Abdul, a Ghanaian who left the country in 2023, has shared his migration experience after appearing on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. His journey highlights the dangers of irregular migration and the hard realities many migrants face after arriving in Europe.
Before leaving Ghana, Abdul worked as a mason in Aboaso. He was consistently employed and managed a modest livelihood. In addition to his construction work, he owned four cows, which provided him with financial stability. Although he was not wealthy, his life in Ghana was manageable, and he was able to support himself through honest work.
Despite being relatively stable, Abdul became influenced by stories of migration. After witnessing several people attempt the journey, and following the death of a close friend in Libya, he initially abandoned the idea. However, with time, the desire to travel resurfaced. Determined to leave, he sold all his cows and used part of the proceeds to purchase a half plot of land in Ghana, while the remaining funds were reserved for his journey.
Abdul initially planned to travel through Tunisia but later changed his route to Libya. Together with four friends, he traveled by road through Burkina Faso, Niger, and Algeria before entering Libya. Throughout the journey, he relied on money he had left behind in Ghana, withdrawing it when necessary. In total, he spent approximately GHS 25,000 on the entire trip.
Upon reaching Libya, Abdul and his companions prepared for the sea crossing to Europe. During the process, they were warned that close relatives should not board the same boat, as families could be wiped out if the vessel capsized. Eventually, they boarded a boat and began the dangerous crossing. While in the middle of the sea, Abdul realized he had taken a major risk but resolved to face whatever outcome awaited him.
After arriving in Europe, Abdul came to understand that life abroad was very different from what he had imagined. He explained that while Europe offers opportunities, survival is not easy. Many migrants rely on daily labor, often standing by roadsides in search of short-term work that may last only a few days in a week. Income is unstable, and recovering the money spent on the journey is extremely difficult.
His experience changed his perception of life abroad. Abdul acknowledged that many people in Ghana believe migrants are wealthy, but his reality proved otherwise. He emphasized that selling valuable property to fund migration can lead to long-term regret, stress, and financial hardship.
Despite the challenges, Abdul noted that he was able to make significant financial progress within two years after selling his cows, though the sacrifices were immense. He also revealed that he has not yet reunited with some of the friends who encouraged him to travel, as they remain constantly occupied with work.
Looking ahead, Abdul plans to return to Ghana to settle down and start a family. He is currently unmarried and has no children. He believes that maintaining a family abroad without proper stability can increase financial pressure and drain resources.
Abdul’s story serves as a cautionary account, underscoring that migration through dangerous routes comes with severe risks and that success abroad is neither guaranteed nor easy to attain.
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