Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old retired shopkeeper originally from Ghana, has been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK following a lengthy legal battle with the Home Office.
But his story begun a very long tine ago; in the late 1970s.
In 1977, Shardey arrived in the UK on a student visa, but a coup in Ghana hindered his ability to pay tuition fees.
Over the years, he worked various jobs, including at Mother’s Pride and Bendick’s Chocolate, and established himself in Wallasey by running his own newsagent business.
He married twice to British women and raised two sons, Jacob and Aaron.
But then in 2019, the legal struggle began when Shardey applied for a UK passport to attend his mother’s funeral in Ghana, only to discover he was not recognized as a British citizen.
The Home Office advised him to pursue a costly 10-year route to settlement.
In 2023, his sons launched a crowdfunding campaign.
“We are crowdfunding to help with our legal challenge against the Home Office over the unfair treatment of our dad,” they stated.
They successfully raised over £48,000, which will be donated to charities, including the Boaz Trust and Wirral Foodbank.
In 2024, the Home Office came to a new conclusion on the matter.
Recognizing the “exceptional” nature of Shardey’s case, they granted him indefinite leave to remain in the UK, waiving the application fee he needed to pay.
“I would like to thank everybody who believed in us and supported us.”
Shardey later emphasized the need for changes in the immigration system regarding the 10-year route.
His lawyer, Nicola Burgess, commended Shardey’s bravery, calling it “inspirational,” and urged the new government to simplify the immigration process.
Shardey’s sons, Aaron and Jacob, could not hide their joy.
“We are so grateful to our legal team and everyone who supported us,” they noted.
Nelson Shardey’s 50-year journey from Ghana to UK citizenship highlights his determination and perseverance amid numerous challenges.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
