K. Baah Shares His Journey on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami
K. Baah, a Ghanaian who has lived in Canada for over a year, shared his experiences on Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. He resides in an island in Canada with a significant African, particularly Nigerian, population.
Mr Baah was a teacher in Ghana, working at Seawar Nyarko Senior High School and other senior high schools. However, he didn’t see a long-term future in teaching, especially after observing the struggles of retired teachers. Determined to improve his prospects, he pursued further education, completing two degrees before enrolling at St. Gustine College of Education.
While in Ghana, he also engaged in borehole drilling as a side business, which provided him with additional income. His knowledge of geography helped him in this field, and he gradually learned electrical work and plumbing. Over time, he became skilled at installing boreholes, even assisting a friend who later moved to Turkey, leaving him to run the business alone.
Mr Baah’s wife moved to Canada first while she was pregnant, leaving their children behind. Initially, he was unsure whether to move with them or come alone. After receiving advice, he decided to join them. Although he was hesitant at first, he eventually realized his wife needed his support, especially after giving birth.
When he arrived in Canada on December 25th, he was surprised to find that the people who helped him didn’t charge any fees. However, settling in was challenging. He had little money and struggled to find work. The funds he brought from Ghana lasted only three months before he secured his first job.
Mr Baah initially worked in borehole drilling, but transitioning into the Canadian job market was tough. Despite having degrees, he found that many employers only valued Canadian experience. He took up jobs in home care and warehouse management to sustain his family, as expenses were high, especially rent and electricity bills.
He noted that Canada is not as promising as many people think, especially for those without higher education or skilled training. Even with his master’s degree, he was placed in roles that required only a high school diploma. Unlike Ghana, where he earned well from borehole drilling, he found it difficult to make substantial income in Canada.
Mr Baah advises that unless someone is earning below 10,000 GHC in Ghana, they should reconsider relocating to Canada. He stresses that the country is not a “job hub” but rather a place for education, with most available jobs being in nursing and teaching, which are difficult to secure.
Additionally, he pointed out that Ghanaian driver’s licenses are not recognized in Canada, making transportation a challenge. The strict lifestyle, lack of social interaction, and high cost of living make life in Canada tough. He emphasized that crime rates in his area are lower than in Toronto, but financial struggles remain.
Mr Baah is focused on supporting his wife through school while hoping to secure a teaching position. Though he has deviated from his original career path, he still has a passion for teaching at the tertiary level. Now that his children have joined him in Canada, he feels happier and more settled.
Ultimately, he acknowledges that while Canada has some advantages, Ghana still offers better business opportunities, and if not for his wife and children, he would have returned home already.
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