Owusu Mensah Shares His Journey on Daily Hustle Worldwide
Owusu Mensah, a Ghanaian living in the UK, recently shared his experiences on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami. Having lived in the UK for five years, he believes that life abroad is good, filled with job opportunities, and allows people to earn and spend money wisely.
Originally from Ghana, Mensah lived in Cape Coast after completing secondary school. He briefly attended University of Cape Coast (UCC) but dropped out after the first semester, feeling that school would not benefit him. Instead, he opened a game center, installing air conditioning and managing the business. Despite earning well, he faced constant police interference due to illegal gambling activities, including dice and spar games. Since minors frequently participated, authorities often arrested him. He eventually decided to close the game center and move to the UK in 2019 when his sister took advantage of a resettlement program to bring family members abroad.
Mensah initially received a six-month visa and later renewed his status through resettlement programs, which granted him full-time work eligibility. Before leaving Ghana, he had a child with a woman who refused to marry him due to his gaming business. However, after moving to the UK, he married a Ghanaian-born Italian citizen, with whom he now has another child.
Currently residing in Dagenham East, near West Ham, Mensah works night shifts while his wife works during the day. Their schedule allows him to take the children to school in the morning while his wife cares for them after work. He emphasizes that night jobs pay well, making them a viable option for immigrants looking to earn a stable income.
When moving abroad, he advises ensuring that sponsors provide access to open bank accounts. He also stresses the importance of having the right residency documents (nkrataa), as they significantly impact employment opportunities. Mensah credits his wife’s Italian passport and UK indefinite leave status for helping him secure a stable life in the UK.
He warns against selling property in Ghana to relocate unless there is a clear financial plan. Without proper documentation (nkrataa), people risk losing money and struggling to recover abroad. However, with the right papers, he claims one can triple their investment.
Through disciplined savings, Mensah and his wife have purchased a six-bedroom house in Accra. He believes that if he were single, he would have opted for a two-bedroom home instead. To legalize his stay in the UK, he followed a work-and-pay system, saving £15,000 over 2.5 years to secure his residency.
On his days off, he and his wife go on dates and enjoy summer outings to keep their marriage lively. He notes that many people in the UK live a routine life, staying indoors after work. While he acknowledges that Ghana has its advantages, he insists that the UK is far better in terms of financial opportunities. Though he does not plan to live in Ghana permanently, he intends to return someday.
Aside from his main job, Mensah runs a gardening and painting business, utilizing various machines for landscaping. He considers himself hardworking, a trait he developed after losing his father at a young age and being raised by his stepmother. Growing up in a tough environment, he realized that learning a trade was more beneficial than pursuing an academic career as a professor.
He encourages Ghanaians to learn practical skills such as masonry, construction, and mechanics, as these trades offer better earning potential abroad. Despite never driving in Ghana, he obtained a driver’s license in the UK, which opened up more job opportunities. He insists that the UK has systems in place to prevent failure, stating that as long as one is willing to work, there is always employment available.
Mensah believes that the UK offers significant advantages over Ghana, particularly in job availability and financial stability. However, he advises potential immigrants to prepare adequately and ensure they have the necessary documents before relocating. While he enjoys his life in the UK, he acknowledges that his success required hard work, persistence, and smart financial decisions.
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