Ghanaian living in the united kingdom Richmond says he can no longer endure life in Birmingham, UK, and has decided to return to Ghana due to the physical and emotional toll it’s taken on him. Speaking in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show, he revealed that he has developed back pain and is constantly on medication just to cope with the demands of work.
“I traveled to the UK in 2023 through a care visa,” he said. “Before that, I was a businessman in Ghana, managing three to four ventures while also working as a government employee. Life wasn’t bad. I had my freedom, and no one controlled me. But peer pressure pushed me to travel because many young men were moving abroad.”
Richmond explained that he initially believed there was plenty of money to be made in the UK — that a little work would earn you a lot of pounds, and converting it to cedis would multiply the value. However, the reality hit hard.
“In the UK, I worked in construction and as a caregiver, but it’s very demanding. You stand for long hours, and now that I’m almost 40, it’s taking a toll on my body. I’m always tired and rely on medication to stay strong,” he explained.
The pressure didn’t end there. Richmond paid £12,000 to an agent for the care visa but hasn’t even recovered that money. “I haven’t made back the £12,000 I paid, and expenses here are very high. Saving is almost impossible. I even left my wife and children in Ghana, and now the business I built in Kumasi is collapsing.”
He pointed out that while some people can manage with the wages, many fail to plan ahead. “If you’re in the UK earning £500 a week, you get just that — no more, no less. In Ghana, you might earn less, but there’s potential to make more, depending on the season or business. Here, the stress is constant.”
Richmond advised that the UK is not ideal for older individuals looking to “hustle” and warned others to think carefully before making the move. “If you have no family here and you’re trying to start life from scratch in this difficult system, it’s going to be tough. I’ve decided to return home and restart my life in Ghana.”
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