Anaaz’s Risky Journey to Europe: From Car Parts Business to Starting Over
Anaaz, originally from Ghana, shared his incredible migration story in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show. Before leaving Ghana, Anaaz was a businessman, selling car parts and working as a driver. He had been in the car business for nearly 20 years, even owning three cars at one point. He completed his education at the University of Education, Winneba, during the COVID-19 pandemic but chose not to pursue teaching, instead focusing on his thriving car parts business in Kumasi.
In 2024, Anaaz decided to travel abroad for better opportunities. Unfortunately, he was scammed by a connection man who took close to GHC 20,000 from him under the pretense of arranging a visa to Germany. Determined to leave, Anaaz chose a dangerous route, traveling alone by road through Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, and finally reaching Mauritania.
The journey was filled with hardship. In Mali, he found many Ghanaians stranded, some rescued and others left without hope. His first two attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea failed — he spent months stranded at sea and desert camps. He was arrested once but managed to bribe his way out by giving up his phone. After months of struggle, on his third attempt, he was rescued at sea on December 25th. Anaaz described the journey as life-threatening, praying for survival as bad weather tossed their boat for three days before a rescue team saved them.
Now living in a refugee camp, Anaaz says he is at “ground zero,” having lost everything. He has yet to start any new life and feels abandoned by some of his former contacts. Reflecting on his experience, Anaaz warned that the migration route he took was extremely dangerous and not something he would wish even on his enemies.
Once a successful businessman in Ghana, Anaaz now faces the challenge of rebuilding his life from scratch in Europe, describing life abroad not as easy or glamorous, but as a daily struggle.
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