The COS Process and Hidden Challenges Nii moved to the UK with his wife after hearing about opportunities for skilled workers.
Despite initially receiving an admission offer for Canada, he opted for the UK route to secure a better future for his family.
However, he warns about a common pitfall: agents sometimes add dependents to your COS (Certificate of Sponsorship) without your knowledge, using it to forge marriage certificates for your partner.
“You can be in the UK and not know that a dependent has been added to your COS,” he says.
Nii recalls how he worked for 12-15 years as a banker in Ghana before deciding to join his wife in the UK.
Back in Ghana He initially lived in Accra New-town but later moved to Ofankor to be closer to his parents and work before making the move to the UK.
Once in the UK, Nii prepared his CV and quickly secured a job, paying the bills while his wife stayed home searching for employment. However, it took over a month for her to find work, despite having a teaching background.
In their first months, Nii and his wife stayed in an Airbnb and navigated life in a new country without knowing anyone.
Later, his wife needed a car to start her job, and they successfully arranged for one. Nii’s hard work and determination led to his family’s stability.
They eventually switched companies after his wife’s COS was canceled, and within a year, they successfully brought their children to the UK.
One of Nii’s proudest achievements is the academic success of his children.
“My kids are ahead of their peers, winning awards at school,” he says.
He also notes that his children’s knowledge of the Bible surpasses that of many elderly white people in the UK. Nii attributes their success to the opportunities available in the UK, although he acknowledges that there are pressures.
Nii emphasizes that abroad, success depends largely on your planning and effort. Unlike Ghana, where plans can often be disrupted, in the UK, the money you’re promised is the money you receive.
“There are opportunities here if you are willing to work hard,” he says. Nii works from home most of the time and gives credit to his own hard work, which has enabled his family to thrive.
Nii Tackie’s story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and the importance of being vigilant when navigating immigration processes. Though he faced challenges along the way, his family is now thriving in the UK, with their future looking brighter than ever.
