Kobi, a Ghanaian based in the UK since 2017, shared his journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami.
Before moving abroad, Kobi lived in Kumasi and was unemployed, often spending time on the streets with friends. All his family members were already living overseas. His half-brother eventually supported him with a visit visa to the UK. After arriving, Kobi worked hard to secure his residency documents (“nkrataa”). Although his half-brother was doing car wash jobs and didn’t have his own documents at the time, he still helped Kobi. After nine months, Kobi was able to pay him back.
At the time, Kobi was in his twenties but was using someone else’s identity—specifically, someone in their 60s—to work in a warehouse, which didn’t check criminal records. During this period, he got into trouble when a girl he had been intimate with falsely accused him and shared a private video at his workplace. This led to his arrest and job loss.
Later, he met another woman and moved in with her. Six months into the relationship, he needed her passport to regularize his immigration status. Today, Kobi has children with two different women and maintains a cordial relationship with both. He has now had legal residency for eight years and is doing well. He even has a child with a Ghanaian woman and is connected with some celebrities and musicians in the UK.
Kobi stated that despite living in the UK for years, he has never been stopped by immigration. He believes people with legal documents often work but may not necessarily find happiness—it all depends on one’s mindset and the people around them. He advises those with children abroad to consider investing in property in the UK, and warns that life is especially tough if one doesn’t have legal status.
When he first arrived, Kobi was enrolled in a business and tourism course through an agent, but he dropped out and ventured into manual labor, traffic control, and security. Eventually, he trained in CCTV operations and tattooing. He admits that tattoos became an addiction and, in hindsight, he wouldn’t have started. According to him, many people get tattoos just to attract women, but beyond that, there’s little value.
He acknowledges that he used to take government benefits and wasn’t concerned about repaying them at the time. He also said he doesn’t plan to marry any of his children’s mothers, even though they have a good relationship.
Kobi observed that Ghanaian women abroad behave differently than they do in Ghana and warned against taking women met at clubs seriously. He also shared a betrayal he experienced from a Ghanaian friend in the UK, who exposed him to the woman who reported him. This friend, who sings in a live band and is well-known, allegedly shared private photos and videos with malicious intent. Kobi accused this person of being sexually deviant and living a double life, despite being in the UK since 2010 without legal residency.
He expressed a desire to marry the Ghanaian woman he’s currently involved with but is still hopeful. Finally, Kobi advised Ghanaians who sponsor others to travel abroad not to overcharge them, as securing residency (nkrataa) is already very expensive.
He also revealed that his best friend back in Ghana impregnated his ex-girlfriend and abandoned her. She later reached out to Kobi for support, saying she was under pressure and needed to survive.
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