Enock never imagined the woman he chatted with for two years on Facebook, sending heart emojis and promises of love, would turn out to be his own blood.

But that’s exactly what happened when she died from complications of an unsafe abortion, a secret he pressured her into, and a family curse that nearly swallowed him whole.

The 28-year-old Ghanaian, speaking through tears on Pastor Prince Elisha Osei’s Secret TV YouTube channel, confessed he connected with the woman, a UK resident, purely for her money.

“I didn’t know she was my cousin when we met on Facebook,” Enock said, hiding his face from the view of the camera. “All I knew was that she lived abroad and because of that, I had bad intentions. I planned to spend her money, so I lied to her about loving her.”

Their virtual flirtation turned real when she flew to Ghana and stayed with him for three months. She got pregnant. Enock, already in a relationship with a local woman, panicked.

“My girlfriend here told me to make her abort it since I wasn’t in love with her,” he admitted.

He convinced the woman to end the pregnancy at an unregulated clinic, never revealing his double life.

Weeks later, she fell gravely ill. Her mother rushed from the UK to nurse her in a Ghanaian hospital, but it was too late. The woman died, her family shattered and unaware of Enock’s role. When Enock visited their extended family home—drawn by a nagging guilt—he saw her photo on the mourning wall. Asking about her, he learned the unthinkable: she was his cousin.

“I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t confess,” Enock recalled, his voice breaking.

The family, in their grief, cursed the “unknown man” who had gotten her pregnant. Enock fled, haunted, until he sought out Pastor Osei for spiritual cleansing.

This story, which has been gaining traction in Ghana, isn’t just a cautionary tale of online deception; it’s a gut-wrenching reminder of how fragile family secrets can unravel lives.

In a world where Facebook bridges oceans but blurs bloodlines, Enock’s regret humanizes the fallout from exploitation and denial.

For Ghanaians in the diaspora, this tragic story hits harder, reminding us about the need to interrogate the background of our virtual romantic partners.

Unsafe abortions, meanwhile, claim too many young lives, and Enock’s story screams for better access and less shame.

Joel Bervell, the Ghanaian-American medical student who has emerged as one of the most influential voices on racial bias in healthcare, has earned a new global recognition — a place on the Forbes Under 30 All-Star Alumni List.

The recognition marks yet another milestone in a meteoric rise shaped by advocacy, data-driven storytelling, and an insistence on equity in medicine.

Bervell announced the honour in an emotional Facebook post, where he admitted the news caught him by surprise.

“Absolutely wasn’t expecting this one,” he wrote. “Grateful beyond words. And beyond thankful for this entire community. More educational content to come!”

Forbes describes the fourth-year medical student — widely known online as the “Medical Mythbuster” — as a creator who uses social media to educate over one million followers about racial disparities in medicine, breaking down clinical myths, exposing bias in diagnostic tools, and translating scientific literature into accessible public knowledge.

A powerful voice reshaping modern medical education

At just 26, Bervell’s impact stretches far beyond social media. In 2023 alone, he became a TED Fellow, earned a TikTok Changemaker Award, and was featured among Seattle’s Forbes 30 Under 30. That same year, he was named to the UN-recognised Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) list for health and wellness.

Major U.S. media networks — including Good Morning America and the Today Show — have hosted him for discussions on racial inequities in clinical practice. Scientific American has described him as “a revolutionary,” and his published works have appeared in top journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, NPR, the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, and the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Bervell’s academic trajectory reflects the same intensity that fuels his advocacy: a Yale University bachelor’s degree, a master’s from Boston University, and ongoing medical training at Washington State University.

A win shared across Ghanaian and African communities

For many young Africans and members of the diaspora, Bervell has become a powerful model of what medical education can look like when paired with activism. His work has helped draw international attention to disparities long known to communities but often overlooked in mainstream clinical research.

His latest recognition by Forbes — one of the most influential global business and culture platforms — broadens that spotlight.

