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Emmanuel Armah
Emmanuel remembers his early years living within an army barracks in Ghana as his father was in the Army. His driving passion for maths led him to defy his mother in becoming an accountant instead of a doctor. He describes the cultural shock of arriving into a country where people tended to stay indoors and keep to themselves - a marked contrast to African life. He gives a description of his time as a student at the University of Hull and later as a supply teacher working with challenging kids at various schools. He shares his memories of the changing city of Hull a city during his 16 years here.
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Transcription: Emmanuel Armah Interview
Interview with Emmanuel Armah
Interviewer: Jerome Whittingham
Date: 2017
JW: That's good. So can you introduce yourself, first and foremost.
EA: My name is Emmanuel Armah. I'm from - Ghana. A suburb of the capital, called Osu - in Accra
JW: So can we put a date on your birth?
EA: Er, yes that's, I was born the 30th May, 1972
JW: So take us right back to the beginning and tell me what are your earliest memories?
EA: Yeah, my earliest memories are, - what do you call them? My father used to be in the army and then my mum was a nurse. So I come from a family of I'll say, I'm the eldest, I have three other siblings, a boy and then two girls, so. We spent most of our time in the army barracks. - So that's where I remember most of my childhood times. Because I remember a place where we played quite a lot, because - at that time there were a lot of young kids of similar age. - So what we did was we played - war games, obviously in a barracks that what you see -. Making guns, making toy cars out of milk tins. Out of creativity I was able to make a, what do you call, a parachute, out of a plastic bag and then a, what do you call it, a few strings and a long string. - So - that's what, some of the memories. And then playtime, around those times were seasonal, so someone, any of the kids might decide, OK yeah, 'Let me make a car!' and then the rest will follow. So that's what happened at that time. - So you get times where we used car tyres - we used - car tyres and then we raced with them. And there were times when we had this game where we tied clothes to our waist and then you see as you run, the wind blows into it and then it's like - a parachute sort of thing and then you race with it! So these are some of the things that I remember.
JW: Would you say that it was a very unusual childhood then?
EA: Yeah, what, what I remember of my childhood, there was a lot of creativity. Yes always was the case, we're coming out with stuff we used to have these snails, I mean we had a fun game, so you spin it. Yeah, the idea of the game was to make sure when you spin it, yours last - quite a long time, keeps spinning, spinning. So whoever doesn't get a, name, what do you call it? Snail, we call it, we call it alikoto, that's what we call it in Ghana, whoever's alikoto doesn't spin that long gets a, what do you call, penalised. So we are doing a lot about football. Using a football to play games, like we have something called Total, so you get maybe an orange that we've been eating and then you put it on your leg and then you sort of juggle it so many times.
JW: Like keepie uppies, sort of thing?
EA: Yeah, - So we sort of keep count of how many you could do. And then the one who's able to keep it on their legs for quite a long time, yeah, wins the game! So what do you know, so...
JW: Have you remained a very creative and imaginative person?
EA: Yeah - I'll, I'll say no, yeah, yeah, I've not, I've tried to keep with it. I've, along the line my education took me into business and then with business, oh I wanted to do then was to become an accountant, yes. So yeah that's where I shifted me to, then maybe I went into industry and then producing stuff, probably that would have come into play.
JW: I see. So tell me about the mix of races within the barracks.
EA: Well the barracks, - it was mainly Ghanaians, really -. And then a few, a few people from other, other, what do you call it, countries in Africa -. But, it was mainly, - what do you call it, - Ghanaians - in the barracks so we didn't have other races that much -.
JW: Right, did you have much contact with children and families and other people outside of the barracks?
EA: That was rare... the only people that you have contact with was your family because obviously you lived there, they didn't - the extended family, just go out of the barracks to visit them. And then sometimes they visit you as well. So yeah, I remember and then there were times when, what do you call it, you they would come and spend time with us at our home. In your in holidays I'd have my cousins and stuff, coming over.
JW: Were you very close to your siblings, or was there typical sibling rivalry?
EA: Oh yeah, obviously it didn't always go according to plan, yeah! Because obviously you do things.... I was the eldest, so it was like - you do things and then, that you've been told not to do, and then guess what? Your siblings will just -, just tell your mum or your dad what you've done! So that's [laughter] that's sort of how rivalry starts, it wasn't always the best, yeah! [laughter]
JW: All quite typical, of many. Tell me about the relationship with your mum and dad?
