Ghanaian Based in the Netherlands
Samuel is a Ghanaian based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and he shared his powerful journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyami.
Samuel hails from Atonsu, Kumasi. He attended Osei Tutu Senior High School, continued to Kumasi Polytechnic (K-Poly), and pursued HND Marketing. In his early years, he was actively involved in community leadership and even contested for Assemblyman in Atonsu, though he lost the election.
Professionally, Samuel worked as a teacher, including teaching at Agogo Hospital and later with Better Ghana Management Service under Kumasi South. Through this work, he got the opportunity to travel to Dubai, where he spent nine months before returning to Ghana.
Back in Ghana, life became difficult. Stable employment was hard to find, and Samuel admits that without connections, getting a job in Ghana is extremely difficult.
“If you don’t get an introduction in Ghana, it’s hard to survive.”
Family support also faded during this period, and Samuel faced some of the toughest moments of his life. Determined not to give up, he made the difficult decision to travel again, promising himself that if Ghana did not offer stability, he would seek opportunity elsewhere.
His breakthrough came when his mother’s sister, Alice Opoku, invited him to Amsterdam. Samuel joined NABCO and later worked with Rent Control, and through these connections, he was able to relocate to the Netherlands.
Unlike many others, Samuel did not learn a trade skill. His strength was in marketing, and he knew he had to make that work abroad.
“I didn’t have a skilled job. I only had marketing, so I had to survive with it.”
When he first arrived in the Netherlands, life was very hard. He had no residence permit (nkrataa) and depended on borrowed documents to work. Despite the fear and uncertainty, Samuel persevered.
Receiving his first salary of €1,200 per month was a turning point.
“I was so happy when I received my first salary.”
Instead of chasing luxury, Samuel made a bold and strategic decision: he bought two plots of land in Ghana and started building his house. Remarkably, he completed his house in Ghana before securing his residence permit abroad.
“I built my house first because I was afraid of deportation. If I was sent back, I needed somewhere to lay my head.”
Samuel revealed that he was once arrested and nearly deported, which reinforced his decision to build early. It took him six years to complete his house—exactly the same number of years he has spent in the Netherlands.
After finally obtaining his nkrataa, Samuel began planning seriously for his future, including pension savings and long-term investments.
“I won’t stay abroad until 67 years before I retire.”
He plans to return to school, upgrade himself academically, and complete another property project, which he intends to convert into an Airbnb business.
Samuel stressed the importance of humility abroad, especially for Ghanaians.
“Learn to be humble and learn from the old borgas. They have the tips to help you succeed.”
He credits abrokyire for transforming his life, restoring his dignity, and earning him respect back home.
“Without abrokyire, my family wouldn’t have respected me.”
He rejects the idea of miracles and prophecies when it comes to success abroad.
“No prophecies here. You wake up and go to work.”
Samuel works for a Dutch company and explained that employers do not care about your lifestyle or religion—only punctuality and productivity matter.
Before traveling, Samuel had never seen €10,000–€15,000 in his life, but through hard work abroad, he has experienced financial growth and stability.
He also acknowledged the crucial role his aunt played, hosting him for nine months, even when he slept in the hall upon arrival.
“I used to sleep in the hall. Today, I no longer sleep in the hall.”
Samuel concluded by emphasizing that abrokyire is about documentation, discipline, and planning, not shortcuts.
“Abrokyire helped me. I will not let abrokyire down.”
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