Nigeria-Ghana relations have lasted over several decades, as both Anglo-phone countries continue to maintain close ties over the years; through sociocultural/political heritages and other diplomatic arrangements which have led to citizens of both countries residing within each other’s territory.
Reminiscently, we can talk about the Nigerian Herbert Macaulay, Kwameh Nkrumah of Ghana, amongst many others, who had formed sociopolitical bonds towards pushing for the independence of the countries which subsequently came to fruition from the 50s int the 60s.
Though, both countries had series of rift in recent years following a situation perceived as appalling against Nigerians in a sister country, Ghana.
In a recent encounter with an elderly Ghanian man, Pa Andrew Brown in Abuja, Friday Obande interacted an Ashanti septuagenarian from Ghana, in a conversation over his experience so far as a resident in Nigeria.
Pa Brown arrived the then palm groove Ghetto area in Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria as a young man in search of greener pastures on December 6 1976, where despite the tussles of the political and economic upheavals proved difficult for himself and other Ghanians to earn any meaningful source of livelihood as at that period.
He said it was such a difficult situation for the Ghanians back then because they “were at best, living like destitute and almost lost hope of surviving the heat.
“I can recall contemplating going back to Ghana on several occasions but later encouraged myself to stand up to the challenges of the time, since going back home would be an unwise decision to make. In this light, he talked about what he termed “the scattered era” when they were always living in panic, as they were incessantly being attacked at night after work.
Not forgetting his work experience in Nigeria before retiring, he started with a company called Cable Metals, where he luckily got his first job as a casual staff and went on to UNICO, (where he was unlawfully sacked as a result of his victimisation by a superior officer in the company) Cadbury, (which he said saved his life) CISCO, and also taught in a school called Mawumi International School at Ijebu-Ode, Ondo state between 1993 to 1995.
Back to his years in Lagos, Brown said the route to his Cadbury office was a dead zone and most of them had to pass the nights in the company’s premises, since people were being murdered like ants back then around the suburbs of places he named as Dunlop, Bus Stop and other areas which he has lost memory of.
A very important and sensible aspect of the conversation was when he narrated what fate brought his way during the 1983 “Ghana Must Go” saga while he was in Suleja, from where he relocated to from Lagos in 1979, working with a construction company called Dumez.
Brown said he immediately informed his employer who paid him off as a result of the incidence before he embarked on the Makurdi route and proceeded to Lagos.
It was not a funny experience because the evacuation was so swift and many people were being boarded on ships and conveyed to Ghana in their mass, which he described as a hard time for him as it took him aback.
On getting back to Ghana following the deportation exercise, the young Brown could not actually cope with the terrain, as he had already begun to consider Nigeria as an abode that holds his destiny, which actually manifested in his future in a foreign country.
At first, his mother refused to cook for him because of his ‘Afro Dreadlucks’ hairstyle which she considered irritating. Besides, close friends were not close by, so he had to live in a ghost city which was not conducive.
He recalled, “I went Back to Ghana where my mother was shocked on seeing me because communication was not that easy as at then. Besides, things became kind of strange maybe because of my long stay in Nigeria and my life had been so much influenced by the ups and downs of Nigeria, mostly that of Lagos.
He went further to explain the reason for his swift return to Nigeria, saying it was prompted by the fact that he had known some Ghanians who take the risk of adventures to travel to Africa’s land of ‘milk and honey’, but wondered why ‘Brain Drain’ is currently so constant across a country which he described as one of the greatest in the world.
Pa Brown revealed that one of or perhaps, his greatest achievements in Nigeria has been his marriage to his wife, Catherine Brown from Ebonyi State while working at a construction site as a mason in Abuja in the year 2000.
Despite the struggles and toiling to follow, the septuagenarian maintained that matrimony remains the best legacy that Nigeria has endowed him with. For him, the country has been a him for him and will always continue to contain the larger part of his mind.
According to him,” One thing I will continue to live in appreciation to Nigeria is my acceptance by every community I have resided. Currently, I have six children and very happy for this blessing Nigerians. I’m grateful for everything but my children are currently living with people as a result of financial challenges.
Mr. Brown then informed our reporter about his plans for retirement back to his country of origin but however noted, “sincerely speaking, the only challenge I have currently facing is that of finance to mobilise myself and family back to Ghana. I will also like my High Commission to grant me audience to explain my current worries.
Currently, Pa Brown is incapacitated and cannot work following a foot injury he sustained, which has lasted over the past three to four years without healing that has influenced his reason for his desire to relocate back to his country.
Although, he doubted the assurance of a better live in Ghana for his family since they will become strangers in their own paternal home country which has been unknown to them even through imagination or travel but Brown insisted on touching the green grass at his home, in order to give life a new lease again.
End.
