Emmanuel, a Ghanaian based in Vejensa, Italy, shared his deeply emotional life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami.
Emmanuel has lived in Italy for the past 10 years, but his journey to Europe was one filled with hardship, loss, and determination.
Growing up in Cape Coast, Emmanuel faced a difficult childhood after coming from a broken home. To survive, he sold palm fruits for soup and oranges on the street. With the little money he made, he learned carpentry for a year and a half and eventually became a professional carpenter, taking on construction jobs to support his family.
“Life was hard. Whatever money I made was just hand-to-mouth. I decided to travel to find a better future,” he recalled.
His first attempt to migrate — to Australia — failed after he was scammed by an agent who took his savings. With no stable job, he turned to Libya, joining a group of young men who risked their lives through the desert route.
“I had a dream before traveling that someone would rob me of my money, and it really happened,” he revealed. “I was later imprisoned in Libya for some time, but I learned Arabic and plastering while in jail.”
After eight months of hard labor, Emmanuel joined others on a dangerous boat journey across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.
“We were scared we would die, but I prayed hard. I saw dolphins in the water pushing our boat, and by God’s grace, a big ship rescued us. Many people died that day, but I survived,” he said emotionally.
Upon arriving in Italy, Emmanuel stayed in a refugee camp and later found work despite not having official documents. His skill in plastering and carpentry opened doors for him, and within a year, he secured a full-time job.
He encouraged Ghanaians planning to travel abroad to first learn a trade.
“A skilled job will always help you survive abroad,” he advised. “That’s what kept me going.”
Emmanuel, who is now married, revealed that he spent six years abroad without being intimate with any woman until he eventually married in Ghana. Two years ago, he brought his two sons — aged 17 and 15 — to join him in Italy, although his wife still lives in Ghana.
“When my mother heard I had made it to Italy, she was so happy. I was the first in my family to travel abroad,” he said with pride.
Today, Emmanuel continues to work hard in Italy and hopes to one day reunite his entire family under one roof.
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