EA: Yeah, it was, it was quite great - because my mum, obviously, quite strict, she likes education and all that, so we get times where we have to pay for a teacher to come and then teach us at home and all that, just to make sure we, - we know our stuff at school because what I remember of school at that time was it was quite competitive and we had this teacher who - occasionally does tests in the class, whether maths or the English and then the one who is the highest, sits close to him, he goes in that order in the class. So we are all trying that hard to sit closer to the teacher and now the sort of competition we had at that time. So yeah, you always want to, - know your stuff - at school.
JW: Were they big classes in terms of numbers?
EA: Yeah, yeah, they were big classes, we had in our class, were probably closer to 40, forty-something -, was quite big -.
JW: What were your favourite subjects?
EA: Yeah, obviously maths, - because, I had a teacher who taught me maths, so that's why I developed a bit of an interest in maths as well, so. But as I went along - I drifted into business, I like all the business subjects as well so.
JW: What were your mum and dad's ambitions, or plans for you?
EA: Yeah, at that time I remember - my mum because her background was in health care, she wanted me to be a doctor, - as I went along - I decided to do business and I remember her taking me to one of her closest friends to try and talk me into doing - medicine. When we were there the guy told her, look if I've decided to do business - she should just let me do it. [laughter] So - that's where...
JW: How old were you at that sort of point then?
EA: Yeah, I was - I would say about, 14, 15, because we were getting to a point where we're gradually - finally choosing our subjects for, for the GCSE. So yeah, so yeah...
JW: So what were your ambitions then as a teenager? What was the business element that attracted you?
EA: Yeah, my ambition was to have the best qualifications, to be the, the best accountant I could be at that time. To go into business, my ambition was...
JW: Was it all academics, or what interested you outside of school life?
EA: I would say academics came first, before anything else, - because as I obviously grew up and then I started thinking of what to do for myself - in terms of having my own business and trying to do something - Because that came from the fact that after my first degree in Legon we did this Entrepreneurship course then we had people coming to talk to us about their experiences in business and all that. - So I thought, oh, that was a good thing. So that's why my mind started thinking, of doing business, yeah, but I've not got, got to it yet! [laughter]
JW: So what did you do to relax? There must have been some sort of down time when you weren't just, just studying and concentrating.
EA: Yeah, it was.... normally to relax - I just, I watch telly to relax, to be honest -- I like reading, but I'm not that much, yeah I like to read the subject books, rather than reading... novels and stuff like, like people, I mean, others do -
JW: What brought you to the UK? How did that happen?
EA: - I remember after my first degree I was working with Tot… it was then Gulf Ghana Ltd. At that point, - well sort of thinking of how we would further our education. So a friend of mine - who obviously got an admission to Hull Uni, - told me - I've got this admission to Hull Uni. If you want you can apply, I applied and then I came - to, to Hull that was in September 2000. What happened was I didn't come here straight away. I had a friend in London, so I bought a Ghana Airways went to London. Stayed with him for about three days and then made my way down to Hull by train. At that time, you know, I didn't know how far it was [laughter].
JW: So had you travelled outside of Africa previous to that had you been anywhere else?
EA: Yeah, the only place I had been was Togo. We go by bus -. I remember there was a trip, it was a school trip. And then we went there and then did a few shopping, because things were cheaper there then. So we got a lot of school trips from Ghana to Togo. Yeah, so apart from Togo I hadn't been anywhere!
JW: So recall something of the shock, if indeed it was a shock, of landing in the UK. Did you land in London, I assume?
EA: Yeah, landing in London was - a shock in the sense that, - I know I've been told - the UK's cold and all that. So that was what.... You get welcomed with - and then obviously - you get to the airport and then you expect someone to come and then welcome you and then you ring and then the person says 'I'm at work!'. Yeah [laughter] So that was what happened to me -. But my friend arranged, all he told me 'Yeah, get a taxi!'. And then, what do you call it, he gave me the address. I was lucky enough to see a Ghanaian who was a taxi driver in London, so he just took me to where my friend was. That was in Camberwell. That was, sort of, one of the shocks - when I landed...[laughter]
JW: So what really struck you about London?
EA: Yeah, it was busy, - and I mean, I mean, my memory was the fact that it was - very crowded as well, - a lot of cars -. A lot of traffic, I remember it took us - a while to get to where my friend lived. And I remember quite thinking, - this journey's quite far - from Heathrow to where he lived -. Apart from that the buildings and everything looked different -. In Ghana what happens is, once it's morning you see a lot of people outside. Obviously the weather is nice and warm, - and then you come and the atmosphere's.... a lot of people are going to work. The housing estates are a bit, quite quiet, than usual. Yeah, everybody in their rooms and....
JW: So you headed north then to, to Hull?
