Dominic, a Ghanaian based in Toronto, Canada, has granted an interview to DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa Daily Hustle Worldwide, where he shared his migration journey and life experiences abroad. He revealed that, in his view, Christmas in Ghana is far more enjoyable than Christmas in Canada.
Dominic left Ghana in 2001, about 25 years ago. He grew up in Anomabo and attended school in Assin Fosu. After his exams, many of his friends who passed went on to secondary school, but he did not. While others moved ahead academically, he supported himself by selling fish and engaging in small trading. Later, he returned to Anomabo, passed the Common Entrance Examination, and gained admission to St. Augustine’s College in Cape Coast. He then proceeded to the University of Cape Coast, where he studied Laboratory Technology. During vacations, he stayed in Obuasi.
He later decided to travel abroad, having always dreamed of going to Canada. As an athlete who played football, he was introduced to connections that helped him secure admission to a school in Canada. Financial challenges, however, nearly ended the journey, as he could not afford the admission fees. A friend in the United States came to his aid by paying the fees on his behalf. After securing his visa, he informed his mother in Cape Coast and began preparations to travel.
Getting a flight ticket was another major hurdle. An agent in Accra promised to help with a ticket that could be paid for later, but that option failed. Eventually, his uncle stepped in, and with the support of his mother, the ticket was purchased. Dominic was originally supposed to travel to New Brunswick via Montreal, but the ticket routed him far from his destination, forcing him to rely on taxis to reach his final location. Upon arrival, he found himself alone, except for one other African from Zimbabwe or Tanzania, and struggled greatly in his early days.
To regularize his stay, Dominic sought asylum in Canada, but his application was refused. After spending years in the system without proper documentation and facing extreme hardship, he decided to marry a Canadian citizen he had known during his student days. Despite submitting marriage documents to immigration, the application was rejected, and he was placed on a deportation list, required to report regularly even though he was legally married. With the help of a lawyer, his case was eventually resolved, and he was able to secure his documents.
After gaining legal status, Dominic completed his education, noting that many immigrants are unable to finish school due to the high cost and intense struggle. After 21 years in Canada, he has been able to build houses in Ghana for his family and for himself. He acknowledges that Canada offers good roads, opportunities, and social benefits, which have contributed to his progress.
Dominic last visited Ghana in 2019. Following the passing of his mother, he focused on completing housing projects for his family. Despite his love for Ghana, he says he does not plan to retire there, citing poor healthcare systems. He shared that he knows several people who died in Ghana due to the lack of emergency transport to hospitals, contrasting this with Canada’s more reliable healthcare system.
Academically, Dominic graduated in 2010, practiced, and later returned to school to pursue an MPhil Nurse Practitioner program. He is currently practicing, working in a clinic where he diagnoses patients and provides medical care. Reflecting on his early years in Canada, he recalled working multiple jobs while studying. Today, he says he is more comfortable, having invested heavily in himself—a journey that took many years of sacrifice and resilience.
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