Coming South: A Northern girl’s journey at UPSA

Accra, meet the North you do not know. Coming from Northern Ghana to Accra is not just a physical journey; it’s an emotional, cultural, and psychological one. When I gained admission into UPSA, I was excited because I had the opportunity to be at the place of my dreams. Like many young people, I carry big dreams and hopes coupled with determination. What I did not fully prepare for was how difficult it would be to constantly explain where I come from. As a beautiful young girl from Upper West, one of the most common questions I hear is, “So how does the North look?” At first, it sounds harmless—just curiosity—but when the question comes with surprise, laughter, or assumptions, it becomes heavy. I remember a friend asking me if we spend the Ghanaian Cedi. I was simultaneously shocked and amused. I often hear people making statements like, “You do not look like a Northerner.” Every smile and beauty I carry comes from that beautiful place I call home. People usually expect stories of mud houses everywhere, kids riding donkeys to school, or communities untouched by modern life. Others ask if we have access to electricity, good schools, and even proper roads. Each time I get a question about the North, I am reminded that many people in the southern part of Ghana know very little about the North beyond stereotypes. As a UPSA student coming all the way from the North, the struggles I face each day constantly remind me of my home. Sitting in a bus for more than thirteen hours to Accra is not easy. Searching for a hostel is burdensome, and finding a place to keep my luggage before going home for vacation has been stressful. Adjusting to the cost of living in the South is another issue. Language barriers are not really a problem, as I am fluent in English. However, who do I speak my language with in the South? I get very excited whenever I meet people who speak the same language as me. The struggles are even more real when one has no relatives in the South. One ends up always being stationed in the hostel 24/7. Though this is a sad reality, it makes me strong and helps my social life. Whenever I am sick or facing challenges, I try to put myself together, and when I am unable to, I turn to my friends. In spite of all this, I am proud of my roots. The North raised me with resilience, humility, and strength. It taught me how to survive with little while still dreaming big. The discipline and confidence I carry today existed long before I stepped foot in UPSA. I am Kanneo Peccy Sunviela, the beautiful girl from the Upper West Region chasing her dreams.