EA: To Hull, yeah. By that time I knew of about three guys who were already here so my plan was to come and get into contact with them, I got their number.
JW: What were your first thoughts, first impressions of Hull?
EA: I got here in the evening – so when I got here I got a taxi from - the train station and then – I remember getting off around – what do you call that bit – around Pearson Park – so I had my bags and I was walking around , start calling to see whether I can get my friends, it was dark – and quiet – I didn’t know who to - what to expect – I remember thinking Oh well – everybody’s in their own room, so too quiet -.
JW: How soon did you begin to explore the surroundings?
EA: Yeah, because when I got here, I mean to Hull, and I found my friends they were living in 41 Exmouth Street, so – I stayed with them for a few days and then before I got a place to – to move into – then I move into Cottingham Road, 107. Soon after my main thing was to go in and register for my MBA at that time and then get on with school before thinking of anything else – so – it became a routine, when we, I think we started in the latter part of September the course started, so we got our books and – we got busy then – going every morning to Uni and then – doing our coursework and lectures.
JW: This was a Masters course? In Business?
EA: Yes, Masters in Finance, it became a routine we’d go there in the morning at 9 and came out at 5 – you have all these assignments to do and you got on with it – on weekends – that’s, when obviously my friends have been here longer than I, so they told me, what you call it, go to town and look around – see all sorts – get into the shops, and obviously I think my first - supermarket I went to was Aldi, then I remember going there, I had £5, I bought so many things it’s not like that these days – I was surprised how £5 could buy ... 5 Cedis you don’t buy anything...
JW: Were there any sort of cultural shocks then in terms of, say, the food that you might have to eat and buy and that sort of thing?
EA: No, not really because I was the type who ate anything – that’s my mother, that’s how I was brought up, so – it was just a matter of trying food I’ve ate here and I say, come on I don’t like it – with me – life is a survivor so you just got to get on with things – so apart from the fact that – those times there weren’t many Blacks here so you walk in town you be the only person – of maybe African origin, just walking around.
JW: Was that true on the course as well, the other students?
EA: No, on the course what we realise at the MBA level over here was the fact that people from various countries, India, China and then some from Eastern Europe so it was mixed.
JW: Were you able to share something of your culture with them?
EA: Yeah, to be honest it was hard – to do it because we all got into our coursework and that’s what we do, the only time we meet was when we had maybe study groups – talk about stuff – but – apart from that I didn’t think we got the opportunity to share – our culture much with the other course mates.
JW: So can I make a sweeping generalisation perhaps, it seems that you’re very, very studious, I think we’ve found that in chatting to other interviewees on this project, whereas when I went to university yeah, we were encouraged as much to enjoy life to the full, doing a degree course was perhaps only one third, two thirds of the time, the rest was engaging with culture and finding yourself.
EA: Which I can quite understand, but with Ghana I think probably the way the education system is, once you are at school, doing a course – that’s what you’re there for – and then you sort of stick to it more than anything, so that will take maybe about 70 – 80 % of your time and then probably 20 would be for any other interests that you had – I didn’t feel as though I socialised a lot within that one year, I didn’t, no. I didn’t feel as though - . You were always busy doing assignments.
JW: So you completed the course, where next, what happened next?
EA: I completed in 2001 and then after that I decided to do my ACCA.
JW: Sorry, what is that?
EA: That is a Professional Accountancy – so I started it straight away which I then completed in 2005 – while I was doing the ACCA I had the opportunity to, to do supply teaching as well – yes I used to go to schools all over Hull and East Riding.
JW: Was that doing Maths by any chance?
EA: Yeah, and then – Business subjects - which was quite challenging.
JW: So tell me more about the challenges of that?
EA: Yes, I mean, that was also a shock because I know from Ghana once a teacher comes to a class no matter what you do you stop and listen – you know what could happen if you don’t, you get punished, it’s not only that but if your parents hear of it you get told off as well, so we have this sort of respect for our teachers – do as we are told, but here it was quite different - you come in, to be honest, the kids are the ones in control of the class, they knew you were a supply teacher, you weren’t going to be there long – so – they take liberties – and you give them work and they don’t do it, you give them pencils and they break it – rip books, throw things about so it was quite different, but what we realised was that, at that time, it was the fact that the classes were divided into sets – so obviously when you happen to teach a top set the behaviour is quite different – from when it goes down – so.
JW: So as a supply teacher you weren’t able to pick and choose which set?
EA: No, no you weren’t – so – it was quite challenging.
JW: So how long did you do the supply teaching for?
EA: I did it while I tried my time during my ACCA – so I would say a good part of 3 to 4 years.
JW: So you stuck at it?
