Oscar appeared on SVTV Africa Daily Hustle Worldwide with DJ Nyaami to share his journey.
Having lived in Israel for 2 years and 4 months, Oscar originally traveled there for an agricultural internship.
After completing it, he decided to stay and hustle for better opportunities.
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Oscar Was Born in Takoradi, Ghana, Oscar grew up in Dunkwa-On-Offin, Adenta, and Kumasi.
He attended High School and later enrolled at Kwadaso Agricultural College.
Although agriculture wasn’t his first choice—he initially disliked it because of the weeding punishments in school—he joined the program after being influenced by a friend.
His original goal was to study General Arts, but when that program was full, he chose agriculture over business studies.
Oscar credits agriculture for opening doors, saying,
“If not for agriculture, I don’t know what course would have allowed me to migrate to Israel.”
The internship gave him hands-on experience, including working with goats, learning hydroponics (growing vegetables in water), and understanding Israel’s advanced farming techniques.
Oscar was among 200 Ghanaian students selected for the internship program.
They arrived in September 2022 in batches.
Although the internship visas are often canceled after completion, some companies extend them for individuals who pursue higher education.
Oscar notes that while life in Israel is tough, the monetary benefits surpass those in Europe, with job opportunities readily available.
Oscar works long hours, sometimes in a restaurant where leftover food is thrown away despite its quality.
He highlights the stark contrast between Israel’s mechanized farming methods and Ghana’s labor-intensive approach, which often leaves workers physically drained.
In Israel, machines make farming efficient and attractive.
He admires how Israelis have transformed barren land into fertile farms that produce crops like vegetables, plantains, and bananas.
According to him, “There’s more money in pepper than gold. Pepper is used for everything, while gold isn’t essential if you’re unsatisfied in life.”
Despite the financial gains, Oscar feels a lack of happiness.
He lives in a shared apartment with a Sudanese roommate and recounts the challenges of adapting to Israeli life.
One of his scariest moments was during a bomb scare when he had to evacuate his building at 10°C without proper shelter.
Oscar describes Ghana as “heaven” compared to Israel.
While Ghana offers a sense of belonging and community, life abroad lacks emotional fulfillment.
He remarks, “In the white man’s land, you don’t feel entitled, and there’s no sense of home. That’s why people sell everything to come abroad.”
He also criticizes the Ghanaian government for neglecting the agricultural sector.
According to Oscar, “Ghana has fertile, organic land but doesn’t know how to utilize it. We need mechanization and proper storage facilities for crops. In Israel, prices are set before harvest, and storage facilities preserve produce until it’s distributed.”
Oscar highlights the cultural differences between Israelis and Ghanaians.
He feels isolated at work, where colleagues are friendly among themselves but distant toward him.
He notes that religion in Israel is practiced differently, saying,
“In Ghana, people worship God from Monday to Sunday, but their actions contradict their faith. Religion in Ghana is why the country isn’t progressing.”
Oscar dreams of returning to Ghana to focus on full-time farming.
He believes agriculture offers vast potential if properly supported. Reflecting on his experiences, he advises others to pursue happiness over money, stating,
“Money can buy you things, but true happiness comes from family and purpose.”
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