'Ghana saved me' – the learning curve for a teenage tearaway from London

'Ghana saved me' – the learning curve for a teenage tearaway from London

Growing up in London, Mark Wilberforce had a turbulent adolescence plagued by bad influences and risky behavior. Facing exclusion from high schools and the looming threat of criminal activities, his mother decided to send him to Ghana in a bid to keep him away from trouble. Initially resistant and feeling like he was being trapped in a new environment, Wilberforce ultimately found his time in Ghana to be transformative and life-saving.

Removed from the comforts and luxuries of London, Wilberforce found himself in a foreign land where daily chores and responsibilities shaped his character. Sweeping courtyards, washing cars, and learning the value of patience through manual food preparation, he began to appreciate the effort needed for basic necessities. Placed under the care of family members who enforced discipline and provided private tuition, Wilberforce gradually realized the benefits of the strict regime imposed upon him.

Education in Ghana proved to be challenging, pushing Wilberforce to work harder academically than he ever had in London. The rigour of the system, combined with lessons in respect for elders and cultural immersion, instilled values within him that stayed for life. Additionally, his involvement in football on rough terrain toughened him up and taught him resilience, shaping him into a more disciplined and fearless individual. Though initially resistant to the changes, Wilberforce eventually embraced his

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