EA: Yeah – it was quite good as well, there are places where you go you quite enjoy it, it wasn’t all that challenging, sometimes you go to schools and you quite enjoy the fact that – you get kids listening and really paying attention to what – you’re doing.
JW: So are you now working as an accountant?
EA: Yes, I work in healthcare as a management accountant.
JW: So are all the studies finished now?
EA: Yeah, I’ll not say finished because quite recently I was thinking about going ahead to do my Doctorate – I’ve not come to it yet but it’s something I’ve started thinking of lately, probably choose something a research in the area in healthcare and finance probably, that’s what probably would be my next stage now, I don’t know when I’ll come to it.
JW: Where do you consider home to be?
EA: That’s – quite a difficult question. I know when I came here I married and then had kids and everything, one interesting thing is once you come here from Africa your mind never get home – never because the whole idea you always think of a time where you get the opportunity to go and then settle – back home and do what you want to do so – it’s always there at the back of your mind, but then when you have kids here – you’re torn between the two – I say before I was thinking my mind was more geared towards Ghana as home, but...
JW: How old are your children?
EA I would say the first one is 12, the second is 8 and the last one is 2.
JW: So your 12 year old perhaps this question applies to how important is the sort of Ghanaian background to your 12 year old?
EA: I don’t think it’s that is important- various times we’ve had discussions and he will say he was born here, he’s British, so he knows nothing about Ghana, he’s never been.
JW: Is that something in your mind perhaps at some point you will take the family over there for a holiday?
EA: Yes, yes, yes because I’ve never, I’ve not been able to do it because of my little girl, she’s young – my plan is once she gets a bit older we’ll go…
JW: What are your ambitions for your children?
EA: Well, me personally I want them to do well in life, I don’t have any specific career or anything that – I want them to do, I want them to take their studies serious, be ambitious, have good qualifications and then explore what they want to explore, I’ve always told them as long as they do well, the most important thing is not to be a burden on anyone, they can be on their own two feet – so – approach life basically – so that’s all the things I’ll be happy to see them do.
JW: Are you in touch with people back in Ghana?
EA: Yeah, a few friends – a few friends, yeah.
JW: How do you describe Hull to the people that you are talking to?
EA: With Hull, obviously I’ve been here almost 16 years. I like living in Hull. It’s quiet and that’s my main reason for being in Hull, and then the fact that – anywhere I’ve live I get on with my neighbours, we have, they help me with all sorts of things and then I do as well, if I can – I say Hull is a nice place, it’s quiet, I’ve always told people I never like living in London, it’s too busy and you see a lot of people with tired faces – in trains and everywhere, so – I love Hull, it’s good, I’ve never had any problems with anybody so…
JW: 16 years you’ve been in Hull. What would the main changes be in those 16 years that you’ve noticed in Hull?
EA: Obviously – at that time the city centre especially St Stephens area wasn’t there so that has change quite a lot – and then I think with the night life it’s also changed. It used to be busier than before. Yeah, it used to be quite busy. I remember those days – you come to town on weekends and you see quite a lot of people; on George Street, you go to old town, but now it’s quieter. Then you see a lot of pubs and nightclubs and bars – closed down from that point so those are quite a few changes and the fact that now you see quite a lot of Black people around. Yeah, people from Africa and all over. Back then – you can’t. You sit in a bus and you’d be the only person of maybe African origin in the bus but now...
JW: It’s changed…
EA: Because I think what we heard at that time is that people come and then they stay a few months and finish their course and they move to London. Yeah so I think in our pack we were quite a few of us decided that we were going to stay on. So we were more less like – those who – decided to stay and explore and see how Hull is like.
JW: Have you got any favourite places in Hull or in the surroundings places that you like to go to...
EA: Yeah well, what do you call it, the costal bus, that’s what I like, the Amber, and then the marina, I like going there. I also use to like the nightlife as well because I always used to say, at weekends you come and it’s like Christmas [laughter] in town. So I use to like the nightlife.
JW: So what about the future for you?
EA: The future, well basically making sure – I raise my kids really well. They achieve whatever it is they want to achieve and then hopefully if I - manage to do my Doctorate, I see where it takes me. Maybe going into academia or something, yeah, lecturer.
JW: So do you think mum and dad are pleased with what you have achieved?
EA: Yeah. Well my dad died a long time ago but my mum is quiet happy with what I’ve done so far so…I speak to her quite often
JW: So the people listening in, if there’s one message you want them to take away from this interview, what would that be?
