This book is about an opportunity as well as the plans of God for mankind. It is an African child’s struggle of the past, and how I got here in the United States of America on the fifth of July, 2000. It is about how my siblings and I struggled with our uneducated parents and guardians in order to get all the resources we needed for formal education. It is also, growing up in a village to the city with a lot of challenges. I am one of such children now living in the United States of America pursuing American dream.

I believe that there comes a time in the life of a mankind where you need or have to take stock of your life like how a prosperous businessman does. Some people call it inventory taking or pondering over your life. I feel every human being should reflect or go into himself or herself and see how he or she is doing at a point in time. Such a moment came into my life when, all of sudden, an opportunity knocked at my door in Ghana, my country of origin, and I grabbed it firmly for a greener pasture in the United States of America. Sitting down on the couch at home in America after work reminds me of where I began from. It also tells me of how you may not actually plan for an event, but it will come on your way positively or negatively. 

Growing up in the village required us to go to the farm to work for long hours under difficult and unsafe conditions, long walk to collect water from the riverside. Traveling from my country of origin – Ghana in West Africa, has put me in a position to reflect or ponder over my life from time to time in the United States. By so doing, the idea came to me to write this book titled “A Journey to the United States of America”.

An African child must help his or her families with food production. My brothers, sisters, and I all began life in Togo – in a thick forest with no electricity, or potable water, not to mention the use of a telephone in time of emergency.  We have to walk some miles to school. This reminds me of how your present life situations maybe threatened by your next meals, shelter to lay your head, clothing to wear, money to finance your education etc…All hope may turn into endless frustrations and what have you not. In the middle of all these, do not give up, but continue to endure.

Out of the children my father gave to, one person has become a medical doctor. He is Dr. Ankuvie Komla in charge of Donkorkroam hospital in the Afram Plains easthern region of Ghana. Another person – Moses K. Ankuvie now owns few drinking bars by dint of hard work in Accra – the capital of Ghana. My sister Enyonam Faustine Ankuvie has completed University of Cape Coast in the central region of Ghana. Our Last born – Philomina Nana Ankuvie is now at University of Development Studies at Wa in the upper West region of Ghana just to mention a few.

I went to French Teacher Training College in Somanya and was posted to teach at the Northern part of my country against my will. Little did I know that God has something in store waiting for me. I eventually got there to win U.S. Visa Lottery which is the opportunity I used to come to the United States of America. I am equally happy to inform you that I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with the concentration in Management from Colorado Technical University Online.

It is a true story you must read to find out for yourself. No matter how hard you are struggling in life, I edge you not to give up, but rather continue to endure. There is a better day awaiting you somewhere. An attempt to educate all your children may drain your coffers, but it pays off in the right time. Consider it as an investment.

A mere introduction to someone as a new person in town has made a difference in my life. It is good to know people in life because you may never know when to fall on them for a further help. Wherever you may pass to climb a tree in order to get to the top, do not make a silly mistake to forget about it. Getting to the top of it does not mean you are done in life. You may still need further help one day, who knows?  I realized that the future is unknown. Coming to the United States is seen as a clear manifestation of a miracle, because I did not plan, nor thought about it. I do not even have a family member living in the United States who will petition me to come as has been the tradition of families over the years. This tells me that nobody know the plans of God for mankind. What you need to know is that your mistakes as well as frustrations, depressions at a point in time in life are rather redirecting you to the path of God. Who knows? That is why it said “Man proposes and God disposes”.

Furthermore, I have observed that it is good to do good to people in life without expecting instant reward from them. If possible, allow God in Heaven to reward you at the appropriate time. Any ordinary person, anyone who appears to be frustrated, or who thinks all is lost for him or her, is invited to read this book. I want to assure them that there is a better future awaiting them. It is just a matter of time since time takes to grow.

