Ghanaian in France, Opoku Moses, Shares His 23-Year Journey of Hard Work and Humility Abroad
Opoku Moses, a Ghanaian who has lived in Paris, France, for the past 23 years, recently appeared on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his inspiring story of perseverance, growth, and life lessons as a Ghanaian living abroad.
Moses left Kumasi, Ghana, in 2002 after an uncle made arrangements for his journey through Togo, where he boarded a flight to France. Upon arrival, his first challenge was the language barrier.
“When I came, I didn’t speak French, so I went to school for two years to learn the language,” he said. “I also explored other things, but football was my passion. I wanted to be a footballer, but my father wasn’t in support—he wanted me to pursue education and earn certificates. So, I listened to him.”
After some years, Moses began working at McDonald’s, where he spent nearly a decade. He explained that he deliberately chose to earn an honest living rather than take shortcuts.
“I told myself I would never sell drugs or do bad things that would bring the police to my home. So, I decided to work hard and live peacefully,” he said.
Moses believes that living abroad is a mix of opportunities and risks.
“I always say life abroad is 80% chance and 20% risk,” he shared. “I like to make friends with older people because you learn wisdom from them. Some chefs in Europe make more money than Members of Parliament in Ghana.”
He initially learned carpentry but later switched careers. Today, Moses works for a major textile care company in France, where he professionally irons and treats designer clothing, including brands like Louis Vuitton.
“I even went to school to learn how to iron clothes and remove stains properly. It’s a respected profession here,” he said.
Though he once tried to work in Britain, it didn’t go as planned, so he remained in France. Over time, his perspective about home also changed.
“When I first arrived, I used to say I would never return to Ghana—but that was just talk. I’ve gone back about four times now,” he said with a smile.
Moses is now a family man, married to a French woman, and they have children together. He says his lifestyle and thinking have evolved because he integrates more with the local French community than with Ghanaians abroad.
“I didn’t mingle much with Ghanaians. I connected more with white people, so my mindset is different,” he said. “If I had stayed in Ghana, I might not have made it this far. Moving abroad has truly elevated my life.”
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