EA: If it’s one message it’s about is being ambitious about whatever you do and the being – having a goal and make sure you achieve that goal. That’s the key to me. Yeah, because no matter how the difficulties – you try and then see whatever goals you have through. Life can be a rough ride sometimes but you learn through your mistakes you know. You just get along.
JW: Emmanuel thank you very much
EA: Thank you
JW: lovely to chat. Thank you
EA: Thank you
Interviewer: Jerome Whittingham
Date: 2017
JW: That's good. So can you introduce yourself, first and foremost.
EA: My name is Emmanuel Armah. I'm from - Ghana. A suburb of the capital, called Osu - in Accra
JW: So can we put a date on your birth?
EA: Er, yes that's, I was born the 30th May, 1972
JW: So take us right back to the beginning and tell me what are your earliest memories?
EA: Yeah, my earliest memories are, - what do you call them? My father used to be in the army and then my mum was a nurse. So I come from a family of I'll say, I'm the eldest, I have three other siblings, a boy and then two girls, so. We spent most of our time in the army barracks. - So that's where I remember most of my childhood times. Because I remember a place where we played quite a lot, because - at that time there were a lot of young kids of similar age. - So what we did was we played - war games, obviously in a barracks that what you see -. Making guns, making toy cars out of milk tins. Out of creativity I was able to make a, what do you call, a parachute, out of a plastic bag and then a, what do you call it, a few strings and a long string. - So - that's what, some of the memories. And then playtime, around those times were seasonal, so someone, any of the kids might decide, OK yeah, 'Let me make a car!' and then the rest will follow. So that's what happened at that time. - So you get times where we used car tyres - we used - car tyres and then we raced with them. And there were times when we had this game where we tied clothes to our waist and then you see as you run, the wind blows into it and then it's like - a parachute sort of thing and then you race with it! So these are some of the things that I remember.
JW: Would you say that it was a very unusual childhood then?
EA: Yeah, what, what I remember of my childhood, there was a lot of creativity. Yes always was the case, we're coming out with stuff we used to have these snails, I mean we had a fun game, so you spin it. Yeah, the idea of the game was to make sure when you spin it, yours last - quite a long time, keeps spinning, spinning. So whoever doesn't get a, name, what do you call it? Snail, we call it, we call it alikoto, that's what we call it in Ghana, whoever's alikoto doesn't spin that long gets a, what do you call, penalised. So we are doing a lot about football. Using a football to play games, like we have something called Total, so you get maybe an orange that we've been eating and then you put it on your leg and then you sort of juggle it so many times.
JW: Like keepie uppies, sort of thing?
EA: Yeah, - So we sort of keep count of how many you could do. And then the one who's able to keep it on their legs for quite a long time, yeah, wins the game! So what do you know, so...
JW: Have you remained a very creative and imaginative person?
EA: Yeah - I'll, I'll say no, yeah, yeah, I've not, I've tried to keep with it. I've, along the line my education took me into business and then with business, oh I wanted to do then was to become an accountant, yes. So yeah that's where I shifted me to, then maybe I went into industry and then producing stuff, probably that would have come into play.
JW: I see. So tell me about the mix of races within the barracks.
EA: Well the barracks, - it was mainly Ghanaians, really -. And then a few, a few people from other, other, what do you call it, countries in Africa -. But, it was mainly, - what do you call it, - Ghanaians - in the barracks so we didn't have other races that much -.
JW: Right, did you have much contact with children and families and other people outside of the barracks?
EA: That was rare... the only people that you have contact with was your family because obviously you lived there, they didn't - the extended family, just go out of the barracks to visit them. And then sometimes they visit you as well. So yeah, I remember and then there were times when, what do you call it, you they would come and spend time with us at our home. In your in holidays I'd have my cousins and stuff, coming over.
JW: Were you very close to your siblings, or was there typical sibling rivalry?
EA: Oh yeah, obviously it didn't always go according to plan, yeah! Because obviously you do things.... I was the eldest, so it was like - you do things and then, that you've been told not to do, and then guess what? Your siblings will just -, just tell your mum or your dad what you've done! So that's [laughter] that's sort of how rivalry starts, it wasn't always the best, yeah! [laughter]
JW: All quite typical, of many. Tell me about the relationship with your mum and dad?
EA: Yeah, it was, it was quite great - because my mum, obviously, quite strict, she likes education and all that, so we get times where we have to pay for a teacher to come and then teach us at home and all that, just to make sure we, - we know our stuff at school because what I remember of school at that time was it was quite competitive and we had this teacher who - occasionally does tests in the class, whether maths or the English and then the one who is the highest, sits close to him, he goes in that order in the class. So we are all trying that hard to sit closer to the teacher and now the sort of competition we had at that time. So yeah, you always want to, - know your stuff - at school.
