My name is Derrick; I'm 29 years old and come from Ghana. I studied computer science, but couldn't find work in my home country. I came to Germany as a tourist in 2014, stayed there and worked in a restaurant. But my life was not as I had imagined it.

I didn't feel comfortable in this foreign country, although I had learned German and found a job. I missed my friends and family. Due to homesickness I often listened to a Ghanaian radio station. There I learned about the "German-Ghanaian Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration" (GMAC) in Accra. When I made contact, I was referred to a reintegration scout in Germany.

The scout explained my options for returning to Ghana and building a future for myself there. I then decided to return voluntarily. The time had come in 2018. The centre had arranged accommodation for me. So after my return I knew immediately where I could go.

I then took part in a training course for business start-ups. There I learned how to set up a company. I also took a three-month internship, which gave me a lot of practical knowledge.

The "Sparkassenstiftung" gave me a loan to start my business. I decided to open a household appliance shop. I also operate a branch for "Mobile Money" there. This is a service that makes transfers by mobile phone. Business is good.

As of 12/2019