Raphael Cyphant, a Ghanaian based in the United Kingdom, recently appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his inspiring journey, challenges, and lessons from life abroad.
According to Raphael, he is based in Kent, UK, and first arrived in the country in August 1991. Before relocating, he lived in Odorkor, Accra, and attended school around Dansoman Junction and Official Town. When he moved to the UK, he was directed to Cockfosters, where his godfather hosted him for about one to two years.
Raphael explained that growing up in Ghana was not easy. His parents had rented out all the rooms in their house, leaving him without a personal space. Despite these early struggles, he remained determined to succeed.
He began his working life in the UK as a kitchen porter, later moving into a large industrial kitchen that served over 1,000 staff members, with a team of about 12 to 13 workers. Through persistence and discipline, he trained as a chef, failing the required test three times before finally passing. Six months later, he progressed further and passed his Class One qualification.
In 2003, Raphael got married, and that same year, he and his wife bought their first house in Dagenham. Over time, they acquired two more properties, gradually moving away from rented accommodation. He emphasized the importance of buying property in areas where one intends to live, noting that within 11 months, they had secured another home and stabilized their family life. Their children continue to attend school in the same area to this day.
Raphael revealed that although he is a trained chef, he expanded his skills into construction and renovation. He does plumbing, electrical work (excluding consumer units), carpentry, insulation, plasterboarding, painting, decoration, bricklaying, block laying, fencing, and full house renovations—from start to finish. He holds a CSCS card, owns a renovation company, and pays his taxes in the UK.
He credited his wife, a highly educated scholar with multiple degrees, as a major influence in his success. She once advised him to prioritize buying property in the UK instead of continuing to build in Ghana, a decision that proved pivotal. Thanks to that choice, they were able to raise their children comfortably in their own home.
Raphael criticized the mindset of some Ghanaians abroad who complain about life overseas without understanding the system. He stressed the importance of learning the tax system, acquiring skills, getting a driver’s license, and seeking mentorship rather than rushing to buy land or build houses back home. He also warned against depending solely on monthly salaries instead of becoming entrepreneurs.
He challenged the idea of living in a single room abroad for 15 to 20 years while building a mansion in Ghana, calling it unrealistic and counterproductive. According to him, many people who follow this path struggle financially despite appearances on social media.
Raphael encouraged Ghanaians to invest in UK properties, describing the returns as guaranteed. He shared that between 2024 and 2025, he and his wife traveled to 11 countries across six trips, a testament to their financial stability and planning.
Despite his success, Raphael stated that until Ghana becomes more stable, he does not have the confidence to relocate his investments back home.
His story stands as a powerful reminder that discipline, skill acquisition, mentorship, and understanding the system are key to succeeding abroad.
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