'How Being Sent to School in Ghana Changed My Life for the Better'
When I was 16, my mother informed me we were heading to Ghana from the UK for a summer break. I didn't suspect anything unusual. It was supposed to be a short holiday, but a month in, my mother revealed that I wouldn't return to London until I had improved my behavior and earned enough GCSEs to continue my education.
I found myself in a situation similar to a British-Ghanaian teenager who recently took his parents to court for sending him to school in Ghana. His parents argued they wanted to protect him from the dangers of London streets. Back in the mid-1990s, my mother, a primary school teacher, had similar fears. I had been expelled from two schools in Brent, mixed with the wrong crowd, and was on a dangerous path. My friends ended up in prison for armed robbery, and had I stayed, I likely would have joined them.
Initially, being sent to Ghana felt like a punishment. I can relate to the teenager who described his experience as "living in hell." However, by the time I turned 21, I realized my mother's decision was a blessing. Unlike the boy in the court case, I didn't attend boarding school. Instead, I stayed with my uncles, who kept a close watch on me.
I first lived with Uncle Fiifi, a former UN environmentalist, in Dansoman near Accra. The lifestyle shift was stark. In London, I had my own room and modern conveniences. In Ghana, I woke up early to do chores and learned to appreciate the effort behind everyday tasks. I even stole my aunt's car once, crashing it into a soldier's vehicle, which was a turning point for me.
Ghana taught me discipline and perspective. I learned to value things I had taken for granted, like washing clothes by hand and preparing meals. The process of making traditional dishes like fufu taught me patience and resilience.
My uncles considered enrolling me in prestigious schools but opted for private tuition at Accra Academy, my late father's alma mater. This allowed me to focus on my studies without distractions. Despite my previous academic struggles, I found the Ghanaian education system rigorous and challenging, pushing me to achieve five GCSEs with grades C and above.
Beyond academics, Ghana instilled lifelong values in me, such as respect for elders and resilience. Playing football on rough grounds toughened me up, and the community's warmth made me feel at home. Church services, though lengthy, were a testament to the nation's deep-rooted faith.
The first 18 months were tough. I even tried to escape back to London, but my mother had hidden my passport. Eventually, I adapted and began to see Ghana as a second home. I met others like me, such as Michael Adom, who also found the experience transformative despite initial challenges.
By my third year, I embraced the culture, food, and music. I stayed in Ghana for nearly two more years after passing my exams. The local cuisine, like "waakye," became a favorite, and I appreciated the stories behind each dish.
Reflecting on my mother's decision after her recent passing, I realize how it saved me. Without her intervention, I might have ended up with a criminal record. Instead, I returned to London, pursued media studies, and eventually worked with BBC Radio 1Xtra.
Ghana reshaped my life, turning me from a troubled youth into a responsible adult. While this path may not suit everyone, it provided me with the education, discipline, and respect needed to reintegrate into society. For that, I am eternally grateful to my mother, my uncles, and the country that transformed my life.
Mark Wilberforce is a freelance journalist based in London and Accra.