Mr. David Nyarko, a Ghanaian who once lived in the United States, has opened up about the challenges and misconceptions surrounding life abroad. Speaking as a returning guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show with DJ Nyaami, he shared his personal experiences and hard lessons from his time in America.
According to him, before traveling, he used to glorify America and encourage others to pursue it at all costs. However, after arriving there, he faced the harsh realities of life and realized that much of the hype around “abrokyire” is misleading.
He recounted a heartbreaking story of a friend he lived with in the U.S. who battled depression. “I told him I would buy him a ticket to return home, but he said if he died, he wanted to be buried in America,” David revealed.
Back in Ghana, David’s friend was jobless after university, which pushed him to take the risky route through Brazil and Mexico before finally entering the U.S. He explained that someone making ₵1,000 in Ghana may not see the difference in the U.S. because the struggles there are equally tough, just disguised in dollars.
David also debunked myths about pastors and visas. “No pastor can pray and get you a visa. What works is your documentation. Spirituality doesn’t grant you entry, but once you’re on the plane, yes, you can thank God. But if your documents aren’t correct, no amount of prayer will change that,” he emphasized.
On the reality of work abroad, David described it as a form of modern-day slavery, where people make money but never truly own it. He cited scams in the care industry, where insurance is billed heavily but workers are underpaid. He added that some even resort to smuggling drugs or engaging in illegal activities just to survive.
He recalled a case in Maryland, where a Ghanaian man was arrested after charging $30,000 for fake documents. David also mentioned that a fellow Ghanaian lost his job in the U.S. after getting involved in church activities but received no help when he became homeless.
According to him, many Ghanaians who are genuinely making money abroad do not flaunt their success on social media. He therefore advised the youth: “Don’t sell your properties just to travel. It’s not worth it. Abroad is not as easy as it looks.”