Ghanaians relocate abroad, leave their businesses in the hands of workers, and later return to find everything collapsed because they were not present to supervise.
Michael stressed that migrating without a marketable skill can lead to serious hardship abroad. He also shared that his former roommate returned to Ghana and is doing very well, stating clearly that he has no intention of traveling abroad again.
He concluded by saying that many Ghanaians overlook certain jobs that can provide stability abroad, advising young people to be open-minded, acquire skills, and make informed decisions before leaving Ghana.
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