Book on harsh realities of African migrants launched in Accra

A book that describes and explores the aspirations and harsh realities of skilled African migrants seeking better lives abroad has been launched in Accra.

Titled “Beyond the Greener Pastures”, the 74-page book chronicles the intertwined lives of five Ghanaian friends who migrated to the United Kingdom (UK) in search of better opportunities.

Their experiences, captured over 12 years, highlight both their successes and struggles in their new homeland.

Authored by journalist and advocate, Nana Ama Adu-Kwapong, the book recounts how she was inspired by her Master of Science (MSc) Dissertation at the London School of Economics & Political Science in 2006, which focused on the work of skilled migrant women in the UK.

Her research uncovered a troubling trend of Ghanaian women with advanced qualifications working in low-skilled jobs unrelated to their education, with many still seeking better opportunities in Western countries, in spite of the challenges.

Her voluntary work with a charity supporting refugees and migrants further deepened her understanding of the harsh realities. This personal encounter with the challenges faced by skilled migrants ignited the author’s curiosity about the broader motivations and experiences of those who leave their home countries in search of a better life.

The launch was attended by government officials, academics, her friends and a section of the public.

Chapters

Chapters of “Beyond the Greener Pastures" touch on stories of women such as Bella and Ewura Ama, who left promising careers in the country to work in customer service roles in the UK, highlighting the prevalent issue of skills mismatch among migrants.

Also is a Ghanaian nurse who, after arriving in the UK and becoming pregnant, found herself homeless and eventually sought asylum out of sheer desperation.

Another was of a Central African gentleman who spent 22 years as an illegal migrant before finally receiving his indefinite leave to remain, only to tragically pass away shortly thereafter.

These narratives, along with many others, form the backbone of the book that touches on themes of faith, sacrifice, and the stark realities of life as a migrant. 

Well-researched

Addressing a ceremony to launch the book last Tuesday, Mrs Adu-Kwapong said travelling overseas must be a well-researched and planned decision. “The research and planning process should include having in place the requisite contingency plans if things don’t go as expected,” she said.

Mrs Adu-Kwapong cautioned against purchasing one-way tickets with no plans to return home, adding that many such migrants often ended up regretting their decision and warned against the belief that financial success could be achieved only overseas.

Right skills

The Head of Risk, Foreign Reserves Management at the Bank of Ghana, Dr Stephen Opata, who was a guest speaker, questioned why the youth were leaving the country to seek opportunities abroad in spite of the challenges they faced getting there.

“This situation challenges us to do more to ensure that our youth remain in the country. In this digital age, individuals can live in the country and still work globally if they have the right skills,” Dr Opata added.

He recommended the book as a must-read for young people planning to leave the country for better opportunities, as it helped them to navigate complexities and potential pitfalls.