JW: Were they big classes in terms of numbers?
EA: Yeah, yeah, they were big classes, we had in our class, were probably closer to 40, forty-something -, was quite big -.
JW: What were your favourite subjects?
EA: Yeah, obviously maths, - because, I had a teacher who taught me maths, so that's why I developed a bit of an interest in maths as well, so. But as I went along - I drifted into business, I like all the business subjects as well so.
JW: What were your mum and dad's ambitions, or plans for you?
EA: Yeah, at that time I remember - my mum because her background was in health care, she wanted me to be a doctor, - as I went along - I decided to do business and I remember her taking me to one of her closest friends to try and talk me into doing - medicine. When we were there the guy told her, look if I've decided to do business - she should just let me do it. [laughter] So - that's where...
JW: How old were you at that sort of point then?
EA: Yeah, I was - I would say about, 14, 15, because we were getting to a point where we're gradually - finally choosing our subjects for, for the GCSE. So yeah, so yeah...
JW: So what were your ambitions then as a teenager? What was the business element that attracted you?
EA: Yeah, my ambition was to have the best qualifications, to be the, the best accountant I could be at that time. To go into business, my ambition was...
JW: Was it all academics, or what interested you outside of school life?
EA: I would say academics came first, before anything else, - because as I obviously grew up and then I started thinking of what to do for myself - in terms of having my own business and trying to do something - Because that came from the fact that after my first degree in Legon we did this Entrepreneurship course then we had people coming to talk to us about their experiences in business and all that. - So I thought, oh, that was a good thing. So that's why my mind started thinking, of doing business, yeah, but I've not got, got to it yet! [laughter]
JW: So what did you do to relax? There must have been some sort of down time when you weren't just, just studying and concentrating.
EA: Yeah, it was.... normally to relax - I just, I watch telly to relax, to be honest -- I like reading, but I'm not that much, yeah I like to read the subject books, rather than reading... novels and stuff like, like people, I mean, others do -
JW: What brought you to the UK? How did that happen?
EA: - I remember after my first degree I was working with Tot… it was then Gulf Ghana Ltd. At that point, - well sort of thinking of how we would further our education. So a friend of mine - who obviously got an admission to Hull Uni, - told me - I've got this admission to Hull Uni. If you want you can apply, I applied and then I came - to, to Hull that was in September 2000. What happened was I didn't come here straight away. I had a friend in London, so I bought a Ghana Airways went to London. Stayed with him for about three days and then made my way down to Hull by train. At that time, you know, I didn't know how far it was [laughter].
JW: So had you travelled outside of Africa previous to that had you been anywhere else?
EA: Yeah, the only place I had been was Togo. We go by bus -. I remember there was a trip, it was a school trip. And then we went there and then did a few shopping, because things were cheaper there then. So we got a lot of school trips from Ghana to Togo. Yeah, so apart from Togo I hadn't been anywhere!
JW: So recall something of the shock, if indeed it was a shock, of landing in the UK. Did you land in London, I assume?
EA: Yeah, landing in London was - a shock in the sense that, - I know I've been told - the UK's cold and all that. So that was what.... You get welcomed with - and then obviously - you get to the airport and then you expect someone to come and then welcome you and then you ring and then the person says 'I'm at work!'. Yeah [laughter] So that was what happened to me -. But my friend arranged, all he told me 'Yeah, get a taxi!'. And then, what do you call it, he gave me the address. I was lucky enough to see a Ghanaian who was a taxi driver in London, so he just took me to where my friend was. That was in Camberwell. That was, sort of, one of the shocks - when I landed...[laughter]
JW: So what really struck you about London?
EA: Yeah, it was busy, - and I mean, I mean, my memory was the fact that it was - very crowded as well, - a lot of cars -. A lot of traffic, I remember it took us - a while to get to where my friend lived. And I remember quite thinking, - this journey's quite far - from Heathrow to where he lived -. Apart from that the buildings and everything looked different -. In Ghana what happens is, once it's morning you see a lot of people outside. Obviously the weather is nice and warm, - and then you come and the atmosphere's.... a lot of people are going to work. The housing estates are a bit, quite quiet, than usual. Yeah, everybody in their rooms and....
JW: So you headed north then to, to Hull?
EA: To Hull, yeah. By that time I knew of about three guys who were already here so my plan was to come and get into contact with them, I got their number.
JW: What were your first thoughts, first impressions of Hull?
