It’s My Story: What challenges did you experience with your move to Africa and how would you see you prevailed over these?

Dr Nunoo: When I decided to move to Ghana everyone thought I was mad.  They could not understand why I would want to leave the UK (as well as end a relationship) to go and live in Ghana.  Although I had secured a job in Ghana as a postdoc researcher at a think tank, there was still a lot of uncertainty regarding my move.  Firstly, I had never lived in Ghana before.  Even though I used to visit very often for holidays, living in Ghana is completely different from spending summer holidays here.  Secondly, the cultural adjustments were a bit of a challenge.  Workplace etiquettes and practices are different in Ghana and the UK.  Also, social interactions are different.  It took some time to adjust and I had to learn on my feet.  Thirdly, societal expectations were completely different.  I moved to Ghana at aged 29, I was single (by choice) and looking forward to focusing on my career.  However, when I got to Ghana I was bombarded with marriage, marriage, marriage by my aunt (who I was living with) and her cohort of society friends.  I was dragged from naming ceremonies to traditional weddings to church weddings to funerals all in an attempt to socialize and find a suitable partner.  My aunt would tell anyone who cared to listen that I was not serious about settling down and that they should ‘advise me’.  She made me a prayer topic during her all-night vigils and was constantly dropping hints on marriage and suitors.  It all got a bit tiresome.  Funnily enough, I met my now-husband about three weeks after I moved to Ghana, but I refused to date him because I wasn’t ready.  It took me three and a half years before I agreed to be with him and now, we are inseparable.  It just goes to show you that God’s time is the best and moving at your own pace (not one dictated by family/ friends) has its own reward.

It’s My Story: Today you are a lecturer, a regulator at the Petroleum Commission of Ghana, one of the think thanks of the Kufuor foundation etc etc, how do you juggle all these roles, how do you take care of yourself amidst all these and what advice would you give to other women who are wearing many hats too?