Adwoa, a Ghanaian who has been living in the UK for the past two years, opened up about her life before and after moving abroad.
Born in Fante New Town and Sunyani, she later moved to Kumasi, where she lived in various neighborhoods, spending 16 years in Atonsu. She completed her senior high school education in 2011 and later attended Koforidua Technical University, where she studied Hospitality Management. After staying home for a couple of years post-SHS, she finally secured admission and went on to complete her university degree.
Adwoa said the opportunity to travel came through a connection, and the process didn’t take long. Within two months, she was in the UK. Her aunt, who lives in Northampton, picked her up and welcomed her warmly. She was also grateful for the support from her uncle and his wife, who treated her well.
Reflecting on her expectations, Adwoa admitted she used to think life abroad was all rosy. “When I was in Ghana, I thought people abroad were just living on the streets picking money. But it’s not like that—you really have to work hard for everything,” she explained.
Coming to the UK came with mixed feelings. Although she had completed university, getting a teaching post in Ghana was difficult, which made her decision to travel bittersweet. However, she started working just a month after arriving.
Adwoa works in the health sector, often with white clients. She opened up about the challenges she faces at work, including bullying from both colleagues and clients. “I’ve cried several times on the job,” she revealed. “I do everything for my client—even cook and scratch her back.”
After finding it difficult to secure jobs in live-in care, she switched to domiciliary care, where she discovered her passion. She now hopes to pursue further education in mental health. “I have a degree, but I plan to go back to school. I have patience, especially with dementia and mental health cases,” she said.
Despite her commitment to work, Adwoa admits that life in the UK can feel isolating. “It’s just home, church, and work. I don’t really have a social life or friends here,” she shared. “I avoid parties and trouble, but I do have a boyfriend. We met back in Atonsu, and he now lives in Scotland.”
Adwoa also reflected on parenting abroad, emphasizing that how a child turns out—good or bad—depends on grace, not location. “Some kids abroad are well-behaved, while others aren’t. The same goes for children in Ghana,” she added.
Her long-term goal is to save money, return to Ghana, and invest in building a meaningful life back home. “Abrokyire is not the ultimate dream,” she concluded.
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