Linda, a Ghanaian living in the UK, shared her story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami. As a first-time guest on the show, she opened up about her experiences, struggles, and insights on life abroad.
Originally from Nungua, Ghana, Linda grew up moving between different cities, including Asante Bekwai, Sunyani, and Techiman, due to her father’s job at Commercial Bank. She later lived with her aunt in Nungua, where she supported herself by selling oranges before learning hairstyling. She eventually opened Links Hair Salon, training many apprentices.
Linda’s journey to the UK began when her boyfriend, a soldier who frequently visited the UK, helped her relocate in 2001. She left her salon in Ghana for her younger sibling to manage and moved abroad. Her aunt, who initially hosted her, provided immense support, even buying her plane ticket. Linda admits she was troublesome as a child, and her family saw sending her to the UK as a way to get her on a better path.
Upon arriving in the UK, Linda relied on hairstyling to pay her rent and support her family. However, she eventually stopped braiding Ghanaian clients’ hair, preferring to work with Kenyans, Malawians, Zimbabweans, and Jamaicans. She explained that some Ghanaians often complain about prices, convert costs to Ghana cedis, and rarely appreciate the service. She now hopes to learn how to do dreadlocks since many customers request it.
Linda believes that anyone planning to move abroad should learn a skilled trade, as finding work can be difficult. She personally avoids caregiving jobs because she struggles to see sick people in distress.
Looking back, Linda questions whether traveling abroad was the right decision. She believes there are many opportunities in Ghana, and some people live comfortably after building homes and businesses before leaving. However, she warns that moving without proper documentation is extremely difficult, as many struggle to find jobs and housing.
Linda recounted a painful experience of helping a friend move to the UK. Despite supporting her financially and even offering her work, the friend turned against her. She regrets helping her and now advises people to be cautious when assisting others.
Linda’s personal life has also seen its share of ups and downs. She divorced her first husband and later brought a new husband from Ghana to the UK, but he denied paternity of her pregnancy, leading to their separation. After years of staying single, she reconnected with an ex-boyfriend from Ghana, but the relationship ended in disappointment as he was only interested in using her to travel abroad.
Despite her challenges, Linda remains optimistic about love and plans to marry again. She is currently dating someone, and all her children, except her youngest, are in university. Raising children abroad, she says, is not easy, but she remains committed to providing them with the best opportunities.
Linda warns that friendships abroad can be risky and advises people to stay vigilant. Though she has faced many struggles, she looks forward to retiring in Ghana one
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