Maxwell Amoah, a Ghanaian living in France, was featured on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Maxwell currently resides in Tulle but has also spent time in Marseille and Lyon. Upon arriving in France, he had the opportunity to attend school and learn the language before starting work. He noted that some people refuse to learn the language, but depending on your immigration category, it may be necessary.
Reflecting on his journey, Maxwell shared that he has been in France for five years. Before that, he lived in Sehwi, Ghana, and later moved to Dubai, where he worked as a driver for two years. However, he found that Dubai was more suited for tourism than for making a living. Through his brother’s help, he secured a chance to move to Europe.
Back in Ghana, Maxwell was involved in entrepreneurship and farming, but the lack of startup capital was a major challenge. He had hoped his father would support him in starting a business, but his father was reluctant, fearing he might waste the money. As a result, he decided to travel. His father was able to fund his first trip to Dubai. Despite people advising him to stay and make it in Ghana, he felt compelled to seek better opportunities abroad.
Maxwell explained that, in Ghana, he had dreams of running a business, particularly a pharmacy, but lacked financial support. He once worked as a youth employment teacher but always aspired to be his own boss. He believes Ghana’s education system does not equip young people with practical skills, such as farming or animal husbandry, that could help them start businesses. Instead, the focus is on foreign curricula with little relevance to local economic realities.
His move to France was primarily for medical reasons. Since childhood, he suffered from body pains but lacked access to proper medical care in Ghana. He later got an opportunity to travel to France after staying in Dubai for 2 years.. Upon arriving in France, he was diagnosed, underwent surgeries, and received treatment at the government’s expense, including coverage for his bills and rent.
Maxwell argues that traveling abroad should not always be about making money. While some Ghanaians believe they can succeed at home, he questions how that is possible in places like Sehwi, where basic healthcare is lacking. He insists that Ghana can be a land of opportunity, but only if the government puts proper systems in place. He highlights issues such as poor health insurance, lack of security, and a struggling economy, which force many to seek better lives elsewhere.
Despite the knowledge and experience he has gained, Maxwell feels Ghana is not yet ready for people like him to return and contribute meaningfully. He criticizes the lack of infrastructure, unreliable electricity, and limited access to opportunities. He points out that there is no proper pension system for retirees, and farming is often seen as a path to poverty rather than prosperity, as noted by politician Kennedy Agyapong.
He also criticizes the mindset of some Ghanaians who travel abroad expecting an easy life. Many struggle with menial jobs, such as cleaning, and want to return home when they realize the challenges abroad. He recalls a Ghanaian chief who moved to Dubai hoping for a better life, only to end up as a construction laborer. Similarly, a nurse was deceived by an agent into thinking he would work in a hospital in Dubai, only to be forced into an entirely different job while wearing an unsuitable winter suit.
Maxwell advises that if someone is already well-established in Ghana, they should not leave in search of money abroad. He believes that Sehwi, despite being known for cocoa farming, lacks opportunities for business growth. However, he acknowledges that working in Accra can be more viable.
Finally, Maxwell laments that Ghanaians abroad are often not united, making it even harder for them to thrive in foreign lands.
Maxwell recounted how a pastor deceived him in France, leaving him unemployed and struggling. He shared his disappointment, stating, “I’m not working—this pastor played me wicked!” According to Maxwell, some Ghanaians in France can be very cruel, and instead of helping fellow countrymen, they take advantage of them.
He explained that he had trusted the pastor, believing he would assist him in securing a job or settling in. However, things did not go as expected, and he found himself in a difficult situation. Maxwell’s experience serves as a warning to others about the challenges of trusting the wrong people, even within their own community abroad.
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