Kofi Sumalia, a Ghanaian who lived in the Czech Republic and later in Berlin, Germany, has shared his eye-opening experience of working abroad and the challenges he faced.
He explained that upon arriving in Germany, he faced immense pressure from people around him not to stay too long. “I found work in Berlin, but without a proper working permit—what we call nkrataa—you cannot do almost anything, not even go for medical treatment,” he revealed in an interview with DJ Nyaami on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show.
Kofi described the bureaucratic hurdles: even if you worked during the week, you could still be charged for nkrataa, and paying off these debts left him unable to save. “After all expenses, I couldn’t save even 500 euros. At the time, that was less than GH¢2,000,” he said. He also shared that working abroad often meant grueling tasks like washing dishes, which damaged his hands over time.
The loneliness and constant overthinking took a heavy toll. “I was very slim, always hungry, and living in fear and anxiety. People abroad often drink a lot to cope with stress,” he noted. Sending money home was also costly, as agents would deduct fees, adding to the burden.
Despite these hardships, Kofi valued the lessons he learned. While his visa was renewed in the Czech Republic, he decided to return to Ghana empty-handed. “I haven’t regretted coming back. The experience abroad taught me resilience, patience, and the value of peace of mind,” he said.
Back in Ghana, Kofi resumed his career in education. He went from being a head teacher to becoming a Headmaster and then a School Improvement Officer, overseeing multiple schools. He also resumed business activities and noted that even modest capital in Ghana could go a long way if managed properly.
Kofi emphasized the importance of valuing life and peace over money. “People mocked me for returning empty-handed, some even thought I was deported. But Ghana has the systems we need; getting capital is hard, but peace of mind is priceless. Ghana is truly the best,” he said.
His story serves as a powerful reminder that while money abroad may seem tempting, the challenges, stress, and loneliness often outweigh the benefits, and that building a life at home can be far more rewarding.
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