Originally from Ghana, Ella worked as a medical lab technician before she made the life-changing decision to move to Canada. Inspired by a friend’s recommendation and encouraged by the fact that her brother had already settled in Saskatoon, she began preparing for her new journey. Eager to learn all she could, Ella watched YouTube videos and reached out to acquaintances who had already made the move and after extensive research and a long wait, she finally arrived in Canada in the summer of 2024.

Ella’s first days in Saskatoon were filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Leaving behind a familiar life, she stepped into a new world with just two suitcases and a carry-on. The warmth of the communities around her quickly eased this intimidating transition. Her church group and a Bible study group at the University of Saskatchewan provided a deep sense of belonging, while Global Gathering Place became another pillar of support. Through GGP, Ella formed lasting friendships and received employment support, assisting in securing her current role as a phlebotomist in Saskatoon.

Like many of our clients, Ella was unfamiliar with Black History Month before coming to Canada. In Ghana, where the population is predominantly Black, the observance did not take place. This year marks her first time celebrating Black History Month, and she is very excited to experience it firsthand. She looks forward to seeing people from diverse backgrounds showcase their culture through dance, music, attire, and food. For Ella, celebrating Black History Month in Canada holds great value as it’s an opportunity to hear the stories of Ghanaians and other Black Canadians who have built successful lives in this country. She is interested in hearing “how they started, how their journey went, and where they are now because it offers inspiration for those coming from Africa… Knowing that someone came from my country and has made it is very inspiring to witness.”

Ella is excited to continue to immerse herself in the Ghanaian community in Saskatoon and continue to stay connected to her home country. Her celebrations from back home are very important to her and she is thrilled to experience these celebrations in a Canadian setting. Ghana’s Independence Day takes place on March 6 and Ella is eager to see how it is marked in Canada, especially after observing the differences in how Christmas is celebrated here compared to in Ghana.

Canada’s theme for Black History Month 2025 is ‘Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations’. This theme serves to remind us that the stories of Black Canadians continue to be written every day. Ella collectively highlights Black women presidents in Africa as leaders that she looks up to as uplifting future generations. “Not only am I black, I’m also a woman. I’ve seen such ladies go against the tides towards such strong positions. Such positions are not only influential, they signify strength and intelligence. Seeing people in these positions, it’s amazing and it’s very inspiring.” Ella reminisces about a conversation with her mom, “I would joke about this with my mom, that very soon I’ll be a politician in Canada. I will be giving my speech, and I’ll say, ‘fellow women…’ And who knows, it might come true.”

Ella says that travelling and immigrating to Canada was a very exciting prospect when she was back home but once arriving in Canada, it quickly became overwhelming. “You need all the strength and support and community that you can get to be in the best position, to strive forward.” Ella’s greatest advice for fellow newcomers is not to lose hope. “There are so many opportunities that are found with God, with family, and with the love of community that you build here. Your life here can be totally different from the direction of your life back home, but you can still make it beautiful and make it work.”