Destiny: From Italy to the UK — A Ghanaian Mother’s Journey of Resilience and Growth
Destiny, a Ghanaian living in the United Kingdom, shared her life story on SVTV Africa’s Daily Hustle Worldwide show with DJ Nyaami. She currently lives in Coventry, West Midlands, and has been in the UK for over 11 years.
Destiny’s migration story began when she was just 12 years old. Her father, who had traveled to Italy years earlier, brought her and her siblings to join him.
“My father left Ghana when I was two years old. I didn’t see him again until I was seven. I remember meeting him for the first time while he was working on a building site,” she recalled.
Adjusting to life in Italy was not easy, especially because of the language barrier.
“We didn’t know the language, and it was very difficult. We even asked our dad to send us back to Ghana, but he encouraged us to stay and learn.”
Unlike the UK, working at a young age in Italy was challenging. Destiny was the first of her siblings to move there, and after a few years, she relocated to the United Kingdom, where she found both work and education opportunities.
“When I came to the UK, I got a job while attending college every day. Education opened my eyes, and by the age of 21, I was working and no longer depending on my dad.”
Destiny worked in care jobs for several years but later decided she wanted to do more with her career. Initially, she dreamed of working at the airport and even took some related courses. However, she became pregnant, chose to focus on her family, and later got married.
“I became a stay-at-home mother while my friends were progressing in their careers. It wasn’t easy, but I knew my time would come.”
After taking a break, Destiny went back to school, completed several courses, and earned the qualifications to pursue university education. She is now a nursing student, specializing in mental health.
“There’s more money in mental health nursing than in general nursing, but the most important thing is to love what you do. When you love your profession, you don’t feel tired working.”
Destiny now has four children and says her husband and father have been very supportive. She appreciates life in the UK because of the opportunities it provides.
“Here, I can attend university for free, and my children are well supported. Back in Ghana, my mother struggled to take care of us.”
She is also intentional about preparing her children for the future:
“When my kids close from school, I pay for extra classes for them and have savings accounts for their university education. We don’t want them to take student loans. That’s why we say we’re working for our children’s future.”
Interestingly, Destiny’s firstborn, who is 12 years old, is currently schooling in Ghana because he prefers it there.
“The best thing I can do for my kids is to let them experience Ghana for their basic education. In Ghana, your child is everyone’s child — the whole community helps raise them.”
Destiny met her husband in Italy, and years later, they both moved to the UK, where they eventually got married. She reflected on the challenges of love and trust
“It’s painful when someone pretends to love you just to get something, then changes afterward. That kind of betrayal leaves scars.”
Despite the ups and downs, Destiny remains grateful and at peace.
“Whenever I travel back to Ghana, I feel peace within me. Life hasn’t been easy, but every experience has made me stronger.
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