Kweku Obeng is a Ghanaian based in the United Kingdom. He appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his journey from Ghana to the UK and his transition from the British Army into cybersecurity.
Kweku left Ghana between 2012 and 2013 and has lived abroad for about 13 years. He attended St. Augustine’s College and later worked as a teacher in Sekondi-Takoradi. He also secured a job with ACS Computer Services, a company that once played a key role in empowering the youth in Accra. Afterward, he returned to Takoradi to work in the shipping sector. However, he faced pressure from his father, who questioned the direction of his career.
Determined to reposition himself, Kweku enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), where he completed his studies in 2011 and subsequently undertook his national service. During this period, he frequently spoke with friends living in the UK, who informed him about opportunities in the British Army. He learned that applications could be made from anywhere in the world, so he applied and was eventually accepted. The process took about four to six years of planning and preparation before he finally relocated to the UK.
Kweku joined the British Army at the age of 26 or 27. His role involved network engineering, setting up secure communication systems, including telephones and radio networks. While the experience was valuable, it was physically demanding. He described long patrols lasting up to six hours in freezing snow, which took a toll on his body. Over time, he realized that the military was not a career he wanted to pursue for the rest of his life.
He served in the army from 2014 to 2023, spending nearly 10 years in service. Although a full military career requires 22 years to qualify for a pension, Kweku made the difficult decision to resign in 2023. Reflecting on his time in the army, he acknowledged the benefits, including housing support, discounted rent for a three-bedroom house, reduced costs for groceries and shopping, and the opportunity to obtain his British passport.
As he prepared to leave the army, Kweku knew he needed a new direction. He began studying cybersecurity, a field he had already been exposed to during his military service. He spent about two years training and upskilling in cybersecurity, and his dedication paid off. Today, he works as a cybersecurity consultant for a Scotland-based company that builds wind turbines and protects critical national infrastructure.
Kweku has now worked in cybersecurity for three years and says he has no regrets leaving the army. He believes strongly in the principle that “preparation meets opportunity” and says the decision has brought him fulfillment and happiness. He also praised the Scottish people for their warmth and rich cultural history.
One of Kweku’s biggest regrets, however, is not learning a trade skill earlier in life. He wishes his father had encouraged him to learn carpentry or another artisan skill. He passionately advises young people, especially those planning to travel abroad, to learn skilled trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, or technical crafts. According to him, many skilled workers earn significantly more per hour than those in unskilled roles. He noted that although there are over 250,000 Ghanaians in the UK, many are engaged in warehouse or menial jobs, whereas acquiring certified skills could significantly improve their livelihoods.
Drawing from his professional experience, Kweku pointed out the lack of diversity in high-level technical workplaces, noting that many offices are dominated by white professionals with very few Black employees. He believes Africans must break this cycle by entering skilled and technical professions rather than remaining in low-skilled roles. With his cybersecurity background, Kweku says he can work anywhere in the world, including Ghana.
On the personal front, Kweku shared that he met his wife, a fellow Ghanaian, on Facebook. At the time, she was living in Ghana. They dated for two to three years after meeting about 10 to 11 years ago before getting married and beginning the migration process. Due to circumstances, their marriage was largely conducted in his absence. His family performed the traditional marriage rites in Ghana, while he later returned to Ghana for the court marriage.
Kweku revealed that he received a lot of marital advice, some of which reflected traditional mindsets that do not always apply in the diaspora. He was advised by an uncle not to share personal struggles or even good news with his wife. However, Kweku chose a different path, opting for honesty and openness in his marriage.
After joining him in the UK, his wife worked various jobs, including care work and office roles, and eventually secured employment at a university. He acknowledged the sacrifices she made, including doing physically demanding care work, while he spent long periods traveling for work.
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