Akwesi’s Story: Marriage, Migration, and Life in the UK
Akwesi is a Ghanaian who migrated to the UK in search of a better life. Back in Ghana, he was already married with children, but when he arrived in the UK, he began looking for another path to secure his stay.
He explained that when he first came, he considered paying someone to have a child for him so he could strengthen his case. A friend introduced him to someone who charged him £3,000 for help with pregnancy matters, but the plan failed after 15 months, and he only got £1,000 back.
Later, Akwesi married a white woman in the UK. With her support, he applied for asylum and, through legal advice, managed to secure temporary leave to remain. His white wife eventually agreed to help him get his documents after learning he had children in Ghana. However, he never disclosed to her that he was still legally married in Ghana.
According to Akwesi, marriages among black couples in the UK often collapse, with women sometimes accusing men of abuse to gain legal papers. He claims his white wife has been good to him, even though she does not care much about having children.
At one point, some people informed his white wife that he had a wife and children back home. She confronted him after seeing his children in a video call, but instead of leaving, she promised to support him in regularizing his status because of the children.
Akwesi admitted that he secretly married his white wife, and even posted photos online without inviting many friends. He says he continues to provide for his family in Ghana, including a house he built before leaving.
Reflecting on his experience, he believes life in the UK is tough and expensive. Some agents demanded up to £20,000 from him in the past, but he feels marrying his white wife has made things easier. Despite the complications, he insists he has no regrets, as both his family in Ghana and his wife in the UK are being cared for.