Tikay, a Ghanaian now based in Canada, shared a harrowing experience that changed his life and shaped his future.
He recounted a terrifying incident where he was shot in the thigh and left ribs. In panic, he tried to escape, but the car he was in moved, leaving him stuck in the snow, surrounded by smoke. Hiding behind a heap of snow, he watched as a friend—who had been handling a large quantity of cannabis—stole the product and pressured Tikay to sell it, leaving him injured and alone.
Amid the chaos, a Spanish couple called for an ambulance and comforted him. “The guy put his jacket on me and said everything would be alright,” Tikay recalls. Soon after, his friend who had been involved in the transaction arrived, urging him not to give up. Emergency responders extracted him safely, and upon waking, he was greeted by his worried family. He left the area in a wheelchair, grateful for his survival.
Despite this traumatic event, Tikay turned his life around. He focused on learning a skilled trade in Canada, attending the Ontario College of Trades. “Canada has helped me in so many ways,” he says. “I learned a skilled job, and now I’m making a living from contracts with 25% down payments. The opportunities are real if you’re willing to learn and work hard.”
Tikay stresses the differences between life in Africa and the Western world. “Where there’s money, there are always problems. In Africa, opportunities are limited, but in Canada, you can secure your future if you’re under 30. Older people may need more capital and planning, but it’s still possible.”
He also shared advice for families considering immigration. “My mother thought about us and stayed to help us come here. It has benefited me immensely. Securing your children’s future is worth the effort.” Tikay is candid about the reality of overseas work: “Not all jobs are perfect—many are built on cheap labor—but the chances to learn, grow, and succeed are real.”
Tikay’s story is one of survival, resilience, and determination. From a near-death experience in the snow to building a stable career in Canada, he demonstrates that even the hardest circumstances can be a springboard to opportunity.
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