Richard Berfi, popularly known as Sir Richie, was a guest on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide Show with DJ Nyaami, where he shared his experiences living and working in the UK.
Currently based in Luton, London, Sir Richie moved to the UK two years ago. He admitted that life abroad has its challenges, particularly with the high cost of living.
“Electricity is expensive here, so I try to manage my heater. As a result, I often feel cold,” he noted.
Sir Richie attended Anglican Senior High School and later trained as a teacher. He taught in Ghana for 13 years, working at Dekwai Senior High before moving to Bantama Senior High School. Teaching in Ghana allowed him to own a car, build a house, and establish a pharmacy at Mamponteng. He emphasized that life in Ghana was comfortable for him, and it was his profession that provided financial stability.
Growing up, Sir Richie was raised by a single mother, as his father was never part of his life. He completed school at Kwaman, but due to the computer placement system, he was sent to a different school than he initially hoped for. His dream wasn’t to become a teacher, but he accepted his path and worked hard to make the best of it.
He encouraged young people to stay determined and trust in God, saying,
“Open your eyes, pray, and God will bless your hard work. When I made money, I didn’t just spend it—I took loans, invested wisely, and built something out of it.”
Sir Richie and his wife, a nurse, used their own money to relocate to the UK. He explained that “Abrokyire is not served on a silver platter” and that struggling is inevitable if one is not financially prepared.
Responding to a question about whether he would return to Ghana if offered GHC 10,000 a month, he said:
“If both my wife and I earned GHC 10,000 each, I would consider staying in Ghana. If you’re making GHC 20,000-40,000 monthly, there’s no need to move abroad. The comfort and happiness you seek should already be within your reach.”
He acknowledged that while the UK offers better opportunities, it also comes with difficulties, such as long hospital queues and transport delays.
“Recently, I was supposed to reach my destination in 40 minutes, but it took me two hours by bus. If this happened in Ghana, people would be outraged,” he observed.
Sir Richie now teaches secondary school mathematics in the UK. He highlighted major differences between teaching in Ghana and the UK, particularly in classroom management and technology use.
“In Ghana, we use chalk, but here, everything is digital. There are no books in my bag—just a laptop, PowerPoint presentations, and interactive whiteboards. You have to upgrade yourself to fit in.”
He warned that bringing Ghanaian teaching methods to the UK can result in failure during job interviews.
“If you approach interviews the Ghanaian way, you won’t pass. The expectations here are different.”
Sir Richie credited his strong marriage to teamwork. He and his wife have been married for 19 years, and despite her demanding nursing job, they both share household responsibilities. He dismissed the notion that women who leave their husbands abroad had no prior issues in Ghana, emphasizing that he and his wife have maintained the same partnership they had back home.
While Sir Richie acknowledges that there are opportunities abroad, he warns against selling property to fund migration.
“If you get the chance, come—but don’t sell everything just to travel. Life here is not easy. You have to work extremely hard to survive.”
He also advised older individuals, particularly those over 50, to reconsider relocating. “Abrokyire is good, but not for everyone. You can rest here, but you’ll suffer first. It’s like slavery before you get what you want.”
Despite the challenges, Sir Richie remains committed to supporting his family in Ghana.
“The money I send to my mother has even increased since I moved. But living abroad is not as glamorous as people think.”
Sir Richie’s story reflects the reality of many Ghanaians abroad—hard work, sacrifice, and the constant evaluation of whether returning home would be a better option. His advice is clear: if you’re financially stable in Ghana, you may not need to move abroad. But if you choose to, be prepared for the challenges that come with it.
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