Raphael Cyphant Shares Hard Truths About Life in the UK on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide
Raphael Cyphant, a UK-based Ghanaian, is a returning guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, hosted by DJ Nyaami. In his latest appearance, Raphael resurfaced with eye-opening insights about life abroad, especially for Africans planning to move to the United Kingdom.
Raphael revealed that he left Ghana in 1991 to settle in the UK. Drawing from decades of experience, he cautioned that many people arrive abroad with unrealistic expectations. According to him, newcomers are often vulnerable—financially and emotionally—and can easily be taken advantage of if they do not understand the system.
He advised first-time travelers to come to the UK initially as tourists, observe how the system works, return home, plan properly, and then migrate legally. He specifically warned about what happened to many people who came through certain sponsorship routes between 2022 and 2023, stating that some were exploited, especially women, and later regretted their decisions.
Raphael also touched on loneliness abroad, describing it as one of the biggest silent challenges migrants face. He encouraged newcomers to break out of isolation by socializing, networking, visiting parks, malls, and engaging people in healthy conversations to protect their mental health. He shared the story of a man who arrived in the UK without contacts and struggled until he was encouraged to socialize and build networks.
Another key issue he addressed was financial pressure from home. Raphael noted that many migrants post attractive photos online, which creates expectations and pressure from people back home to send money—often before they are financially stable.
On property ownership, Raphael strongly advised migrants to prioritize buying homes in the country where they live rather than focusing only on building houses back home. He explained the power of mortgages and real estate growth, sharing that he bought his first house in England in 2009 for £144,000, and today it can sell for over £450,000. He was just 27 years old at the time. Today, he owns three houses in England.
He encouraged young people and students to invest early, citing examples of individuals who bought flats while still young and gradually expanded their portfolios without complaints. According to him, owning a three-bedroom house can open many financial doors.
Raphael also stressed the importance of legacy and family education. He narrated how a man died, his children sold his house, shared the money, and wasted it due to lack of proper guidance. He advised parents to train their children well so they can preserve and grow family assets rather than destroy them.
He concluded by urging Africans abroad not to live carelessly but to build lasting legacies—properties, education, and opportunities—that will benefit their children and grandchildren.