As main themes or ideas – points, in this book, it is worth to mention that there are difficult times in life. This book points out how my brothers, sisters and I were brought up, and how I managed to come to the United States of America. A lot of people have made positive impacts in my life. Don’t give up trying, but rather continue to endure. There is a brighter day ahead. No condition is also permanent. Helping is naturally rewarding. Miracle can happen in your life time at any moment. Wherever it requires you to go or do, please go and get your assignment done. Many times, lack of financial support can let an opportunity slip out of your way. My parents and guardians’ good intention for all kids is what has brought me up to this far. If you are therefore a good doer, continue to do it.

Sometimes your community thinks you have enough to give extra, yet in actual fact, you are out of means. Imagine when you are doing well and all of sudden you lose your source of income, at the same time you have to cater for your family. Your immediate society continues to hail you, thinking you still have funds while, in actual fact, there is a war going within yourself. Such was the story of my father. That is the time innocent children are born. Their needs have to be attended to.

When you are born from parents who are rich and you don’t have to suffer or go through any form of struggle in order to grow, in a sense, it is good and everyone may wish to have come from such a home. But that would not be the case for every child in life. What if your parents are middle income workers with a lot of kids to take care of ? Sometimes, you could be born from a father who was once rich but is out of resources when the majority of his children are born.

Such was the case of my father, a one time cocoa farmer and purchaser who was rich with three kids and when nine other siblings were born, he became financially weak. However, that was a moment for more responsibilities. Can you dodge the reality of the time? Honestly speaking, I don’t think so. Life must go on. The children must be catered for in one way or the other. They have to go to school, eat, be clothed, etc..

Being a child born into that type of a large family, you have to open your eyes and think of certain things that no one knows about. You can now see where my brothers, sisters, and I are all coming from. It requires dedication not only from parents and guardians but from the young ones too. There were personal issues bothering me. It is what I will describe as the war within self.  How could our parents meet the demands of nine of us? Outsiders thought my father was still rich, yet it is only we the kids in the house who knew what was actually going on. 

f you think you have a story, wait until you hear the stories of other people and you would be amazed a lot. Your rough and bad moments in your life can eventually shape you to become a better person the young ones would like to grow to be one day. Others shall see you as a source of worthy inspiration. All of sudden, you will become a role model in society. You can now occupy a top position in your community. The world will start hailing you at a higher price. The world is your immediate society in which you reside in. That is to say, some people shall begin consulting your point of view on important issues bordering them. How you struggled before getting to that stage, it is only you and your personal God who is aware of it.

That is to say that, at any given moment in life, there is always someone whom God is going to use to assist you in one way or the other. The very people who assisted you while climbing the tree of life must be remembered. You never know what the future holds in store for you. As such, be prepared at all times. Don’t ever forget about where you came from and how you got here. If you do, posterity shall question your conscience forever. Finally, use your personal judgment wisely in whatever blessing that may come your way to help mankind in a small way in glorifying almighty God in heaven.

As you read this book, it is my sincere desire that you will come across something that would one day move you to push yourself forward. Don’t think you are the only one out there that is suffering. As you suffer today, I am optimistic that you are building your future. You are not actually suffering, you are sowing a seed which later will germinate and grow for you to harvest. In other words, you are laying a solid foundation for your future. Listen to your parents and guardians. They are your first teachers. Of course, seek formal education. Enjoy this book.     

CHRISTOPH KOMLA ANKUVIE:

 US NAVY – Culinary Specialist First Class (CS1).

 MBA(Masters of Business Administration)

 Ashford University - San Diego Branch (2012)

 Bachelors of Science in Business Administration – Management

 Colorado Technical University – 2006.

 Mount Mary Teacher Training College

(Ghana, 3-Year Teacher’s Cert. “A”

French Teacher: Fallahia JSS, (1997- 2000), Upper West Region, Ghana – West Africa.   

Kpando Secondary School, Volta Region, Ghana, West Africa

Ecole Primaire Catholique de Bibi, Akposso Bena Togo.