Ghanaian-American soldier Masud Tampiko, currently residing in the United States, made a return appearance on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami.
In this follow-up interview, he shared updates since his initial feature, where he recounted his journey to the U.S. to pursue a master’s degree. Since then, Masud has assisted over 100 individuals, including his friend Big Bright, in relocating to the U.S.
He emphasized the importance of doing your own work and not shifting your problems to others. According to him, if you receive information and don’t help others with it, you’re not living purposefully. He recalled how tough it was juggling a master’s program, teaching assistant duties, and factory work at the same time. However, factory work helped him earn enough to handle his responsibilities. Masud obtained his green card through school, though the journey wasn’t easy.
He later moved from Chicago to Houston, Texas for a job, but things didn’t work out as expected. Life was difficult, so he returned to Chicago and decided to stabilize his stay. He eventually got naturalized and became a U.S. citizen. Today, he’s a Specialist in the U.S. Army.
In the army, Masud wakes up at 3:30 AM, stays on his feet all day, learns how to shoot, and undergoes intense training. His goal is to become an officer. He said once you become a citizen, it’s easier to commission as an officer. After a 90-day deployment, he became eligible for benefits like home loans and free education for his children.
He highlighted how much respect soldiers receive—even at the airport, strangers offer to pay for their meals. According to him, the army provides discipline, job opportunities, and a sense of purpose. He urges others to join the army for these benefits. His advice? “If you’re not disciplined, the army will break you and rebuild you.”
Masud also emphasized the importance of having a strong “why” when joining the military. He didn’t tell many people back home, but had a strong support system. Looking back, he has no regrets. He believes many immigrants fail in the U.S. because they don’t push themselves, live beyond their means, or get trapped in child support and debt.
He said, “If you save money, prioritize wisely, and stay focused, you can do well here.” He also noted that while America offers opportunities, it’s not all glamour. In places like New York, even finding a public toilet can be a struggle. He prefers to visit big cities but live in suburbs where rent is affordable.
Masud said that when he lived in Houston, rent was $1,900, but in Illinois, he paid much less. He believes it’s important to save money and not just live paycheck to paycheck. He knows people who get paid on Friday and are broke by Monday. “Take risks,” he advises, “That’s how I’ve made it this far.”
In three years, Masud has built a stable life for himself. He encourages Ghanaians not to be complacent and to explore opportunities—even joining the military. He explained that most people think joining the army means going to war, but in reality, you’re placed in professions suited to your background. His job has nothing to do with combat, and his cousin has been in the army for 11 years without ever being deployed to a war zone.
Masud pointed out that deployments can also come with bonuses. “If you’re deployed to places like Japan, you earn more—and many soldiers actually fight for those slots,” he laughed. He believes taking calculated risks in America is key to discovering your potential and unlocking better opportunities.
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