Japa: Ghanaians, Nigerians share experiences of the ‘bitter truth’

 

Popular Ghanaian YouTuber and content creator, Wode Maya, has stirred conversation on social media after calling on Africans living abroad to share the “bitter truth” about their experiences overseas.

His statement on X on Saturday sparked a wave of reactions, with many offering their perspectives on the realities of living abroad compared to life in Africa.

“Africans living abroad should start telling Africans at home the bitter truth about living abroad,” Maya said, prompting a range of responses that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities of living outside the continent.

One commenter, Kudi, described the harsh realities of life abroad, including depression and isolation during the cold winter season.

“Throughout these two weeks of Christmas, I have been indoors, never stepped outside. The cold is too much. I’m the only one who knows the kind of depression I am going through here.

“The only nice thing about here is you make money if you go there in the right way. But apart from that, there is nothing nice about it,” Kudi lamented.

Another user, Majaliwa, blamed Africa’s underdevelopment for driving its citizens to seek opportunities elsewhere.

“Africa, we refuse to develop our continent, which is the best place to live on earth. We have everything here—land, minerals, sunshine, white sandy beaches. But we would rather loot and plunder and allow neo-colonialists to continue extracting wealth here instead of owning up, dropping the impunity, and deciding to develop our continent,” he said.

While some echoed Maya’s sentiments, others argued that the challenges of living abroad depend on individual circumstances.

Nelisiwe said, “Not all Africans living abroad experience hardship. It’s only those who go overseas without a plan or illegally.

“The majority of Africans who are suffering have greedy family members back home who demand money as if it grows on trees. If you do not have such family back home, you will completely enjoy your life abroad.”

Echoing this view, Uche Nick noted that proper planning and adaptation are key to enjoying life abroad.

“The truth is that I don’t miss Nigeria. I have my wife and son with me here. I am forming new communities and networks, so I can never be lonely.

“Don’t fall for the lies. If you plan yourself well, you’ll have fun and create meaningful networks in any country,” he stated.

However, some respondents warned against illegal migration, arguing that it often leads to hardship.

Elvis said, “The bitter truth is that if you cheat the system to go abroad, you will pay for it the hard way. Mostly, the so-called bitter truth of living abroad comes from people who cheated the system to enter there.”

Salim Dakingari highlighted hidden struggles like identity crises and mental health challenges.

“Too often, the glamorous stories shared do not reveal the hidden realities, like navigating complex immigration systems, facing discrimination, or dealing with mental health in foreign cultures,” he wrote.

Others, like JesJay, pointed to systemic differences between Africa and developed nations, asserting that life abroad offers more opportunities for financial stability and dignity.

“Developed nations for a reason—hardly do you see someone peeing by the roadside, but it’s normal in our country.

“Police stop road users and demand money. Handy workers like carpenters and painters are respected and make good money abroad, but in Ghana, such jobs are branded as filthy work,” he argued.

Source: Punch