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Individual Reminiscences
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'Our experience of being Africans in the Diaspora'
The purpose of these sessions was to share and explore aspects of individual and personal journeys for two Africans coming from Ghana to live in the UK, sharing and reminiscing about life over here. |
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George’s personal recollection of his experience as an African living in the UK
Background:
- George’s recollection
- Lifelong dreams and desire to visit Europe
- Won scholarship for further studies
- Teaching opportunity in Kumasi and this started off the first stage/steps of attempt to get to the United Kingdom
There were stumbling blocks along the way... |
UK
He successfully gained admission to Bristol University in the 1980s and won a scholarship. However, he had no funds to support himself and therefore had to decline the offer. Though his dreams were broken he continued teaching.
Cuba
The Ghanaian government offered the opportunity for teachers nationwide to go on a teaching exchange programme in Cuba. It was an extremely competitive and rigid selection process. The selection process comprised getting through the regionals, then through to the regional education office and then the training colleges. Eventually the numbers were whittled down to 20 people who then went on to the national level.
Accra was the last point and eventually the final selection for Cuba was made. By this time George had reached a crossroads in his career and life and everything was generally static for him, so to be selected was a tremendous opportunity...
Cuban Experience
The aim of the trip to Cuba was to take schoolchildren between the age of 12 and 16 to experience the Cuban educational system ‘Esbec’ which was equivalent to JSS or Senior School in Ghana. Not only was it a learning experience for the students but also for the teachers to savour a new way of life and teaching. It was an idea of Jerry Rawlings the President of Ghana at the time to run this joint project with Cuba. There was an emphasis on maintaining Ghanaian culture and history and the students were expected to keep up with the English language.
In every school there were 500 students, with 40 Cuban teachers teaching a range of subjects, backed up by 8 Ghanaian teachers (George amongst them) to ensure the students maintained their Ghanaian heritage, mentor and provide guidance for them. The Ghanaian teachers were limited to English, History and Geography. George was in charge of English and Sports for three years.
One of the key successes and outcomes of the programme was that many of the students went on to pursue further education opportunities and eventually return to Ghana as trained doctors, pharmacists, engineers, accountants and middle craftsmen. A new generation of educated Ghanaians were able to give back to their society and become the new leaders. To date George has maintained contact with many of these former Cuban students.
After spending three years in Cuba from 1980 to 1983, George returned to the University of Ghana to undertake a joint degree in Spanish, English and Linguistics. George then proceeded to Spain to undertake a Spanish degree at Madrid University and returned to Ghana on completion due to personal and financial constraints.
Despite George’s earlier attempt to come to the UK, his feelings and desire to come and live here never went away; he was still determined to find his way here despite his earlier disappointment when he saw his dream dissipated.
The trip to Cuba reaffirmed his belief and desire that one day he would find his way to the UK. He went through the experience of living as an African in the diaspora whilst in Cuba.
Finally...
George achieved his desire and finally came to live in the UK.
Life for George in the UK has been a balanced working life, working with young people and being able to persuade the youngsters to stay out of trouble. There have also been financial rewards and so far living abroad has been a good experience for George.
He worked for 20 years in the Ghanaian Civil Service. He feels he is still serving Ghana through his continued links with the home country and at the same time he is living his life and making the best of the situation.
One thing he is very clear about is his sense of pride in his identity and culture. He does not shy away from the system, but embraces it and will not be trampled on in any way. Finally he will make the best of his situation, and more crucially will not allow himself to be subjugated.
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