For Ghana, where healthcare equity remains an urgent national conversation, Bervell’s rise offers a reminder of the global reach of Ghanaian talent and the transformative role of diaspora voices in scientific advocacy.

More educational content to come

Bervell’s promise to keep educating is not just a personal note to followers — it’s a continuation of work that has reshaped how millions consume medical information. As misinformation spreads rapidly online, his ability to merge scientific accuracy with engaging storytelling has placed him at the centre of a growing movement for public health literacy.

And for the Ghanaian-American community that proudly claims him, his latest accolade signals something even larger: a young doctor-in-training who is not only breaking myths — but breaking ceilings.

Ghana’s global community made headlines this week—from bold economic debates in London to standout achievements in tech, arts and public service across Europe and North America.

As policymakers clash over diaspora voting rights and deportation figures rise, Ghanaian professionals abroad continue to shape conversations on innovation, identity and impact. This week’s GH Diaspora Digest highlights the key moments driving policy, culture and community across the diaspora.

DREC 2025 Opens in London with Strong Calls for “Bold Reset”

More than 500 Ghanaians from across Europe and North America gathered in London for the 2025 Diaspora Relations and Economic Conference (DREC), pushing for deeper collaboration with Ghana on tech and healthcare. Media personality Kofi Okyere Darko urged a shift from traditional remittances—now US$6.8 billion annually—toward “co-creation and long-term investment.” (Modern Ghana)

169 Ghanaians Deported from the U.S. This Year

Parliament has been briefed that 169 Ghanaians have been deported from the United States in 2025, with 388 more still in detention. According to Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, government support now includes emergency assistance, counselling and job-matching for returnees. (3News)

UGAG Germany Re-elects Emmanuel Ossei-Wusu

The Union of Ghanaian Associations in Germany (UGAG) closed its biennial conference in Oldenburg with the re-election of Emmanuel Ossei-Wusu. Discussions focused on combating racism and strengthening second-generation Ghanaian leadership. Ghana’s Ambassador Ohene Adjei encouraged young people to “preserve identity while building bridges.” (GhanaWeb)

UK-Based Ghanaians Mobilise to Protect Diaspora Voting Rights

A coalition of Ghanaian groups in the UK is protesting moves by the governing NPP to remove proxy voting under ROPAA. Members argue that “every Ghanaian abroad deserves a voice,” insisting diaspora voting must be protected ahead of future elections. (Adomonline)

IOM Ghana Trains Journalists on Better Diaspora Coverage

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has concluded a training programme in Accra encouraging Ghanaian journalists to expand diaspora reporting beyond remittances to issues surrounding reintegration, migration governance and EU partnerships. (GBC Ghana Online)

Stonebwoy Reaches Historic #1 on Apple Music UK

Dancehall star Stonebwoy has made history as the first Ghanaian artist to top Apple Music’s UK albums chart. Diaspora fans celebrated online, calling the milestone a “BHIM nation takeover.” (Twitter/ X)

Ghanaian Nurse Saves Passenger on Toronto-Bound Flight

Toronto-based Ghanaian nurse Abena Serwaa is being praised internationally after performing lifesaving CPR on a passenger during an Accra–Toronto flight. The individual stabilised before an emergency landing.

Berlin-based Ghanaian Tech Founder Raises €12M Series A

Fintech entrepreneur Kwame Anane has raised €12 million for his Berlin startup, which builds mobile-money tools for African migrants. German venture capital firms led the round, marking one of the biggest diaspora-led raises of the year. *(The Africa Report)*

Maryland Ghanaian Student Wins $100K STEM Scholarship

Akosua Mensah, a 19-year-old Ghanaian student in Maryland, has secured a US$100,000 scholarship to study biomedical engineering at Johns Hopkins University. She was selected for her work in health diagnostics.

Atlanta Ghanaian Church Feeds 3,000 Families for Thanksgiving

Living Faith Tabernacle in Atlanta partnered with the local Food Bank to support 3,000 families during Thanksgiving. Pastor Kwesi Boateng said the effort underscores how “diaspora giving back starts at home.”