Kwaku, a Ghanaian based in the United Kingdom, shared his story with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show. He revealed that he completed his nursing degree in Ghana in 2021. While searching for opportunities on LinkedIn, nothing was working out until a friend in the UK introduced him to an agent.
The agent demanded £14,500 to process his relocation as a main applicants with a dependant. Kwaku was supposed to pay the amount, but shortly after, the UK changed its laws on dependants joining spouses. This left him in a tough position, and the agent insisted he still had to pay the full amount. Eventually, the agent sent him a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) for a one-year charity program, which he used to apply for a visa. He bought his own ticket with Ethiopian Airlines, angering the agent, who later blocked him.
When Kwaku arrived in the UK, he stayed with the dependants he was linked to. They demanded repayment of the £14,500 and deducted almost everything from his salary. Out of about £1,300 monthly earnings, he was left with only £100, as they claimed the rest for debt repayment, food, and bills. The stress was unbearable. He even worked under other people’s documents (nkrataa) in warehouses, standing for long hours, losing weight, and barely sleeping.
Kwaku explained that the agreement was only to repay half the money when he arrived, but the agent and dependants insisted on the full amount. Despite being a qualified nurse, he couldn’t secure proper documentation, which cost him better opportunities—including a nursing offer worth £12,000 a year.
At one point, he became homeless and had to rely on friends. Things changed when he met an elderly woman who introduced him to her twin sister. They connected him to a church member who rented him an apartment for £600, later reduced to £450. The twins also supported him with essentials like a TV, bedding, and food.
Kwaku was deeply emotional recounting this, saying: “I had a place to sleep in Ghana, but abroad I found myself lying on a warehouse floor. Yet, God sent people to help me. There is a God.”
Although he has found some stability and new jobs, he is still struggling to get registered as a nurse in the UK. Out of desperation, he even proposed marriage to one of the 73-year-old twins who helped him, but they encouraged him instead to focus on rebuilding his life
Watch The Video Below:
About The Author
