Nelson Shardey, a 74-year-old retired Ghanaian who has lived in the United Kingdom for almost five decades, has been informed by the Home Office that he must wait another ten years before he can stay permanently. Shardey, who resides in Wallasey, Wirral, had assumed for many years that he was officially recognized as British. However, he discovered in 2019 that this was not the case, despite having paid taxes throughout his adult life.
Shardey first arrived in the UK in 1977 on a student visa to study Accountancy. Following a coup in Ghana, his family was unable to continue sending him money for his fees, forcing him to take on various jobs, including making Mother’s Pride bread, Kipling’s Cakes near Southampton, and Bendick’s Chocolate in Winchester. Throughout his working life, no one questioned his right to live or work in the UK.
After marrying a British woman, Shardey moved to Wallasey and ran his own newsagent business, Nelson’s News. Following the end of his first marriage, he married another British woman and had two sons, Jacob and Aaron. Shardey emphasized the importance of education and hard work to his sons, who both went on to university and now have successful careers as a research scientist and a public relations executive.
Despite his long-term residence and contributions to society, Shardey now faces the possibility of paying thousands of pounds to stay in the UK and access the National Health Service (NHS). The Home Office has declined to comment on the ongoing legal case.
Shardey's situation highlights the difficulties faced by long-term residents who, despite their contributions, face uncertainty regarding their immigration status.
