Abass, a Ghanaian currently based in Zaragoza, Spain, has shared his inspiring and emotional journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, highlighting the harsh realities of traveling abroad and the resilience required to survive.
Abass revealed that he has lived in Spain for seven years. His journey from Ghana to Europe was dangerous and exhausting. He spent a total of 10 days on the road, traveling through Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco before finally crossing the sea into Europe by boat. He stayed five days in Côte d’Ivoire and four days in Morocco before taking the risky sea journey.
Before traveling, Abass was working in poultry farming in Ghana. However, after receiving a travel connection, he decided to take the risk and leave. He said nine people traveled together from Dormaa Ahenkro to Côte d’Ivoire before flying to Morocco and eventually crossing the sea to Europe.
According to Abass, when he first arrived in Europe, he believed life would be easy—but reality quickly proved otherwise. The struggle was intense, and at one point he admitted that if he had known how difficult life would be, he would have stayed in Ghana to do mobile money business instead.
Life abroad came with serious challenges. Abass initially survived using someone else’s documents and had no fixed house address. He later faced serious problems at a workplace where he was employed to prune grape trees after harvest. During this difficult period, he reached out to the farm owner, who advised him to regularize his stay by applying for a proper residence permit.
The employer asked what Abass needed to process his documents, and Abass explained that he required a work contract. The farm owner provided him with a contract and stood by him throughout the process. After about one year, Abass finally received his legal documents (“nkraataa”). The same employer continued to support him by offering accommodation for some time and employing him across different farms. From 2020 to date, the relationship has remained strong.
Abass shared valuable information for migrants, explaining that organizations such as the Red Cross can offer shelter and accommodation to foreigners who have no place to stay abroad.
He also spoke about perceptions back home, recalling a visit to Ghana where someone mocked him for being a “borga” without using an iPhone—highlighting the pressure and unrealistic expectations placed on people living abroad.
According to Abass, skills are extremely important abroad. He explained that if someone is a plumber or has any technical skill in Ghana, they can easily find a company abroad, attend short courses, and start working legally. Skilled labor, he emphasized, opens doors.
Abass described Spain as a good country to live in, noting that in his current workplace he is the only Black worker. Despite not having documents at the time, he once sued a former employer for unfair treatment—and won the case. The court awarded him €3,500, proving that even undocumented workers can still seek justice under the law.
Today, Abass is settled, has his own rented place, and continues to work hard. His story is a powerful reminder that while the journey abroad is risky and full of hardship, perseverance, honesty, and support from the right people can eventually change one’s life.
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