By Abdul-Razak Yakubu
When people at the University of East Anglia (UEA) admired my colourful Made in Ghana clothing, I often responded with a joke: “I am here to brighten the UK!”
The remark was a playful reference to the contrast between my clothes and the darker colours I frequently saw around me. But it also reflected something deeper about my time in Britain: I had travelled there to learn, but I also had a culture, experiences and perspectives to share.
My clothes sparked conversations, those conversations developed into friendships, and the friendships became part of an experience that continues to influence my life and approach to public service.
Today, I serve as a Presidential Aide and Coordinator for Governance and International Affairs at the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs, Office of the President of Ghana. As I reflect on the journey that brought me here, I often return to Norwich, the people who welcomed me and the scholarship that made the experience possible.
In 2014, I received a UK government Chevening Scholarship to study at the University of East Anglia. I recognised the opportunity as significant, but I could not have anticipated how profoundly it would shape my confidence, relationships and understanding of public service.
The scholarship represented more than financial support. It was an investment in my potential, and the confidence others placed in me encouraged me to raise my own expectations.
Lessons in governance and international development
At UEA, my studies in conflict, governance and international development deepened my understanding of issues that remain central to my work today: how institutions serve citizens, how societies manage differences and how public decisions can improve people’s lives.
Learning alongside people from different countries and professional backgrounds broadened my perspective. I came to appreciate that people could interpret the same problem differently because of their histories, experiences and circumstances.
That lesson remains relevant to governance and international affairs, where listening carefully and understanding different perspectives can be as important as presenting a convincing argument.
Life in Britain also required adjustments to an unfamiliar climate, different accents, social customs and academic expectations. Experiencing culture shock made me more observant and encouraged me to question assumptions I had previously taken for granted. It taught me to appreciate the challenges and opportunities that come with finding one’s place in a new environment.
Norwich: A city of friendship and cultural exchange
Beyond the classroom, Norwich became a place of friendship, discovery and cultural exchange.
I joined the city’s salsa community, where dancing and conversation helped me connect with people beyond university life. These experiences made the city feel increasingly familiar and welcoming.
My involvement in Rotary and Rotaract before travelling to Britain also opened doors to new relationships. I attended Rotary meetings in Norwich, made lasting friendships and had opportunities to speak about Ghana and its people.
My travels took me to Great Yarmouth, Ipswich, North Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, among other places. Through Rotary clubs, I met people in their communities and shared aspects of Ghanaian life and culture. A surviving club record of my talk, titled “Life in Ghana”, remains a welcome reminder of those exchanges.
Connections within Rotary, including relationships with Rotarians who were Members of Parliament, also enabled me to visit the UK Parliament for the first time. Seeing the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and meeting people within that environment, brought institutions I had previously encountered through books and academic discussions into sharper focus.
For someone interested in governance, the visit was particularly memorable.
Travelling to Edinburgh added another dimension to my experience. Exploring places beyond Norwich helped me appreciate the distinct identities and histories within the United Kingdom. Much of my learning happened through these encounters and conversations, which extended well beyond the formal university curriculum.
Mentorship and friendships that endured
Among those who made a lasting difference during my time in Britain was my mentor, Graham Dacre CBE, a Norwich philanthropist.
Graham made time for me beyond my academic pursuits. We discussed business and life more broadly, and I valued his advice and encouragement. His presence at my graduation made the occasion especially meaningful.
His kindness gave personal meaning to the welcome I experienced in Britain. It also reinforced an important lesson about mentorship: making time for another person can have a lasting impact.
That lesson continues to inform how I think about supporting others today.
I also remember my friend Mario, a dentist originally from Chile who grew up in Stockholm before moving to the UK. We played badminton together, and his journey was one of many that demonstrated how people with different backgrounds can find common ground through friendship.
Through Chevening and university life, I developed friendships with people from Bangladesh, Malaysia, Eastern Europe and many other parts of the world. Countries I had previously known mainly through maps and news reports became associated with people whose lives and experiences mattered to me.
International affairs consequently became more personal. Beyond policies, institutions and diplomatic relations, I came to appreciate the human connections that help people understand one another across national and cultural boundaries.
Those relationships continue to matter. I enjoy keeping in touch with former colleagues and friends through social media, reconnecting with alumni in Abuja and elsewhere in Nigeria, and hearing from friends in Georgia, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania.
Sometimes, a brief exchange is enough to renew a friendship and recall the experiences that brought us together.
From international exposure to public service
The knowledge and relationships I gained through Chevening and my time at UEA helped prepare me for responsibilities I could not fully have imagined in 2014.
My current work requires effective communication, an understanding of institutions and the ability to engage with people across cultures. I recognise the influence of my international education and the Chevening experience in shaping how I approach these responsibilities.
Returning to Ghana, I carried new ideas, a broader perspective and a stronger desire to apply what I had learned. The experience reinforced my belief that international exposure is most valuable when it helps us ask better questions about our own societies and contribute to their development with greater understanding.
My relationship with the Chevening community has also continued through my service as president of the Chevening alumni community in Ghana and my engagement with prospective scholars.
Sharing my experience is one way of expressing gratitude for the opportunity I received. I understand what encouragement can mean to someone who is considering applying for a scholarship but is uncertain whether such an opportunity is within reach.
Chevening is part of a much wider international network. The programme reports that its alumni community includes more than 60,000 leaders and changemakers across over 140 countries and territories. Its members contribute to public service, business, research and civil society.
Beyond prominent achievements, the impact of such opportunities can also be seen in everyday contributions: improved institutional decisions, the mentoring of young people and community initiatives that continue to make a difference.
A message to future Chevening scholars
To those considering Chevening, my advice is to think seriously about what you hope to contribute to your country and community. If the opportunity comes, approach your studies with commitment and remain curious about life beyond the classroom.
Build friendships beyond familiar circles. Explore new places, engage with different perspectives and share your own culture. Some of the experiences that shape you most may begin with a simple conversation.
To fellow Chevening alumni, wherever you are, I extend an invitation to remain connected. If your work brings you to Ghana, reach out. We can exchange ideas, learn from one another and explore practical opportunities to contribute to our respective countries.
The spirit of friendship that brought us together can continue to support the work we do long after our scholarship years have ended.
I am also grateful to the UK government, the British High Commission in Accra, the Chevening team, the University of East Anglia and the many friends who made Britain feel like home. Their investment, encouragement and kindness remain an important part of my story.
I went to Norwich to study, wearing the colours of Ghana. I returned with a wider view of the world, enduring friendships and a renewed sense of responsibility.
Today, as I serve my country, I carry those experiences with gratitude and a commitment to making what I learned useful to others.
I am Chevening. And the story continues.
Abdul-Razak Yakubu is a Chevening alumnus of the University of East Anglia and a former president of the Chevening alumni community in Ghana. He serves as a Presidential Aide and Coordinator for Governance and International Affairs at the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Governmental Affairs, Office of the President of Ghana. The views expressed are personal.