EA: I got here in the evening – so when I got here I got a taxi from - the train station and then – I remember getting off around – what do you call that bit – around Pearson Park – so I had my bags and I was walking around , start calling to see whether I can get my friends, it was dark – and quiet – I didn’t know who to - what to expect – I remember thinking Oh well – everybody’s in their own room, so too quiet -.
JW: How soon did you begin to explore the surroundings?
EA: Yeah, because when I got here, I mean to Hull, and I found my friends they were living in 41 Exmouth Street, so – I stayed with them for a few days and then before I got a place to – to move into – then I move into Cottingham Road, 107. Soon after my main thing was to go in and register for my MBA at that time and then get on with school before thinking of anything else – so – it became a routine, when we, I think we started in the latter part of September the course started, so we got our books and – we got busy then – going every morning to Uni and then – doing our coursework and lectures.
JW: This was a Masters course? In Business?
EA: Yes, Masters in Finance, it became a routine we’d go there in the morning at 9 and came out at 5 – you have all these assignments to do and you got on with it – on weekends – that’s, when obviously my friends have been here longer than I, so they told me, what you call it, go to town and look around – see all sorts – get into the shops, and obviously I think my first - supermarket I went to was Aldi, then I remember going there, I had £5, I bought so many things it’s not like that these days – I was surprised how £5 could buy ... 5 Cedis you don’t buy anything...
JW: Were there any sort of cultural shocks then in terms of, say, the food that you might have to eat and buy and that sort of thing?
EA: No, not really because I was the type who ate anything – that’s my mother, that’s how I was brought up, so – it was just a matter of trying food I’ve ate here and I say, come on I don’t like it – with me – life is a survivor so you just got to get on with things – so apart from the fact that – those times there weren’t many Blacks here so you walk in town you be the only person – of maybe African origin, just walking around.
JW: Was that true on the course as well, the other students?
EA: No, on the course what we realise at the MBA level over here was the fact that people from various countries, India, China and then some from Eastern Europe so it was mixed.
JW: Were you able to share something of your culture with them?
EA: Yeah, to be honest it was hard – to do it because we all got into our coursework and that’s what we do, the only time we meet was when we had maybe study groups – talk about stuff – but – apart from that I didn’t think we got the opportunity to share – our culture much with the other course mates.
JW: So can I make a sweeping generalisation perhaps, it seems that you’re very, very studious, I think we’ve found that in chatting to other interviewees on this project, whereas when I went to university yeah, we were encouraged as much to enjoy life to the full, doing a degree course was perhaps only one third, two thirds of the time, the rest was engaging with culture and finding yourself.
EA: Which I can quite understand, but with Ghana I think probably the way the education system is, once you are at school, doing a course – that’s what you’re there for – and then you sort of stick to it more than anything, so that will take maybe about 70 – 80 % of your time and then probably 20 would be for any other interests that you had – I didn’t feel as though I socialised a lot within that one year, I didn’t, no. I didn’t feel as though - . You were always busy doing assignments.
JW: So you completed the course, where next, what happened next?
EA: I completed in 2001 and then after that I decided to do my ACCA.
JW: Sorry, what is that?
EA: That is a Professional Accountancy – so I started it straight away which I then completed in 2005 – while I was doing the ACCA I had the opportunity to, to do supply teaching as well – yes I used to go to schools all over Hull and East Riding.
JW: Was that doing Maths by any chance?
EA: Yeah, and then – Business subjects - which was quite challenging.
JW: So tell me more about the challenges of that?
EA: Yes, I mean, that was also a shock because I know from Ghana once a teacher comes to a class no matter what you do you stop and listen – you know what could happen if you don’t, you get punished, it’s not only that but if your parents hear of it you get told off as well, so we have this sort of respect for our teachers – do as we are told, but here it was quite different - you come in, to be honest, the kids are the ones in control of the class, they knew you were a supply teacher, you weren’t going to be there long – so – they take liberties – and you give them work and they don’t do it, you give them pencils and they break it – rip books, throw things about so it was quite different, but what we realised was that, at that time, it was the fact that the classes were divided into sets – so obviously when you happen to teach a top set the behaviour is quite different – from when it goes down – so.
JW: So as a supply teacher you weren’t able to pick and choose which set?
EA: No, no you weren’t – so – it was quite challenging.
JW: So how long did you do the supply teaching for?
EA: I did it while I tried my time during my ACCA – so I would say a good part of 3 to 4 years.
JW: So you stuck at it?
EA: Yeah – it was quite good as well, there are places where you go you quite enjoy it, it wasn’t all that challenging, sometimes you go to schools and you quite enjoy the fact that – you get kids listening and really paying attention to what – you’re doing.
JW: So are you now working as an accountant?
