Kofi, who resides in the United States, originally lived in the Bronx, New York, before moving to Connecticut two years ago.
In an interview on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with host DJ Nyaami, Kofi shared his journey, struggles, and lessons learned while living abroad.
Kofi revealed that life in the U.S. was challenging when he first arrived in 2004.
Born and raised in Dunkwa-On-Offin, Ghana, his father operated the Super Melody Hotel. After completing school, he moved to stay with his brother in Kumasi.
He eventually applied to study in the U.S., where he initially lived with someone in the Bronx.
However, after only two months of schooling, he dropped out and began working multiple jobs due to a lack of proper documentation (“nkrataa”).
In 2007, Kofi obtained his papers and started driving taxis, a job he did until 2019.
He drove traditional black taxis and later bought a Lincoln to use for airport and border runs, earning up to $400–500$daily.
However, life as a taxi driver was not without challenges. Overcharging passengers led to arrests and legal troubles, and the long hours and poor eating habits almost caused him intestinal problems.
Eventually, he left the taxi business and transitioned into home care and travel nursing.
Reflecting on his experiences, Kofi shared the toll of his early struggles, including a time he nearly committed suicide before turning 25 due to immense pressure.
He worked grueling hours—up to 14–15 hours a day, totaling 80 hours a week. Despite the hard work, expenses were high, with $4,000 in monthly rent and $700 in taxes.
He also shared insights on life in Ghana versus abroad. After returning to Ghana to bury his father, who passed away shortly after a phone call, Kofi stayed for four months and gained a deeper understanding of the country’s system.
He advised that anyone living abroad should spend more than two weeks in Ghana to truly reconnect.
However, he admitted that living in Ghana after years abroad can be difficult. He recounted how, while looking for his ex-girlfriend during one visit, he met the woman who later became his wife.
Currently, Kofi works as a travel nurse, a profession he started in 2019.
The job offers good pay, with beginners earning around $1,500 per week, and even more for those on-call.
He highlighted the financial opportunities but warned against speaking negatively about one’s home country just because life abroad might seem better.
Kofi also discussed his decision to bring his younger brother to Canada, who is now struggling despite being advised to focus on building a life in Ghana. Reflecting on this, Kofi shared,
“I won’t give him my money anymore.”
He emphasized the importance of understanding the reality of life abroad and the sacrifices it demands.
Through his story, Kofi hopes to inspire others to persevere through challenges and make informed decisions about life abroad.
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