Dennis Darko, a Ghanaian based in Canada and a regular guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami, shared valuable insights on life and job opportunities in Canada.
According to Dennis, Canada offers many jobs, but your chances depend heavily on your background. If you have qualifications or experience in areas like health care or skilled trades, you’re more likely to secure a well-paying job. Without such skills, many newcomers resort to warehouse jobs that can at least cover rent and basic expenses.
He emphasized that Canada is a good place, but the system is designed to train people who already have some level of skill or experience. Newcomers should analyze their situation carefully, avoid judging themselves too early, and be open to learning from everyone.
On immigration, Dennis explained that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works hard to support people with different statuses. However, if your asylum claim fails, survival becomes difficult, and some people turn to marriage as a last resort. If asylum is denied, you can appeal or apply on humanitarian grounds.
He also warned that switching from a visitor visa to a study visa is difficult, and the Canadian government has canceled the option to switch from a visitor visa to a work permit, pushing many into the asylum route. Canada keeps biometric records, so he advised avoiding unnecessary asylum claims.
In September 2024 alone, 734 Ghanaians sought asylum in Canada — 313 were accepted, 131 rejected, and 8,439 cases remained pending. This shows that many Ghanaians in Canada lack proper documents and live under asylum status, hoping to be granted permanent residence.
Dennis encouraged applicants to take advantage of programs in provinces that allow work permit extensions or job-based residency pathways. He also noted that asylum status is typically granted for three years before expiry, so planning ahead is essential.