EA: Yes, I work in healthcare as a management accountant.
JW: So are all the studies finished now?
EA: Yeah, I’ll not say finished because quite recently I was thinking about going ahead to do my Doctorate – I’ve not come to it yet but it’s something I’ve started thinking of lately, probably choose something a research in the area in healthcare and finance probably, that’s what probably would be my next stage now, I don’t know when I’ll come to it.
JW: Where do you consider home to be?
EA: That’s – quite a difficult question. I know when I came here I married and then had kids and everything, one interesting thing is once you come here from Africa your mind never get home – never because the whole idea you always think of a time where you get the opportunity to go and then settle – back home and do what you want to do so – it’s always there at the back of your mind, but then when you have kids here – you’re torn between the two – I say before I was thinking my mind was more geared towards Ghana as home, but...
JW: How old are your children?
EA I would say the first one is 12, the second is 8 and the last one is 2.
JW: So your 12 year old perhaps this question applies to how important is the sort of Ghanaian background to your 12 year old?
EA: I don’t think it’s that is important- various times we’ve had discussions and he will say he was born here, he’s British, so he knows nothing about Ghana, he’s never been.
JW: Is that something in your mind perhaps at some point you will take the family over there for a holiday?
EA: Yes, yes, yes because I’ve never, I’ve not been able to do it because of my little girl, she’s young – my plan is once she gets a bit older we’ll go…
JW: What are your ambitions for your children?
EA: Well, me personally I want them to do well in life, I don’t have any specific career or anything that – I want them to do, I want them to take their studies serious, be ambitious, have good qualifications and then explore what they want to explore, I’ve always told them as long as they do well, the most important thing is not to be a burden on anyone, they can be on their own two feet – so – approach life basically – so that’s all the things I’ll be happy to see them do.
JW: Are you in touch with people back in Ghana?
EA: Yeah, a few friends – a few friends, yeah.
JW: How do you describe Hull to the people that you are talking to?
EA: With Hull, obviously I’ve been here almost 16 years. I like living in Hull. It’s quiet and that’s my main reason for being in Hull, and then the fact that – anywhere I’ve live I get on with my neighbours, we have, they help me with all sorts of things and then I do as well, if I can – I say Hull is a nice place, it’s quiet, I’ve always told people I never like living in London, it’s too busy and you see a lot of people with tired faces – in trains and everywhere, so – I love Hull, it’s good, I’ve never had any problems with anybody so…
JW: 16 years you’ve been in Hull. What would the main changes be in those 16 years that you’ve noticed in Hull?
EA: Obviously – at that time the city centre especially St Stephens area wasn’t there so that has change quite a lot – and then I think with the night life it’s also changed. It used to be busier than before. Yeah, it used to be quite busy. I remember those days – you come to town on weekends and you see quite a lot of people; on George Street, you go to old town, but now it’s quieter. Then you see a lot of pubs and nightclubs and bars – closed down from that point so those are quite a few changes and the fact that now you see quite a lot of Black people around. Yeah, people from Africa and all over. Back then – you can’t. You sit in a bus and you’d be the only person of maybe African origin in the bus but now...
JW: It’s changed…
EA: Because I think what we heard at that time is that people come and then they stay a few months and finish their course and they move to London. Yeah so I think in our pack we were quite a few of us decided that we were going to stay on. So we were more less like – those who – decided to stay and explore and see how Hull is like.
JW: Have you got any favourite places in Hull or in the surroundings places that you like to go to...
EA: Yeah well, what do you call it, the costal bus, that’s what I like, the Amber, and then the marina, I like going there. I also use to like the nightlife as well because I always used to say, at weekends you come and it’s like Christmas [laughter] in town. So I use to like the nightlife.
JW: So what about the future for you?
EA: The future, well basically making sure – I raise my kids really well. They achieve whatever it is they want to achieve and then hopefully if I - manage to do my Doctorate, I see where it takes me. Maybe going into academia or something, yeah, lecturer.
JW: So do you think mum and dad are pleased with what you have achieved?
EA: Yeah. Well my dad died a long time ago but my mum is quiet happy with what I’ve done so far so…I speak to her quite often
JW: So the people listening in, if there’s one message you want them to take away from this interview, what would that be?
EA: If it’s one message it’s about is being ambitious about whatever you do and the being – having a goal and make sure you achieve that goal. That’s the key to me. Yeah, because no matter how the difficulties – you try and then see whatever goals you have through. Life can be a rough ride sometimes but you learn through your mistakes you know. You just get along.
JW: Emmanuel thank you very much
EA: Thank you
JW: lovely to chat. Thank you
EA: Thank you