The family members have been separated for two years and you could not wipe the smiles from the faces of the little ones, a daughter aged six and a son who turns four next week, as they finally got to hug their beloved mum!
While Florence and husband Adolf and the children have chatted on ‘FaceTime’ morning and night, nothing has compensated them for the two years of separation.
Florence’s mum, Lizzy, oversees a vet shop, Animal Maniak, back in the Ghanaian city of Adeiso.
“It is a veterinary pharmacy providing medicine for poultry and livestock as well as an animal beauty parlour,” Florence said.
“Lizzy has also been looking after the family. She has been a wonderful support and back up to me my entire life.”
Florence is hopeful that Lizzy will visit Australia sometime soon.
Florence is employed in Cobram as a meat inspector or AAO (Australian authorised officer) by Meat Inspectors Pty Ltd, which posted her to JBS on contract for the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. A Brazilian-owned company, it is the world’s largest meat processing facility, with Cobram having the capacity to process approximately 4000 head of livestock five days a week.
Customer demand is high for quality Australian lamb and goat produce.
Florence spent 10 years gaining relevant qualifications, attending a Catholic university and achieving a Bachelor Degree in Public Health, which was a 12-hour drive from her home, and she also studied for a Veterinary Technologist Diploma at a Veterinarian College, which covered animal health and production.
During term breaks, rotations included work in clinics or at farms, there was little time for anything but her studies.
“I love animals and veterinary medicine,” Florence said.
“Yet at one time I was also keen to get into medicine and accepted at Charles Stuart University but declined due to the cost of my studies to achieve my degree.”
She is extremely well qualified and loves her work, and is keen to learn as much as she can while on contract to JBS.
“I had learnt quite a lot about Australia and always wanted to come here, to see the animals, the wildlife and the changing landscape,” Florence said.
“I am excited to bring my family here and for them to see and enjoy so many wonderful things about this amazing country.”
Florence’s husband, Adolf, has held some important positions in inventory and warehouse management and looks forward to a new life and obtaining suitable employment.
More about Ghana
On March 6, 1957, Ghana was granted independence, and in 1960 it joined the Commonwealth as a republic.
English is the main language spoken and all children learn to read and write in English in primary and secondary schools.
Ghana has a population of 35.3 million people, who are spread across 238.533 sq km of western Africa.
Rich in natural resources, it is one of the most stable and democratic countries in Africa.
Women in Ghana are empowered today, with the current vice president, a woman Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, assisting President John Mahama.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang was previously Chancellor of the Women’s University of Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 2018 to 2024.
Ghana has a diverse economy, driven by exports of cocoa (for chocolate) gold, crude oil, rubber and various agricultural products.
Farming offers the largest employment figures, with cash crops providing a good income from cocoa and nuts such as cashews.
The country’s fast-growing service sector is being driven by a 9.9 per cent surge in information technology, digital banking, professional services, tourism, logistics and education.
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