Man’s Fight for Citizenship After 42 Years in the UK
A Ghanaian man, Nelson Shardey, who has resided in the UK for nearly five decades, faces an unexpected hurdle in his life.
Despite residing in the country for most of his adult life, contributing to the economy, and raising a family, Shardey was recently informed by the Home Office that he is not a British citizen. This revelation has thrown his life into disarray as he now faces a significant financial burden to regularize his immigration status and access essential healthcare services. Shardey arrived in the UK in 1977 as a student with a work permit. After encountering financial difficulties due to a coup in Ghana, he diligently built a life for himself in Britain.
He secured various jobs, married twice to British women, and even ran his own successful newsagent business. Throughout this time, he seemingly integrated seamlessly into British society, raising two sons, purchasing a home, and even receiving recognition for his bravery by local authorities. However, his world was turned upside down in 2019 when he applied for a passport to visit his ailing mother in Ghana. To his shock, the application was denied, and he was informed of his irregular immigration status. The Home Office’s proposed solution came at a steep price: a ten-year settlement route costing a staggering £7,000, with an additional £10,500 required for access to the NHS.
This situation is particularly concerning for Shardey who is currently recovering from prostate cancer. The substantial financial burden imposed by the Home Office creates a significant hardship, especially considering his health condition. Shardey feels unfairly penalized for a situation that appears to be a result of bureaucratic oversight. He has demonstrably built a life in Britain and contributed positively to society for nearly half a century. The current situation raises questions about the fairness and efficiency of the UK’s immigration system, particularly when it impacts long-term residents like Shardey.
