With a candid and heartfelt description of her life in Dubai, a young Ghanaian woman has destroyed the myth that “abrokyire” (foreign lands) is the path to success.
Following her frank observations on the challenges she confronts as a foreign worker in a TikTok video, Dinah, a 24-year-old who relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) five years ago in pursuit of better opportunities, has gone viral.
Dinah didn’t hold back when asked about her experience living in Dubai. “It is really awful,” she stated plainly. Despite being succinct, her statement was weighed down by years of suffering. When pressed further, she disclosed a path characterised by emotional upheaval, exploitation, and instability.
Upon arrival, Dinah worked as a housemaid—a job she eventually left due to poor conditions. She then spent several years as a cleaner before landing her current role as a receptionist. But even now, her life is far from comfortable. “Sometimes I even lock myself up and cry,” she confessed, describing the loneliness and uncertainty that plague her daily life.
The difficulties Africans have finding work in the UAE is one of her main worries. You hardly get a job sometimes. “An agent will not give you the job unless you pay them money,” she bemoaned. Dinah demanded changes that would guarantee equitable treatment for African migrants and facilitate their access to employment. “You should have no trouble finding any job you’re looking for. And the salary should also be paid,” she added.
Online responses to her tale have been overwhelmingly positive. Some internet users sympathised with her and praised her bravery, while others advised her to think about going back home if things get too bad.
One commenter, Ras Kobby, wrote: “All I can say is I like this young lady and her bravery. Not every lady can stand what she’s facing in a country with no family and friends. I wish her all the best.”
Dinah’s story is a sobering reminder that life abroad isn’t always the dream it’s made out to be. Behind the glossy Instagram posts and tales of success are countless stories of struggle, sacrifice, and survival. Her voice adds to a growing chorus of African migrants calling for transparency, fairness, and dignity in foreign labor markets.
