Emmanuel, a Ghanaian currently based in Ontario, Canada, has shared his life journey in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show, detailing his struggles, travels, and eventual settlement abroad.
Emmanuel revealed that he completed the University of Ghana, Legon, in 2014 and later worked at Beige Capital Bank. However, when the bank collapsed, life became difficult. With bigger aspirations, he followed a friend into real estate in Kasoa, where he helped set up a company. Seeing young people succeeding pushed him to look beyond Ghana for opportunities.
In 2018, Emmanuel traveled to China, believing teaching jobs paid well, although he only knew China mostly for scholarships. He explained that at the time, Ghana was battling a meningitis outbreak, and through support, he managed to make the move.
Describing his experience in China, Emmanuel said visas were usually issued for one month and required constant renewal. He claimed that many Ghanaians he met there were involved in fraud, and he personally lost 2,000 yuan after being misled by someone who promised to help change his visa through a school. He later discovered it was a lie and had to travel to Guangzhou to extend his visa for just 30 days.
While in China, he explored the idea of moving to Canada, paid a $2,000 deposit, but later withdrew after hearing mixed stories. He also considered Dubai, believing certificates could easily secure jobs there—something he later realized was untrue.
During his stay in China, Emmanuel met a woman of Jamaican-American background who was also working there. They kept in touch even after he returned to Ghana, where he often bought credit to call her. Their relationship continued when Emmanuel later moved to Dubai, though she initially felt it was unrealistic because of their living situations.
One turning point came when Emmanuel sent her German chocolates and a teddy bear, unaware she was dating someone wealthier. The gesture changed everything. She later visited him in Dubai, they went shopping together, and their bond grew stronger. Eventually, they got married, and Emmanuel returned to Ghana, where he introduced her to Ghanaian food and culture.
Emmanuel lived in Dubai for seven months, working an office job and staying in company accommodation while continuing his Canada visa process, which took about 17 months. Through marriage to a Canadian woman, the process eventually succeeded, taking nearly two years in total.
He finally arrived in Canada with permanent residence, describing the cold weather as one of his biggest shocks. Fortunately, his wife had already rented a place, making his settlement easier. He admitted that life in Canada is not easy, noting that immigrants work extremely hard. According to him, many Indians work two jobs, while immigrants in America and Europe often support families back home.
Emmanuel emphasized that those without wealthy backgrounds tend to work harder abroad, learning new skills and business ideas along the way. He credited his uncle for support, noting that all his uncle’s children are doing well.
He concluded by sharing that his Canadian wife, whom he first met in China, has since given birth, marking a new chapter in his life. Emmanuel’s story highlights resilience, global migration realities, and the sacrifices many Africans make in search of a better life.
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