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Nelson Shardey, a retired shopkeeper from Wallasey in Wirral, has finally been granted British citizenship after nearly five decades of living in the UK. Originally arriving as a student from Ghana in 1977, Nelson was shocked in 2019 when officials informed him he had no right to reside in the country. This unexpected revelation came despite his long-standing ties and contributions to the community.
Following this distressing news, Nelson’s family launched a campaign to have his situation reassessed. Their efforts led the government to recognize his case as “exceptional,” and in 2024 he was granted indefinite leave to remain. This decision paved the way for Nelson to receive full citizenship, a moment he described as a source of immense pride. He expressed his gratitude toward the people of Wirral for the “unbelievable” support they showed throughout his ordeal.
Nelson’s story reflects a life deeply rooted in Britain. Upon arrival, he held various jobs including work at bakeries and chocolate producers near Southampton and Winchester. After marrying a British woman, he settled in Wallasey, running a newsagent called Nelson’s News. Later, after remarrying another British woman, he raised two sons, Jacob and Aaron. In 2007, Nelson was honored with a police award for bravery after intervening in an attack on a delivery man. However, the question of his citizenship arose only when he applied for a passport in 2019 to visit Ghana following his mother’s passing.
Faced with high costs associated with the standard immigration process, which included a £7,000 fee for a 10-year route to settlement and an additional £10,500 for NHS access, Nelson and his family found themselves in a difficult position. Renewed legal efforts eventually prompted the Home Office to use discretion under the Immigration Act to grant him indefinite leave to remain, culminating in full British citizenship. At a ceremony held at Wallasey Town Hall, Nelson said he felt “very proud” of finally being recognized as fully belonging to the country he has long called home
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