A retired 74-year-old Ghanaian man, who has called the UK home for almost half a century, faces a decade-long wait for permanent residency due to a surprising revelation from the Home Office.
Nelson Shardey, hailing from Wallasey in Wirral, had long assumed he held British citizenship, only to discover otherwise in 2019. Despite a lifetime of paying taxes, he now confronts the prospect of shelling out thousands to secure residency and access to NHS services.
Having arrived in the UK in 1977 to pursue accountancy studies on a student visa, Shardey found himself financially stranded due to unrest in Ghana. Undeterred, he embarked on a string of jobs, from baking bread to crafting chocolates, while also marrying twice and raising his children to value education and independence.
Throughout his journey, Shardey felt unquestioned in his residency, participating in civic duties like jury service and even receiving a bravery award for thwarting a robbery. However, when he applied for a passport to visit Ghana following his mother’s passing, he was shocked to learn he lacked British citizenship.
Forced onto a 10-year settlement path, Shardey faces financial strain, especially as he battles prostate cancer. His predicament has sparked legal action, supported by his sons and solicitor Nicola Burgess, who argues for Shardey’s exceptional circumstances to expedite his settlement.
While Shardey’s case unfolds in court, the Home Office has refrained from commenting on the ongoing legal proceedings.
